425: Making The Leap With Shana Marlayna Chow

Shana Marlayna Chow is a Vancouver based Actress, Model and Writer. She grew up in film, as her father works as a Property Master in Motion Pictures. Her first acting job was a featured role on “Look Who’s Talking Too” as a toddler jumping on a trampoline. Since then she has become addicted to the spot light. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Simon Fraser University in Criminology, and has acted in many independent features, short films, music videos, and has been featured on television series such a “Lucifer” and “Mistresses”. She has a large portfolio of swimwear, lifestyle and fitness modelling campaigns including multiple collection shoots for Ovide Couture swimwear, placing as a Canadian Finalist in Miss Tropic Beauty International Swimwear Pageant, Growers Cider “Grow your Summer” campaign, Bia Bora Underwear, Inside Fitness Magazine “Hot&Fit”, and many more. She is an artist of many forms and recently published her book of poetry, “Love Gone Savage”, which is available for sale on Amazon. Aside from the arts she is a personal trainer and fitness enthusiast, and together with her sister make up “The Chow Sisters” fitness duo, which promotes healthy weight loss and work out routines.

Shana shares what she was able to do to make a leap to live life on her own terms and be the success that she is today.

Bio

Shana Marlayna Chow is an actress, model and writer.

Cultural Background

Shana is of Chinese and Caucasian descent.

Favorite Self Confidence Quote

Be different, different people change the world.

Definition of Self Confidence

Self confidence means believing in yourself. Believing that you are capable of anything you put your mind to. That no matter the color of your skin, your ethnicity, your sex, your sexuality, you are just as capable as anyone else. It means not letting insecurities consume your mind.

It means not letting flaws and past mistakes define you, but allowing them to teach you and embrace your success. It means not giving up

Her Life Before the Discovery of Self Confidence

Shana lived with an ex-boyfriend in the suburbs in her early to mid 20s. She stopped pursuing her goals to work as an actress or in the arts as she felt there was no emotional support. So she was working for the government, and was extremely unhappy not pursuing her goals and passions. Shana lost connection with a lot of her friends and felt lost.

Although she graduated from University and was at a good healthy weight and lifestyle, her mental and emotional state was weak as she felt she was on a hamster wheel doing the same old boring job she wasn’t happy at it, and felt in her relationship there was no support for her to pursue her acting or artistic goals, that financial goals were more important. Shana felt lost. Her self confidence was low and she lacked the ambition to change her life.

The “AHA” Moment

Shana decided to end her relationship with her ex, and she moved into her own suite. She didn’t realize how unhappy she was and how under supported she felt in her relationship.

When she first moved into her own suite, she set up all of her own furniture and laid down for the first time in her bed, that’s when she realized she could do whatever she wanted to do.

No ones opinions and lack of support would hold her back. That the world is her oyster and she can pursue whatever she wants to.

Her Life After the Discovery of Self Confidence

Now Shan is a full time entrepreneur, a jack of many trades. She pursed her acting and modelling ambitions and signed with an agency. After building a strong portfolio and experience in film, in time she was able to transition out of her old job. Now she works full time in acting/modelling and between gigs she runs ‘Avatar Movie Props’ a movie prop rental business of her father’s. She started a social media writing account and published her first book “Love Gone Savage”, and she is in the process of publishing her novel, “Yellow Diamond.”

Her sister and she created the “Chow Sisters” brand as they are both personal trainers.

She met an amazing man, and for almost 3 years she is in a very happy relationship, where she feels supported in her career choice.

Main point, is above all career in-devours, she is happy. Her self confidence grew, and her happiness grew.

The One Self Confidence Tip For the Listener

Life is too short to be living someone else’s life, live your own. Do what makes you happy. If someone’s doesn’t support you, be it relationships, family or friends, don’t listen to the noise and let it affect what you want. Don’t let it affect your confidence. You need people in your life that pick you up, not bring you down. Don’t settle for anything less than your dreams.