Sarahléna Manise, Miss Namur contestant: “Behind the rain, there’s always sunshine”
Portraits Bullied at school, she went through eating disorders before regaining her confidence. Aged 18, a nursing student and Miss Namur contestant,…
Portrait · Rochefort, Province of Namur
Marysa
Fifty years old, three children, two grandchildren and one conviction: fear holds us back. With Top Women, she decided to stop letting it.
Text The info-shooting editorial team
Photos Paty Evrard
Based on the portrait published by info-lux.com in February 2022
She introduces herself by her full name, Maria Logrillo, then adds: “Marysa to my friends”. In February 2022, info-lux.com presented her as Rochefort's Top Women participant.
She was 50 at the time. Her twins, a girl and a boy, were 29, and her younger son 25. She speaks of her two grandchildren as “2 little joys”. Her family is Italian: her parents came to Belgium to work.
A spark
She describes the turning point as a little flame that lights up one day, out of the blue.
One day, a small spark inside me made me realise that we have the power to do so many things: to learn to push myself, to trust myself, to be free, to enjoy myself, to dare, to stop being afraid and to find happiness again.
Marysa, February 2022
Warriors and princesses
Top Women is an adventure created by Nathalie De Reuck: over several months, women of all ages and body types take part in coaching sessions, workshops and challenges to learn to accept themselves, leading up to a final catwalk show. In 2022, info-lux.com counted the 8th edition.
For Marysa, the adventure is first and foremost a group affair.
Top Women makes me realise that we are warriors, princesses, real women, because I’m not alone and my friends are in the same situation; we understand each other, we support each other.
Marysa, February 2022
There, she says, she found lovely people and a friendship. “I thank them for being there in good times and bad; it taught me to trust others.”
Daring to change her life
The change shows in her daily life too. She changes jobs and, alongside, launches her own business.
Calmer, more zen and happier, I dare to change jobs and also run my own small business in energy work and wellbeing massages. What could be more fulfilling than doing what you love?
Marysa, February 2022
Semi-finalist
In February 2022, she announces a new step: the Top Women semi-final. For her, the result matters less than the journey.
But that’s not all: I’m now a Top Women semi-finalist. What a tribute, what an honour, how far I’ve come. If I had to stop now, I’ve already won everything.
Marysa, February 2022
We’re free to do what we want. We have the power to change things, simply by becoming aware and wanting it, without fear of tomorrow, because fear holds us back.
Marysa, February 2022
The photos accompanying her story are by Paty Evrard, a photographer from Durbuy, shot in the studio against red velvet: in black, in white, in a red blouse and in jeans.
Marysa’s gallery
Tap or click a photo to open it full size, then scroll through with the arrows, the keyboard or by swiping.
2022 · In black, under the hat
2022 · Floral dress, rose and light coat
2022 · Red blouse
2022 · In denim
Profile: Marysa on info-shooting. To offer her a photo shoot, write to the editorial team, who will pass it on.
Photographer: Paty Evrard’s portfolio.
On info-lux.com (in French): Top Women from Rochefort: Marysa (February 2022) and, for background, Top Women 2022: the podium.
Sources: personal account published by info-lux.com on 5 February 2022; presentation of Top Women based on info-lux.com (June 2022). Each photo is credited in its caption.
