Bearenger Petrella is a health and wellness content creator originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. A ballet dancer from ages 2 – 18, Bearenger was on the path to become a professional dancer when she realized her true passion was in creating and sharing content on social media. She loved to research all things health, wellness and food as she grew up, often finding herself spending time in the kitchen with her dad. Her passion for “vlogging” started at a young age when she began taking photos of the food she prepared. In 2022, this social media influencer moved to Hawaii and boasts a total audience of more than 1.7 million across Instagram and TikTok and averages more than 8.2 monthly views on Pinterest.
With Bearenger, it’s more than delivering healthy recipes to her millions of followers, she finds true joy in creating, testing and developing new recipes. From blended drinks to desserts, her followers continue to return to her pages for delicious inspiration. Bearenger enjoys a plant-based diet and serves up mouth-watering images that are as tasty as they are healthy.
Find Your Influence connected with Bearenger Petrella to talk about her daily routine, inspirations, how she maintains a healthy lifestyle, and what her future endeavors might look like.
What is your favorite thing about being a social media influencer focused on health and wellness?
“Health and wellness is one of my greatest loves. As someone who had a difficult relationship with my body and food, I have been able to use health and wellness to heal myself and that relationship. I love learning all the new things in the health and wellness space and creating content with everything I learn!”
How much time do you dedicate to planning your social media content?
“Hardly any! Most days I just create what I feel like or try the latest trend. I have an ongoing list of content ideas that I will pull from if I need a little inspiration.”
Where do you find inspiration for all of your different plant-based recipes?
“Though I am not fully plant-based, I do share a lot of plant-based recipes. I find inspiration from different places I’ve been, other creators, Pinterest, my environment, so many things!”
Photo courtesy of Bearenger Petrella
In what way do you try to influence your followers?
“I want my community to feel love for themselves. I want to inspire others to create good food, good habits, good health, and good relationships. Everyone is on their own path and will take something different from my content.”
How do you keep your followers engaged?
“I am still learning everyday on how to foster a growing community. I find that if I show up and if I am engaged, then often they are as well. I like to stay in touch with everyone in the DM’s.”
What does a typical day as a social media influencer look like for you?
“I usually get up and do my morning routine to really set up my day (lemon water, workout, breakfast, shower, get ready.) Then, I get right to creating.
I’ll film a few new recipes or videos and edit them. I’ll answer emails and do any other computer work I need to. I like to break my day up with some walks if possible. At night I make dinner and finish up any work. I am constantly struggling with boundaries between my life and work.”
Photo courtesy of Bearenger Petrella
What are your top three tips for maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle?
“Have your “WHY.” If you don’t have a reason to do something, then why would you stick to anything? My why is “to be the best version of myself, for myself, and the people around me.
Find what works best for you. Just because someone does something does not mean it will work for you. Take everything with a grain of salt and do your own experimenting.
Make it fun! Find a new recipe on Pinterest, cook with a friend, find a workout buddy. It’s a lot easier when you are actually having fun.”
What is your favorite cheat meal?
“I don’t think any meal should be a cheat meal. We should look at our food as fuel. Some of my favorite meals that I don’t make very often are garlic butter noodles & plant-based ice cream.”
What advice would you give an aspiring social media influencer?
“Show up everyday. Consistency is so important. The only way you can find what works and what doesn’t is to keep showing up and experimenting.”
What are your goals for this upcoming year?
“I have a few goals. Move into a new space that really inspires me to create even more. Meet new people in the creator community. Step out of my comfort zone more. There are a few biz goals but I’m protecting the energy of those goals :)”
Keep up with Bearenger Petrella’s health and wellness journey on Instagram and TikTok where you can find inspiration in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Freelance contribution especially written for Find Your Influence by Alice Wholey.