Behind the Influence: Mental Health and Media with Alexa Curtis | Ep. 83

In this enlightening episode of 'Order Within,' we sit down with Alexa Curtis, a renowned entrepreneur and social media influencer, to delve into the complexities of mental health in the digital age. 

Alexa shares her personal journey, from starting as a teenage blogger to becoming a formidable voice in the world of entrepreneurship. She opens up about the challenges and pressures of early success and how it impacted her mental health. 

We explore the often-overlooked aspects of social media influence, including the struggles behind the glamorous façade and the importance of authenticity. Alexa offers invaluable insights into finding balance, embracing vulnerability, and the power of speaking your truth. 

Join us as we navigate the interplay between mental health and media and discover how to stay grounded while reaching for the stars.

Key Insights

1. The Hidden Struggles of Early Success: Alexa shares her experience with the unseen challenges that come with achieving success at a young age, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain of entrepreneurship.


2. Mental Health in the Age of Social Media: Discover how Alexa navigates the impact of social media on mental health, providing unique perspectives on staying mentally healthy in a digitally dominated world.


3. Authenticity Over Everything: Learn why staying true to oneself is crucial in an age of curated online personas, and how Alexa has maintained her authenticity through her journey.


4. Balance is Key: Alexa discusses the importance of finding a work-life balance, offering practical advice for those trying to juggle personal and professional life.


5. Empowerment Through Vulnerability: Explore how embracing vulnerability can be a source of strength and empowerment, as shared by Alexa.

Table of Contents

00:00 - Introduction

01:30 - Alexa's Journey from Blogging to Influence

05:00 - Challenges of Young Entrepreneurship

10:45 - Mental Health in the Spotlight

15:30 - Navigating Social Media Realities

20:00 - The Pressure of Public Image

25:15 - Authenticity in the Digital World

30:00 - Strategies for Maintaining Balance

35:00 - Alexa's Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

40:00 - Q&A with Alexa

45:00 - Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts

More About Alexa

Born and raised in small town Mansfield, Connecticut, Alexa Curtis knew she was different. She didn’t fit into the “normal social mold.” When she entered middle school, all the bullying she endured led her to needing an outlet to escape.

In 2011, at just 12 years old, she started a fashion blog; A Life in the Fashion Lane. It became a platform for her to express her feelings around everything relating to teens, body image and mental health.

As Curtis evolved as a person, her blog naturally shifted from fashion to discussing sensitive topics that teens and young adults face every day. A Life in the Fashion Lane was changed to Life Unfiltered with Alexa Curtis and became a lifestyle website and podcast for teens & parents discussing topics such as social media and mental health.

Not only did Curtis turn her little fashion blog into a full-time lifestyle platform for teens, through cold-pitching, she managed to get sponsored by brands like British Airways, T-Mobile, Lands' End and more.

In 2018, Alexa founded the Be Fearless Summit, which is a pop-up summit that appeared at Drexel University on March 15th, 2020 and has since premiered at UCONN, Vanderbilt, Central Connecticut State University and UC Berkeley.

Curtis added ‘host’ to her arsenal as she launched her own radio show on Radio Disney called “Fearless Ever