Sharon Capó Nara: Redefining Modern Femininity
April 23, 2025
IRINA HALLER
May 4, 2025
Bora Jasa – actress, model, writer, and Ms Nevada 2024 – turning personal trauma into powerful inspiration for women around the world. She continues to inspire through her creative work, philanthropic efforts, and her transformative online course, The Sweet Life
Bora, you are such an interesting person – a model, actress, writer, speaker and Miss Nevada 2024! What does this title mean to you, and how does it help you promote important social issues?
I’m actually just a few months away from the end of my reign as Ms. Nevada 2024. My crown, sash, award plaques, and trophy as 1st Runner-Up Ms. United States are proudly displayed in my living room—and every time I see them, I’m reminded of how much this experience has evolved in meaning for me over the past year. At first, the title was a result that came from a very spontaneous decision. I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could stay focused to a specific goal in an environment that was completely new to me—pageantry. Although I’m an actress and comfortable in front of an audience, it was unfamiliar territory, but I leaned in with an open heart and a genuine effort to grow in a new area of personal development. Now, looking back, I see it as a powerful reflection of who I am—someone willing to take bold chances, embrace and challenge growth, and explore unexpected paths. Through this journey, I discovered deeper parts of myself and discovered elements of myself I never knew existed. Equally important, this title gave me a meaningful platform to advocate for causes that have always been close to my heart: mental health, and the empowerment of women and children. Using this opportunity to uplift others and raise awareness has been one of the most rewarding parts of my reign.
Your book “The Ugly Lobster” focuses on building self-esteem in children. What would you like every child to take away from this book? How has your own childhood and experience overcoming struggles influenced your work and mission to support children’s mental health?
I want every child who reads The Ugly Lobster to walk away feeling less alone and less ashamed for being different or for being rejected—and to feel a spark of self-love. If they connect with the deeper message that our differences exist because we each have unique gifts and purpose and that we’re all beautiful in our own way—and begin embracing self-acceptance—that’s the ultimate win. I authored The Ugly Lobster because it was born from my own childhood, which was filled with abuse and violence and a deep lack of self-worth and love. Ultimately, it was the discovery of self-acceptance and self-esteem that brought me healing and closure. Because of that, my heart naturally gravitates toward children’s mental health. I know firsthand that kids raised in volatile environments face a much harder path to becoming emotionally healthy adults. I know—I was one of them, but I got lucky. And the path becomes even more challenging for children who face developmental struggles during the critical early years— especially 5yrs and under. I wrote The Ugly Lobster with those children in mind, specifically for five and under. Empowering children is my way of empowering future women. Those kids will grow into adults, and I want to make a difference at the root—where healing can truly begin.
You’ve announced an online course series called “The Sweet Life” to help women transform their lives. What inspired you to create this program, and what does it include? What key lessons can women take from your course to improve their relationship with themselves and achieve what they want?
Coming from a background of abuse, violence, and poverty, much of my early life was marked by severe depression, self-doubt, deep lack of self-love, and a complete loss of identity. I truly felt broken beyond repair—like a dead woman walking. But through soul-searching work that pushed me to my limits, I was able to transform a lifetime of trauma and dysfunction in just two months—without therapy or medication. That journey of healing taught me a life-changing truth: real transformation begins with radical self-love, self-acceptance, and self-worth. From that foundation, authenticity is born—and with authenticity, deep healing and lasting change become possible, and life truly begins. I created The Sweet Life because I believe that when you’re blessed with healing and closure— and understand how you achieved it—you have a responsibility to share that gift. To me, that’s the spiritual exchange. So, helping women reclaim their confidence and authenticity isn’t just my passion; it’s my purpose. This course is for women who are tired of shrinking, tired of waiting, and ready to step into a life that feels vibrant,
fulfilling, and fully their own. The key lesson I want every woman to walk away with is this: your dream life begins with the depth of your relationship with your most authentic self. Breaking free from childhood conditioning and societal expectations that no longer serve you is where joyful life begins. When you’re connected to who you truly are, clarity follows—especially when it comes to boundaries, self-worth, and direction. The Sweet Life gives women the tools to become their own biggest advocates, align with their truth, and create a life they love. Ultimately, my goal is to help them build unshakable confidence—to follow the beat of their own drum, silence self-doubt, be their own greatest fan, and shine without hesitation.
