This weeks Empowered Woman of the Week is Loreina Corwin. I met Loreina in Hollywood about 5 years ago. She was a girl that was so beautiful, but carried such a positive aura around her. Right when you meet Loreina, you will see there is so much more to her than her looks. She is so sweet, enthusiastic about life, humble, and authentic. These are traits that people in Los Angeles can really lack. I knew she was a special girl when I met her. It’s funny, I think one night at a club when I was working, a girl was being rude to me, and she said something to her like, “excuse me, be nice to her. There is no reason to be rude”. She is a true “girls girl”. I chose Loreina to be my “Empowered Woman of the Week”, because she is kind, ambitious, hard working, recruiting for some of the biggest reality shows on TV currently, and because she is also a cancer survivor. Loreina was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was 21 and had a full on hysterectomy. She is now freezing her eggs, so that one day, her fiancé and her will be able to have a child via surrogate. A dream she has always had, is to be a mother and a wife. She knows she will never be able to carry her own child, yet she has not given up on her maternal dream. Loreina is a huge animal lover, loves her dog, and worships her mother. She is a very genuine person who has worked hard to overcome difficult situations. Loreina loves fashion, and even designed her own fashion line called “Leo Luv”. Loreina has even modeled for various brands, she has been a stylist for models on photoshoots, as well as styled ladies for red carpet events. She is a true “Jack of all trades”, or maybe “Jill of all trades”. This girl is really the total package and a sweetheart to boot, without giving away too much, here is our interview! Enjoy!

1.   1. Tell me your full name, age, and where you’re from. 

 Loreina Ann Corwin, 29, from Newcastle, CA, a tiny mountain town in Northern California. 

 

 2.Tell me a little about your upbringing? What were you like as a young girl and teenager? 

 I Came from humble beginnings, loved my family, nature, my animals, reptiles. I Wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty! My dad says I was always a leader. He always tells this story. When I was at the playground and all the swings were taken (which were my favorite), I would go dig a hole (and make it look fun), so everyone would get off the swings and start digging holes. Then I would hop up on the empty swing. lol. I don’t remember it, but he loves telling that story. When I was a teenager I was a pretty good kid. I got good grades and loved Volleyball and hanging out with friends! I always knew I wanted to be a college graduate and I ended up at Sac State after graduating high school and moving out at 18. 

“I did some acting, modeling, and wardrobe styling, but recruiting just unexpectedly fell into my lap, I am extremely good at it, and casting companies continue to call me for new big projects all the time, based on referrals.”

 

 3.     What did you want to originally be when you grew up? Did you ever think you would be where you are today? What made you want to become what you are today? 

 I wanted to be either an entomologist or a news reporter. I was fascinated by insects and I also loved being in front of the camera (not much has changed). I lost my vision for both though, somewhere during my high school years. These days I still love both of those things, but I now work in reality TV recruitment and casting. Looking back, I would have been like, “that’s the coolest job ever”.  I grew up watching Survivorand American Idol, so I’ve always been a reality TV fan! I didn’t really decide I wanted to be a recruiter. I did some acting, modeling, and wardrobe styling, but recruiting just unexpectedly fell into my lap, I am extremely good at it, and casting companies continue to call me for new big projects all the time, based on referrals. It started out, me just doing a friend a favor by working an open casting call. 

 

“I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 21. I had a complete hysterectomy.”

 4. When did you move to Los Angeles and how come? 

 I ended up moving to Los Angeles after getting my associates degree, and beating cancer. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 21. I had a complete hysterectomy. I went to Cedar Sinai for a second opinion, and that’s really when it clicked. I wanted to move to LA after kicking cancers ass. So, that’s exactly what I did. I beat cancer and shortly after, I got accepted into Cal State Long Beach and started in the spring of 2013. I graduated with my BA in Summer 2014. I LOVED my school and all the culture and new experiences I was surrounded by.  

 

 

 

 5. How did you get started doing what you’re doing and how did you really start to become successful? What does success mean to you? 

 A friend from LA, a huge casting producer Alex Stern, asked me to help with a Big Brotheropen call here in Dallas. I worked for the company recruiting online for two weeks prior to the open call. I ended up finding Elena Davies, who made it on the show, out of tens of thousands of applicants nationwide. After that, the calls for new jobs for different shows kept coming. I’m not one to turn down jobs so I took them happily. Shout out to my girl Alex Stern, for giving me the opportunity and believing in me! I believe success is finding something you love, and doing it. I am very much successful because I am happy.  

6. Tell me about your business and the projects you’re currently working on? 

 A few of the recruiting jobs I am most proud of are Elena Davies on Big Brother, Tristan Thompson (not the basketball player), and Danielle Dodd on Married At First Sight Dallas. I recruited two personal friends from my hometown on Kevin Hart’s show Total Knock Out, and I’m currently watching this season of The Bachelorettewith two of my recruits still in the running Kevin Fortenberry and Devin Harris! I’ve also recruited for Temptation Island, Are You the One, and Relationshipped!

