It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard

Unknown Speaker 0:00
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Unknown Speaker 0:45
Good morning Las Vegas. This is Dr. G, and it's where I am on 91.5 FM que und I continue to get For Honor polearm he continues to enjoy a much needed breakfast after being on the air for four years. But don't worry if you're missing Zondra she'll be returning back to hosting her show full time in the month of July. I'm Dr. David Bennett, clinical and public relations director from Grapevine counseling and Wellness Center. And on it's where I am I have been spotlighting different mental health programs throughout the state of Nevada. My goal is to decrease stigma for accessing mental health resources and encouraging others to expand a hand to ask for help when needed. On this morning show I am delighted to spotlight the field of cosmetology. Cosmetology is the professional skill or practice of beautifying the face, hair and skin. For our listeners, have you ever received the facial? Or have you got a haircut. And as you're walking back to your car, you realize and feel really good about yourself. On this morning show, I am super excited to show the length between face hair and skin beauty and self esteem. So without further ado, I would like to welcome Pedro from paradigm artistry to the show. Good morning, Pedro.

Unknown Speaker 2:34
Morning, guys, how's it going? Thank you for having me. Doing doing

Unknown Speaker 2:38
great. Thank you so much for, you know, accepting my invitation to be on the show. You know, Pedro, when you and I first met, I had an opportunity to listen to your testimony, if you will, to learn about your journey within the field of cosmetology. But, you know, there was so many levels within your journey leading up to your decision to formally pursue a career in cosmetology and you know, what it meant for you in regards on a personal level. And so I was so inspired when I had the privilege to listen to you share your story. And so that's why I invited you on the show, because I feel like there's so much that the listeners, our community members can benefit from listening to your journey, Pedro. So again, thank you so much for being on it's where I am. So all right. Pedro, can you tell me and our listeners, how you first determined that you wanted to be a cosmetologist that you wanted to work in the field of skin, hair, makeup, you know, kind of what led you to doing?

Unknown Speaker 4:13
Well, I'm gonna be honest, it all started with a little bit of self esteem stuff, issues actually. So impacted my career actually led me to knowing the belief of me knowing what BD meant to me and what it meant to other people. And I mean, anybody can describe beauty but you know, what it looks like on other people is it's going to be a different thing when it looks like I'm you know, so being able to express the tools and creativity and the journey, the journey I went through of being just confident and that's depended on my skin and walk out the doors was a big step for me. And it was a big insecurity of me for like, you know, what is people gonna think about me, but I kind of got over it over time and it was it was difficult but the impact that it had on me what it did to other people, like, you're so confident, you know, just tell me I love you and things like that I never heard from like, even my family. So it did open my heart, it made me push myself to, like, want to get more seek out more and the impact that it made to other people when I taught them. I mean, just have even come into the store and smile and, or even write me a letter. So, yeah, that was the whole part of it for me.

Unknown Speaker 5:29
So Pedro, when, you know, I'm gonna pull from having the privilege to listen to speak previously. And so. So in adolescence, though, you you were kind of experiencing something at within adolescence, that kind of led you to make up and being and learning about skin.

Unknown Speaker 5:57
Oh, yeah. Um, so when I was younger, I had cystic acne. So I was really, really scared about, you know, touching my face, and just, you know, trying to reach that, I guess, version of myself where I felt more comfortable of being a whole self. And, that's, that's where it's rare to happen, it was like me wanting to cover up, you know, the blemishes, but then I ended up falling in love with just my skin and the artistry was just an extension of healing and, and being able to like, create, create, and have people smile and laugh, and, you know, enjoy it. That was my healing process. So it all came together at the end, but it it honestly, it honestly was just to make me happy and make me make me love myself more.

Unknown Speaker 6:42
So your first, I would say, Introduction to makeup was because you had acne. And this was a way for you to cover up some of your acne, and it made you feel better about yourself, you had higher self esteem, and then you transitioned and, you know, started doing makeup on other people and seeing how well what the response was from those that you did their makeup for. And it was so positive, and that you were recognizing that you could have an impact on people's mental health. Can you talk Pedro a little bit more in terms of like self care? So, you know, why is that important for you? And and how did you kind of integrate this, this concept, this idea within your work?

