Today we’d like to introduce you to Chana Torres.
Hi Chana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Most girls spend their childhood yearning to be “that fairytale princess” (thanks Disney) But not me. You see, instead of losing myself daydreaming about ball gowns, fairy godmothers, and talking chipmunks – I lost myself in daydreams of creating, of expressing and visualizing a world full of art. But being from a small conservative tell-it-all town in northeast Texas, the notion of self-expression was frowned upon. So, in 2019 I packed my bags and put all that ‘ish in the review mirror and relocated to the city known for “Keeping it Weird”. One of the BEST DAMN DECISIONS I’ve ever made. I finally found my people, my vibe and most importantly, my purpose! After going through a few trials and tribulations, the unforsaken pandemic, and not to mention an eye-opening car wreck, I did the unthinkable, I took a leap of faith and decided to fully devote myself CREATING a real-life brand for real people – unfiltered and raw.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to success is comparable to the fork in the road that you didn’t even know existed and I wish more would come forward and publicly admit that. In all honesty, I have experienced trial after tribulation as if it were a revolving door I was stuck in. And not to mention the unforsaken pandemic that destroyed not only the well-being of millions but also our mental health. And, to top it all off, there was an eye-opening car wreck with an 18-wheeler I was involved in all while trying to grow a brand that I so desperately believed in, a brand that helps others get through their day, a brand that I so desperately need for my healing. I wish more would publicly and openly talk about how the struggle really is real. Not to discourage anyone, but to reinforce what even filters can’t make look pretty. The biggest thing of all this was finding the energy and will to move forward in general. This for me was my moment of truth and in that moment, I decided giving up was not in my vocabulary. Today I can say with my whole chest that I am a female plus size podcaster, digital and content creator who will always be authentic and show life as I know it to be and I am out here positively impacting real lives and that is how/why I can sleep well at night. The struggle never stops, we just learn how to work with them. I’m honored to admit that my next big challenge is adding “mom” to my list of trades.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a digital & content creator. I host my own podcast called “Channeling Chana”, where I talk about the raw, unfiltered life of a 20 something years old female just trying to make it in the big city – one joke at a time. I’m known for shining light on the harsh/random subjects that most people my age wouldn’t dare let anyone else know they are going through as well – without a filter that is. I’m most proud of my podcast. It’s allowed me to connect with people who are living their REAL life just as I am. It’s allowed me to inspire people along with myself, to embrace the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to all things life may throw at you. Speaking my truth regardless of what the next “trend” is influencing us to think is “in” is what sets me apart from others. More people should feel the need to come forward and speak their own truth regardless of the judgment of others. Everybody wants the truth but less people are willing to give you the raw and unfiltered truth.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Just like rules are meant to be broken, risks are meant to be taken. The way I see it is we have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And that is a fact. I would consider myself a risk taker, a rule breaker in all aspects of my life – that is how change is created and stigmas are broken. Granted, sometimes my anxiety tries to get the best of me and if I’m being 100% honest, sometimes it does get the best of me. But you know what I do, I get up and take that risk time and time again because at the end of the day, if I don’t take a risk on me, then who will? This is what I remind myself on a constant basis. Risks are a part of life. It’s just up to us as individuals what kind of risks we are willing to take to get to where/what we want in life.
Contact Info:
- Email: channelingchana@gmail.com
- Website: channelingchana.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelingchana/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/channelingchana
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/3tlAorgHN4CvcTaiNXHvQe?si=ccf29b01d60347cf
Image Credits
Photos by BrittVonBossy
