About Belle
‘It was at my most rawest point, where I lost all my identity, hope and didn’t know who I was anymore.
I managed to get through it and learnt how to think and have a beautiful mind again.’
I am wild. I am reborn. I am a Belle
Bravery in the face of adversity.
Elena (El) Rowland is used to facing tough physical and mental challenges. After all, she has spent 13 years in the Australian Army and recently finished third on Australian Survivor.
However the challenges El faced during her time in the army and during 54 days on a deserted Samoan island pale in comparison to the battle which nearly claimed her life five years ago.
After the birth of son Darcy in 2012 the 34-year-old mother of one almost died during a battle with post traumatic stress disorder, slipping into a cycle of depression, panic attacks and anxiety which left her fearing for her life and devoid of hope for the future.
During this dark and desperate time, and despite her own ongoing struggles with PTSD, El resolved to help others facing the same predicament take charge and transform their lives.
El has honoured her promise, firstly starting her own charity to help homeless veterans and now, Belle of the Ashes – a charity and support program aimed at supporting young women who are experiencing mental trauma, illness or challenges.
Today through Belle of the Ashes, she has an ultimate goal of instilling confidence in young women and enabling them to become beautiful “Belles”; young women who are equipped to rise out of the troubling ashes of their past lives and face adversity with courage and hope.
I have always said that my pain, my past, my ashes are now my biggest strength. I didn’t have to make it my strength, I could’ve just stewed in my problems and became a victim. But instead, I rose strong, kind, caring, and a new creation, a Belle.
