Alessandra Torresani Interview: Actress & Mental Health Advocate

Balancing a business, a successful acting career, and being a mother can be demanding. How do you manage your time and prioritize your commitments to ensure a healthy balance between work and family life?
I feel like first and foremost, I need to say that not only do I NOT have it all together, but I’m OK with it. In society, moms have so pressure to keep their careers going. while being the most present mom and be the perfect partner. We don’t learn to give ourselves grace. I tried so hard to be the person that I used to be pre baby that I suffered a lot of anxiety and stress on top of the postpartum. We all need to remember we are humans and it’s OK to have a slow day of just holding space with your baby. Someone recently taught me to remind myself that I can do it all, just not at the same time. 

As a mother and someone who lives with bipolar disorder, you have a unique set of responsibilities and challenges. How do you navigate those challenges while pursuing your career and advocating for mental health through your podcast?
The best part of having a podcast is being able to record moments that I can look back on and learn so much from. I remember I started recording my last season right towards the end of my pregnancy all through my beginning of postpartum journey, in which now I have a hard time remembering. so being able to go back and relive those moments in time I wasn’t able to be present for has taught me so much and hopefully helped other moms out there. Living with bipolar disorder is some that I was lucky enough to be diagnosed with 15 years ago. I’ve been able to find tools and resources in those years that have helped me in the present. I hope that those tools and resources I talk about on the podcast can help someone else too. That’s my motivation. 

Can you share any strategies or tips that have helped you maintain your mental and emotional well-being while juggling multiple roles and responsibilities?
One of the biggest things that help me in my mental health journey has been transcendental meditation. It’s my number one tool. It was very hard for me to get back into it during my pregnancy and postpartum with a newborn, but I’m slowly getting back into the groove and finding such relief. 

Many women struggle with guilt or feelings of inadequacy when trying to balance their professional and personal lives. Have you experienced these emotions, and if so, how do you overcome them?
I constantly feel guilt, even though I don’t think I’ve been away from my daughter for more than a few hours. I had very strong, postpartum anxiety and to be honest still do. I have a hard time separating from my child, which I’ve been very lucky I haven’t been forced to because of work. All my work has been at home and I know that won’t be the case much longer, but but with the strike and the entertainment business being slower than usual, I’ve been blessed to be able to stay home and raise my daughter.

In your podcast, EmotionAL Support, you create a safe space for sharing important stories and discussing mental health. How has this platform helped you in your own journey of maintaining emotional well-being while managing your various roles?
I honestly don’t know what I would do without my podcast, and the people that I have met along the way. The guests that I met during my pregnancy, most of whom I’ve never met in person, were truly lifesavers. They helped me with my mental health and my story than I will ever be able to express. The podcast is more than just a podcast. It’s my emotional support.

What advice would you give to other women, especially mothers, who are striving to pursue their passions and build successful careers while also nurturing their families and taking care of their mental health?
My advice to other moms would be just to breathe. Don’t listen to the noise of others telling you what you should and shouldn’t do or how you should or shouldn’t be raising your child. You do what’s best for you, your baby, and your mental health. If that means starting company six weeks postpartum, then go for it girl! If that means staying in bed with your baby for 12 weeks and healing then go for it girl!     

As a successful actress, advocate for mental health, and a mother, what inspiring quote or message would you like to share with women who are juggling the demands of motherhood and striving to excel in their careers?

Something that has really helped me in my life as a new mom living with a mental illness and trying to keep a career afloat is Remember how strong you are, even if you don't feel it. Moms have so much pressure from the entire world and unless you've lived it, you just simply can't understand. Find community, reach out to other moms, say hi to mom's pushing babies in your neighborhood because you never know they nay be the emotional support you both needed. I met a mom walking in my neighborhood when I was just six weeks postpartum and we are still friends to this day. If there are any moms out there and they need some support, please feel free to reach out or listen to the podcast and remember you are not alone!