Traci Stewart

Meet Traci Stewart - She is the meaning of Smart is so Sexy, we came across her feed on Instagram and right away we got inspired by her positive posts.  We decided to email Traci to interview her so she can share her experience and wisdom with us.  After reading about Traci, her positivity will be contagious. "Ask yourself what is really important, then have the courage to build your life around the answer... " - Traci Stewart follow her on Instagram @tracistew  (SISS)  Hi Traci where are you from and where are you currently spending your time?  (Traci)  Hi! I am from Jamaica. Born and grown on this beautiful island. I currently live in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica.  (SISS)  What was one of the hardest things that you had to go through? What advice would you give someone going through the same struggle?  (Traci)  Wow...I mean what I tough question for the second question! You guys not wasting any time with small talk, eh? Lol.... For me the hardest thing would definitely be recognizing and knowing that I am enough. I have struggled with thinking that I am not worthy to share an opinion or to even have a voice in what I think would be beneficial for me. I have, in the past, just accepted whatever was dealt to me and never questioned or asked for more because I thought it would be rude, or, that if I did question it, I wouldn’t get anything at all. I’ve always wanted to please everyone, even if it meant that I would be unhappy. I thought everyone else deserved more than I did or needed it more than I did. I put myself last. I used to always put myself down even when I got the thing I was vieing for, as I thought that maybe it was given to me out of pity rather than I deserved it. This goes for my professional life as well as my personal life. In 2015 I decided to go on a personal journey to get to know myself and to love myself. I decided to put myself first. It’s actually been really fun, crazy and confusing at times... but I took the time to understand myself, to love myself and figure out “Who is Traci Stewart?”. Now, I am not willing to let anyone take advantage of me or make me feel that my decisions are selfish. I am not afraid to ask for what I want, or to set my standards and stick to them. I’ve realized that some times, you outgrow relationships and people... it doesn’t mean you don’t love them, it just means that you have learnt whatever lesson you were to learn from them, and that they no longer need to be in your immediate space. Life will keep presenting you the same situations in different forums until you have learnt the lesson. My lesson was to learn that I am enough. My advice to anyone struggling with self acceptance is to journal. Write down your feelings, and go back a few days later and re-read, but this time read it as if you are a friend giving advice, and give yourself some advice in how to achieve your desired outcome.  (SISS)  From Jamaica, very dedicated to Fitness #SISS Tell us more, who is @TraciStew and what are you most proud of?  (Traci)  My instagram @tracistew is what I would like to consider my gallery of me having fun and enjoying life. It’s stories through pictures of loving life and living in the moment. It’s about being happy and not getting caught up in what other people think or how they judge me. What am I MOST proud of? Wow.... I’m proud of a lot of things I have accomplished, but I would say the abs I had in 2014 make me feel really proud of the dedication to my diet and fitness routine.... need to get back on that vibe!  (SISS)  One year from now what do you hope to have accomplished (business or personal)?  (Traci)  I like to keep my business and personal goals to myself. It’s not that I’m secretive, I just believe that things change, situations change and so goals change. If I was to tell you one thing and it did not come through, I could be seen as a failure, but really it was either not meant for me or the goal changed.  (SISS)  How dedicated are you to fitness?  What is your fitness goal?  On your body, what is your favorite body part and what is your least favorite?  (Traci)  Right now I am going through a bit of a gym lull, I’ve been enjoying the foodie scene and socializing a lot! My body isn’t as toned as it once was but I am loving the extra junk in the trunk!  My goal would be to get back my abs and to tone up. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week. My diet really needs to be cleaned up and I definitely need to stretch more, however I think exercise is very important for mental clarity as well as an effectively functioning body. I can’t say I have a favorite body part because I am grateful for every body part! They all function perfectly and come together to make me “Traci Stewart”. I really like my green eyes tho....  (SISS)  What makes you the happiest? What is fun for you?  (Traci)  I am happiest when I am with my family and close friends as I feel safe and loved. Most optimal is to be enjoying their company while on a beach! Fun for me is anything that includes smiling with your soul and laughing till you cry.... Fun doesn’t have to be a big huge adventure, it just has to have that “I’m really enjoying this moment” factor.  (SISS)  How do you deal with disappointment? How do you Keep Going?  (Traci)  Wow.... disappointment is so rough. In the past 3 years I have been so disappointed over and over again ... I even labeled 2017 “The year of disappointments” . I have had to learn to lower my expectations.  I think we sometimes have high expectations of people, or daydream situations and imagine them to be reality. I have learnt to keep a realistic view and also lower my expectations. To keep on going after a disappointment, I always try to look for the lesson, what I have learnt and how I can grow from the situation...  (SISS)  What is your superpower?  (Traci)  Colour, cutting and Blowdrying people’s hair! I am a hairstylist after all! And all hairstylists are magicians right!? Lol! Making people feel comfortable and happy in their own skin by helping them recognize their inner and outer beauty is definitely something I like to do and would consider my “Superpower”.  (SISS)  What is your weakness and what do you do to overcome it?  (Traci)  Cooking. I can’t cook. To overcome it I eat out a lot. Lol!  (SISS)  Can you tell us four things people don’t know about you?  (Traci)  But if I told you these four things everyone would know! Lol  (SISS)  Can you tell us where else can our readers follow your daily inspiration?  (Traci)  @tracistew on Instagram @tricksofthetra on Instagram, it’s my professional hairstylist page  (SISS)  What’s your favorite quote?  (Traci)  Actions speak Louder than words.  (SISS)  At Smart is so sexy we love to see women who are thriving in their career or business.  What are you most passionate about?  (Traci)  I love that feeling when I’ve finished doing someone’s hair and they feel beautiful. They look at themselves in the mirror and they smile with themselves...  Knowing that I helped them to feel beautiful makes me feel accomplished. My passion is definitely showing people how amazing they are inside and out.  I also love to teach people how to do hair. I want everyone to be able to maintain their look, and for fellow hair professionals, I love when they feel confident in their craft, because then they really can get into the artistry of it and shine! (SISS)  Who was the most influential person in your life and why?  (Traci)  I don’t know if I could choose just one person to say they have had the MOST influence on me. Different people have provided different inspirations for me. Right now, I would say that Lorraine Finlason really does inspire me to stay constant in working towards my goals and also to be focused. She is such a strong amazing woman, even when her plate is totally full she always carries through with grace and patience. Lorraine has shown me that anything I want is within my reach, just figuring out which path to take may be tricky, BUT I can do it, and I can do it on my own.  (SISS)  Where were you five years ago? What advice would you tell your five years younger self?  (Traci)  Five years ago..... I would tell myself that I need to look about my financial future more seriously, to invest in some stocks and put towards a retirement plan.  Where was I.... I was living right here in Jamaica soaking up the sun and giving God praise for my many blessings.  (SISS)  Can you take us through a typical day? From Waking up to going to bed, Can you give us a play by play of a typical day for you?  (Traci)  5:00am wake up. Coffee. 6:00am head to the gym. 8:15am head home bathe and change. 9:30am work. 6:30 head home from work. Decisions are made to either go out for a drink or stay home, Netflix or snuggle down with a book.  (SISS)  What is your favorite meal?  (Traci)  I really love salads and vegetables.... anything contains fresh ingredients.  (SISS)  What is your favorite book and/or the latest one you’ve read?  (Traci)  The Happiness Equation.  (SISS)  What is your favorite song?  (Traci)  I love music on a whole... but these two songs popped into mind; Katy Perry - I rise. Billy Joel - River of Dreams  (SISS)  When do you feel the sexiest?  (Traci)  After a gym work out.  (SISS)  Is there someone on social media that inspires you and is a great follow?  (Traci)  I really like Nikki Chromaz! @king_chromazz__ This girl is legit the baddest! She has her business which she is KILLING right now, she parties hard and she is also not afraid to be in touch with her sexuality. I love her!  (SISS)  What does Smart is so Sexy mean to you?  (Traci)  In today’s world I think some of us get caught up with the visually pleasing aesthetics of a person. While this is intoxicating, I do think we need to remember that maintaining a conversation and upholding good morals and values is also something to be praised. ‘Smart is so Sexy’ is the way forward, praising people for their expertise in their field and promoting knowledge and education.  (SISS) Thank you so much Traci for sharing with us, please follow her on Instagram @TraciStew