Meet Eva Benjamin – Bold Journey Magazine

We were lucky to catch up with Eva Benjamin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eva, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

My confidence and self-esteem have grown significantly through overcoming challenges. In the past, I struggled with self-image and often feared judgment from others, which made me uncomfortable speaking in public or being the center of attention. However, about a year ago, I made the decision to compete in a pageant, stepping far outside of my comfort zone. I knew this experience would push me to grow and gain confidence in myself.

Competing in pageants has been instrumental in developing my confidence and self-esteem. While some people believe pageantry can be harmful to women, I would argue that it offers the opportunity for personal growth. Pageants help women build confidence, enhance public speaking skills, and fully embrace their true selves. Pageantry has allowed me to face my fears, become confident in my abilities, and present myself with assurance. It also gave me valuable opportunities to speak on stage, something I once feared, but now view as a platform for growth.

Since beginning my journey in pageantry, I have discovered a deep sense of self-appreciation and confidence in my potential. Now, as Miss Maine’s Teen preparing to compete at Miss America’s Teen in January, I am proud of my accomplishments and the personal growth I’ve achieved. None of this would have been possible without the challenges and opportunities presented through pageantry.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My story is deeply rooted in resilience, advocacy, and personal growth. Being a first-generation Brazilian-American has shaped much of who I am, and my journey has been one of embracing my cultural heritage while navigating mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. These experiences have inspired me to advocate for youth mental health. I use my platform as Miss Maine’s Teen to advocate for mental health awareness, education, and resources. It’s something I’m deeply passionate about because I’ve lived through it, and I believe it’s essential for youth to know they are not alone in their struggles.

Through my platform, “Couragefully,” I encourage others to embrace their challenges and shine with confidence, knowing that growth often comes from the most uncomfortable situations. What excites me most about this work is seeing the impact it has on others. By sharing my own experiences with anxiety, I’ve been able to connect with other teens who feel empowered to speak about their own mental health. It’s a deeply rewarding feeling to know that I can contribute to breaking the stigma around these issues and offer support to those who need it most.

In addition to my advocacy work, I’m also focused on preparing for the upcoming Miss America’s Teen competition, where I will represent Maine on the national stage in January. This opportunity is exciting not just because of the competition, but because it allows me to further my message of resilience and courage.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue expanding my platform, partnering with organizations that promote youth mental health, and attending community events to reach more people. My goal is to create lasting change by empowering young people to prioritize their mental well-being and find strength in their stories—just as I have in mine.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Confidence, courage, and authenticity have been essential to my journey, especially in becoming Miss Maine’s Teen. These qualities have allowed me to face challenges, grow, and connect with others in a meaningful way.

Confidence has enabled me to embrace my strengths, overcome self-doubt, and step into leadership roles. It’s given me the assurance to represent my values, whether on stage or as an advocate for youth mental health.

Courage has been equally important; pushing me to take risks and step outside my comfort zone. Competing in pageants, sharing my story of living with anxiety, and challenging misconceptions about pageantry and mental illness have required courage. It’s this quality that allowed me to turn vulnerability into empowerment, showing others the power of facing your fears.

Finally, authenticity ties it all together. Being true to myself—embracing my background, my struggles, and my passions—has made my message even more impactful. Authenticity allows me to connect on a deeper level, creating genuine relationships with those I inspire.

These three qualities have shaped me into a resilient, confident, and empowered leader who continues to inspire others through honesty and strength.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Over the past year, my confidence has grown tremendously. I competed in my first pageant just less than a year ago, and the self-development and personal growth I have accomplished in this past year are incredible. Pageantry has challenged me, and allowed me to become a talented public speaker, an advocate for mental health, and confident in my abilities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: evabenjamin.pageants and missamericasteenme
• Linkedin: eva-benjamin-maine

Image Credits

Samantha Dalhborg
Mariah Larocque