Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sara Jahansouz Wray.
Hi Dr. Wray, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The most common question I’ve been asked my entire life is, “Where can I buy what you are wearing?” This even evolved to the NICU in 2017 when I would dress my daughter each day as she was learning to eat and we prayed for her to grow! All the other parents wanted to know where I was buying our clothes and accessories!
I started reselling my designer clothes and accessories on social media. I found that it was easier to help people by sharing where I had bought my favorite pieces that I was unwilling to part with. I’ve been blogging about fashion and motherhood since 2018, relying on Facebook and now Instagram to do it. In 2021, I began practicing sobriety and so many of my followers were interested in learning more. This has involved into speaking engagements and podcast interviews. I’ve found that in every season of life, I’ve had a unique ability to connect with other men and women about the challenges we face as we grow.
Flashforward to today, I have the opportunity to work with numerous brand partners to share all the ins and outs of how I dress myself and my family, the triumphs and challenges of motherhood, and how I do it all without relying on a glass of wine to cope.
It’s certainly a beautiful life!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not come easy! The amount of work I put into developing a community of followers on social media was a tremendous challenge. It’s difficult to hear from folks that they should do what I’m doing with building a small business, assuming it’s been easy! It took at least three years before I began earning a significant income from blogging.
The greatest challenge of my journey was practicing sobriety. I knew a lot about a lot of things, but I had no idea how to get in touch with the spiritual journey of recovery. It’s also been an incredible challenge to open up my life with such truth and vulnerability. Sharing my recovery journey has been incredibly rewarding, but also an incredible challenge as I know the societal stigma that surrounds those of us that struggle with addiction. I’m hopeful that by sharing my journey through my blog, speaking engagements, and podcast interviews; I’ll help to normalize sobriety for those of us that are lucky enough to choose this way of life.
It’s been astounding to see the changes in myself since February 24, 2021 (my very first day practicing sobriety). To never again have to rely on a pill or drink to cope has been a wonderful way to live. I certainly know it’s not necessary for everybody, but it’s been the key to my recent success. I’m also grateful that the greatest gift I’ll ever give my children is the gift of a sober mom.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My number one commitment in life is that of a sober wife and mother. Everything that I invest my time and energy in revolves around my family.
My career has always focused on working with college students. The majority of my career has been spent in university administration, essentially working with college students outside of the classroom, although I’ve also served as a professor in the classroom as well.
I’m so grateful that the opportunity recently presented itself to go back to work in university administration in August 2022…right here at home in Houston. Houston is such an incredible city to engage in a collegiate experience, with the largest medical community in the world along with the diversity of industry; you can’t go wrong pursuing higher education in this city.
I love everything about being in a university-setting; the energy, the alma mater allegiance, the sense of community, the way in which lives are changed!
It’s also fun to share my game day and event fashion on my blog! I also love to integrate my children into my work, there is nothing they love more than visiting Mama’s office…which they think is the entire university!
I definitely get the pleasure of indulging my creative side through my blogging. It’s so wonderful to engage in that work on my own terms. Choosing when and how I spend my time sharing my life with others allows me so much freedom with earning income for my family.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The thing that makes me the happiest is appreciating the beauty of my life with a clear mind. I love the freedom my recovery has given me. I feel like rather than life happening TO me, my life is happening FOR me. The joy of my children’s laughter, showing-up for my friends and family with a sound mind, and getting in touch with the experience rather than things that bring me joy are the greatest hallmarks of happiness in my daily life. I’m also so honored that my social media community of followers has come along on this wild ride with me!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amazon.com/shop/dr.wray
- Instagram: @dr.wray
- Facebook: dr.wray
Image Credits
Sheen Studio
Sweet Pecks Photography
