Center Stage Magazine August-September | Page 48

fitness Breakthroughs In a world that is constantly changing, we cannot avoid that we live in a fast-paced lifestyle with lots of competition. Let’s admit it that sometimes if do not keep up; we end up left behind by someone else. Every day, we face hardships – and that is inevitable for sure. There will be always a struggle or clash. It could be work, education, career, fame, fortune, capabilities, and peers or sometimes our competition is chiefly our self. We are created equally no matter how complicated our world is. But, no matter how hard we try, there will be always an instance in our life that we are judged too soon or easily. It may be our looks, our weight, our status, our projections to the crowd, our behavior or even habits. It is true enough that we cannot really please everyone; however the world may not be a wishing-grant factory – where we always get what we want. We always have a choice to standout, to set an example, and to inspire others who feel that they are outcasts in our society. If we believe in ourselves and take the leap of faith, we can go far places that we have ever imagined and expected. Who would have thought that a young woman from St. Petersburg, Florida would be a fashion model? Of course! Nothing is impossible. You see her in social media, billboards, photography and Ads. In our fitspiration special beauties, we proudly introduce you to Shaholly Ayers, who is one of the first amputee models published in a large mainstream campaign. Beyond those cameras, we will get to know more of her. She’s not just a model, but a model with a message. “I began modeling about 8 years ago. I was not signed by an agency. Actually, I was told that I wouldn’t be signed due to me being an amputee. So instead of giving up altogether I decided to try any way which I did. I built up my portfolio and started getting myself work”, Shaholly shared how long she’s been in the modeling and beauty business. Every success has its own stories. She was born with a congenital amputee and the diagnosis for her condition was labeled “Ambionic Band Syndrome”. “My parents had no idea I would be born without half of my right arm until that faithful day I came into the world and they met me. I am the second oldest in a family of four, my siblings all brothers. My parents never labeled me disabled and so growing up I never associating with any social stigmas”, she explained. In the span of her modeling career, she always has an inspiration. “I have always been inspired by strong women. I remember watching the olympics and being drawn to Jackie Joyner Kersee, and being inspired by her athleticism, Kerri Strug for killing it on vault with injured ankle... Around junior high/high school it was Angelina Jolie. She was so bold, vibrant and intoxicating. I watched every movie she was ever in.”While