Recently crowned Miss USA, Nia Sanchez is living proof that that your upbringing does not have to define who you become as a person.

Nia Sanchez, 24, was born in Sacramento, California before her parents relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. When she was 6-years old her parents divorced and for a time Nia and her mother lived in the Shady Tree Women's Shelter before moving in with a relative. "It was great because they provided day care for us while she was out there trying to save up," Sanchez told Las Vegas Weekly.

At just 8-years old Sanchez began taking Taekwondo lessons to defend herself while building self-confidence. Sanchez implemented the lessons she learned from Taekwondo into her everyday life. The passion and determination to succeed could be seen in Sanchez from an early age. Sanchez began teaching Taekwondo at age 12, and by 15 she was a certified instructor. Sanchez currently is a fourth-degree black belt, which explains her toned and athletic build.

Nia Sanchez is used to wearing diamond-crested tiaras. She has worked as a princess in Hong Kong's Disneyland. Whether she is portraying Belle, Cinderella or Snow White, Sanchez has what it takes to pull off the Disney image with her amazing smile.

In January of 2014, Sanchez was crowned Miss Nevada. From there it was on to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the Miss USA competition.

Sanchez looked stunning in a red evening gown as she made her way to center stage to receive a final question from Judge Rumer Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter. Judge Willis asked Sanchez how she would handle the fact that 19 percent of undergraduate women are sexually assaulted. With Sanchez's experience in taekwondo she answered that it is up to each women to take it upon themselves to learn proper defense tactics. Women cannot always depend on an authority figure to be there for protection. It is up to the individual to learn how to fight back.

Sanchez says that the Miss USA crown will not change her. Sanchez will continue volunteering at the same women's shelter that she lived at 18-years ago. Nia Sanchez is an excellent role model for young girls struggling through similar life circumstances. Through her actions and achievements, Sanchez is proof that there is always a way out.

You can follow Nia Sanchez on Twitter -- @Nia_Sanchez_ or by clicking here.