For Eslaine Croes (41), this is not just a quote for social media; it is how she lives. As the founder of MAIA Marketing Agency, she is known for her clarity, high standards, and direct approach. But behind that firm leadership is a woman who has done deep inner work to become who she is today. Eslaine values growth, honesty, and accountability.
ESLAINE CROES
ESLAINE CROES
For her, building something is not only about business, it’s about meaningful connections and impact. Many people assume her confidence has always come naturally. But, “I doubted myself a lot,” she admits. Through therapy, self-awareness, and the support of those around her, her confidence grew. Today, she makes decisions based on what feels right to her, not on the opinions of others.
After years working in marketing for large companies, Eslaine always had a thought that kept returning: “If only I could do it.” She didn’t step into entrepreneurship because it was comfortable, it felt almost like the universe pushed her. She realized she had a very defined way of working: structure, precision, and high standards.
Not just doing things quickly, but doing them properly. When she stopped building brands for others and began building her own, everything shifted internally. That level of responsibility forced growth, clarity, and resilience. Today, MAIA Marketing Agency is not just her business, it is an extension of how she lives. She demands excellence from herself and her work, because for her, impact matters more than temporary visibility. Entrepreneurship revealed her independence and discipline. Her standards reflect exactly who she is as a woman.
Long before the physical transformation people see today, Eslaine was already showing up confidently. She wore what she wanted, shared her workouts, and celebrated her body at every size. But she is honest, that confidence was not constant. “I’m human,” she says. There were days she didn’t feel like herself. But one thing remained certain: it was her body, and it deserved respect and care. For Eslaine, her body was never just about aesthetics, it was about capability. She felt strong, resilient, and functional. That mindset changed everything. Over time, she learned to value and love herself regardless of her size or weight. Through this process, she also recognized that “skinny / pretty privilege” is real, people are treated differently based on appearance.
ESLAINE
ESLAINE
Yes, she felt pressure. Comments like “I wish I had your confidence” or “I would never wear that” were common. But she realized confidence isn’t fixed, everyone struggles at every size. In the end, she understood many comments were projections from others.
In January 2025, Eslaine reached 82 kilos, a weight that was affecting her back, especially after surgery. After research, she decided to start Mounjaro. “Yes, I was skeptical. But my goal was to improve my health, not just to be thinner.” She chose to share her journey openly on social media.
"I made my journey with Mounjaro public because I don’t want to pretend that my results came from ‘willpower,’ since that wouldn’t be fair to someone else who is struggling with this and might think there’s something wrong with them."
Comments like, “but you looked fine in the end” didn’t change her decision. For her, “fine” is subjective. Her choice was based on how she felt physically and mentally, not on external approval. She experienced judgment from both sides of her journey: when she carried more weight, and also when she became slimmer. That experience reaffirmed something important: no one can decide for you when you need to change, or when you don’t.
Transparency mattered. This period also helped her repair her relationship with food after a previous eating disorder. She learned discipline, patience, and respect for her limits. Real change, she discovered, is not extreme, it’s consistency, self-awareness, and clarity. The process didn’t just change her body; it strengthened her resilience.
After 10 months and losing 32 kilos with Mounjaro, Eslaine chose to have a tummy tuck due to excess skin from the weight loss. For her, it was important to show that losing weight doesn’t mean everything automatically “goes back to normal.” Sometimes surgery is part of the journey. “The gym has its limits,” she says. “It’s okay to admit if there’s something about your body you want to change.” It wasn’t about becoming someone else, it was about closing a chapter and feeling comfortable in her own skin. Cosmetic surgery, she believes, is a valid choice.
Love entered her life before these changes, unexpectedly. Jean Pierre loved her for who she was, her personality, her true essence, and how she looked when they met. That foundation mattered, because her journey was never about meeting someone else’s expectations. Throughout her weight-loss journey, lifestyle changes, surgery, and even the growth of her business, Jean Pierre stood beside her. He had also gone through his own weight-loss journey with Mounjaro, so he understood.
That partnership allowed growth without pressure. He wasn’t only present for the visible parts, he was there for everything. “Not everyone shows up that way,” she says. Her therapist once told her, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Before this relationship, she had already been healing and putting her well-being first. She was even okay with being alone if that was her path. Today, love feels calmer. Real. No chaos. No search for validation.
For Eslaine, self-love has evolved. In the beginning, it meant acceptance, showing up as she was and living fully without waiting to meet a certain standard. Today, self-love also means responsibility and care: prioritizing her health, setting boundaries, making conscious decisions, and being honest about what she needs physically and mentally.
When Eslaine looks at her life today, she feels she has earned peace, confidence, independence, and self-trust. None of it came instantly. It came through experience, healing, lessons, and difficult decisions.
If another woman reads her story, her message is clear: Your journey is yours. There is no single right path. You can use tools, seek support, and make informed decisions.
My mother taught me perseverance and strength. No matter what life brought, she always found a way and loved me unconditionally. Her strength shaped the woman I am today.
My aunt was like a second mother. She taught me kindness and how to move through life with love. Her warmth, compassion, and empathy still guide how I treat others and how I see the world.”
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