Maya Harris

Maya Harris - My name is Maya and I am a creative, lover of tea, avid reader, and Harry Potter nerd. Curiosity and my love of storytelling are what led me to start my journey as a journalist. Maya’s Moment was created as my way to express myself through traveling, wellness, storytelling, and photography.  Through personal narratives and collaboration I aim to cultivate a safe space that advocates for self-care and self-love.  Moments, good and bad, make up the blueprint of who we are as people. The best way to get to know someone and learn about their personal journey is through conversation.  I’ve always loved listening to people talk. I listened to my grandmothers have conversations in Polish and the occasional broken English. I sat at several kitchen tables as my family in the south exchanged stories of the past over a competitive game of spades. Their Southern accents rolling through and around every syllable... Via https://www.mayasmoment.com/

(SISS) Hi Maya, where are you from and where are you currently spending your time? (Maya) I’m from New Jersey and I’m still here! But I plan on moving to the west coast in the future! (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? (Maya) I think the hardest thing I had to go through was realizing that in trying to make everyone around me happy, I was becoming less and less happy with myself. I would tell them to see themselves as a beautiful piece of art and you get to curate your museum and decide who gets to hang on the walls with you. (SISS) What are you most grateful for? (Maya) I’m grateful for my parents, books and the opportunity to have platforms to showcase my creativity. (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? (Maya) I’ve definitely been slacking with the gym! But I do practice mindful meditation everyday. My fitness goal is take more vitamins! Hmm my favorite body part is definitely my booty haha. My least favorite would probably be my elbows because of my eczema. (SISS) What makes you the happiest? (Maya) Creating and writing makes me the happiest! Also watching those around me achieve their goals. (SISS) How do you deal with disappointment? (Maya) Depends on how deep it is. I cry, I have an open dialogue with either myself or someone else and then I figure out how I can grow from the situation. (SISS) In 2017 what was your biggest win and your biggest loss? (Maya) Biggest win in 2017 was earning my Bachelors degree while juggling two jobs, 19 credits and achieving a 4.0. Biggest loss, I settled for a job I hate because I was too nervous about being unemployed after college. (SISS) Do you prefer to be behind the scene or in front on camera or mic? The first lady of Trauma Radio, I’m sure there are many women who would love to do what you do, what advice can you give them? (Maya) This is a great question! I dabble in content creation behind the scenes but I definitely shine and feel the most confident in front of a camera or mic. I’m super shy and have a bit of social anxiety so being in the studio allows my…I guess alter ego to come out and blossom! My advice? Just do the damn thing. Thinking too much only holds you back. Create a plan, do your research, talk to people and constantly practice your craft and let it flow! (SISS) Can you tell us four things people don’t know about you? (Maya) 1. I was born with a super weird right pinky haha. I can’t straighten it. 2. I want to try Pescetarianism. 3. Sunflowers and peonies are my favorite flowers. 4. I want to get my sex therapist certification in the future. (SISS) Can you tell us where else can our readers follow your daily inspiration? (Maya) My Instagram @mayapapaya_23 and my website mayasmoment.com! (SISS) What’s your favorite quote? (Maya) It’s an excerpt from Maya Angelou’s Phenomenal Woman poem: “I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, that’s me.”  (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? (Maya) I’m passionate about inspiring or lifting others. If a blog post I’ve written, an episode of my radio show or just a heart to heart conversation impacts or empowers someone else, that’s the biggest accomplishment I could imagine. (SISS) Who was the most influential person in your life and why? (Maya) My mom. She immigrated to the United States from Poland when she was a little girl and took on every challenge that came her way with English as a second language. She chased her dreams of being an artist and started her own photography business. She still runs it while raising a family, owning a home and she even put me through college. She leads with so much class and determination. (SISS) Where were you five years ago? What advice would you tell your five years younger self? (Maya) Five years ago I was a senior in high school. I would tell my 18 year self that it’s okay to let go of things that no longer benefit your mental, emotional and physical health. You don’t need to stay in toxic relationships and friendships to feel validation. (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? (Maya) Currently I’m taking on A LOT! I wake up at 5:30/6:00 AM, I put on NPR, get dressed and catch the train to my job in NYC. I work full-time as the personal assistant to the COO of a production company so my days can be very busy or pretty slow and routine. My boyfriend and I don’t work too far from each other so we always meet up for lunch. To fill the downtime I have at work, I write content for my website and brainstorm social media posts and show topics for my radio show “Come Correct.” If it’s a Monday or Tuesday I take the train back to Jersey and head over to the studio to host my radio shows. On a night where I don’t have a show, I like to come home and relax. I shower, twist my hair and might read a book or watch basketball. If I’m feeling inspired, I’ll create more content. Around 10:15 I log off of social media, put my phone on do not disturb and meditate before I sleep. And I wake up and do it all over again! (SISS) What is your favorite Food? What is your favorite book and/or the latest one you’ve read? Who is your favorite basketball player of all time? When do you feel the sexiest? (Maya) I love all kinds of spicy food! The Harry Potter series will ALWAYS be my favorite. I’m currently reading The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson. Oh man my favorite basketball player of all time...hmm I can tell you who I’m really impressed with right now, Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who I believe can become one of the greatest players of all time. I feel the sexiest when I’m naked, when I’m having a good hair day and when my nails/brows are done. (SISS) A social media question, Facebook, twitter, instagram or snapchat? Which one do you use the most to best market yourself or brand? (Maya) Instagram! (SISS) Can you name someone on social media that inspires you and is a great follow? (Maya) Yara Shahidi, Vic Styles and Shan Boodram (SISS) What does Smart is so Sexy mean to you?  (Maya) Smart is so Sexy means being unapologetic in who you are. Having the confidence to recognize and accept the good and bad within yourself is the ultimate strength. (SISS)  Thank you so much Maya, you are an inspirational young motivated leader, What a great example you are.  Follow her on Instagram @mayapapaya_23