Exclusive Interview with Mrs. Georgia Universal, Tamara Braxton
Today we’d like to introduce you to Mrs. Georgia Universal, Tamara Braxton.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been competing in pageants since the 6th grade. I started so I could have something in common with my mom. Even though growing up I was extremely insecure, pageantry became my outlet, my vehicle of self expression, and every year I competed I uncovered a little bit more of my identity and increased my confidence. Will Smith said once that the difference between joy and depression is a distinct sense of purpose. Even with my amazing family I found myself stuck and sad because I was not pursuing mine. I knew I was put on this planet to positively impact people. But I was too afraid. Afraid if I went all in, head first into my dreams that I’d be judged… rejected… or that I’d fail miserably in front of people and be made fun of. So I played it safe… small… simple… scared. But I was over it. I was tired of attending my own pity party. So when the opportunity to become Mrs. Georgia Universal presented itself, I stepped up and I’ve done more, served more, and shown up more authentically over the last three months of being Mrs. Georgia Universal than I have over the past decade of trying on my own. Sometimes you just need someone to give you a swift kick in the pants to get you to elevate your life in ways you’ve only dreamed of and Victoria the Founder of the Mrs. Universal Pageant system was that person for me.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
HA! If you would have told me I was successful two years ago I would have laughed in your face then cried later. Because the regret of missed opportunities that used to haunt me. But I’ve learned to accept and appreciate my past. It’s what makes me, me. It’s what gave me the story I use to encourage women daily. Additionally, I adopted Earl Nightingale’s definition of success- “the progressive realization of a worthy idea”. This was a game changer. Every time someone joins my community or I have opportunities like this one to share and inspire, I realize my “worthy idea.” Before that, my greatest challenge was overcoming my obsession with the promise of success but having a total disregard for the process. It kept me stagnant… waiting for my big break. But then one day I decided I was going to be the damsel in distress AND the dashing super hero of MY OWN STORY… I decided I was going to stop waiting to be saved and saved myself! So I worked on shifting my mindset, leveled up my sense of worth. And I told myself I LOVE YOU… until I believed it. This gave me confidence to live life in a way that fit MY VIBE. In two short years, I went from desperate and depressed on the verge of attempting suicide for the second time to being the FIERCE FOCUSED POWERHOUSE of a woman, wife, and mom that I always knew I could be.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Becoming a Mrs. USA Universal delegate has given me a platform to help other women fall madly in love with themselves and capture their dream so that they can live a fabulously fulfilling life of joy, abundance, and achievement. I’m able to do this though my SOAR Sisters Facebook Community and my weekly show called Make Moves w/ Mrs. Georgia Universal. Every single day I help women on the verge of a breakdown have life changing breakthroughs. It’s the most fulfilling thing I have ever been a part of. What I love about the Mrs. Universal pageant system is Victoria requires that all of her queens SHOW UP and SERVE. Like stuntin’ in a sash and showing up pageant weekend is not going to fly with her. You pick a cause and you use your crown to promote positive change in this world. PERIOD… And as strange as it sounds in all my years in pageantry, this is the first time I don’t really feel like there is a competition. We are all different and we serve differently. And together we are changing the world. I’m just dedicated to showing up and serving big in my own way. I’m the crazy colorful queen from the Peach State. If nothing else people will be able to say, she’s kinked her crown and stained her sash in the service of others.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
The success you seek lies in your story. And your willingness to share and serve others out of it. Far too often we are held down by shackles of shame. When in fact it should fuel our flight into the future. Also we have to embrace the truth that we go big by taking small steps. But go big you must. Far too many of us (me included) are afraid of having, doing, and BEING MORE because we are afraid we’ll be left alone. We are afraid we’ll be rejected by the people who mean the most to us. (s/n just because someone means the world to YOU… does NOT mean YOU mean the world to THEM). I wish I could say there’s no reason to be scared, but that would be a lie. Because you ARE going to lose people. When you start cultivating the confidence to do things daringly different. Or owning your VOICE or living FIERCE, focused, & FREE… Some people just won’t rock with you like they used to. They WILL say you’re… “doing the most” “too much” “you think you’re better than everybody” Or worse they’ll go ghost and you don’t know why. But SO WHAT!!! Over the past 2 years I have lost scores of “friends”… And guess what??? I didn’t die. AND I haven’t gone out to try to replace them either. Because I’d rather SOAR with 2 eagles then kick it with 20 chickens.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
I’m going to have to rock with Earl Nightingale. Anyone who has the audacity to go after something they believe in is a success. I know it’s difficult to make the shift in the idea because we are so used to equivocating success with fame and fortune. But it’s just not true. Those things come, but only after you are in full pursuit of your purpose.
What’s next for you?
Mrs. USA Universal is February 20, 2021 in Greely, CO. Of course, like all my sister queens, I hope to be crown the new Mrs. USA Universal and have the honor to represent our country in Thailand in July 2021 for the Mrs. Universal International pageant. But for now, I’m staying focused on growing and serving the women in my community. I think obsessing over pageant weekend is counterproductive and not the best use of my time.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more.
Right now I’d love for everyone to help me keep the goodness of my platform going by donating http://bit.ly/teamtamUSA and joining Team Tam USA. Their gift will make sure I’m able to show up and show out for the Peach State at nationals. But also, I know it can get a little lonely on this whole personal positive change journey. So I invite every woman who feels stuck and desperately wants more out of life, who wants to learn how to embrace and unleash all of them so they can stop seeking validation from others and cultivate the courage and confidence they need to move from fear to faith in themselves and their dreams to join my SOAR Sisters Facebook Group. I have a community of over 100 women waiting to connect, chat, and cheer them on as they begin living fierce, focused, and free from ANYTHING holding them back. It’s also the best way to get my personal support and feedback. https://www.facebook.com/groups/wearesoarsisters/
