I am present, even when I am completely swamped and overwhelmed, especially then.

-Travis Howe

In Travis's Words: 

It started with annoying headaches when I was working out. Then one day while doing pushups I felt a pop in my head followed by a migraine. Into the doctor I went for an MRI of my head and neck. Two days later I get a call from a neurosurgeon, “Come in as soon as you can.” I was diagnosed with two jelly bean sized aneurysms in my brain. My doctor recommended surgery and offered to get me in the following morning — time was ticking, so I took him up on the offer.

The following day was November 6th, my 23rd birthday. My neurosurgeon walked me through the procedure and stoked my confidence, but this was brain surgery, and the “what if’s” lingered as I was prepared to go under. The surgery was a success, and I woke up in the ICU. This was the most memorable birthday of my life.

Carpe diem, living life to the fullest, and all the other inspirational clichés are absolutely words to live by. As I approach my 31st birthday I once again ask myself — is life just dying in slow motion, or getting stronger every day?

My career in film and photography constantly challenges me to focus on small moments and fine details in life. I choose to wake up and see life in full color. Thanks to my beautiful wife, Annie, for getting behind the lens and capturing my essence.

Find Travis online at https://www.instagram.com/td_howe/

“I am vulnerable, even when I am terrified and want to close up and run away and tout all of my accomplishments to try and defend myself, especially then.” -Mike Iamele 

Find Mike's Tears & Taffeta story here. Visit Mike's website to learn more! Cape by Cassandra Youngs 

"I am courageous and determined, even when I feel shy and hesitant, especially then". Betsy Zalewski Pacelli

Betsy wore the original Tears & Tulle skirt in Season 1, Week 32!

In Betsy's Words...

Hello, I’m Betsy. First, I am a new me. I am a wife of 33 years and 12 years dating. I am a MOM to my baby girl, who recently got married. I am a friend. I love to TALK! I love to spread my knowledge to everyone. I am proud I have learned so much through all my TEARS.

One day I was a happy girl, doing what I loved, worked for doctors doing medical billing, exercising, laughing, smiling, and loving!

The next my life drastically changed. The happy, loving, CONFIDENT woman I was becoming somehow over the years LEFT- leaving a little girl who lost her brother, 18, at 21 to Mental Illness. And lost my mom, 42, at 23- also to Mental Illness. My dad passed away from an aggressive MS.

I went to three different High Schools, which taught me to be outgoing and I can go somewhere by myself and have fun! I also love MUSIC.

I started to have back pain, and my whole body was in pain. My nervous system wasn’t working. The switch in my brain stayed on 24/7.

I was caught in a web of pain and failed surgeries, medicine that poisoned my body, and Depression was at its worst.

So 30 years of struggling, researching, seeing doctors, crying, and praying this would go away, I never gave up hope that one day I would be the real me again.

2 years ago, I made the mental decision to get off the poison I was putting in my body. And be aware and focused. I found a pain therapist who was a Godsend in my life—someone who can relate to me and my issues and tell me I’m not a burden. I am smart. I am ENOUGH!

And then God sent me Gina Bell and Tears & Tulle.

This was way out of my box, and the more I got to know her, the more I saw what she was doing. How creative and colorful everything was. Positive in every way and that Rainbow Tulle Skirt! I was amazed!

I started to see change in me, along with the most important people, my husband and daughter. And then my family and friends could see how much stronger I was. HOW CONFIDENT I’VE BECOME.

That was over a year ago. Tears & Tulle had become a very safe and happy place for me. It is a very powerful movement that has changed my outlook on everything.

I’m so grateful I learned how to find my colors once again. I show up for life every day with a smile on my face! As I walk past MY skirt and its colors, I realize how blessed I am and how the real me has been hiding for so long.

I want people to know the OTHER side of all my pain.

May I be safe....

May I be happy....

May I be healthy....

May I live with ease.....

Betsy

Tears & Tulle Trailblazer, Genesis Amaris Kemp

In her words...

"Never Let the FEAR of Striking Out Keep You from Playing the Game" - Babe Ruth

In life, we are going to have trials and tribulations, ups and downs, sadness, and happiness, good and bad but we must never allow things to keep us down.  Pop up like the Jack in the Box, get your spring back, and be that jewel you were destined to be. In order to do that you must be FEARLESS because FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real that keeps us conditioned and stagnant.

As I wear my tulle well I am tuning out all the limitations and negative things I ever heard about me and smiling brightly because I am STILL STANDING despite the odds. Each one of these colors has a powerful association -

Pink - Love, Intuitive, Respect

Blue - Ambition, Perspective

Green - Growth, Equilibrium, and Positivity

When I allow these colors to take root I am embracing my authentic self and it's a reminder to shoot past the stars and aim for the moon. We have to start taking ACTIONS today to secure a better FUTURE and lay a sturdy foundation for future generations to come.

I spent a total of 15 years in Corporate America building someone else's brand, legacy, and empire and it helped me realize that I needed to get back to my core values and be WHO I wanted to be and not WHAT others wanted me to be. So I wrote my first book Chocolate Drop in Corporate America: From The Pit To The Palace released the 1st edition in May 2020 and released the 2nd edition in February 2021...this was the tangible object that helped me jumpstart NEW BEGINNINGS, which has opened various doors and opportunities Thank GOD.

So glad I could be a part of The Tears and Tulle Movement where we share our stories, build community, and most importantly embrace our AUTHENTIC SELF.