“My mother has given me strength and courage, in every chapter of my life. I am so thankful to have her as my role model and best friend. ”

 

 7.  What is your greatest achievement thus far? What or who inspires you? 

 My greatest achievement so far is beating cancer. You don’t have anything if you don’t have your health. When I first got diagnosed, I was terrified, but I stood my ground and did everything in my power to fight it off. My family hired a naturopathic healer to come stay with me and teach me how to cook and eat super healthy (no gluten, sugar, dairy, meat), and we also did some very intense cleanses, which including soaking in a scolding hot tub with spicy herbs while drinking hot tea. I also did daily coffee enemas. I do believe fighting cancer aggressively with both Western and naturopathic remedies helped me win my battle. My mother is definitely my inspiration. She’s the strongest, hardest worker I’ve ever met. My mother has given me strength and courage in every chapter of my life. I am so thankful to have her as my role model and best friend. 

 

8.  For people who want to build or grow their business or brand, what advice would you give? 

 I would say never settle. If you are not happy in your job, find a new one. If you are not happy in your relationship, find a new one. Life is too short not to enjoy it. Sometimes you need to make the tough decision to leave stable grounds to find yourself, and find happiness. It’s what makes us stronger. Never give up on finding your happiness.  Believe it is out there, and go get it.  

“ I’ve made so many mistakes in my life, but I don’t let those mistakes define me. I use them to grow and reflect on.”

 

 

 9.  What career and life advice would you give young girls who look up to you?

 I would tell young girls to be easy on themselves. It is ok to make mistakes. No one is perfect.  I’ve made so many mistakes in my life, but I don’t let those mistakes define me. I use them to grow and reflect on. I tell others about my mistakes, because I am not ashamed. 

 

“Cancer took away my ability to carry my own child, but I still have my ovaries and never gave up. I can’t wait to become a wife and a mother. ”

 

 10. What are you most looking forward to in the future? 

 I am most looking forward to starting a family. Recently, my boyfriend of 3.5 years got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the best moment of my life so far. I had waited 26 years for a good guy to come into my life, and he finally did. I’m so thankful I waited for him. He’s the love of my life. We recently had my eggs extracted so we will be able to have a baby someday (via surrogate). Cancer took away my ability to carry my own child, but I still have my ovaries and never gave up. I can’t wait to become a wife and a mother. 

 

 11.  What is your ultimate life goal?

 My ultimate life goal is to be happy.  To be kind, help people, make an impact, share my story in hopes to inspire others.

“I would never consider myself “too cool to be nice”. In fact, I do not like mean girls at all. 
”

 

 12.  What are things that people assume about you, that aren’t true?

 Some people assume, that I’m stuck up or snobby. I’m neither of those. I enjoy conversations with people from all walks of life. I’m one of those girls who makes new friends in the women’s bathroom. I would never consider myself “too cool to be nice”. In fact, I do not like mean girls at all. 

 

 13.  What is something most people don’t know about you? 

 Most people don’t know that I’m kind of a hillbilly. I love to be outdoors. Fishing, exploring, getting my hands dirty. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my nails being done and wearing pretty clothes, but people close to me know that I can throw my hair up in a ponytail and go look for deer sheds at my fiancés ranch, and be perfectly at peace in nature. 

 

 

 14. Why do you think Women Empowermentis so important?

 Women empowerment is so important because, females are strongest when we all rise together. We need to be there for each other, support each other, and help each other. When we stand together, we are a powerful force to be reckoned with. 

 

 15.  What would you say your best qualities are?

 My best qualities are loyalty, honesty, and positive thinking.

 

 

16.  How can women support each other more?

 Women can support each other more by sharing their own stories and struggles. Letting other women see their vulnerable side, and that they are not alone in whatever battle they may be struggling with. Also, give compliments! Tell a stranger you like her shoes, be friendly and open. Join women support groups and share your advice and wisdom, and learn and listen. 

 

 17. How can women feel more confident? 

 Women can feel more confident by knowing that they are amazing just the way they are. Whatever age, weight, hair color, skin color, disability or not. You are perfect just the way you are!

 

 

“ I have scars on my stomach from my hysterectomy. I was a little insecure about those at first, but then I learned to love them. ”

 

18.  How do you overcome insecurities? How can others overcome their insecurities?

 I overcome insecurities by learning to love my differences and embracing them. I have scars on my stomach from my hysterectomy. I was a little insecure about those at first, but then I learned to love them. They are my battle scars. The fact I have them means I fought a battle and won. I am proud of my scars. 

 

 

19. What are the things in life you value the most?  

 The thing I value most is definitely time. Time never stops, and you never know when your time is up. To me, my time is the most valuable thing I can give or receive. I’m very picky about who I give my time to. I enjoy spending my time with my family, close friends, and dogs because they are what make me the happiest.

 

 20. What does it mean to you, to be an “empowered woman”?  How did you become empowered? 

 To me, being an empowered woman, means knowing who I am, and choosing to love myself.  I became empowered through all my struggles. They have made me who I am, and I am damn proud of myself.

 

 

 Thanks so much for the interview Loreina!!!!

You can all follow Loreina on Instagram @loreinacorwin