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YOU ’ VE SPOKEN PUBLICLY ABOUT A BATTLE WITH DISORDERED EATING , HOW DID YOU OVERCOME YOUR UNHEALTHY HABITS ? It took time , therapy and understanding to get to the root of my issues with anorexia and poor body image . I developed an extremely distorted view on food , my body and my weight . I learned that my obsession with trying to look like the supermodels in the high fashion magazines , a body type I would personally never succeed at achieving , was the driving force behind my illness and obsession with the scale . My 5 ’ 5 ” athletic frame needed to be embraced for what it is and until I had this epiphany , I ’ d forever be fighting an uphill battle with myself . Ironically , the major turning point for me was the discovery of fitness publications and the beautiful women within them . The strong , shapely women , whom were built more like me , were relatable and I had finally found a place where I fit in and ultimately learned I too could be celebrated as I am .
Learning to eat right , fuel my body properly and embrace my personal genetics was an eye opening experience . The addition of weight training and working with what I was given versus against it , has made all the difference .
DO YOU STILL STRUGGLE WITH MAINTAIN- ING A HEALTHY BODY IMAGE / PERSPECTIVE ? A s a woman , we are constantly inundated with so many different perspectives on beauty . No one thing appeals to everyone and that ’ s ok . �nce I learned this tough lesson for myself the hard way , I found it much easier to embrace my body and to celebrate it for how I was meant to be .
In an era of women accepting strength and muscle as beautiful , I think many of us have discovered a new outlet and self-acceptance not as vastly promoted in the past . When I was young , people always commented on how “ buff ” I was , even as a tiny gymnast . B ack then , I was very shy and hated having elements beyond my control constantly pointed out to me . I believe this ultimately created quite a complex and created a very negative internal dialog I ’ d fight long and hard to overcome .
B ut of course , we all have days we feel less than good about ourselves due to many different circumstances , but once we accept “ this too shall pass ,” overall I definitely have a better view on my life , my body and my own personal strengths . I ’ ve come very far from the little girl who once tried to starve the muscle off her body . Now I embrace and celebrate it !
16 Natural Muscle Magazine March 2017