Victoria Jardine shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Victoria, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Yes, I have. I believe standing up for what is right is more important than staying silent for convenience. There have been times when I spoke up on someone’s behalf, even when I knew it might not benefit me personally. It wasn’t easy, but I value integrity and fairness, and I’d rather face short-term challenges than compromise my principles. In the end, doing the right thing matters more to me than what it might cost in the moment.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey everyone, my name is Victoria. Besides being on social media, I also work full time and I’m in college, so life definitely keeps me busy. My brand is all about being yourself and not being afraid to share your story.
I’ve been through a lot in life, and there were times when I honestly felt like giving up. The odds were stacked against me, and it would’ve been easier to stay stuck in my past. But instead, I decided to push forward. I share my journey because I want people to know they’re not alone and that no matter what you’ve been through, you don’t have to let it define you. I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to be a prisoner of their past, I want to show them that they can rise above it.
What makes my brand different is that it’s not about being perfect or looking like I have it all together—it’s about being real. Some days I talk about deep, personal things to help inspire others, and other days I post funny videos just to make people laugh. Because to me, life is about balance. You can go through hard times and still have joy. You can be strong and still be silly. I want people to know it’s okay to be their full selves.
Right now, I’m working on building a brand that’s not just about me, but about helping others too. I want to create opportunities for people in the area to come together through volunteer events, giving back to the community, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome no matter who they are or where they come from. In a world that feels so divided, I want to focus on bringing people together for a better cause. I’ve even been thinking about starting a podcast where I can share stories, highlight voices, and continue to inspire and connect with others on a deeper level.
My story is still being written, and I think that’s the best part. I’m not finished, and neither are the people who follow me. We’re all still learning, growing, and figuring it out and that’s what makes this journey so special.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My fiancé. When we first met, I was still so lost, carrying around anger, hurt, and so much pain from the people who had broken me. I had lost myself and honestly didn’t even know who I was anymore. But he saw me clearly, even when I couldn’t. He looked past the walls I had built, past the anger, and past the broken pieces, and he saw the real me, the person I was deep down but had forgotten how to be.
He reminded me that I was more than what I had been through, that I was capable of love, joy, and a future that looked nothing like my past. He believed in me before I believed in myself, and that made all the difference. Having someone truly see you, especially when you feel invisible or unworthy, is powerful. It gave me the courage to start healing and to become the person I am today.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I met my fiancé and realized just how broken I truly was. At that point, I felt like it couldn’t get any worse, my father had passed away from addiction, my best friend was murdered, I had lived through abuse, felt unloved, and carried so much sadness. For years, I held all of that inside. I lived in regret, constantly replaying “what if I had done something different,” and I let myself live as a victim. But the truth is, carrying that pain only made my life worse.
Eventually, I made the decision that I wasn’t going to let my past control me anymore. Instead of hiding it, I chose to face it head-on and use it as my power. My voice and my story became the tools that helped me heal and also gave me the chance to help others. I didn’t want to be known as the victim anymore; I wanted to be known as Victoria.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that if I just tried hard enough, everyone in my life would treat me the way I deserved. I thought people would change, and I held onto that hope tightly. But over time, I realized that expecting others to fix my happiness or validate me was naive. The truth is, I’m the only one who can create my own peace, joy, and sense of self-worth. Once I let go of that old belief, I started taking full control of my life and that’s when things really started to change.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Oh yes, 100%. I’ve learned that giving your best isn’t about recognition or praise, it’s about honoring yourself and your own standards
Contact Info:
- Instagram: thedazzling_vic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriajardine/