Unknown Speaker 7:48
Again, southcare, totally eating right, my, you know, I felt like I need to eat, right, because the blemishes and skincare obviously, as well and you know, suffer. And then. So like, I started like noticing, like, the feeling that I was having, like, you know, feeling a little bit just more confident, a little bit more comfortable in my own skin, you know, even without makeup. And so makeup did bring me closer to skincare, because I didn't, I didn't know anything about it. And besides that, like there was a really deep, you know, part of me that needed to feel self again. And I felt like me, diving into like self care would have been the most part of taking care of myself, it's not just about self image, it was like what I'm projecting on the inside. So I work on the inside a lot more than the outside. And as soon as as soon as, I guess you can say more education, I came along, across, I started to develop more artistry skills and started to paint my face in funny ways. Like I didn't expect myself to enjoy it. But they all say proceeded as a, you know, really nice and they loved it. So that was my myself, I started working out and loving myself more and, you know, expressing that outwardly. And I shared that with the community that was part of and

Unknown Speaker 9:00
that's so beautiful. That's so beautiful Pedro because, you know, I initially this, this this application, you know this, and so I refer to a lot of the tools that we utilize in the field of mental health as interventions. And so for me, you know, I'm conceptualizing in my brain and my thoughts that the implementation that the utilization of makeup was to help, you know, cover your exterior, like you said, to a certain degree, it was almost like a mask. And that though, you take the meaning the message of the association with the makeup though transformed from being something that was external to where you started feeling better and having thoughts about yours. self confidence, your your self efficacy, your self esteem inside. And so that's just fascinating to me how, how you you utilize makeup initially, and in terms of a form of self care and that it really became so much larger and it transitioned into self love that just moves me every time every time I, you know, have an opportunity to hear you talk about that. So, you know, would you mind sharing more with how, you know, then this led to you really working in the field and helping others.

Unknown Speaker 10:39
Okay, so I realized how much it did for me and my heart. And I come from a really like, a tough situation. But you know, everybody does, right. So I've seen what it did to me, it made me still like proceed my career. And, you know, being that I was capable of being able to bring that to life in front of everybody, I feel like, that was a moment for me to be like, this is going to take me to the next level, I believe I can do this. And so I just started applying and different locations, and I got an opportunity to actually work with a production company, I didn't even know at the time, they saw me working in the mall. And I was just like, you know, just having a good time with the client walked up on the car, and the kind of grabbed me right on the spot. And then ever since then I actually volunteered it's the production is called Milan's production, it's in San Francisco, California. And they kind of actually pushed me to, you know, become the best version of myself. And it's a beautiful community. So ever since I had that platform, I've been kind of just make sure make pushing myself a little a little out of time. You know, there's always trials and tribulations in life. So I've always come back to makeup and cosmetics and my career, because it's only made me feel that much more live. And that's what pushed me to get closer to what I'm doing now. And I guess the question you're asking is, how did I get there? I just kept showing, showcasing my best version of myself and every version of your gait has to be the best version. Yeah, yeah, that's what they think.

Unknown Speaker 12:14
So I, you know, encourage individuals to self assess and to be introspective within themselves to really be able to get to identify, you know, what, what is it that is meaningful? And what is the purpose that individuals are working towards achieving, so that they feel fulfilled as they feel complete? And so I really hear that resonate, when you speak Pedro, about your story, your journey, and to where you are today. And that is a there's a level of fulfillment, and personal satisfaction. And so, you know, I'm interested, Pedro, and, you know, having you share with our listeners, China, like the process that that you underwent, in terms of, you know, learning like work ethic and how you overcame trials and tribulations.

Unknown Speaker 13:27
Okay, yeah. So, along with my journey, and still history still going on, I've, you know, come across the different things with me knowing that this is not for me. Not saying like, it wasn't good enough, but this is what fills my heart. So I had to, you know, run for the hills and go for the makeup and, you know, it made me feel safe. It made me feel good about myself and other people around me. So, that's, that's ultimately what made me, you know, shoot for that. But I had to go through, you know, I've worked at so many different jobs to me knowing that I was there as the physician doing makeup where I was, this is where I'm supposed to be. I was working, I think he was McDonald's. And this was a years ago, okay, this is like, years ago. And then I think recently, I worked for McDonald's, when I stopped working as an EMT. So during the pandemic, I became an EMT, because I didn't feel fulfillment, doing makeup at the time. And I felt pretty shallow. So I became an EMT for Mr. And Riverside County, and then I, three years after I had COVID, and then I went back to the salon. No, actually, I went back to civilian life and felt like because I didn't really know how to like communicate his time. So then I became employed at McDonald's because my sister is a manager. And then after that, I went back straight back to insulin within like a week. I was working at McDonald's for a week and I said, Okay, I'm ready to go back to school. And they hired me an adult so they didn't there and so it wasn't like a smooth ride. But the journey has been very, very, very with it.

