We recently had the chance to connect with Amanda Vlastas and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amanda, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve found so much unexpected joy in gardening. There’s something incredibly grounding about getting my hands in the soil, watching tiny sprouts turn into something beautiful, and taking care of each plant like it has a little personality of its own. It’s become a peaceful ritual, watering in the mornings, trimming leaves, and checking on new growth. Even on the busiest days, stepping outside and tending to my garden gives me a sense of calm, purpose, and connection to something slower and more natural. It’s honestly been one of the most nourishing surprises in this season of life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Amanda Vlastas and I am the founder of West University Moms, a friendly and trusted hub for local families in Houston, connecting moms with exactly what they need, quickly and thoughtfully.
We share kid‑friendly events, helpful guides and insider tips on mom‑friendly services like gyms, spas, pediatricians, and restaurants. Part of the Local Moms Network, the platform gives busy parents a streamlined way to stay informed, offering event calendars, featured blog posts, deals, parenting stories, and “Meet a Mom” interviews.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Aside from big betrayals that cause obvious damage, I think it’s the silence and disconnection, the moments when we stop feeling seen or understood. When someone doesn’t communicate and pain goes unspoken or someone pulls away emotionally, the distance builds. I have learned (and experienced) that bonds can be restored through honesty, empathy, and being vulnerable. Real healing and restoring relationships come when we take responsibility for our part and truly listen without defending ourselves.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Getting divorced, about a year and half after moving to Houston, was one of the most defining wounds of my life, it ignited a transformation I never saw coming. For a long time, I carried shame, grief, and the thought that I had failed. But over time, I began to see it differently and stopped fighting the story and started accepting it as part of my path. I found strength in loving myself, accepting my new trajectory, and believing in what’s still possible. Most importantly, I began to trust the universe and its bigger plan for me. That trust became the bridge from pain to peace. I now see that my divorce wasn’t the end of something it was the beginning of becoming more fully myself.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say the public version of me is definitely real but it’s just one part of who I am. What people see online or in my work is the side of me that knows how to put myself out there, connect, and create. There’s so much more to me than what I show, my background is a lot different than what people imagine or might guess about me. I’ve traveled a lot and spent time in so many different countries and cultures, which shaped how I see people and the world. At heart, I’m super casual, low-maintenance, and generally more of an introvert. I’m more of a behind-the-scenes kind of person, and I’m incredibly sensitive, I pick up on everything, and I feel things really deeply. So while the public version of me is authentic, it’s not the whole story. I don’t really feel the need to share my whole life, not that anyone’s out there begging to see every detail anyway.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I stopped drinking alcohol earlier this year, and the deeper I got, the more clearly I saw how much our culture has normalized something that’s actually really destructive. We’re constantly fed the message that drinking is normal, harmless, even empowering but the truth is, it’s just a slow drip of ethanol. A literal poison that we’ve been taught to celebrate. Once I stepped back, I realized how much of it is marketing, conditioning, and coping. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of being OK with feeling uncomfortable in situations where I would have had a drink to take the edge off (especially as an Introvert). Over time, I’ve realized that leaning into that discomfort is exactly what builds real strength and resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.westuniversitymoms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westuniversitymoms
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandavlastas/
