A Book and a Chat with Austiage

A Book and a Chat with Austiage

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A Book and a Chat with Austiage

In her motivational self-help book, THE MIRROR SAID, "YOU'RE BE-YOU-TIFUL," former elite athlete Austiage offers readers a foundation for embracing their unique beauty in a world that doesn't always value diversity and individuality. Writing in a welcoming, conversational style, Austiage outlines a plan for embracing a positive self-image that develops from the inside out.

An unexpected question ("Does the mirror make you feel ugly?") was the spark that led Austiage to pen THE MIRROR SAID, "YOU'RE BE-YOU-TIFUL." She met the young girl, Julianne, who posed the question while donating supplies to a children's hospital. After talking with the girl about beauty and what it means, the author felt moved to share her thoughts with others on this delicate subject, which many people—young and old, male and female—frequently struggle with. The book has a powerful message that begins by focusing on the individual.

Austiage asserts that beauty is much more than aesthetic. She emphasizes that character is an essential component of beauty and encourages readers to bolster their character by being positive and kind to themselves and others. The author repeatedly stresses the importance of having a strong belief in one's self and explains how this belief affects how people see themselves, the type of people they invite into their lives, and the manner in which they take care of themselves and pursue their goals.

THE MIRROR SAID, "YOU'RE BE-YOU-TIFUL" takes an in-depth look at the necessity of self-care including eating well without foregoing pleasure, incorporating fitness and relaxation in one's daily life, using makeup to highlight and enhance one's beauty, discarding fear and doubt to follow opportunities to find one's passion, and reevaluating relationships to make conscious decisions about the people in one's life.

Austiage says, "In my point of view, my book is about helping those who are at the point in their lives that they want to feel better about themselves. I think my book will help people understand that they aren't the only contributing factor in feeling good or bad about themselves. Rather, the everyday lifestyle choices they make, the people they surround themselves with, and the words they use all merge to develop a feeling unique to how they feel about their identity. Learning how to break down different aspects of daily life and to reevaluate them will dramatically change the way they perceive themselves."

Austiage wrote THE MIRROR SAID, "YOU'RE BE-YOU-TIFUL" "to help everyone understand that they have the ability to feel beautiful. Ultimately, I want readers to step away from my book feeling happiness, beauty, and pride from the inside out."

About the Author

Austiage is a former national-level champion fencer who was born in Washington, DC. She speaks seven languages, attended American University, and is the founder of the Star Individuality Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports youths in developing their unique individuality. Her book The Mirror Said, "You're Be-You-Tiful" explores the societal pressures that many people are faced with today and offers a game plan for nurturing individuality and owning one's beauty.

Austiage is best known for her uplifting smile, contagious laugh, and ability to solve almost every problem by finding the light in dark situation. Most people underestimate Austiage because of her age, but do not be fooled by a simple number: She is engaging, dedicated, focused, and hard working far beyond her years—all this while being an energetic, exciting, and humorous presence.

Austiage knows 7 languages, allowing her to communicate with most people she meets. After she graduated high school she decided to take some time off to grow, learn, and broaden her horizons. She traveled all over the country and the world, using her knowledge of languages she started conversations with people, and she realized we all have the same problems, concerns, and worries—regardless of age, race, income, color, gender, everything. We are more alike than we are different. Coming back with a new perspective, Austiage wanted to take her new knowledge and put it to good use.

She launched Star Individuality, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the upcoming generation growing up with a strong sense of individuality through self-expression, creativity, and motion. The foundation represents Austiage’s passions and experience as an artist and an elite athlete. In 2015 Austiage was delighted to announce that she and her organization were launching the Star Individuality Scholarship to give everyone an equal opportunity to find and embrace their individuality. Austiage has been blessed with the opportunity to learn so much about different aspects of life, but she knows the power and importance of sharing her wisdom with others.

Austiage currently runs the Star Individuality Foundation full time and studies at American University.