Unknown Speaker 15:05
Well, you know, I feel like in most of our journeys, though, there's a lot of twists and turns, and roadblocks that we have to overcome in order to get closer to whatever our final destination is. And, you know, I think what gravitates and draws me into you, Pedro, is that you did go through these trials and tribulations that I feel, has impacted how you situate and position yourself, within your environment, and how you interact with others today, and how you experience the world. And and, you know, during COVID, this, this is just this is impresses me that at the time of COVID, you decided for yourself, that, you know, helping others feel good about applying makeup was no longer fulfilling for you, given the state in which the world was in, and that you went into a totally different career path and became an EMT. And you worked as an EMT on a COVID team, all throughout COVID. And so, you know, this this link, and I don't, and so I caught this, though, and that you were helping others feel good about themselves, by doing what you did in the field of Cosmetology and making them feel pretty and more self confident. And you transitioned to work as an EMT, where you're still helping people, and you're helping people triage and navigate through medical promise. And, you know, I don't know, I just feel that, that level of compassion that permeates through your skin and through your yourself is is just, you know, overwhelming, because you're such a tiny, compassionate human being. So that brings me though, that that brings me to a question, Pedro. So, you know, you went back then after COVID, you know, you made the transition out of the NDMC and back into the field of cosmetology. So the real beauty though, that impact that it had on your life, and the discovery, and I, and please speak to this, Pedro, that, I feel like the self discovery for you is still ongoing.

Unknown Speaker 17:59
Oh, yes, you know, I'm gonna rewind just a second. During when I was I was an EMT, and I was my last client, his name is Michael Jackson. Oh, shoot, I shouldn't be saying anything. But I just don't even his name, actually, we do. That's what we called him. And so he had told me his last conversation with me. He was like, thank you so much Pedro, for getting me to write it. Because at the end of the day, but she was, you know, he wanted a hot sauce. Like, anyways, so we were talking and talking to him, and he was like, You're not meant to do this. You're not You're not what were you doing before this, like he kept he was always asking me, right. And I kind of never wanted to get close to the clients, because you never know when something's gonna happen to the client. Because I worked with bariatric patients, I worked with over 500 300,000 patients, on patients, you know, lifting, and honestly, it seems that you know, not, not other paramedics at the time were wanting to do because paramedics were putting a lot of EMTs and paramedics, were quitting their jobs, and people were getting hired just like that. So during that time, it was it was a lot of work. But that was an amazing experience. He's the reason why I'm, I actually want to do makeup again, because he's like, remember what used to do like, you know, the kind of remarkable remind me and ever since then, I just, that was good for me. I was like, I gotta get back through it. Like, I'm going so you're saying

Unknown Speaker 19:21
yeah, I feel like so we we get along with each other. And I feel like though, one of the reasons why we get along so well with each other is that at great mind counseling and Wellness Center, we really look at each individual each person just just as their own entity as their own self and and that we don't provide cookie cutter type services to the community and that we're really individualizing treatment. And we're really focusing though on the whole person and With that, we're really trying to identify where there are opportunities for us to provide the most support to our community members that we're providing clinical services to. And I see the parallel Pedro in regards to how you work with the people that that come to you and that you provide services to. And there's just such, I think, because you went through these trials, if you will, and and these tribulations that led though, to so much self discovery, that is just pushing you forward, to think about the application of the field that you're in at such a higher level, on a human being level, like you're just so mindful about how to be present with the individuals that come to you to receive services. And I think that is very unique, because I don't believe that that is within the field of cosmetology, that that level of intimacy, and respect for the individuals that you're providing services to, I don't believe that that that is across the board within the field. So I remember though, you told me about this patient that you worked with, who had a mental health diagnosis that that was shared with you. And this was something that was openly discussed and process with you because of this person. Can you talk a little bit about about your work with that person with that adolescence?

