What are your best qualities?
My heart, ambitious, and open minded.
Do you have any undesirable qualities?
Too hard on myself, can be impatient, and can be stubborn.
What do you love the most about your body?
Maybe my collar bones or lips.
Tell us the story about your scars...
A few years back I started having some health issues that caused a lot of tummy issues and weight gain. Honestly, at first I was devastated because I worked so hard to get my body where I wanted it to be. Eventually, I started finding the joy and sexiness in my curves and learned to embrace my new figure.
What was your response when you first noticed your body changing?
Complete and utter panic, which turned into acceptance, then panic then acceptance a little more panic and now peace.
How did those around you make you feel about these changes?
I honestly think my family didn’t realize how much it affected me mentally. I think it needed to happen for me to realize how unhealthy I was treating my body.
Describe your journey with body acceptance...
Journey is the perfect word for it. It’s a constant journey but I think I came to acceptance when I started feeling better and I was happier. My brain fog was fading, I felt healthier, that’s when I started to accept not being perfect but being healthy.
How do you incorporate self-love into your routine?
Definitely could be better at this. I’m currently retraining my brain to be kinder to myself and focusing on other accomplishments that are not bodily related help a lot.
What about self-love are you continuing to work on?
Truly being comfortable in my own skin and feeling beautiful in it in present tense instead of thinking that it’s some far away goal post I must arrive at.
What is one of your qualities you wish shined brighter than your exterior appearance?
My mindset and true curiosity. I love learning about other people and talking to people smarter than me - I’m addicted to growth.
What lesson do you hope to instill in your children about self-love & body acceptance?
I hope my daughter never go through what I had to, so instilling those values early is important to me. I would teach them to find value in other things rather than their appearance. I want to push affirmations like, "isn’t she smart? isn’t she clever?" rather than only "wow she’s beautiful." I would make sure to intentionally give them compliments not solely based on their appearance.
What makes you the happiest in the world?
Good genuine energy.
What is something you wish you could have told yourself at your most fragile state?
Get support. You really don’t have to do it alone.
What is the best compliment you've ever received?
"I love your energy!"
