My first introduction to the breath taking beauty Angelina Jolie was when she starred in the movie Gia. Bad girl. Heroin addict. Stunning beauty- who was caught in a life of money, fame and drugs. Was that Jolie’s destiny in real life?

Never a girl to be enamored by celebrities, there was always something so unusual, and different about Jolie, that struck me.  Beyond her fierce beauty, it was her bad girl image that was so mysterious.

Still effortlessly beautiful, Jolie emerges in what could be a life or death decision for her (and her family).  Jolie takes control of her life by confronting a potentially insidious disease, cancer. With her children in mind, she bravely proceeded to have both breasts removed to show her little ones “that [she] loves them and will do anything to be with them as long as [she] can. “ 

But now, Jolie has transformed her life into what every woman aspires to be. 

The turning point in Jolie’s life was becoming a mom; in 2002 with her adopted son, (yes, my son’s middle name is Maddox!). 

 And this week, with her op-ed in the New York Times about her preventive double Mastectomy, Jolie makes yet another strong decision that empowers women to make the hardest choices they may ever face.

When I became a mom, my world changed too. I wanted to invest and discover a way to enrich this already incredible experience for many moms- internationally. So I invested, everyday, learning a new language (my third), finding a solid team, and began the process of helping moms and babies live more full and connected lives.

So as I watch Angelina Jolie’s story I ask myself…

How Do People Really CHANGE? Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus listen up!

Change doesn’t happen over night: Jolie showed the world her true colors in a courageous way. Changing her image, and is now highlighted as a devoted mom, loving wife, and dedicated humanitarian—this didn’t happen in one day, it took relentless work and dedicated efforts.

Give without needing to get Back: While adding to their family, with the adopted and biological children, Jolie and Brad Pitt continue to give back to the world. Doing everything from: donating money made from baby pictures to creating the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

Build Trust and Consistency: Jolie proved that her actions match her words. She gained her fans’ trust by continually finding ways to give on a personal and global level.

Change Comes from Within: Often times, people want to change for someone else. Their motives are not pure, since their change is not from within them. The hardest part about true change is being honest with yourself. Jolie’s decision to proceed with the preventive double mastectomy must have been one of the hardest decisions for a woman, a movie star, a wife, and a mom, or for anyone to make. She did not do it for fame or money, but she stayed true to who she is, a fighter with a vision.

Jolie’s beauty is beyond what any camera can capture.  Today, Jolie teaches us that true change in oneself takes courage. It takes self-work and trust.  Even the bad girl next door, can transform into being a role model who can empower other women and moms around the world. As Gia said in the movie: “I’m in charge, and I’m leavin’!”