Unknown Speaker 21:49
Yes, it was such an honor. And it's been such an honor just being you know, in a, in a sentence next to her. Her name is Madeline Stewart and her mom rose on Stuart, they're absolutely amazing. They're from Australia, and I had got to work with them in San Francisco, she's down syndrome as well. I don't mean to say it like this, but her, you know, to describe how others would describe her would be she's, she's just ticking down syndrome, but she is none of those things in my face. Like, I couldn't even you know, we just work together. So professionally, it was a beautiful moment. And ever since then, I've worked with her and worked with her. And I think the first time actually I've worked with her, her mom and her came back to LA and took me to Disneyland for my first time doing that. And then California venture. So that was been such like a bonding moment for me and her. And but to be honest, like, just finding beauty, she broke that boundary. And for me to even be able to, like be a part of that journey, which was my journey to It's what made me feel like, Yes, I need to keep defining beauty it I need to keep opening up the doors of beauty. And not only that, the mental health space of beauty. Because I believe there is a space, there's a stigma behind beauty when you put on makeup, hide your face, like I might have said something like that, you know, but it's an extension of who I am. And everybody will say like, you kind of cover up something, no, I'm trying to amplify all my beauty, I'm not trying I will amplify my beauty and we will all amplify our beauty. And that's when we choose and then who's to say, You know what beauty days to somebody or will make up to somebody. But honestly, that changed my mind on everything my whole life and where I wanted to go with my career and how I wanted to move and where I wanted to share my, my information or my light and like, whatever connections I have to get someone where they need to be because that's where my journey is.

Unknown Speaker 23:44
Well, and you know, I hate to say or share this, this. This I don't know what I call it, but it's kind of cliche what I'm about to say, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. And that's what came to mind for me because I was thinking about how you know the word that you use was amplify beauty amplify one's beauty and what what is fitted, you know, what, what we decide what we want to be amplified is very personal is very individual. And, you know, I see that by approaching this idea of amplifying one's beauty from, from this perspective is really separating. I feel like social norms that society has perpetuated these beliefs, so these images, and what all of us are supposed to look like, and you know a lot of these images headrail that I see on TV or in magazines, and social media, you know, I don't feel like these images are really accurately depicting real people. And and it's putting I feel like restraint as social restraint or pressure on individuals to look a certain way. And that contributes and leads to mental health challenges and problems down the road. Do you have any comment regarding that?

Unknown Speaker 25:41
I agree. I totally agree. I that was, that was a lot of my issue growing up, because, you know, you're supposed to be macho, you're supposed to be that you're supposed to be this, you're Latino. So me being that I openly say I'm gay, I don't have to look gay, I don't have to wear makeup to say I'm gay or for you to believe that I'm gay. I never needed to tell you that. It makes me more comfortable to tell you that. But an all eyes like, yes, we see on the internet. It's not tributing. It's what we create to make beauty. And for us to see beauty in real life and how it moves. Like I was able to see that through Madeline because the people the way that worked with her the way I worked with her in the work, and it made no sense to treat or different. So

Unknown Speaker 26:27
yeah, so I love that I love what you just said, Pedro, it made no sense to treat her differently. You know, so so that's how I practice as a provider, and as clinical director at great mind counseling and Wellness Center is that I hold every patient, every person that it participates in clinical services to be capable. And for many of these individuals, this is the first time in a long time, where they've had a team behind them that that's cheering them on. Because we all believe that every person is capable, regardless of what diagnosis a person has, or what developmental limitations a person has. Everybody has the potential to be able to thrive and and to be happy and to be safe. So you know that that is something that you know, I mean, you just said it, you just said it and I've seen I've was I am able to observe and how you practice and how you speak about your work. And that that is a huge piece are huge beliefs and how you situate yourself as a provider as a cosmetologist. And, and you are kind of you know, quote unquote, you know, many therapists when you're meeting with individuals, and you're working on developing that plan of care, if you will, in terms of what the consumer what the customer wants, you know, things come up, and you're addressing these concerns, by engaging individuals and asking, you know, tough questions to, to develop, and to help them feel good about themselves, and to maybe make sense of some things that, you know, they've been carrying inside, that is impacting how they view themselves and their self esteem. So, later on, I really want to thank you for being on it's where I am I, you know, again, I'm just so inspired by listening to your journey and how you have transformed into the person that you are because of, you know, your trials and tribulations, all the experiences, for better or for worse, the positives and negatives. You know, you you've sat and you were introspective and you pick what you felt was helpful, and you integrated it into who you are, and you're doing amazing things today. So again, I want to thank you for being on the show. And listeners. Thank you for tuning in to it's where I am on 91.5 FM, K, u and v. And you can listen to the show every Saturday morning at 7:30am. I'm Dr. David Bennett, clinical and public relations director from great mind counseling and Wellness Center. I look forward to another show next week. Thanks so much

Transcribed by https://otter.ai