Mariana Stangl: The Day She Stopped Pretending and Started Living
How She Turned Pain into Power and Found Peace Within
For years, Mariana Stangl wore the mask of the “happy girl,” hiding the weight of childhood trauma, heartbreak, and burnout behind a perfect smile. But beneath the surface, her soul was calling for something more — truth, healing, and freedom. The turning point came when she decided to stop running from her pain and start listening to herself. Today, Mariana’s story is one of transformation — a journey from self-doubt to deep self-love, from survival to serenity — and she’s inspiring women everywhere to do the same: to stop pretending and start truly living.
You’ve shared that beauty and inner peace once felt like a dream—what was the turning point when that dream started to become real for you?
That dream became real once I began doing the inner work and healing myself. I realized that peace isn’t something we find “out there” — it lives within each of us.
Growing up as the oldest in your family, carrying so much responsibility and trauma, how did those early experiences shape the woman you are today?
Those experiences shaped me deeply and helped me become the woman I am today. But without healing, I wouldn’t have reached this place. I’m truly grateful for the day I decided to embrace my healing journey — it changed everything.
You mentioned feeling unwanted and unloved as a child—what helped you begin to heal those old wounds?
Healing began when I started truly listening to my inner voice — that quiet calling that always guided me. I learned to trust myself, to believe that I am worthy, loved, and enough. Letting go of the masks and ego allowed me to live guided by my heart.
As a teenager, you said things didn’t get better. What would you tell your teenage self now, knowing what you know today?
I would tell her that the pain won’t last forever. I’d remind her that surviving those dark moments was not weakness but strength. The moment I recognized the repeating patterns and faced my truth — even when it hurt — was the moment I began to break free.
When you were burned out and in a toxic relationship, what was the moment you realized something had to change?
That moment came when I could no longer recognize myself. I realized I was living behind a mask — pretending to be the “happy girl” while feeling empty inside. With enough pain came awakening. That was when I decided I deserved better and began to rebuild.
How did rebuilding your confidence begin for you—what was the first step?
Rebuilding started with turning inward. I decided to invest in myself and hired a mentor who helped me feel supported and guided as I reconnected with my true self. That was the first step toward becoming confident again.
You talk about not knowing what self-love meant back then. How do you define self-love now?
Self-love means knowing who you are, accepting who you are, and growing into who you’re meant to become — with kindness, understanding, and faith. It’s about flowing with life while putting yourself first and trusting your higher power to guide you.
Guiding other women to transform their lives has become your calling. What does that feel like for you?
It feels like I’m finally giving back to that little version of me — the one who refused to give up. Watching women embrace themselves and rise is one of the most powerful experiences. It’s humbling and deeply fulfilling.
What message do you want every woman who’s still in that place of pain and confusion to hear from you today?
You have the power to transform your life. Find guidance, trust your intuition, and never stop saying YES to yourself. You are worthy. You are enough. You are loved. And you are never alone.
