Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Gardner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Much of the success I have today was built through the trials and tribulations I faced throughout my life. Those experiences shaped me into the woman I am today.
I lost my mother when I was 10 years old and spent much of my youth in the foster care system. Learning how to navigate life without a mother figure was incredibly challenging. While I shared a strong bond with my father, the loss of my mother left a lasting impact that I still carry with me today.
Even as a young girl, I always knew I wanted to be successful. At the time, I didn’t know exactly what that would look like, but I knew I wanted more for my life. As I grew older, I made choices that gradually led me to where I am today. I became the first college graduate in my family while competing in track and field and earning All-American status. Athletics taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of hard work.
Because of my athletic background, I was inspired to help others and spent time working as a personal trainer. While I enjoyed it, I still felt there was something more I was meant to do. Being tall and confident in my own skin, modeling became another creative outlet that allowed me to express a different side of myself.
I eventually moved from my hometown to Los Angeles, and that change of environment transformed me. I became more confident and stopped allowing insecurities or comparisons to keep me from pursuing opportunities. I was completely self-taught. I studied top models, watched countless YouTube videos to learn makeup techniques, practiced my walk, and worked tirelessly to improve my craft.
That dedication opened doors I once only dreamed about. I appeared on clothing websites, in music videos, walked runway shows, attended exclusive events alongside celebrities, and was featured on television. From the outside, it looked like I was living every aspiring model’s dream.
Yet despite those accomplishments, I realized something was missing.
While I was investing heavily in my outer appearance, I wasn’t doing the same work internally. The grief from losing my mother had never fully healed, and at times it showed up as anxiety, depression, and feelings of emptiness. I began to realize that modeling, while a true passion of mine, was sometimes serving as a distraction from deeper wounds that needed attention.
Starting over can be terrifying, but I began to understand the beauty of free will. We have the ability to reinvent ourselves at any point in life. We can change careers, move to a new city, travel the world, leave unhealthy relationships, build new friendships, and pursue dreams we once thought were impossible. I even wrote and published a book on Amazon—something I never imagined myself doing.
With this new mindset, I moved to Austin, Texas, and started a new chapter. I became an X-ray technologist, content creator, and life coach.
Why?
Because why not?
Life is too short to place limits on ourselves.
When I look back, I’m grateful for every opportunity I took and every risk I embraced. I had every reason to give up, every reason to allow fear, grief, or trauma to define my future. But deep down, I always believed my life had purpose. I believed my story mattered.
Today, my mission is to help others believe the same about themselves.
There is only one you, and that’s what makes life so special. You have the power to become exactly who you want to be, but first you must believe you’re worthy and ready to receive the opportunities that come your way.
We are meant to evolve. We are meant to grow, change, and discover new versions of ourselves throughout life. No matter where you are right now, just start. Take the first step.
Don’t let fear stop you. Don’t let your past define you. And don’t let society place a timeline on your dreams.
Your journey belongs to you, and it’s never too late to become the person you’re meant to be.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Modeling has taught me that there are no guarantees in life. You’re often competing against thousands of people for a single opportunity, spending long hours at castings, constantly updating your portfolio, and always creating new content. It’s easy to become attached to being chosen or to feel like you deserve something, only to face rejection when things don’t go your way.
I’ve learned that those moments can either break you or build you. There will always be challenges and disappointments—the real power lies in how you choose to respond to them. I’ve found peace in focusing on what I can control: my effort, my attitude, and the energy I bring into every opportunity. Anything outside of my control, I’ve learned to release.
That mindset has been one of my greatest lessons. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up—it means trusting the process, staying grounded, and continuing to move forward with confidence, regardless of the outcome.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Modeling has always been my foundation and will always be my first passion. Over the years, I’ve taken on many different roles, including becoming an X-ray technologist, but no matter what path I pursue, they all give me the same sense of purpose: creating meaningful connections and bringing a sense of peace to others.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to share my light, positive energy, and passion with the people around me. Whether I’m in front of a camera, working with patients, or collaborating with a team, I strive to make others feel seen, valued, and uplifted.
I believe what sets me apart is my genuine ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I bring authenticity, warmth, and enthusiasm into everything I do, and I’m passionate about using my presence and experiences to inspire, encourage, and make a positive impact on others.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Much of the success I have today was built through the trials and tribulations I faced throughout my life. Those experiences shaped me into the woman I am today.
I lost my mother when I was 10 years old and spent much of my youth in the foster care system. Learning how to navigate life without a mother figure was incredibly challenging. While I shared a strong bond with my father, the loss of my mother left a lasting impact that I still carry with me today.
Even as a young girl, I always knew I wanted to be successful. At the time, I didn’t know exactly what that would look like, but I knew I wanted more for my life. As I grew older, I made choices that gradually led me to where I am today. I became the first college graduate in my family while competing in track and field and earning All-American status. Athletics taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of hard work.
Because of my athletic background, I was inspired to help others and spent time working as a personal trainer. While I enjoyed it, I still felt there was something more I was meant to do. Being tall and confident in my own skin, modeling became another creative outlet that allowed me to express a different side of myself.
I eventually moved from my hometown to Los Angeles, and that change of environment transformed me. I became more confident and stopped allowing insecurities or comparisons to keep me from pursuing opportunities. I was completely self-taught. I studied top models, watched countless YouTube videos to learn makeup techniques, practiced my walk, and worked tirelessly to improve my craft.
That dedication opened doors I once only dreamed about. I appeared on clothing websites, in music videos, walked runway shows, attended exclusive events alongside celebrities, and was featured on television. From the outside, it looked like I was living every aspiring model’s dream.
Yet despite those accomplishments, I realized something was missing.
While I was investing heavily in my outer appearance, I wasn’t doing the same work internally. The grief from losing my mother had never fully healed, and at times it showed up as anxiety, depression, and feelings of emptiness. I began to realize that modeling, while a true passion of mine, was sometimes serving as a distraction from deeper wounds that needed attention.
Starting over can be terrifying, but I began to understand the beauty of free will. We have the ability to reinvent ourselves at any point in life. We can change careers, move to a new city, travel the world, leave unhealthy relationships, build new friendships, and pursue dreams we once thought were impossible. I even wrote and published a book on Amazon—something I never imagined myself doing.
With this new mindset, I moved to Austin, Texas, and started a new chapter. I became an X-ray technologist, content creator, and life coach.
Why?
Because why not?
Life is too short to place limits on ourselves.
When I look back, I’m grateful for every opportunity I took and every risk I embraced. I had every reason to give up, every reason to allow fear, grief, or trauma to define my future. But deep down, I always believed my life had purpose. I believed my story mattered.
Today, my mission is to help others believe the same about themselves.
There is only one you, and that’s what makes life so special. You have the power to become exactly who you want to be, but first you must believe you’re worthy and ready to receive the opportunities that come your way.
We are meant to evolve. We are meant to grow, change, and discover new versions of ourselves throughout life. No matter where you are right now, just start. Take the first step.
Don’t let fear stop you. Don’t let your past define you. And don’t let society place a timeline on your dreams.
Your journey belongs to you, and it’s never too late to become the person you’re meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/essentialsescapecompany
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1brianamarie
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovebrianamarie
