A courageous woman’s journey through discrimination and self-discovery
Rozella Marie Mahjhrin, 37, is a speaker and advocate for diversity, inclusion, and mental health. In 2015, she founded True Complexion, a community platform that shares stories about people living with disabilities, rare diseases, chronic illnesses, and mental health issues. As a result of participation in her programs, teens and young adults have a safe space to overcome their limiting beliefs and insecurities. harness their strengths and uniqueness, and cultivate self-love and self-esteem. Natural Health caught up with this amazing woman for a chat, and we discovered that she also helps companies positively position their brand and create social change in the marketplace by reshaping their messaging to promote inclusive beauty and body diversity to better resonate with people of different backgrounds and abilities.
Rozella works primarily with schools and businesses who want to help their students and employees improve their body image and mental health so they can come into their authentic power and increase their confidence and productivity at school and work.
NH: What does body and self image mean to you, and how are women today affected by negative body/self image. Also, why should society care about this?
Rozella: Body image and self-image refer to the emotional attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions people have of their own bodies and selves. Our body image and self-image do not develop in isolation. It is influenced by the culture and environment in which we live, by the people who surround us, and by the media and narratives to which we are exposed.
Throughout history, our society, media, and popular culture have placed great importance on the physical appearance of the human body, which unfortunately often promotes unrealistic ideals about what a person should look like to be considered attractive.
The pressure and expectation to look a certain way can lead to many harmful consequences such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, social isolation, perfectionistic tendencies, and many other things. This is often exacerbated when a person experiences events and circumstances such as being teased, criticized, or bullied for their appearance, especially when they were younger.
NH: You have been at the forefront of helping women overcome negative self image – can you share with us how it started and where has it brought you today?
Rozella: I was born with a birthmark on my face, and as you can imagine, it was not easy growing up. I was constantly teased and bullied at school, and as a young person I was constantly told that I would never amount to anything because I was not good enough or “normal” looking. I carried this belief around with me for so many years, thinking that the only role I would fit into was a behind-the-scenes role where no one could see me. I made myself small, doubted myself, and told myself to forget my dreams.
Because of this, I struggled for years with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, an eating disorder, and a drinking problem. After a disastrous 27th birthday where I ended up in the hospital for alcohol poisoning, a kind friend offered to help me, which put me on the road to recovery. Since then, I have worked with various mentors, programs, and therapists to get to where I am today.
It was not until I hit rock bottom and got the support I needed to make my way out of the darkness that I realised my birthmark, which was said to be a curse, might actually be my superpower. I decided to step out of the shadows and pursue my passion for music and my desire to be an artist. Singing on stage helped me find my voice. I realised that I could use this voice for bigger issues, like advocating for other people who have gone through similar struggles as me in the past. This gave me the idea to start a community platform called True Complexion.
Today, I not only work with the community, but I also advocate for inclusion and diversity by giving talks and workshops to various corporate clients and schools. In 2020, I was also the face of IT Cosmetics’ regional campaign and my image was featured in Sephora stores in Malaysia and Singapore. I have even spoken on stages in front of more than 1,500 people and performed for audiences of over 3,000.
My past is why I am so passionate about working with communities (especially girls and young women and people living with visible differences, disabilities and mental health issues) to overcome their barriers and unleash their inner potential. I do this by humanising and normalising conversations about mental health issues and body image issues, and teaching people what I have learned over the past 10 years.
Too many of us struggle to make our own way because we are told we need to fit in instead of standing out. So I want to offer that support to other people so they do not have to walk that path alone.
NH: In regards to your birthmark, can you share with us when it started to affect your life, and how?
Rozella: Through my work, I have had the privilege of participating in many wonderful projects and events. When people see me today, they often assume I have always been this outgoing, outspoken, confident person. But the reality is far from that.
I was an extremely shy and timid young girl. I was five years old when I first realised I was different after overhearing a conversation between two girls on the school bus about why my face was so red.
I was not just teased by other kids at school. Strangers also stared at me or laughed at me and sometimes even asked me questions like, “What’s wrong with your face?” or “Are you contagious?”
It affected my body image, self-esteem, and mental health. I was so distraught about being “normal” that I started getting whitening injections when I was 11 and tried various supplements, products and treatments to get rid of my birthmark. And when nothing worked, I felt even more horrible for being so unworthy that I could not even be “cured”.
It’s no surprise that I struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts when I was 11. When I was a teenager, I developed anxiety and an eating disorder. I also had a drinking problem in my early 20s.
I was lost and broken for so long. I did not know who I was anymore, and I had to hit rock bottom before I finally got the help I needed to get better and heal my relationship with my skin and body.
NH: What are some examples of the challenges you had to overcome in your life concerning self image?
Rozella: Over the years, people have said a lot of hurtful, mean, and rude things to me, but they all had a similar narrative: that I was ugly, unworthy, disgusting, and unworthy of happiness and love.
People have told me that I shouldn’t be on stage or in front of the camera because no one wants to see someone who has a birthmark on their face. Some men have also told me that I can be a side piece or a mistress kept in secret, but that I’m not good material to go out in public with or to be introduced to their family and friends.
Comments like that crushed my soul. They made me put up my walls and withdraw from everyone because it was just too painful to deal with.
It breaks my heart to know that so many other people out there are struggling with this too. That’s why I have always been so open and honest with my story, because I felt so alone during that time.
Before the pandemic, I still received comments and questions from strangers. But the positive thing about wearing a mask and everyone being afraid to interact with people they don’t know is that I don’t have to worry about walking out the door and preparing for people to stare at me or judge me.
Today, when I receive negative comments, I don’t respond to them. I understand that people act that way because of their own insecurities or fears. I know their comments or reactions have nothing to do with me personally. It’s a projection of who they are and not who I am or what I’m worth.
Having a birthmark and being different is why so many opportunities and doors have opened up for me, and for that I am very grateful. Instead of focusing my energy on what other people think or say about me, I prefer to focus on the work I do and the community and clients I work with.
NH: Can you please share with us the goings-on in your life at the moment, or, before the pandemic?
Rozella: I am very excited about the new year and the projects I have ahead of me. I am currently working on expanding the programs I offer to people to make them accessible not only to schools and businesses, but also to individuals and smaller groups who need additional support.
I will also be working on some other creative projects related to diversity, inclusion, mental health and bullying. This year, I will be focusing mostly on expanding my reach and trying to positively impact more people by giving them the tools they need to navigate the ups and downs of this crazy but beautiful thing we call life.
NH: What is your advice to anyone out there who may need encouragement to overcome negative self or body image?
Rozella: That they are not alone on this journey and that there is no shame in seeking help and support.
