Gazelle 14 Spring 1-24_Gazelle Magazine 4/17/14 7:00 PM Page 12
AccentuatE
the
Positives
learning to love
the REAL you
by Mimi Hood
Blogger, Model – Iammimihood.com.
T
he question I am asked a lot is “Why do you love being you?” I
guess I exude a certain confidence that shows that I am comfortable in my body. The first response that pops in my mind
is, “why not?” You only have one life, so why not love you and
all that you are?
However, I must say that this is coming from the “2014
Mimi” who is a lot more confident than before. It has been a
journey getting to this level, and the crazy part is that I allowed it to happen
with all the mind tricks that society secretly placed in my thoughts.
Growing up as a tall curvaceous kid was not always easy. I have always loved fashion, ever since my mom introduced me to it at a young age.
I remember going to pick out patterns and fabric, then the next thing I
knew, I had a whole dress and a purse to match. I was super cute and you
could not tell me anything!
my ultimate
high. However, I found
myself discouraged, knowing that I did not fit the “ideal model” type. People in the
industry always told me, “You have the height requirement. Just lose several pounds and you will be perfect.” The mind tricks clouded my judgment
and I just thought, “Forget it.” I changed my direction, went to college, and
finished with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Missouri – St.
Louis and an MBA from Webster University. I was on cloud nine and loving
every minute of my new life!
In December 2011, I found my passion for modeling once again, with
more confidence than ever before. I was also blessed with a fabulous government job and on the side, I prepare tax returns and blog about fashion
“why do you love being you?”
The rude awakening happened when I attended school, and others
teased me about everything from my weight and height to clothing selections. I was convinced that they were just jealous of my clothes because I
was stylish, but those harsh words they threw at me hit me hard. As the
years passed, magazines and television showed nothing but skinny
women, and I started thinking, “Is this how I am supposed to be?” Slimfast
shakes had become a part of my life. The crazy thing is that I thought it
was difficult living in Hawaii, but I quickly realized that society was tougher
on the “mainland,” as we islanders call it.
As a teenager residing in Las Vegas, my interest in modeling was at
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GAZELLE STL
events and everything that I love. In my other spare time, when I am not
hanging with friends, relaxing with dogs, shopping, soaking up the sun,
or “trying” to be lazy, I love volunteering at the Red Cross and various
homeless shelters around town.
All the struggles made me who I am, and I would not want it any other
way. I am proud to say that I am one of the faces of Honey’s Child Boutique, and the face of Haus+ of Sierra Moses, a designer label.
I learned to embrace and love the curves that God gave me. It is amazing that I am able to inspire others to follow their dreams and “ignore” society’s standards.
SAVVY
SOPHISTICATED
SASSY