Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Meisenbach a/k/a BurnedBeauty2018 on social media.
Hi Tonya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved from Winston-Salem, NC to Atlanta, GA in 1996. I married, had kids and pursued my career as a Real Estate Paralegal. I worked for the Firm for 15 years.
In that time, I had divorced and remarried. My current husband owns Atlanta Tree Professionals. I retired as a Paralegal and started working as his Office Manager in 2013. We worked together and built the company. It’s now a staple for Atlanta tree removal.
A week before Christmas in 2018, my husband and I sat by the fire pit, chatting and having a bit of wine. It was dinner time, so I ran in to grab food to throw on the cooking grates that my husband was adding to the fire pit.
I came out and leaned in to place the meat. At the same time, my husband squirted the lighter fluid, still building the fire. We didn’t see each other.
I felt the lighter fluid hitting my arm and, before I could even process the situation, I literally went up like a match.
My injuries were severe. I was sent to Grady Hospital where I was put into a medically induced coma. I remained in that coma for two months.
As I slept, the surgeons performed weekly surgeries to place skin grafts from my lower body to my face, chest, back and arms. All had been too badly burned to ever heal. The old skin had to be removed and new skin placed.
I had a tracheotomy, three blood transfusions, three bouts of bacterial pneumonia, MRSA, strep, fungal infection, sepsis and other things I can’t even recall.
I had to learn to walk, swallow and take care of myself again.
I accomplished and survived everything with the help of God, friends and family!
Once I was at home, the challenges really began. Emotional challenges in addition to major physical challenges.
I eventually turned back to makeup, something I’ve always loved, to help me rebuild my confidence. I learned to wear wigs, while my natural hair was regrowing, and Burned Beauty2018 was born! It started to become an actual platform after making a video to explain to my friends where I had been for two years.
People responded to that video with hope. Other people like me. It helped them and helping others like me was the only thing I wanted to do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Learning to walk and swallow were the two most difficult things I have ever done in my life. The muscles atrophy during the coma and strengthening and retraining them is exquisitely painful.
The biggest obstacle; however, was regaining my confidence. For two years, I basically hid in my house. Only going out for appointments and surgeries. I couldn’t stand to be seen.
Then, Covid-19 hit and my surgeries ceased until further notice. They still haven’t started again. I continue to try to get back in, but Covid is apparently still an issue.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have now become an Instagram Beauty Influencer, as well as an Amazon Beauty and Fashion Influencer. You’ll find me as BurnedBeauty2018 on Instagram, Facebook,YouTube, TikTok and Amazon!
I approach my posts a bit differently than most in that I love to show people like myself how beautiful we still are with my photos, but I love to post my honest thoughts and feelings for the day in my captions. I also like to post without the hair and makeup when I’m not feeling it. I want everyone to know that it’s all about “you”.
All of these elements have been so important to my recovery and I find that, just by being transparent, I help others.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love “Becoming” by Michelle Obama and, of course, rely on “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie as almost a handbook to success.
I love my “Law of Attraction” WRITTEN planner as well. Writing down my goals has manifested everything I have wanted so far. Every Sunday, I sit and think about and write out what I WILL accomplish for the week and write down the steps to make that happen.
I am continuously being blessed with the opportunities I have hoped and planned to earn.
Contact Info:
- For Speaking Engagements Email: tracy@fullcircleconsultinggroup.net
- Instagram: http://Instagram.com/BurnedBeauty2018
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/BurnedBeauty2018
- Twitter: @BurnedBeauty18
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/BurnedBeauty2018
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/shop/burnedbeauty2018?ref=inf_own_burnedbeauty2018
