Once celebrated as the headline-grabbing twins from the cult classic The Girls Next Door, the now 35-year-olds are re-emerging into the public eye, confidently navigating a new chapter of their lives that prioritizes health and authenticity over Hollywood glamour.

In a revealing new interview with PEOPLE, the sisters candidly discuss their meteoric rise to fame, the emotional toll that followed, and how a significant move across the country allowed them to rediscover their sense of peace, purpose, and spiritual connection.

The incredible journey of the Shannon Twins began in a humble town in Florida, where they were raised by their beloved Italian grandmother, affectionately known as “Nonna,” after enduring a challenging childhood. “We came from a small, underprivileged Italian family,” Kristina shares, revealing the deep familial disconnect they have experienced, as they do not maintain a relationship with their parents to this day.

By the age of 16, the twins found themselves working at Ker’s WingHouse, a Hooters-style restaurant, where they quickly rose to local celebrity status, capturing the attention of the public through billboards and promotional calendars.

“This is where our modeling careers truly began. We held various odd jobs until we turned 16, when we started working there,” Karissa recalls, with Kristina referring to their time there as their first taste of being a “centerfold” in the spotlight.

It wasn’t long before Playboy took notice of the twins. A photographer they had been collaborating with shared their stunning images with the magazine, leading to a whirlwind of interest.

“The calendar photographer who was capturing all of the Ker’s WingHouse calendars was also submitting images to Playboy. We were only 17 at the time,” Karissa reveals, highlighting the serendipitous nature of their big break.

The response from Playboy was immediate and enthusiastic, with Kristina recalling how Hugh Hefner, the iconic figure behind the brand, was “infatuated with our images,” indicating their immediate acceptance into the world of glamour.

“They told us, ‘He loves you girls. You are officially in!’” Karissa recounts, capturing the excitement and disbelief of that pivotal moment.

The twins’ debut was historic, as they became the youngest twins to earn their own month in the Playboy calendar. However, the reality behind the scenes was far from glamorous.

“We were just kids. We were all natural. We didn’t have fake teeth, fake breasts, or fake hair like the other women. We just roamed around with our natural looks, sun-kissed from spending so much time in Florida,” Kristina explains, emphasizing their genuine beauty amidst a sometimes harsh environment.

Despite the initial excitement, they faced bullying, jealousy, and feelings of isolation. Even with Hefner’s special attention, both sisters struggled to feel at home within the mansion’s complex social dynamics.

“Hef showed us preferential treatment compared to the other women,” Karissa recalls. “It made Kristina emotional; she cried and wanted to leave the mansion during a shoot. I told her, ‘These women are older and know how to navigate this world better. But we are beautiful. We’re here, and we’ve made it this far.’ Eventually, we stayed, and Kristina managed to push through, although there was significant bullying,” she reflects on their challenging experiences.

Despite the adversities, they persevered, securing centerfold shoots, a prominent role on The Girls Next Door, and more opportunities that came their way.

After three years in the high-pressure environment of the Playboy world, the emotional toll began to surface.

Karissa noted that the Playboy experience “left a significant void in both our hearts and spirits,” particularly as they felt stripped of their faith and the strong family bonds that had once anchored them.

The passing of their beloved Nonna and Kristina’s DUI incident, both occurring in 2014, marked pivotal shifts for the sisters, prompting them to focus on renewing their faith and rediscovering their purpose in a world that had become increasingly uncertain and overwhelming.

“People began saying we were going through our ‘Anna Nicole phase’,” Kristina recalls, referencing the late Playmate Anna Nicole Smith. “We gained weight, struggled with alcohol and drugs, and felt deeply lost and even suicidal at times. It was just the two of us, trying to navigate our lives after feeling like we had lost our way,” she reflects on their darkest times.

The twins decided to sell their beauty salon and leave the fast-paced lifestyle of Los Angeles behind. They initially settled in Las Vegas before ultimately choosing to start afresh in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the city of their birth, before relocating to Florida, where their grandmother had raised them.

“We were uncertain about our next steps, so we decided to return to our roots and leave L.A. behind,” Karissa explains. “We sold our beauty salon and said, ‘Let’s escape and live a simpler life. Let’s focus on healing and rediscovering ourselves.’”

Back in Ann Arbor, the twins finally took a moment to slow down and reflect on their lives.

“Being surrounded by nature allowed us to find clarity. Eventually, we were diagnosed with manic depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Stepping away from the hustle and bustle of city life helped us slow down,” Karissa explains, sharing how this move became a pivotal moment for them to discover their true selves and prioritize self-care.

“For the first time, we were ready to be selfish and focus on ourselves. Our faith in God grew stronger, and we prayed continuously to Jesus,” she explains. “We were truly praying and striving to change our lives. I believe this is when we truly matured as individuals.”

Embracing a holistic lifestyle that focused on organic foods, natural products, and self-care, the twins entered a profound “healing phase” that took years but ultimately transformed them for the better.

“I didn’t think we would ever overcome that dark period. But Michigan changed us,” Kristina shares. “We love being in Michigan and then going to L.A. or Vegas for work. It feels like a perfect balance.”

After taking a significant break from public life, the twins feel ready to embrace the spotlight once more, but this time on their own terms, reflecting their newfound identity.

“We do enjoy attention and the cameras—but not in a mean or egotistical way. We are humble yet love to entertain,” Kristina expresses. “We appreciate reality TV because our personalities resonate with people, and we strive to be genuine and relatable.”

The sisters are also considering obtaining their real estate licenses, opening themselves up to new experiences, including dating and the possibility of motherhood.

“We both genuinely want to experience pregnancy together. We aspire to be homemakers, get married, and raise children. We dream of having large families since we only have each other; it would be amazing if we could both have twins,” Kristina shares, illustrating their deep bond and shared dreams.

Alongside the PEOPLE interview, the sisters participated in their first photoshoot of their 30s, symbolizing a fresh start for the duo.

“We were thrilled because this was our first photoshoot as adults in our 30s, without the X-rated elements. It feels like the first time our fans are seeing us again since we went into hiding after A&E’s Secrets of Playboy. We’re ready to step back into the light and share our current selves with our fans,” Kristina shares with excitement.

“We’re transforming our appearance. This marks our transition into our 30s, and you can see that. We’re also making changes, like reducing our breast implants,” Karissa adds, signifying their commitment to evolving both inside and out.

While the future remains uncertain, the twins affirm that they are still the same women they have always been, just more mature and self-aware.

“We are healing, listening to our inner selves, and prioritizing our faith in God. We have transformed our mental outlook, and now you can physically see how much better we feel. It all starts from within, and everything is interconnected,” she emphasizes. “We are excited to work hard, enjoy life, and continue to protect our peace.”