Your work covers many important aspects of life, from mental health to career growth. What is your biggest priority in your work? You emphasize the importance of self-respect. How do you personally handle difficulties, and what helps you maintain your confidence?
Yes, I cover many areas in my work—mental health, relationships, confidence, career—but at the core, it all stems from the same foundation: self-love, self-acceptance, and authenticity. Your entire universe responds to how you respond to yourself. My biggest priority is to deliver value in a way that’s short, simple, clear, and actually usable. I want women to walk away from my courses thinking, “Okay, I get this. I can do this.” There’s an overwhelming amount of information out there, and often it feels too complicated to apply. My goal is to cut through the clutter and strip it down to the bare bones of what really works. That’s why all my programs are mini courses—because we all have busy lives and truthfully, transformation doesn’t require hours of lectures or tons of information. Too much hand-holding can actually enable dependency and stagnation. In my view, you need two things: 10% guidance to help you find direction, and 100% non-negotiable choice and sheer will power to follow through, take action and create lasting change. Yes, I know the math doesn’t add up—that’s the point! (Laughs). When it comes to personally handling difficulties, I start by acknowledging I’ll need to buckle in. I never go into denial. Then, I put on my oxygen mask first—which means prioritizing my health and my joy. I temporarily remove anything from my plate that doesn’t support those. Next, I prepare my mind to ride the wave instead of getting consumed by it. Chaos during difficulty is just noise and distraction. So I quiet my soul to hear the message, lesson or direction it’s offering. There’s always a message. That mindset keeps me centered and open, even in difficulty. Finally, I anchor myself with prayer and meditation. As for maintaining my confidence—it comes from knowing that I am authentic. I’ve put in the work to lay down a strong foundation of self-awareness, and I trust it. To me, authenticity means being honest. And when you’re honest, it’s easy to be confident. And when you’re confident in your authenticity, you’re able to honor it—not just by standing in who you already are, but by giving yourself permission and space to be curious and continue evolving. That is freedom. And possessing that freedom keeps my confidence multifaceted and grounded.
What goals and dreams do you have for your future, both in your career and your charitable work, and how will your course “The Sweet Life” help you achieve them?
I love this question because I love dreaming and setting big goals! Right now, The Sweet Life is in its launch phase, and I’m so excited to watch the community grow over the months and years to come. One of my dreams is to collaborate with a publisher and get my book into stores—a straight talk book that women could pick up in a store, flip through, and instantly feel seen, encouraged, and inspired to take action in their lives. I also envision speaking at women’s empowerment events around the world. That’s a space where my heart would feel most alive—connecting with women face-to-face, sharing stories, tools, and real transformation. As for my career as an actress, I’ve been fortunate to work in the industry for the past 19 years to now, and I remain open to where the journey leads. I’ve come close to career-changing series regular roles, so I know it’s possible. Since my mother’s accident and my choice to be her caregiver, acting has been a space where I’ve leaned into trust—it’s very much a “let go and let God” path for me. Ultimately, my dream is to be a series regular on a hit show while continuing to thrive as a public
speaker and confidence coach through The Sweet Life. Merging all these passions—storytelling, speaking, and serving—is the life I’m building, and this course is the foundation that’s helping me bring that vision to life. On a random side note, I also dream of having some chickens in the future. Fresh eggs. (Laughs).
Model: @missborajasa
Photographer: @jaysenturner
Studio: @stuspacela
Hair: @tamiramae