Find Genesis here:

https://linktr.ee/GenesisAmarisKemp

Follow The Tears & Tulle Movement here:

www.ginabell.co/thetearsandtullemovement.com 

Nadine Fonseca wore the original Tears & Tulle skirt in Season 1, Week 33

Tears & Tulle Talk Podcast Season 2, Episode 9- Nadine Fonseca

"I am impactful, even when there is no finish line, especially then."  Nadine Fonseca

In Nadine's Words...  I've had these black @converse Chucks since I was a teenager. They were a hand-me-downs from my sister. I remember when she handed them off to me before going to college that I tried to play it off like it was no big deal... so "whatever". But I had seen the adventures that my sister had in these Chucks and there was a palpable thrill bubbling up inside me just thinking about what my own adventures in these shoes might look like.

Fast forward almost 20 years... I have had my fair share of adventures, struggles, challenges, victories and defeats-- maybe not always in my Chucks, but they've stuck it out with me after all this time. Since then, I've come to learn that we all have within us something that someone silently idolizes from a distance. We each have the capacity to be our best self and the only difference between those who feel accomplished in that pursuit and those that don't is taking daily steps toward it. We've got to walk the walk.

There's a reason a GPS won't start dictating until you're in motion... Take those steps and get in motion. Someone is watching, awaiting inspiration-- maybe it's your children, your sister, your friend, or maybe it's that teenage girl you used to see in the mirror anticipating all the adventures that life has to offer. Take the step. I'm rooting for you.

Find Nadine here: www.mightykind.com

Tears & Tulle: www.ginabell.co 

Ariel Griglin wore the original skirt in The Tears & Tulle Movement Season 1, Week 35!

In her words...

Wearing this rainbow tulle skirt has been a beautiful representation of walking the full spectrum of life experiences. 🌈

The symbolism of the black reminds me that we all have tears, and struggles in life. This morning as I was preparing for my day in the skirt, the overriding emotion was a feeling of humbleness. ⚖️

No matter the color our skin, our political party, economic status, or the size of our body, there are moments of suffering in every persons life that call upon the endurance of our heart and faith. This stimulates the richness of our soul, just as the pain of a work out stimulates the fullness of our muscles. 💪🏼🔥

I am inspired by the beauty this planet has provided us to be nourished and to heal. 🥦🍊🍅🍇🥝

In my health and fitness coaching business I use a synergy of this fresh produce, physical fitness, mindset practices, along with the THRIVE experience to help women step into their greatest potential and understand the true strength they've always carried within. 💊

Find Ariel online at www.arielgriglin.com 

Follow the skirt here: www.ginabell.co/wheres-the-skirt

Tears & Tulle Talk Season 2, Podcast Episode 007! This week’s podcast features Tears & Tulle Trailblazer participant, Margaret Harding!

In Margaret's Words...

In March as the pandemic was ramping up I was in Oklahoma and received news that my job was closing, the next leg of my trip was cancelled (I was headed to Idaho to volunteer at a special needs pageant), how I was getting home was unsure as the shuttle service I used from the airport stopped running, and there was threat of airports shutting down. Needless to say I was super stressed. My sister looked at me and said “go sweat so you can calm down”.  We were at a hotel for a an event and she knew that sweating calmed me down, that’s when I decided to do my pictures in the hotel’s fitness center.   Over the years I’ve learned that being able to workout is one of the best ways for me to handle the stress of life. I am a survivor of incest, sexual abuse, mental abuse, I live with depression and have a mild case of ptsd; with all of this I can have a hard time seeing through the fog of life.

Three things have kept me sane and grounded;

Faith - my faith in Jesus Christ my savior.

Volunteering - being able to refocus my negative energy in a positive way.

 Exercise - being able to physically release my negative energy. 

 Find Margaret on Instagram at @states_of_service

Tears & Tulle Talk Season 2, Podcast Episode 006

This week’s podcast features Tears & Tulle  participant, Teagan Hintze!  Teagan chatted with me about her story, some of her Tears & Tulle moments, and her beautiful experience from unboxing the skirt to her fun photoshoot!

IN TEAGAN’S WORDS...⁣

The skirt could not have come at a more perfect time, on a more perfect week. As life healing has been a process lately, the layers have been peeling back and my old sassy self has started to emerge again. But it hadn't quite gotten there. I was still a bit reserved. I had been timid, hiding in the shadows and repressed by things that have happened. I had made myself small to please others, and I was still shy to step into who I knew I was.

 When the box arrived, I found it interesting that it was so small. When I opened it and found this glorious skirt easily 4x the size of the box, I was in awe. She instantly had a personality, a beauty, and a power to her. As I tried her on for the first time I felt it wash over me. Suddenly the layers I had been hiding behind washed away. I was there. She brought it out in me. ⁣ ⁣ This marvelous skirt helped remind me of who I am, to empower me to live my fullest, to stand up for my truest self, and to love myself again. To never again allow myself to fit into someone's box, to make myself small.⁣ ⁣ I see you beautiful, and I know you. Don't let anyone dim your rainbow.

⁣For her episode and more!  https://anchor.fm/tearsandtulletalk 

Visit us online at www.ginabell.co/thetearsandtullemovement  Find Teagan online at: https://sheknowsbiz.com/

Tears & Tulle Talk Season 2, Podcast Episode 005! This week’s podcast features Tears & Tulle Trailblazer participant, Amanda Arthur Krill! She chatted with me about her story, some of her Tears & Tulle moments, and that fiery homemade skirt!!!!! (Spoiler! Spray paint was involved!!)

In Amanda's Words... 

Sick and tired of being sick and tired 

Had as much of you as I can take

I'm so done, so over being afraid 

I've gone through the motions

I've been back and forth I know that you're thinking you've heard this before I don't know how to say it

So I'm just gonna say it, yeah

Fear, you don't own me

There ain't no room in this story

And I ain't got time for you

Telling me what I'm not

Like you know me well guess what?

I know who I am

I know I'm strong

 And I am free

 Got my own identity

 So fear, you will never be welcome here 

 Find Amanda on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/amandakrill