In this episode of The Aurora Sessions: Beyond the Couch, Theresa sits down with Jackie Ramos — performer, high-achieving student, mental health advocate, and former Miss New Jersey Teen Volunteer 2025 — for an honest conversation about identity, pressure, and growing up under high expectations.

Jackie opens up about balancing academics, theatre, dance, leadership, and pageantry while navigating the emotional weight that often exists behind achievement. Together, they explore the “tiger cub” mentality, the connection between performance and self-worth, and what it means to redefine success on your own terms.

The conversation moves beyond titles and accomplishments into the realities many young people quietly carry: anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and the pressure to always appear okay. Jackie shares how she’s learning to give herself ...