I am honored to be apart of such a cool project. When Jordan contacted me, I wanted to shoot somewhere that brought peace. The yoga studio as always done that to me, especially since moving to Utah! It helps me come back to me! To my center. I copied my interview here but I URGE you to check out Jordan’s site to read all about the project and all about the other beautiful women that are apart of this project as well.
Confident, serene, strong, caring, radiant.
What made you want to start blogging?
“My sisters had family blogs so when I got married I wanted to start one as well. Then I found myself sharing my experiences as a nurse, wife, and mother. It was a way to document my life that quickly became a way to inspire and be inspired! When I started sharing my weight lose journey with my readers, it became so fun to see others making healthy life changes and mothers uniting over their struggles. Women are amazingly powerful humans! More powerful than they even realize… I like to think I can help women see their real potential!”
When do you feel most beautiful?
“When I focus on my husband and family and leave the world behind.”
Has becoming a successful blogger affected the amount you think about your appearance? If yes, how so?
“Yes, it definitely has. Especially being a fitness blogger. People look for me for inspirations and motivation. People love to see the before and after pictures and the more difference the better.”
How much do you think your success as a blogger is tied to your physical appearance?
“I’m not sure about my face but of course, being a fitness blogger, my fitness journey has made my blog “successful”, but I’m not sure I would use that term. I love that people, women, and moms have found my blog and have found a place to find answers to fitness questions that they’ve never known before. I also think putting myself out there and sharing all the raw and real that my physical appearance has, has made people be able to relate to me. It’s important to me to be genuine and show real life! It’s not smoke and mirrors for me. I mean, I model clothes and do photo shoots but at the end of the day I’m in my workout clothes with no makeup bribing my kids to eat grilled chicken and broccoli for dinner… And if they do, they get ice cream! It’s real life over hur!”
Have you ever struggled with a lack of confidence? If so, how did you get through it?
“Of course! Hello!!!!! All the time! I just wrote a blog post about this… But the really small version is… I try not to compare and I focus on the Lord and focus my energy on my husband and kids. It’s obviously not that easy… like ever!!! But if I focus on the positive, it helps a lot! That and rewarding myself with cupcakes and candy! ”
What are 5 things you love about yourself?
“I am a people pleaser and although people might not think that is a good thing… I really love to love people. I really do! Almost in a rainbows and butterflies kind of way. That’s why I loved being a Labor nurse and being able to share my love and service to others. I always joke that I don’t have much of a bubble because I love to hug and touch and kiss people… It’s totally weird to some people but I am sooo a physical touch kinda person!
I also love my eyes and eyebrows! Haha
I love that I am healthy! Love love love it! It’s hard in this blogging world to be “modeling” with size zero models but honestly, I’ve been working daily to just love me and really, I love that I am strong and I can do pull ups and push ups and run!!! Most importantly, that I can run crazy with my kids and not get tired… I mean, with caffeine involved of course!
I love my stomach! Warrior marks and all!!! I love that I’ve worked hard to tone it and show women everywhere that they can get that stomach they want if they work for it!
I love my teeth (thanks mom and dad for getting me braces!!!) ”
What made you want to be a part of The Stripped Project?
“I am all about transparency! I love makeup. I don’t think it’s bad! But I also don’t care if people see me without my makeup! I think it’s just a great way to show social media that we aren’t scared to just be us. Natural.”
How did you feel being in front of the camera with no make-up on?
“I used to have horrible acne in high school so now I have blemishes and huge pores… So that part worries me more than anything else. But that’s why I wanted to be in workout clothes in a yoga studio. It made me feel at peace!”
How do you maintain positive self-esteem while being involved in social media?
“Focusing on me! Bottom line! I love supporting friends and gaining inspiration from others but I’m working on myself just as much as the next person. I have to work on loving myself and putting balance in all the right places. Also, I am real. I will post my cupcake and then my workout post. I ain’t scared! WhAt you see is me. 100% and I’m really proud of that.”
How do you feel social media can be used to empower women?
“It’s such a great place to find inspiration and support all the other humans in the world that share their life! I think, like everything, there is a good and a bad about social media. If you want to gain happiness from it… You choose who you follow and you have complete power over your attitude! Just stay positive and enjoy life and find joy in it. If you can’t… Give it a break for a while. Then come back knowing that I’m still here just doing random workouts and talking about my stretch marks!”
XOXO