I’m a geek

“I knew in my late teens/early twenties that I was going to be someone who would go against the grain, I just didn’t know how that would develop. I’m a geek and love costume parties and everything superhero based. I never really saw myself as a “girlie girl” but I like femininity, I don’t like wearing pink and at the age of 29 I decided to cut my hair off. This began my next wave of creativity through my fashion experience and the way I carried myself.

In my 30s I began to care less about what people thought of my look, my life’s direction or how my husband and I define our family. However, amongst this freedom I began to see how western advertising and media see women over 30. In its essence I was being told that I should be a mother/have a career/be “responsible”/have my life together/be fit etc. Ultimately the one resounding message I got was “you’re no longer in your 20s, so you’re no longer sexy or desirable”. I felt like I had hit an expiration date with my body when I still have another 50 years of life left.

I began pole fitness at the age of 31 and started to find my self esteem and body confidence shift. I began my journey to self acceptance and encouraged others to adapt the way they spoke about their bodies. 7 months ago I injured my shoulder and was unable to participate in a sport that had brought me so much self love, confidence and strength. It was at the beginning of my injury that I participated in my first Every Body Is A Beach Body photoshoot with Marina. I was in pain, on medication, I felt as if my body had let me down, yet this was an experience that helped me through my recovery. I saw myself through someone else’s eyes and I realised that my strength, fitness, talents and personality wasn’t something I could lose, nor was my ability to feel sexy and empowered.

From here I partnered up with Marina to become one of her brand ambassadors. My boudoir shoot was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Again, I saw myself through different eyes and realised that my body is permanently part of me, for better or worse, and it was still glorious and strong.

I am fiercely passionate about helping people feel good about themselves both inside and out. This doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with self doubt or that I love everything about my body or my personality. I struggle with it daily and I didn’t meet my weight or fitness goals before my shoot. Did it matter? No! It was trivial to think that I had to look a certain way, it was stressful and unnecessary. This is why I want all men and women to try this for themselves. It is a life changing experience. Do it out of respect for the skin you are in here and now.” Eden