We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anaregina Frias. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anaregina below.

Alright, Anaregina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I feel like every single big decision I’ve made since May 14th, 2015 has been a risk. I witnessed my dad die on a Thursday at 12;30 pm on May 14th, 2015. I promised him the day before that I would pursue my dream as an author but something more happened inside me that day. I realized how short life can be. I dove head first into spirituality. I decided to live my life as if though this year could be my last year. I learned fear cannot hold me back because death is coming for me anyway. And yet…

I’ve always loved to go by the book. Follow the instructions. Create a perfectly detailed plan and never miss a deadline. Back in 2016 while I was recovering from the grief of losing my dad I faced a monster I could not rattle off through meditating. I witnessed a heroin overdose nearly take my brother’s life. I was 20 and getting my associates degree in English. I would show up to class sleep deprived and on the constant verge of a panic attack. I became addicted to monitoring my brother’s addiction. I was slowly losing myself. So, I decided to move out of my country Eat, Pray, Love style. I said goodbye to my dog, my friends, and the safety net of school. My mom and brother thought it was irrational of me to suddenly leave the house and my life. I did too!

I moved in with my grandma in Mexico City and began my life there. I became a swimming instructor and taught myself how to breathe, sleep, and eat again, Once the basics were restored I did what I knew best. Write, I wrote all about what happened with my brother from finding him locked up in his room that night to exploring the beauty of Mexico City while making new friends. It was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken in my life and it was the most worthwhile. I learned to love myself and wrote my pain into art. It’s my second book in the making, the first being “ALWAYS,” a memoir about watching my dad die of cancer while still finding the light in the darkest of moments.

The kind of art I make is always in a relationship with risk. I’d rather risk being seen and heard than silencing my voice and hiding in my traumas. It’s not easy but the payoff is worth it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello!

I am Anaregina Frias. I’m 26, born and raised in Miami, FL and living in Dania Beach, FL. I love hashbrowns, animals, the ocean and currently the show “Sex Education.” I live with a rescue dog named “Issa Rae” and my boyfriend of four years. Him and I are both performers for “South Florida Surprises” and recently became RBT certified.

My family is from Mexico and I’ve basically been writing since I was in my mother’s womb. By age 9 I was committed to the author life thanks to Harry Potter and its magical effect on me. I published my first novel “ALWAYS: A Memoir” in July 2020 which is about my experience with watching my young dad lose his life to stage 4 bladder cancer. I promised him I would tell our story. Rupi Kaur inspired me to self publish after getting over thirty rejections by literary agents. The rejection stung my ego but I kept going. The pandemic brought so much clarity to me in a time of such chaos.

I realized my dream of becoming a professional Mermaid and got lucky enough to work for Mermaid Elle a world renown performer known for her mermaid performances. I became certified as a yoga instructor and while I didn’t finish film school I did meet three important people there. I met the love of my life, an up and coming actor Franz-Joseph, my best friend and filmmaker Claudia Suero, and my screenwriting partner Carlos Miller.

Some days my life feels like a big question mark but its only because I am still creating a solid foundation for myself. Never have I been happier than when I am creating a pilot with my writing partner or performing as “Mermaid Ava” (my mersona) for a little girl at her birthday party.

I am grateful that I’ve been able to live off my mermaid gigs, chill out through yoga, and create art with such talented, powerful people.

I am extremely proud of my book “ALWAYS: A memoir” because I finished it! I fulfilled my promise to my younger self and my dad who always believed in me. It has also inspired my readers to fulfill their dreams and to laugh and cry with me in the process of reading Always.

Creating the character “Mermaid Ava” has also inspired me to follow my own dreams as that is her main message to kids when I go meet them. I have such a passion for swimming and kids I’ve decided to merge the two and give swimming lessons to kids in South Florida while being Mermaid Ava. Not only do they get to learn a super important life skill they get to be taught that skill by a “real” mermaid.

It’s only the start but I know I am already making waves with both my mermaid work and author work. Nothing is impossible and I hope to sea you in the pool, on the yoga mat, or meet you via my book!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I’ve had to unlearn is that you cannot put a time limit on yourself. I used to think that I needed to be an “international best selling author” by age 24 max age 30. How can my dream have a deadline? All it does is create pressure and limit my creativity and joy in the process. I’ve had my author dream since I was 9 and accomplished it at 24. Guess what? I still felt like the same person and it was actually quite anti-climatic, That cliche quote about it being all about the journey and not the destination is one hundred percent true.

So what if you don’t make it until age 45? Most of those who “make it” don’t even feel like they have. There’s no real arrival. The joy comes from literally “making” your art. Period. Regardless of the outcome.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

It is my mission to bring hope and inspiration to people touched by terminal illness across the globe. It is also my mission to inspire children to listen to their hearts and follow their wildest dreams!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anareginafrias.com
• Instagram: @anaregina.frias, @themermaidava, @drinkpoetry
• Facebook: Anaregina Frias

Image Credits
Steve L. Romero, Darren Leonardi, Cristal Rodriguez, Viviana Garcia, Julio Colon