Amy Santiago: Turning Adversity Into Purpose
Amy Santiago’s life has always been shaped by creativity, movement, and expression. From her early love of dance to her work as a stylist and makeup artist, artistry became her way of connecting identity with confidence. When a long and difficult journey with Primary Lymphedema challenged the path she once imagined, Amy transformed that adversity into purpose—using her creative spirit, resilience, and voice to inspire others to rediscover their own strength, beauty, and self-expression.
Mission
Amy Santiago’s mission is to empower others to live with resilience, purpose, and self-advocacy. Through speaking, advocacy, and her work in beauty and wellness, she raises awareness for lymphedema while inspiring people to transform personal challenges into strength, confidence, and hope.
Amy Santiago is a celebrated makeup artist, former Mrs. Florida International 2016, speaker, and creative visionary whose life and work are rooted in the transformative power of the arts.
Her journey began in dance at the age of seven, where performance became her first language of expression. That same artistic foundation later shaped her signature approach to beauty—using makeup not simply as a cosmetic service, but as a deeply personal experience that empowers individuals to feel seen, confident, and radiant from the inside out. Her artistry and presence quickly made her a sought-after professional in the beauty industry and opened the door to the pageant world, where she was invited to compete and ultimately earned the title of Mrs. Florida International 2016.
Behind the accomplishments, however, was a private battle. After eighteen years of misdiagnoses, Amy was finally diagnosed with Primary Lymphedema—a hereditary condition that reshaped her body, challenged her identity as a dancer, and forced her to reimagine her future. What once felt like a limitation became the catalyst for her life’s purpose.
Through healing, faith, and the arts, Amy transformed her personal journey into a global message of hope. She became an international spokesperson and advocate, giving a voice to those living with lymphedema and to anyone navigating visible or invisible challenges. Her story is not about overcoming—it is about living beautifully, fully, and creatively in the midst of it.
Today, her purpose is even more personal. As the devoted mother of her son, Brody—a bright, loving child with special needs—Amy’s life is a daily expression of service, compassion, and strength. Motherhood deepened her mission and expanded her voice as a speaker and mentor, allowing her to connect with audiences on the subjects of healing, identity, resilience, beauty, and significance.
Amy Santiago’s platform is where artistry, advocacy, and lived experience meet. Whether through makeup, movement, speaking, or storytelling, her work invites others to rediscover their worth, embrace their journey, and give voice to their own story.
Three Key Areas
Amy Santiago’s work centers around three powerful areas of impact: Advocacy, Artistry, and Speaking. Through her advocacy efforts, Amy uses her personal journey and life experiences to raise awareness, inspire hope, and support individuals and families facing challenges. As a professional makeup artist and beauty expert, she combines creativity and confidence-building through her artistry, helping clients look and feel their best for life’s most important moments. As a motivational speaker, Amy shares authentic stories of resilience, perseverance, and personal growth, empowering audiences to overcome obstacles, embrace their unique journeys, and discover strength in their own stories. Together, these three areas reflect Amy’s passion for transforming lives through encouragement, empowerment, and meaningful connection.
We Thrive Ourselves On Creativity, Intuition & Determination
Amy Santiago is a celebrated makeup artist, former Mrs. Florida International 2016, speaker, and creative visionary whose life and work are rooted in the transformative power of the arts.
