Perrysburg Pulse Magazine Perrysburg Pulse October | Page 31

MADISON’S MISSION:
HOW THE REIGNING NATIONAL
AMERICAN MISS OHIO IS USING
HER PLATFORM TO HELP OTHERS
I
By Alannah Dragonetti
n August, Perrysburg resident Madison Humphrey
wowed with her resume, impressed with a thoughtful
essay, and answered judges’ interview questions with tact,
securing the National American Miss Ohio title.
was obsessed with food. Specialists told me it’s because I was
starving and my body needed to be close to food.”
To Madison, donning that glittering tiara was “a moment I’ll
never forget. I felt an overwhelming rush of emotions. All of my blood,
sweat, and tears became worth it, and all of my dreams came true.”
It’s hard to believe that the vibrant news anchor’s award-winning
charisma was clouded by illness and insecurity not that long ago. In
late 2011, Madison was in the grip of a devastating eating disorder.
Madison is grateful to not only be alive but to see life’s beauty. When
she isn’t providing traffic reports on WTVG’s 13abc Action News Good
Morning or practicing for pageants, she enjoys shopping and taking in
musical theater with her little sister, whom she calls “the light of my life.”
Madison also likes to laugh with friends and travel to exciting
places—a hobby that her title makes easy to pursue.
“I saw all parts of Ohio and even traveled to Texas after my win.”
The week of Thanksgiving, Madison will jet off to Anaheim,
California, to compete for the National American Miss crown.
“The doctor told my parents I had six weeks to live.”
Madison’s mother placed her in Sylvania’s Toledo Center for
Eating Disorders facility, where she confronted her body image
issues and began the long and arduous path to recovery.
Perrysburg Pulse congratulates Madison on her victory, commends
her for raising awareness about a cause close to her heart, and wishes
her continued success on the pageant circuit and beyond.
“I rode the relapse and recovery cycle for a long time, and I
still struggle, but I now realize how precious life is.”
Photo Credit: Kathy Whittaker
During her recovery, Madison received a letter inviting her to
participate in a National American Miss pageant. National American
Miss pageants—which judge contestants on inner beauty—gave
Madison permission to exude confidence and the chance to reframe
her struggle with disordered eating as an inspirational story.
“God sent that letter to me for a reason. I used to define myself
by my physical appearance, but pageants allow me to separate
my worth from my body. Pageants gave me my voice back.”
Pageant life also provides Madison with structure and goals.
In preparation for August’s Miss Ohio Pageant, Madison
worked on her confidence, engaging in positive affirmation
journaling and reframing negative thoughts.
Miss Ohio’s hard work hasn’t stopped post-victory. Madison is
the founder of Girl in the Mirror, an organization that empowers
women to recognize their true beauty. Madison performs
volunteer work for the National Eating Disorders Association
and otherwise advocates for removing the stigma surrounding
eating disorders and encouraging sufferers to seek help.
“I want guys and girls suffering from eating disorders to know
that they are not alone. It’s okay to struggle, but they need to
get help, whether at one of our local resources or beyond.”
As with any disease, eating disorders affect not only those afflicted, but their
loved ones. Madison warns friends and family to look out for a few signs.
“If there is any hesitation around food, I’d worry about the person. I used
to cut so-called ‘bad’ foods from my diet—carbs, sweets, etc. Weighing
themselves regularly and skipping family events to go to the gym are also
red flags. Going to the bathroom after meals can be a sign of bulimia.”
Madison also tells concerned friends and family
to watch for a fixation on food.
“I’d cook for other people all the time and never eat it. I
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