Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Millar.
Christina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was adopted from Kazakhstan when I was only seven months old, and I am very happy that I was! My parents have given me countless opportunities to excel in what I love doing. If I told myself five years ago, I would be doing pageants, modeling, public speaking, and etc., I would laugh right in my own face! I was the shyest girl anyone has ever met, but I am proud to say I am not that girl anymore!
Karate is something that I also cherish in who I am as a person. Of course it has taught me to stay ahead of the boys, but it has also taught me an abundance of dedication, respect, and character in my life. As a short story, I remember the first day I walked into the karate studio: My brother, Peter, was the one who wanted to do martial arts in the first place. We grew up watching Jackie Chan, Rocky, and of course all the Karate Kid movies. One of the instructors welcomed us at the door and got my brother a Gi to try on. While my brother went to change into the uniform, the instructor asked me if I would also like to take karate. I already knew that there was no way I was going to take karate classes, so I said “yeah sure”. I said yes! I wasn’t even thinking and my brain just took over! My parents were definitely shocked and now I am so content with saying yes.
I remember thinking that karate was just a guys sport, but now I’m the one encouraging all girls that we can be just as strong. I’ve been dedicated to that studio for almost a decade now and have been teaching students for almost six years. Now, karate has and will forever hold a place in my heart; moreover, it has sparked so many other opportunities in my life.
I was such a tomboy growing up! I lived in a neighborhood where the only kids my age were boys, my brother played all sorts of team sports growing up, and not as many girls took karate lessons; so, when I got a letter in the mail for a chance to do a pageant, I was so excited and nervous! I thought I had gained all the confidence in the world before stepping on that stage with a mic in my hand. Pageantry has brought an amount of self-love and confidence I didn’t even know I was capable of having! Not to mention it enhances the girly side of my personality! Now, after doing very well in pageants for almost three years, so many opportunities for my future has opened up, and I’m only sixteen!
Currently, I’m working hard in school as a Junior to get into a good college, while making time for karate, leading the Marching Band, my pageantry, modeling, and of course the occasional relaxed day! I have many values in life, and one of those values is family. All my success and confidence would not be possible without my parents. I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, and I know I was adopted for a very good reason. Without being adopted or saying “yeah sure” to that karate instructor, I don’t know where in the world I would be right now! The one bit of advice I can give is to trust the process of life. I can’t predict the future or make a plan of where I might be ten years from now; however, I know that as long as I stay true to myself, everything will fall into place.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There were so many challenges to get to where I am now, but the most prominent was getting out of my comfort zone. Everyone has something different in their comfort zone and mine was being shy. I still to this day, take steps to get even more out of my comfort zone! A great first example happened in karate. Now, I’m not sure if you have ever seen a martial arts competition or a form, but there is some yelling involved! Once I first started, I was told to say “hiyah” when I punched or kicked, so I did; however, I was missing many levels of intensity! It’s hard to explain, but I was basically told to yell as if I was yelling at my brother to get out of my room. Basically, I had to yell as if I were a maniac and I was trying to snap my vocal cords! I felt so stupid at first to be so dramatic, but I was also told “you’re the only one who thinks that”. I carry that advice through everything I do, and it is the one constant that has helped me become so successful.
It is also a major part in my pageant career. For example, prancing around on a stage while hundreds of people are staring can get a little awkward at times; moreover, the “imagine everyone’s naked” trick does not work for me! Instead of pretending people aren’t there so I don’t feel so “stupid”, I force myself not to think how “stupid” I might look, but that what I’m doing is completely normal and I’m working it! Which is all true! In karate, it is impressive when you yell super loud during a form or competition. In a pageant, it is stunning when you walk across a stage with such confidence and not a care in the world for who is watching! Now, if I were to do a runway walk in the middle of the grocery store, then you can call me crazy!
Essentially, the trick is to get out of my head and take care of business. I believe that it is a major issue in today’s society to always question your actions based on the possibilities of one’s opinion. After I stopped caring what people thought and got out of my head, I have completely transformed! When I give this explanation to people who asked me how I did it, they always ask one common question: “How do I get out of my comfort zone?” They seem to be under the impression that there are steps to take, but it is not that complicated at all! The big secret to getting out of that comfort zone is… just do it. I’m so serious when I say that! There is no magic pill or rule book to put yourself out there. You simply do it! If you are usually a shy person like me and an opportunity presents itself, take it. It might be a train-wreck and it will definitely take time to fully evolve, but trust the process! A term I use to describe myself to take into consideration is: I am an “introvert trained extrovert”. I also believe you never stop learning, and I still have to push myself out of that comfort zone every once in a while. It’s not easy, but the results of where you may end up are unbelievable. So take a leap of faith and be impulsive to get out of that comfort zone!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Within karate, I take part in many community activities. Every year we have Bully Proof Week, which is where we teach the students at the studio how to deal with bullies at school or work. We also have the Basket Brigade for Thanksgiving to give to the families in need of food for the holiday. I also tutor students when we provide study sessions on weekends. Every so often, I also like to take part in seminars about how self-defense for women is so important. Not just physical self-defense but emotional and verbal self-defense. Being able to teach students essentially important life lessons is such a privilege.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is personal to everyone, but essentially it is when you make yourself proud. It doesn’t have to be an award or gaining a lot of income. I have received many awards and accomplishments in life, but for me it is the experience that matters. I know I sound super cliche or cheesy, but I mean it in all honesty! By gaining new experiences in life through trial and error and being able to learn from yourself, you gain so much more than a paycheck or a trophy. Now, being recognized for your accomplishments is definitely nice, but you shouldn’t be doing it for anyone other than yourself. A way I keep track of my success is journaling it! I have goals of course, but I don’t like giving myself goals to complete in a certain period of time. I look at it as if I’m trying to fill as many pages as possible with my successes, compared to attempting to complete a to do list. I believe that everyone is constantly growing mentally and emotionally through their successes, as well as their failures.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 470-464-1531
- Email: chrstinamillar57@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millar_christina/
Image Credit:
Imagine Studios
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