#GetInTheWater Interview with Andrea of Hello Andrea Maya

Recently we had the chance to sit down and chat with Andrea Correa of @helloandreamaya and the Correa Mommy blog! Andrea is the cutest mama to two boys and shares lots of fashion, family activities and more on her blog. We loved getting to know her better and talking about motherhood and body positivity!

Lime Ricki: What’s your latest tv binge?

Andrea: I love Jane the Virgin.

LR: What was your first job?

A: I was a Sterilization Tech at a Dentist & Orthodontic office.

LR: Who is your celebrity soul sister?

A: Kim Kardashian 2006-2008. In 2006 she was all lipgloss, sparkle, bright colors and glam! That is totally me. I just love that stuff! She also had dark hair and looked more exotic. I am exotic looking and have dark long hair.

LR: What is your favorite beverage?

A: If I am choosing a soda, I love a diet mango Mountain Dew with sugar free mango from Sodalicious. I drink a ton of water and also love Bai drinks!

LR: What three songs do you listen to when you need a boost?

A: I love hip hop and rap. When I need a boost I love 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Kanye West – Stronger. And All About That Bass by Megan Trainer.

LR: Who is your female role model and why?

A: My role model has always been Mother Teresa, she is one of the most inspiring people in the world. She is so caring, selfless and a risk taker.  I love that Mother Teresa is very compassionate, and she dedicated her entire life to helping others. She motivates me to be a better person in all areas of my life, and to teach that to my children. I love all of her inspiring quotes and read them often. As Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa loves all of those around her, she finds the good in every person she meets! I just love that!

LR: When do you feel your most confident and why?

A: I feel most confident when I have a good attitude about everything! When I am smiling, loving myself in all shapes and forms, working hard in all areas of my life to be better, believing in my own abilities and recognizing my strengths! I also feel extra confident when I’m with people who know me well and accept me for who I am – goofy or serious, happy or sad. I don’t really worry about what other people think of me. If I am happy & confident, I believe I will shine!

LR: What does #getinthewater mean to you?

A: To me it means don’t worry about who’s looking or what someone is thinking. I will rock what I have and go play with my beautiful kids in the water! I will create memories with them in the water and have fun!

LR: What advice do you have about feeling comfortable & confident in a swimsuit?

A: It starts with loving yourself first. Since I started to really learn that, I feel like I have become more comfortable in my own skin and in my swim suits. I am so grateful for the body I have. It has created 2 beautiful kids and I am thankful for what it does for me on a daily. One thing I have learned is to pick a swimsuit that makes you comfortable, then add a  kimono as a cover-up. Dress up your look to help you feel comfortable and confident!

LR: How do you share body positivity with your kids?

A: I love teaching my boys that you always love yourself in every form, shape and phase of life. I teach them that you should always want to better yourself and I try to do that on a daily. But, I always love myself how I am, in whatever phase I am. I think that is great body positivity and self love. I try not to talk about weight specifically around my kids. They love weighing themselves and I always help them. It’s exciting for them because they are growing! But I don’t talk numbers for myself. I also teach my boys that everyone’s bodies are different. We all look different & have different shapes. I think when you talk about body positivity using different words, it’s better for them to understand that everyone is different and they can love themselves in all phases.

LR: Have you struggled with loving your body?

A: Yes, I have. I struggled the most with loving my body after high school and thoughout beauty school. I was curvy compared to all of my other friends and I didn’t love it. I remember I was always at the gym or only eating one meal a day. I even took diet pills. Once I finally learned to love my curves and stopped wanting to obtain the ideal body my friends had, I was able to focus on the way being healthy made me feel and love myself more. I think with having two kids I learned to love myself even more – to see how I could carry babies and the change in my body. I learned to love myself even more then ever. I have became more confident and I think I am so beautiful! I always want to better myself and I try to do that on the daily. But I am telling you: if you love yourself, work hard, treat yourself kindly, stay positive and happy, you will be more confident!

Make sure to give Andrea a follow on her Instagram @helloandreamaya and take a look at her blog, Correa Mommy! Check out some of our past interviews as well, with Abby and Amandalyn!