Guest Chik: Michaella Lesieur

Continuing our Guest Chik series, we're excited to introduce you to Michaella Lesieur! Michaella is an author, advocate, model, and beacon of light. Check out her story and learn more about her latest upcoming adventure below.  

“When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life,’ ahhh one of most favorite quotes by John Lennon. Hi everyone, My name is Michaella Lesieur and I am a 25- year old author/illustrator, model for Donahue Models & Talent, and communications enthusiast. I have my Associates in Communications, Bachelors in English: Writing, Rhetoric and Communications and working towards my Masters in Professional Writing and Communications. 

I am a full of life girl who cherishes every second with a strong passion for philanthropic work and nonprofit organizations. I love spending time with my family and friends and have one awesome younger brother, Corey. In my free time you can find me enjoying the simple moments, taking long walks on the beach, traveling and exploring, a total foodie and dancing just because.  I am huge on sharing stories and am motivated to tell the stories that surround me because it’s a way to learn from one another. I am so excited to share this one with Chick Media. 

My journey started from a very young age, as my inspiration sparked at the age of five. My best friend my mom, Madaline Lesieur was diagnosed with Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES), the news was devastating leaving us on a fight for her life.It was in high school that my voice took action and has soared since then. Seeing my mom’s strength and love for life inspired me. I have a passion to advocate for causes that are near and dear to my heart and my mom and I truly have the relationship of our favorite hit Netflix show, Gilmore Girls! A mother and daughter is a built in best friend for life. When you have such a strong passion for what you do, it never feels like work. 

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Since, 2013 I have chaired several fundraisers forThe American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED), in honor of my mom raising over $20,000 to contribute to their Hope On The Horizon Research fund which works to help support new medical treatments, trials and ultimately one day a cure which would be a dream. Most notably, would be my self published children’s book titled “Luna Lung...Meets HES,” which is a book that any age can pick up and fall in love with. My book is based on a true story on my mom and families road to her diagnosis. “Luna Lung...Meets HES,” brings to life the bond shared between a mother and daughter, the importance of advocacy and community and never giving up hope. 

When asking all those who know me, “Who is Michaella,” many would say I am a dreamer. My mom has always told me that the sky is the limit and when I say I am going to do something I am all in. Likewise, I started modeling in 2016, with the mission to bring along my platforms and break the silence. This includes shedding light to my mom’s illness and working to make it a household name where people are aware of these series of illnesses, because awareness leads to advocacy and advocacy leads to support. 

On the other side of my modeling I carry this mantra with me that anyone can be a model. It is 2020 and it’s time to break the stereotype of what a model is. A model is someone who carries a beautiful heart, shares their stories, uses their words for good and works to build each other up versus break them down. A true model portrays beauty from the inside. I was bullied in middle and high school, so I know what it feels like to be considered different...but what people don’t know is that being different is remarkable! The best outfit any women can wear are those that put on a confident smile and are happy with the person that they are. We all come into this world with a road to success. Will it be hard at times absolutely, but it will be fulfilling. 

Life teaches you to walk through it with a zest in your step and never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. I think when it comes to being female there is that want to portray the best version of ourselves that we can be. Waking up in the morning and looking in the morning and being happy with the reflection you see is the first step. We only have one life so the best way is tis to live out loud and don’t be afraid to take those big steps no matter how small or large they may be. Let your mind wonder, travel, explore different paths, work yourself hard and never ever give up. ​

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I am a believer in coming together as a community and working to build each other up especially young girls and women. Life is so much better when we celebrate in one another’s accomplishments and successes. It’s also a great way to learn from other women and people because it can be so enriching. When collaborating as a mother and daughter there is a deep connection and bond that can create so many innovative works. With all that my mom has taught me and continues to teach me I look forward to passing it down to my children some day. 

This coming August I am excited to announce that my website “Winged Out in Hope” will be launching under the account lunalungmeetshes.com as that is the name of my first book and how everything came to be. “Winged Out In Hope” was an idea that both my mom and I had that stemmed on New Year’s Eve and it was then that we said let’s make it happen. The website will host pages for my books, my charity advocacy and modeling, my own little boutique where I will be selling handmade hair accessories which is how the “Winged Out In Hope Collection” came to be and a blog. I wanted to create this space where everyone can come together as a community and spread positivity, especially with all that has transformed this year. 

Looking to the future I am also in the process of publishing my second book which will be for a more mature audience titled “Ps. Laugh Hard...Love Harder,” and will be a collection of short stories that dive into life and all of its emotions. 

I encourage everyone to go after what inspires them. Live life to the fullest and share your talents with the world because we all have something to bring to the table. Set no limits and own up to what makes you, you. 

Looking to connect?  I would love to hear from you-- you can find me on Insta @melesieur_model. 

​All photos credit to @AllInADayPhotography

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