Following your dreams is one of the most important things in life. Unfortunately, that is sometimes easier said than done.
There are some amazing people out there who are able to overcome overwhelming obstacles to achieve their dreams, like the couple who wanted to lose an incredible 80 pounds before their wedding. I have nothing but admiration for people who are able to reach their goals in spite of immense opposition.
When I spotted the story of Kate Stoltz, I saw that the journey to reach her dreams was both difficult and ongoing. You might recognize her as one of the star's of the TLC show Breaking Amish.
Kate has always dreamed of having a successful career in modeling and fashion. She has also wanted to go to college. The only problem: Having been born into an Amish family, Kate is not supposed to do either of these things.
Kate's story and unbelievable transformation from a member of the Amish community to successful New York City model is both incredible and inspiring.
What do you think about what this young woman gave up to follow her dreams? Let us know in the comments!
h/t Daily Mail/HNGN
Choosing to forego the traditional comforts of the modern world, the Amish have adopted a much simpler approach to life that focuses much more on family and God. Amish children are often only educated up until eighth grade, and after that focus on producing large families.
Kate was born into an Amish community in a rural part of Pennsylvania. The daughter of a bishop, she knew that her community would never allow her to be a model, as it was against their beliefs to have her picture taken fully-dressed.
She was fortunate enough to continue in her school work, but she knew that she would never have the chance to go to college. She told the Daily Mail, "Before school, I would go out and feed the cows. After school, I'd take care of the calves, I'd make dinner for the family, and spend about six hours at a time just out in the fields raking hay."
Clad in an ankle-length dress and a bonnet, it was hard for Kate to imagine achieving her dream of going to college, much less becoming a model and a fashion designer.
However, everything changed for Kate when she joined the TLC show Breaking Amish. She decided to leave her old life behind and move to New York to pursue her dreams. She would go from an austere life of hard work and no electronics to an unknown life in a city quite foreign to her.
Kate quickly abandoned her Amish way of life and way of dressing for a more modern life in the city. It wasn't easy at first though. Kate told HNGN, "I absolutely detested New York City when I first stepped inside. I never expected to stay."
But Kate stuck with it, and soon found herself modeling for magazines and in fashion shows. She told HNGN, "The reason I decided to stay in New York was because it made me realize that they're so many opportunities. When you're in a city, there's people making it happen, traveling the world and doing the things they actually want to do – things people only dream about in other places. Being in New York has helped me realize that if I really do want that, I can do it."
With large successes quickly overwhelming her, Kate was sure not to forget her family or where she came from. She told the Daily Mail, "I couldn't ask for better parents or better brothers and sisters."
But her love of family did not mean she planned to abandon her dreams to return home. She told the Daily Mail, "Even though they don't approve of my lifestyle, they're always telling me to come back home… I actually have really big hopes and plans for the future."
Defying the odds, Kate became the first person in her family to pursue further education. She told HNGN, "Even though I have 15 years of sewing experience, there's so much more that I want to learn about the fashion industry. I'm a full time student at FIT right now and I love it."
Kate's transformation truly is incredible. She made a very difficult decision to leave her old life behind to pursue her dreams, and she is now reaping the rewards. She told the Daily Mail, "Now that I'm outside of that, I realize the world is so large, a
Kate's devotion to pursuing her dreams, and her amazing transformation from Amish woman to New York City model, are an absolute inspiration. She is living proof that even though it may be hard at times, it is always worth going after your dreams.
What do you think of Kate's transformation? Let us know in the comments!
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