Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Chiro.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up, I was heavily involved in gymnastics and truly believed that was what I was going to do for the rest of my life. When I was 11, I was diagnosed with scoliosis and told it would likely never get severe. But by the time I was 13, my curve had progressed significantly, and doctors told me I had to completely stop gymnastics. At that age, it felt like losing the biggest part of my identity. I didn’t know who I was without it, and I honestly didn’t think I’d ever find something I was that passionate about again.
That’s when I started exploring acting and modeling more seriously. I had always loved creativity and entertainment, but gymnastics had consumed so much of my life that those interests stayed in the background for years. Over time, I realized storytelling, content creation, and being in front of the camera gave me that same sense of purpose and excitement again.
At 22, I moved from Louisiana to Nashville and worked multiple jobs while trying to figure things out. I ended up working at a well known celebrity owned boutique where the owner and management team discovered my Instagram content and saw potential in the creative work I was already doing on my own. They took a huge chance on me and offered me a full-time position transitioning from the retail side into the office as a content creator. I never went to college, so that opportunity truly changed my life. I spent about three years there learning everything I could about marketing, branding, social media, and content creation, and I still use those skills every single day.
Then in 2022, my health took a major turn. My scoliosis became so severe that I could barely walk or get out of bed. Doctors told me I needed spinal fusion surgery sooner rather than later if I wanted to maintain my mobility long-term. I had spinal fusion surgery on February 20, 2023, and it completely changed my life. I spent 10 days in the ICU, temporarily lost much of my independence and mobility, and at the same time was going through the end of a 10-year relationship with the person I had moved to Nashville for. Physically and emotionally, it was one of the darkest seasons of my life.
I moved back in with my parents for a few months while recovering, and shortly after returning to Nashville, I was unexpectedly laid off during company downsizing. At that point, I decided to give myself three months to fully commit to content creation on my own. Every morning, I woke up at 6 a.m. and worked nonstop everyday reaching out to brands, networking, creating, pitching myself, and trying to build something from scratch. Slowly, opportunities started coming in, and it became a snowball effect.
Over the last few years, I’ve built a full-time career working for myself in UGC, content creation, influencing, and modeling, which still feels surreal because it was always a dream I never thought would actually happen. I’ve signed with multiple agencies, worked with incredible brands, traveled for creator projects, and gained opportunities I once thought were completely out of reach. One of the most meaningful moments was sharing my spinal fusion journey online. A video I posted about my experience went viral, and since then I’ve connected with so many people going through similar struggles. Being able to help others feel less alone has made everything I went through feel purposeful.
I still have limitations from the rods and screws in my back, but the experience shaped me into who I am today along with the support of my friends and family. More than anything, it taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of creating a life that feels authentic to you. I wake up every day incredibly thankful that I get to do something creative for a living and turn my story into something that can hopefully inspire other people too.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
A lot of my challenges have come from navigating major life transitions all at once while also trying to build a career in a very unpredictable industry. There were seasons where I was recovering physically, processing personal loss, and simultaneously trying to figure out what stability looked like again.
On the professional side, stepping into full-time content creation on my own came with a lot of uncertainty. There were no guarantees, a lot of rejection, and moments where I had to really trust myself without having a clear roadmap. I had to learn how to stay consistent and keep showing up even when things felt unstable behind the scenes.
Looking back, those struggles taught me how to adapt quickly, stay grounded in who I am, and build something for myself even when nothing felt certain.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as a full-time content creator, UGC creator, and model, specializing in fashion, lifestyle, beauty, wellness, and storytelling driven content for brands. My focus is creating content that feels authentic and emotionally connected, while still being visually elevated and aligned with each brand’s identity.
What I’m most known for is my ability to blend storytelling with aesthetics creating content that doesn’t just look good, but actually feels real and relatable. A lot of my work is inspired by real life experiences, which naturally brings a deeper level of honesty to what I create.
What I’m most proud of is building a career for myself independently and staying grounded through it all. No matter how much success I experience, who I meet, or what level I reach in my career, I’ve always stayed true to who I am as a person and that’s something I deeply value and will never change.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is a funny one that I still think about all the time. I was about six years old on the tire swing in my backyard when I came across a snake and it ended up biting me on the knee. I remember it feeling huge to me at the time. I ran straight to my mom, but she thought I was being dramatic and didn’t believe me at first.
When she finally came down to see it, she completely freaked out (she’s always had a huge fear of snakes) and immediately sent me to get my dad. My dad, on the other hand, thought it was the coolest thing ever and even asked if I wanted to keep it as a pet.
So I did. I named him Rocco and was completely obsessed. I had zero fear of him and thought it was the most exciting thing in the world. My mom, however, was not on board at all and eventually made me get rid of him after a month or two because she couldn’t handle it anymore.
It’s such a funny memory!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooke_paigee/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brookechiro
