Inner beauty is that golden, ethereal glow – translucent even – that very few can articulate or replicate by the sheer power of will. Speaking to this, model Paula Weckerle is like being diffused in that shimmer and being told in a down-to-earth and heartfelt manner that inner beauty is simply the result of a basic equation. Strong mental health plus finding the right niche for your skillset equals beauty.
Along with her successful modeling career, Weckerle advocates mental health so wholly in her being that her most vital piece of advice to newcomers within the modeling world is to, “To start modeling at a very young age is not a good thing. The industry doesn’t want super young models anymore because young models need to have their mental health on point.”
She advises young aspiring models, “You should finish your studies and figure your head out. The modeling industry can be very tough, so you have to be mentally there.”
It is both significant and revitalizing to hear an experienced model place such value and importance on mental health pursuits and quality mental health and nurturing, though once you get to know a bit more about her, it comes as no surprise that her studies in Brazil, where she hails from, were focused on psychology.
Weckerle now lives in New York and exudes positivity about her life: “I love New York City, I’m very grateful that I’m here.” She has spent the last four years building up her client base and going from strength to strength as she uncovered more about her own goals and priorities.
“At the beginning, when I first arrived in New York, I thought the market focused only on fashion and that I would never make it in the city, but actually if you find the right clients for your profile, you can work really well in the city.”
While some may think that modeling and a passion for psychology do not go hand in hand, this insightful model, with beauty in both mind and body, proves that the two are not mutually exclusive. “I love it because you get to know people,” she responds when asked about modeling. Though it is easy to see that her heart lies with getting to know the inner human being no matter what arena she is engrossed in. Perhaps her aptitude and respect for mental health come from investigating it in such detail. For Weckerle, beauty is the perfect combination of physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Furthermore, it is clear that mental enrichment is a cornerstone of success for her – education being at the forefront of this success. When asked to provide advice for model enthusiasts, she said, “Good advice for girls that want to start modeling is that they should watch a lot of videos online, on Youtube, on fashion shows, study a little bit more on the topic because it’s actually a very nice profession. Very difficult, but also, it is very honorable.” She goes on to discuss her hopes and dreams for the future: “I want to validate my diploma. I want to be a psychologist or a therapist here in the USA, and I want to help people with addiction management.”
Crafting a double career and having the strong desire to uplift those around her are mere anecdotes to Weckerle’s philosophy of beauty – creating a testament to the fact that mental vitality is just as important as physical appearance and that all are needed to achieve the Paula Weckerle glow: a true balance of inner and outer beauty.
For more information about Paula Weckerle, follow her on Instagram.