From the ballet studio to the financial world, Diane’s journey has been one of resilience, reinvention, and self-discovery. Starting her dance training at the age of three, she’s transformed her lifelong passion into both a form of artistic expression and emotional healing. Today, Diane continues to inspire others through her work that blends empowerment, purpose, and authenticity.
In this candid conversation with Mojito Magazine, Diane opens up about her path — from childhood dedication to adult self-love — and how she’s learned to define success on her own terms.
Diane, you started dancing at just three years old. What do you remember most about those early days, and how did dance become such an important part of your identity?
I’ve always just loved to dance — it’s something I’ve done all my life. Starting at three years old and continuing into adulthood probably explains why it’s so deeply rooted in me. As a child, my dad worked hard to afford my classes and spent a lot of time training me in the gym, conditioning my body for ballet. It was all I knew for so long. Ironically, it wasn’t until I quit performing, competing, and winning trophies that dance truly gave back to me. It became a huge part of my recovery journey. Now, as an adult, it’s how I connect with my inner child.
You’ve been very open about going through difficult times in your past. What helped you find the strength to keep going and rebuild your life from a place of hope and self-love?
Besides dance, having faith, hope, and self-love gave me the strength to keep going. I don’t want this interview to sound like an “after-school special recovery story.” I won’t be the first or the last to overcome self-inflicted challenges in life. What separates strong people from weak ones is accountability — not just for our misfortunes but also for our success, happiness, and joy.
Living and working in South Africa must have been an incredible experience. How did being in a new culture and environment influence your outlook on life and your sense of purpose?
Being in South Africa was truly eye-opening. It completely changed how I view life and what’s important. The quality of life there is so different — the people, the food, the music, the energy — everything is unmatched. The sense of community and the kindness of South Africans were exactly what I needed at that time in my life.
Today, you’ve built a career that combines finance, empowerment, and social influence. How did you decide to transition into the finance industry when you returned to the USA? How does your work tie into your social influence?
I got into the industry because I was born into a relatively financially illiterate family, and I wanted better for my future family. I believe financial literacy really sets the tone for how a person views money and opportunities — and it can even have psychological effects. “Empowerment” is a strong word — maybe even too rich. I just see myself as an educator who informs people about financial products that could potentially benefit them. I try not to mix that with my modeling life. I find that my social influence is much more impactful in real life than on the internet. Just being kind, authentic, and consistent has taken me further in life than any social metrics ever could.
Confidence is a big part of your message. What does true confidence mean to you now, and how do you maintain it even when life feels uncertain?
Blocking out all the extra noise about where I’m “supposed” to be in life really helps. People will always have opinions about what success should look like on paper. But if you change your life, do it for you, not for approval. We don’t fulfill our purpose by chasing validation.
My success is defined by fulfilling my purpose — and my confidence is the byproduct of working toward that higher purpose.
Diane, your story inspires so many people who are also trying to start over. What’s the main message you hope they take from your journey and everything you’ve learned along the way?
You get one life — there are no re-dos. I’ve never viewed any part of my life as “starting over.” When you’re in a game and start losing, you can’t restart it just to win. You come back in another quarter, work with what you have, and turn it into a win. That’s life.
There’s no reset button that erases the experiences that shape you. Every bad experience is an education and a redirection toward something better. Whether it’s career, finances, or moving to a new country — every experience, good or bad, builds on itself and prepares us for more life.
Life has ups and downs, no matter who you are. I started college when I was 15 and once minored in physics and math. I see life like the physics of a bouncing ball — at your lowest point, you’re accumulating the most potential. The harder the fall, the higher you can bounce back.
CREDIT TEAMS:
Model: Diane Hamilton
Photographer: Ryan Dwyer @letshoot
Hair & makeup:Taylor Jazz @taylor_jazz
