“If I think about my hair loss, what really have I lost?”
That’s the question Sondra Dubas asked herself during one of the most transformative seasons of her life. What began as a few small bald spots after her second pregnancy became a 17-year journey with alopecia—one that reshaped her identity, challenged her confidence, and ultimately led her to a place of deep, hard-won self-acceptance.
In this powerful interview, Sondra opens up with honesty, humor, and raw vulnerability. If you haven’t already, watch the full interview below—then keep reading for the most moving takeaways.
The Journey Begins: “I was the big hair girl.”
Sondra describes her pre-alopecia self as a "big hair girl." As a child and later on her wedding day, her hair was a huge part of her identity. “I used to spend hours on my hair,” she says. “The washing, the blow drying, the curling… it was such a big part of how I presented myself.”
So when the first small bald patch appeared after her daughter was born, she didn’t think much of it. It would grow back. Then another patch came, and another. For over a decade, she lived in this cycle of covering, adjusting, and hiding.
“I had very, very close friends that had no clue I was going through this,” she said. “I was hiding. I was maneuvering my whole life around the hair loss—changing my part, wearing toppers, avoiding situations where it might be noticed.”
Breaking Point: “There was nothing left to clip into.”
Like so many women facing hair loss, Sondra reached a moment where hiding became impossible.
“I remember coming home from a women’s conference and realizing—I don’t have enough hair anymore to clip into,” she shared. “That was my rock bottom. I thought: I can’t go out of the house now. I don’t know what to do.”
Her longtime stylist and close friend Tracy connected her with another woman living with alopecia. That conversation changed everything. “She said to me, ‘Wearing a wig isn’t the end of the world. It’s liberating. Just go buy the dang hair and rock it.’ And I did.”
The Mirror Moment: “I stopped looking at myself.”
Even after crossing the threshold into wig-wearing, Sondra admits she still struggled deeply with her reflection.
“I stopped really looking in the mirror,” she said. “I would see this blank canvas, and I didn’t recognize myself. I didn’t want to say ‘I love you’ to that woman. I just wanted to cover up.”
But over time, things shifted. Slowly. Quietly. Through journaling, therapy, connection with other women, and spiritual growth, Sondra began to rediscover her worth.
“I finally looked at myself with no makeup, no wig, no disguise… and I thought: you are strong. You are brave. You are beautiful.”
The Greece Story: “I jumped in. Bald.”
Of all the stories Sondra shares, one stands out: a recent yoga retreat in Greece with her mother and daughter.
There was a boat trip planned—swimming, paddle boarding, sunshine. But Sondra’s wigs were back in the hotel room. She sat on the deck, watching her daughter play in the water, and felt that familiar fear creeping in.
“I almost didn’t do it,” she admitted. “But then I remembered a past moment where I sat out of something because I was scared. And I thought: I don’t want to sit on the sidelines of life again.”
So she did the unthinkable—she removed the scarf, the hat, and jumped into the Aegean Sea, bald and free.
“No one said a thing. No questions, no judgment. Just cheering me on. And when I got back to the boat, my daughter said, ‘Mom, that showed me how far you’ve come.’”
On Acceptance, Identity & Fear
Sondra speaks openly about the real loss that comes with hair loss—beyond the hair itself. “It was loss of identity, loss of freedom, loss of spontaneity. I couldn’t just wake up and go for a walk anymore. There were always things to put on, things to cover.”
But through it all, she learned the greatest lesson: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Whether it’s removing your wig, going on stage, looking in the mirror, or showing up fully as yourself—Sondra reminds us that courage doesn’t mean not being afraid. It means acting despite the fear.
Caring for Your Wig Like Sondra
Sondra mentioned how much she loves her wigs—and how liberating it was to finally cross that mental threshold. If you’re starting your own hair journey and want to know how to look after your new hair, we’ve got you covered.
👉 Read our guide: How to Care for Your Wig Like a Pro
From washing to storing, we walk you through everything you need to know to keep your hair looking and feeling amazing.
Final Thoughts: “You are not alone.”
Sondra’s story is more than a personal journey—it’s a mirror for so many others navigating hair loss in silence. Her courage to speak, share, and stand boldly in her truth helps break the stigma and create space for compassion.
As James said in the interview, “Hair loss isn’t just about hair. It’s about identity. And learning to love the person staring back in the mirror.”
Whether you’re at the beginning of your hair loss journey or 17 years in like Sondra, we hope her story reminds you that you are not alone—and that acceptance, strength, and beauty are all still yours.
Want to Learn More from Sondra?
Sondra Dubas is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, registered yoga instructor, and corporate consultant who helps women reconnect with their health, purpose, and inner strength. After experiencing total hair loss from alopecia, she transformed her life through lifestyle change, self-love, and holistic wellness—and now she empowers others to do the same.
Sondra’s mission is to teach busy women the art of soul-nourishing self-care, practiced consistently without guilt. She empowers women to create joy, peace, and vibrancy in their lives by making themselves a priority, through her unique SELF FIRST methodology and the creation of your unique Self-Care Compass. She also hosts a program called Self-Care Bootcamp and leads transformative weekend retreats for women.
💛 As a Dimples client, you can connect with Sondra to schedule a 1-hour Soul Nourishment Session and enjoy $100 off her Self First Experience so that you can create your own Self-Care Compass.
- Learn more about her journey and wellness programs at: www.sondradubas.com/holistic-wellness-programs
- Inspiration on Instagram – Follow her journey, reflections, and encouragement at @sondradubas
💬 As Sondra says: "If there's one thing I can encourage you to do in 2025, it’s to take moments of time to just nourish yourself—body, mind, and spirit."
