In this episode, Leana sits down with Iskra Lawrence, model, mental health advocate, and founder of Saltair, one of the fastest-growing body care brands in the country. Iskra takes it back to growing up in a small town in England, entering a modeling competition at 12, and being watched by agencies through puberty while her changing body was treated like a problem. She opens up about developing an eating disorder, being told she was too curvy for straight-size modeling and too small for plus-size modeling, and the breaking point when she realized she was never the problem. The industry was. She shares how she rebuilt her sense of self through affirmations, began pitching herself directly to brands at 19, and eventually created a career on her own terms. Iskra also gets candid about losing herself postpartum during the pandemic, unexpectedly losing her Aerie contract, and how a five-minute shower became the inspiration for Saltair. She breaks down why she still does not take a salary from the company, why she prioritizes long-term financial security over a luxurious lifestyle, and what it means to build generational wealth. Leana and Iskra also talk about motherhood, ambition, being the breadwinner in a marriage, finding a partner without ego, and why having a successful career does not mean having everything perfectly together. Leana and Iskra get into: → Entering the modeling industry at 12 years old → Being told she was too curvy, too commercial, and too womanly at 14 → Developing an eating disorder while trying to control her body → Being rejected by plus-size agencies for being too small → Realizing she was never the problem, the industry was → Cattle calls, rejection, comparison, and body dysmorphia → Using mirror affirmations to rebuild her self-worth → Why women are taught to view attractiveness as currency → Pitching herself directly to brands at 19 → Her dad eventually quitting his job to work alongside her → Loving pregnancy but completely losing herself postpartum → Losing her milk supply during the formula shortage → The five-minute shower that inspired Saltair → Losing her Aerie contract and feeling disposable again → Why owning her own company gave her control over her future → Faith, ambition, and her “why not me?” mindset → Why she does not take a salary from Saltair → Moving to New York with $15,000 and living with five models in a one-bedroom apartment → Choosing future financial security over luxury today → Why women need to talk more openly about money → Her goal of retiring her parents and creating generational wealth → Redefining what success actually looks like → Motherhood, dishes in the sink, missed workouts, and giving herself grace → Being the breadwinner in her marriage → Finding a partner without ego → Writing letters about things that felt too difficult to say out loud “At that breaking point, I realized I was never the problem. The industry was the problem.” — Iskra Lawrence TOPICS DISCUSSED (00:00) Preview + Intro(01:22) Starting Modeling at 12 Years Old(03:20) Developing an Eating Disorder in the Modeling Industry(08:02) Body Dysmorphia, Mental Health & Rebuilding Self-Worth(12:33) Postpartum Identity Loss & Finding Herself Again(14:32) How Saltair Was Born(17:24) Moving to Austin & Stepping Away From Her Old Life(18:56) Losing Her Aerie Contract & Feeling Disposable Again(23:13) Faith, God & the “Why Not Me?” Mindset(26:31) Building Saltair Without Taking a Founder Salary(30:35) Money, Sacrifice & Building Long-Term Financial Security(34:27) Redefining What Success Actually Means(37:42) The Reality of “Doing It All” as a Working Mom(41:31) Being the Breadwinner in Her Marriage(43:43) Communication, Partnership & Writing Each Other Letters(47:45) What Does It Mean to Be Human? Stay connected with Leana Deeb: Instagram: @leanadeebb / @beinghumannpodcast TikTok: @leanadeeb / @beinghumannpod Stay connected with Iskra Lawrence: Instagram: @iskra / @saltair TikTok: @iskra / @saltairbody Thank you to our sponsors! Go to curehydration.com/Leana and get 20% off your first order with promo code LEANA. Take control of your health with Superpower. For a limited time, listeners get $50 off their Superpower membership. Head to Superpower.com and use code LEANA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
