It sounds like something straight out of a fairytale: A young girl, orphaned at the age of 8 and raised by nuns, goes on to become Miss Venezuela and then Miss World. But that is the reality of what happened to Ivian Sarcos, Miss World 2011. One year, 5,000 Facebook fans, and 33,000 Twitter followers later, Sarcos continues her whirlwind life filled with photoshoots, trips around the world, and the obligatory appearance on “Don Francisco Presenta.”

Being the youngest of 13 siblings from Guanare City, Venezuela, Sarcos was probably used to having to compete for attention. Still, nothing could have prepared her for losing both of her parents. Such dramatic life changes took her down unexpected roads. “Unfortunately I lost both my parents at a very young age, which led me to study for five years in a nunnery. I spent my five years in there and my dream was to become a nun,” she says.

In what can only be described as a massive career pivot, the 22-year-old Sarcos now cavorts in satin and pearl-encrusted wedges, rubs elbows with the likes of Paulina Rubio and has the tweets and Twitpics to prove it.

Even though she has triumphed over tragedy and grief that demanded a maturity far beyond her years, Sarcos still has a youthful, playful side: Check out the poufy, frothy bubble-gum pink gown she wore when she got her Miss World crown. Described as “epic” by the tabloids in the U.K., where the Miss World pageant is held, the gown would have made any quinceañera proud. Epic, indeed.

Photo: Getty Images

It’s mid-January, and you’re already starting to feel the brillo of those ambitious new year’s resolutions fade away. Daunting? It doesn’t have to be. We’ve got five tips to help make those all-important cambios last past 2012.

Visualize the change. Psychologist Dr. Amy Johnson urges her clients to focus on the big picture. She suggests visualizing your life without the bad habit even before the habit is broken. What would a nonsmoker do? What would a healthy eater order for lunch today? Would a daily exerciser watch on TV right now?

Break your goal into small, manageable steps. Take it day-by-day, hour-by-hour. Psychologist Allison Cohen says it’s important to focus on el camino of change rather than being overwhelmed by the end goal. Want to lose 50 pounds? Give yourself ample time and aim for a manageable 1 pound a week.

Don’t be afraid of failure. True change happens slowly, with time and perseverance. Most people fail several times they before succeed, says Johnson. Indeed, it isn’t falling off the horse that matters but having the courage to get back on.

Give yourself encouragement. If you go a day without smoking a cigarette or order a healthy salad instead of a burger for lunch, congratulate yourself. Allow yourself to feel pride in the small victories.

Keep a motivation list. By mid-February, you may start to lose steam and seep back into old habits. Cohen’s quick fix: Keep a list of reasons why you’re changing and make sure to read it over again when you feel weak.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/airportrait

Call it the heat of the deadline, but we’ve all gotten emotional at work. (Fortunately we have the ladies’ room!) Sometimes it can be a good thing: A little excitement and passion shows your bosses you care. But getting too worked up could harm your professional image and your relationships with coworkers. Most research shows that the key to keeping calm is recognizing your moods before they take over.

Proper Meals
Make sure you’ve had enough breakfast, lunch and healthy snacks. It’s also important to eat at the same hour every day. Regularity steadies the highs and lows that come with a stressful workday.

Cut Down on Extra Coffee
Though caffeine gets us started in the morning, experts say that it can actually overstimulate you, giving you a false sense of accomplishment -- and those twitchy hands. Instead, stabilize your energy and your moods during stressful periods by eating fruits or protein snacks, such as nuts.

Work Out
When something makes you angry at work, take a quick gym break or run around the block. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to fight stress and head off strong emotions. If you just ignore your frustration, you run the risk of blowing a fuse at work and putting your body through the pressure cooker.

Recognize the Triggers
Keep a list of work scenarios that stress you out and how you can respond to them positively. Thinking things through will help you feel calm and prepared in any sort of crisis."

Since childhood, Xiomara A. Sosa has felt simpatia for those who suffer. “My parents raised numerous foster kids in our Bronx, N.Y., home,” she remembers. “They all came from broken families, had mental health issues and struggled.”

Sosa quickly noticed that her family wasn’t the only one facing these challenges: Gente from her community were also needlessly dealing with relatives’ mental illness on their own. By her late teens, Sosa was advocating health and wellness treatments and distributing information in her barrio.

After establishing a successful career for herself as a consultant and the president and CEO of the National Society for Hispanic Professionals, Sosa wanted to get back to her advocacy roots. She founded Get-Right.org, as well as the nonprofit Get-Right! organization, as a means of providing information about nutrition, exercise and positive attitude. She’s also collaborating with several community organizations across the U.S. to combat issues as varied as homophobia, bullying, stress and harassment on campus in their areas.

Sosa is getting Latinos the help they need by changing the way they think about counseling. “You’re not a loca if you seek counseling,” she says. “I’m breaking down those barriers and negative stereotyping that are getting in the way.” Healing your mind, she points out, is as important as treating a physical health issue. “If you have a toe infection, you go to the professional to get rid of it,” she says. “You don’t wait for it to spread.”

When you’re trying to get hired, it all comes down to one thing: the interview. Follow the advice from these experts to land the job of your sueños.

Get Glammed
Wear makeup to accentuate your best features, but don’t overdo it, advises Barbara DesChamps, an image consultant in Nevada City, Calif. Apply foundation to even out skin tones. Use eyeliner, mascara and lipstick to define and complement your features. If your hair tends to get frizzy, get a blow-out the day before. A manicure is a must.

Dress to Impress
Even if you are applying for an entry-level administrative position, dress as if you want to be the CEO, advises Samantha Ettus, a personal branding expert in NYC. This means wearing a business suit and minimal -- but flattering -- jewelry. Complete your look with a pair of pumps.

Do Your Research
Research the employer, their products, their competition and their industry before your interview. After all, you want a career with this company, not just a regular 9 to 5.

Ace Your Interview
Before you meet your potential boss, pop a breath mint first. Shake hands firmly and smile. Highlight your previous achievements and illustrate how you can contribute to the company, suggests Ronald Kaufman, author Anatomy of Success.

Keep Your Cool
If you feel an attack of nervios coming on, gently fold your hands in your lap. Listen carefully to the interviewer and only answer the questions asked of you; don’t reveal personal information or give long-winded answers.