In Calgary’s lively atmosphere, Mary Beatrice stands out as a vibrant 23-year-old lifestyle content creator. She’s known for spotlighting the city’s small businesses, creators, and delicious eateries while proudly representing her Filipino heritage. Alongside her creative endeavors, Mary works as a therapy assistant, bringing care and compassion to those with dementia in a long-term care facility. Her journey hasn’t been easy, facing obstacles like self-doubt and loneliness after moving to Calgary. Despite these challenges, Mary’s resilience shines through, inspiring others with her positivity and determination. Her story is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of embracing one’s roots while chasing dreams.
1) Can you briefly introduce yourself and share a bit about your journey and work?
My name is Mary Beatrice, I am a 23 year lifestyle content creator located in Calgary. Where I showcase the small businesses, creators and delicious restaurants around the city! Behind the scenes and all the fun of content creation, I am also a therapy assistant in a long term/assisted living facility that works with individuals with dementia. I value my work both as a healthcare worker and a content creator. I hope to showcase and inspire those who are in the same boat as me that you can do both. I want to represent my Filipino community and set an example in the creative world, especially in Calgary!
2) Looking back, was your journey relatively smooth or did you face significant obstacles?
Looking into my journey, I have faced significant obstacles like self doubt, lack of support from family and friends and self doubt. I started my journey at nineteen years old, after moving from a small town to a big city like Calgary. The transition of town to cities was truly overwhelming for me in many ways possible. I felt a deep sense of loneliness which led me to a lot of self doubt and lack of confidence. I was not able to make a lot of friends, therefore, striving to be a content creator in a big city to make a name out of myself, make new friends and even get out there to explore were my biggest challenges. I had a lot of insecurities which held me back into creating relationships with others. I was not able to put myself out there because of what others may think of me. As a result, I struggled a lot with depression and anxiety.
Moving alone to another city was not only a challenge mentally, but also emotionally as I battle with some individuals along the way. I rented some rooms to live in while saving up for an apartment where I met some roommates who were prejudiced towards me, who kicked me out with no valuable reason that almost led me into homelessness. Then, when I finally found a place on my own, I had a robbery break in my apartment that held me to a gun point. Fortunately, I was able to receive help through a therapist that helped me tackle my PTSD, anxiety and depression. Hence why, to this day, I truly value seeking therapy and inspire others to receive the help they need when it comes to mental health.
3) Can you highlight a few key milestones in your career that you consider pivotal moments? How did they shape your trajectory?
The moment I was almost in the verge of becoming homeless – with no place to go, no support of family at the time, and no friend’s place to stay for for the night was the pivotal moments of my career and life. It was a very humbling yet the most challenging part of my life. I was to the where I knew I needed to make decisions for myself. The moment I needed to chose myself.
From then on, I learned that no matter what obstacles that may come my way, I’ve the most important person with me, which is me. With on going therapy, I learn how to tackle generational trauma from my family and re build a healthy relationship with them with boundaries, cherish friends with the same mindset and passion, build a loving relationship with my boyfriend and finally go for the dreams my inner child has ever wanted.
Recently, I was able to share bits of my story through another small magazine local in Calgary. It was truly one of the proudest moment in my career as a content creator. I was also recognized by one of my viewers from tiktok, who happens to be a Filipina as well who enjoys content creating. She mentioned how I inspire her in romanticizing life for what it is! And to this day, she eventually became one of my very good friends.
4) Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you what sets you apart from others?
As a lifestyle content creator, I do look up to a lot of other creators especially in Calgary. I believe that, what sets me apart from others is that, I have the passion and drive to always take life one day at a time. I want others to see life for what is it – the good and the bad. Wether if it’s in healthcare or content creating. I want others to feel safe when they come across my page. I want others to feel as if they have a friend in me when they look through my videos. As cliche as it sounds, if I can make others smile or encourage them to go for their dreams, I believe I have done my job right as a creator.
5) Reflecting on your experiences, what important lessons have you learned along the way? How have they influenced your approach to your work?
The lessons I’ve come across along the way is that life is short. It influenced me through my work in a way that I can be so grateful for all the opportunities and all the incredible people I meet along the way. It makes me realize that these moments never last forever! I have to cherish them and put them close to my heart as much as possible 🙂
It also reminds me to always go back to my roots. Remember where I came from and always look back when I have to.
photocredits @camerashy.ca
