Written by: Danielle Baron, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
"Mummy Mummy, I want to do a pageant!” These words that my daughter said to me last week took me by surprise, as just a year earlier, I would have grimaced at the idea. But life has a funny way of changing our perceptions and leading us down unexpected paths. This is the story of how I have gone from being sceptical of pageants to participating in one and embarking on supporting my daughter's journey.
Challenging assumptions
It all began with a friend suggesting late last year that I apply for Miss Great Britain. Initially, I scoffed at the idea, considering myself too old at thirty-eight and thinking pageants were superficial and competitive. But my friend insisted that anyone could apply, and curiosity got the better of me. I decided to give it a shot, letting life decide the outcome. Little did I know that this decision would challenge my preconceived notions and lead me on an unexpected path of self-discovery.
Unveiling the true essence of pageants
I was completely taken aback when I managed to advance past the first round, considering that I don't fit the conventional image usually expected. Let me paint a clearer picture for you: I typically wear sizes 12 to 14, and my treadmill serves more as a decoration than an exercise tool. In fact, it often acts as a convenient spot to place clean laundry that I haven't had time to put away. Being a single parent, it's all too easy to fall behind on household chores. In a deliberate act of testing the waters, I purposely selected a photo for my submission where I was dressed casually, sporting trousers. The process involved showcasing my talents and answering thought-provoking questions about my ambitions and achievements. I began to realise that pageants valued more than just looks; they celebrated talent, individuality, and personal growth. This revelation started to change my perspective, and I felt proud to be part of such a process.
Remaining true to myself
Throughout the pageant experience, I have made a conscious decision not to change who I am. I will do what I would have done anyway. I continue to support children's charities and focus on education and well-being, things I have always been passionate about before entering the pageant. I don’t want the pageant to define me, but rather enhance the work I am already doing.
The eye-opening moment
Attending my first pageant, Miss Surrey, last week, as an audience member, completely blew me away. The supportive environment was far from the competitive and superficial image I had in my mind. It was during the intervals that something magical happened. I encouraged my youngest daughter, who is seven, to walk along the catwalk for fun. To my surprise, I witnessed her confidence growing with each stride. It was a pivotal moment when I realised the potential benefits of pageants for children.
From scepticism to support
After the Miss Surrey pageant, my daughter begged me to let her participate in a pageant herself. This was the point where my previous scepticism clashed with my newfound understanding of pageants' positive impact. However, I know that I need to be cautious and select a pageant that focuses on confidence-building, avoiding excessive makeup and inappropriate outfits for children.
The transformative power of pageants
Participating in pageants can positively impact a child's self-assurance in several ways. These include:
Public Speaking Skills: Pageants require contestants to speak on stage, answer questions, and deliver speeches, fostering strong communication skills and confidence in self-expression.
Poise and Presentation: Pageants encourage participants to work on their physical appearance, grooming, and presentation skills, enhancing their self-assurance and overall presence.
Personal Development: Pageant preparation involves goal setting, talent practice, and self-improvement, leading to a sense of achievement, growth, and increased self-confidence.
Building Resilience: Pageants expose children to competition and potential setbacks, teaching them to handle success and failure with grace, fostering resilience and confidence.
Social Skills and Networking: Pageants provide opportunities for children to interact with peers, mentors, judges, and audience members, developing social skills, connections, and confidence in social settings.
Positive Self-Image: Engaging in pageants helps children develop a positive self-image, appreciating their unique qualities and talents, fostering a healthy self-esteem.
Empowerment and Personal Expression: Pageants celebrate individuality, talent, and personal expression, empowering children to authentically showcase themselves with confidence.
The beginning of my journey from scepticism to support has shown me that pageants have the potential to positively impact confidence and self-assurance. While approaching pageants, it is crucial to prioritise well-being, ensuring participation is completely voluntary, supportive, and aligned with interests and values. Parents and guardians play a vital role in providing guidance for their child, fostering a healthy perspective, and prioritising emotional well-being throughout the pageant experience. As a parent, and a finalist I've learned the importance of embracing new perspectives, challenging stereotypes, and allowing our children to explore their potential with our unwavering support. I am looking forward to participating in the final of Miss Great Britain in October and also my daughter’s journey with other pageants!
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Danielle Baron, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Danielle catalyses children and adults to rise like a phoenix from the flames 🔥 and to reach their optimum potential. She is an entrepreneur, inspiring 11+ and 7+ entrance exams tutor, rapid transformational therapist®️, business coach for overachievers, a life coach for all, and an NLP Master practitioner, and she is also certified by the ILM.
One of Danielle’s much-loved abilities is being an overachiever because she thrives on the excitement and follows her passion, which is to help people live fulfilling lives.
Over the last five years of her tuition business, Danielle has become extremely popular and respected in the tuition industry and is a mentor and coach to other tutors to help them increase revenue in their businesses, but ultimately to be the best tutors they can be. Her own tuition service incorporates coaching for parents and children throughout the exam process and NLP classes for children to help them with lack of confidence, bullying, and anxiety and to help them focus on the imminent goal of exams and to visualise and believe in their success.
Danielle’s second business, coaching and therapy, has been a long time coming and her personal interest in people and psychology led her to invest in the most high-quality courses to be the best for her clients. For her rapid transformational therapy ®️, she had the privilege of personally being mentored by Marisa Peer, a world-renowned therapist. Rapid transformational therapy is a combination of NLP, CBT, psychotherapy and hypnosis.
It has been Danielle’s personal experiences that have led her to where she is today. At age four, her father died of suicide, which installed in her a determination to help prevent people from ever becoming despaired again. Her best friend passed away at fifteen, which solidified Danielle’s determination to live life to the full. Growing up with a single parent, they struggled with money, but Danielle was very inspired by her mother’s work ethic, which had a huge impact on her.
As a teacher in some schools, the politics and bullying amongst staff were toxic and she suffered from depression, stress and burnout and was treated badly at her most vulnerable time of being pregnant and having a newborn and that’s why she’s passionate about helping teachers. She wishes that she had someone to help her at the time.
She has been through the journey of setting up successful businesses on her own while undertaking childcare as a single parent of two after she divorced and strongly believes anyone can achieve anything they put their mind to with grit, focus, and passion.
