Who will walk the runway during New York Fashion Week and win $20,000? You decide.
Dr. Simone Lundquist
Must be in the top 5 in their group to advance to the next round.
Voting for this round ends on August 11, 2026 at 9:00 PM EDT
About Dr. Simone Lundquist
Thought leader in trauma, Professor, counselor & founder of Veterans’ nonprofit, Open Doors to Future Possibilities. For 25 years, my groundbreaking Tri-Axis theory of counseling has empowered thousands to heal by enhancing their Mental Fitness.
Learn More About Dr. Simone Lundquist
What makes you the Next Runway Star?
My fashion is bold, resilient, and deeply alive. It blends authentic grit with fierce elegance, proving that true style comes from overcoming life’s storms and daring to shine. My journey has been one of endurance & resilience. I’ve dedicated my life to helping people navigate the darkest chapters of their lives. For 10 years, I worked on the front lines of global crises with the United Nations helping survivors of war, torture, and violence heal from unimaginable horrors. I personally ran 3 safehouses in San Jose for 5 years, sheltering hundreds of women & children escaping domestic abuse. I worked alongside young kids leaving gangs & teenagers in juvenile halls to help them build new opportunities. In 2019, I founded Open Doors to Future Possibilities as a safe place for warriors and trauma survivors to heal and rebuild. My work impacts thousands every year, reminding people not to give up when obstacles rise, but to dare to create the lives they truly want.
What would this once in a lifetime experience mean to you and why?
This recognition would inspire me to keep spreading my Tri-Axis Narrative Theory of counseling, which has helped thousands heal from deep trauma over the past twenty-five years and helped them build happier lives for themselves & their families. This honor will show people with wounded hearts that recovery is possible, and they do not have to carry their trauma forever. I plan to train as many new counselors as possible so they can help others every single day. My dream is to expand my nonprofit nationwide, bringing a branch to all cities across the country. Ultimately, I aspire to help build a stronger, more united, kinder nation that honors the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform by protecting the freedoms they fought for.
What are you most proud of about yourself or what have you overcome and why?
I am most proud of creating the Tri-Axis Narrative Theory, which has helped thousands heal from trauma and find hope for a better future. Rooted in my travels, academics, spirituality, and quantum physics, this holistic counseling approach integrates physical, spiritual, and mental fitness to foster resilience and joy. I developed it on the premise that trauma is a necessary ingredient for growth. While building this framework, I also survived a brain tumor and breast cancer, learning firsthand that boosting mental fitness gives us the power to conquer life’s toughest challenges, manage stress, and achieve our biggest goals with confidence.
What would you do with the $20,000 cash prize?
With the $20,000 dollar cash prize, I would hire a woman Veteran at Open Doors to Future Possibilities to help us expand our life-changing impact. This woman Veteran will be trained in helping women Veterans with Military Sexual Trauma (MST). My intention is to hire ten Veterans (5 men & 5 women) by the end of this year, providing them with meaningful work, purpose and training. Because this award supports survivors of sexual assault and advances lasting change, these funds would directly empower female Veterans, honoring their unique struggles. Veterans carry profound burdens of trauma, yet their resilience is unmatched. By bringing them onto our team, we not only offer them a safe place to heal and lead, but we also strengthen our entire community. This investment would create a powerful ripple effect of hope, healing, and opportunity.
Content from Dr. Simone Lundquist
Open Doors to Future Possibilities Second Annual Memorial Day Talk
Here I addressed the enduring sacrifices of fallen service members and highlighted the invisible wounds of war carried by returning Veterans, calling for national and local accountability in Veteran support.
Vote for Dr. Simone Lundquist
Rise is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that helps sexual assault survivors across the country and around the world. They’ve created the most successful legislative reform movement in U.S. history: 120 laws passed, 1 UN Resolution and 112 million people’s lives impacted by their efforts.
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