When people ask what I do for a living and I tell them I’m a supermodel, I’m only half kidding. Sure, they chuckle — especially when learning that I’m actually a screenwriter who works behind the cameras rather than in front of them. But if I happen to share that I took off over 250 pounds of excess weight over a decade ago and have kept it off ever since, they then start to notice my model-like swagger. After all, as someone who used to wear a size 60” belt (as long as I am tall), I never thought that I’d be able to fit into and wear clothing that wasn’t purchased at one of those Big and Tall stores. So now that I do, I’m only too happy to strut my stuff — no runway required.

And I’ve got news for you. You’re just as much of a supermodel as I am. Perhaps even more so.

Before moving to Los Angeles, I worked in the fashion industry as both a copywriter and art director. This gave me the opportunity to work with real life models and supermodels — most of whom were surprisingly human. When working in New York City with some of the biggest names in the biz (at the time), I weighed in excess of 400 pounds. You can only imagine the heads that turned when I would walk into a meeting to discuss some designer’s latest clothing line. I was the extra-large square peg trying to fit into the fashion industry’s round hole. But being from the other side (the real world side), I was determined to find out the secrets that these creatures of beauties knew, but that they didn’t seem to be sharing with the rest of us.

To my surprise, most professional models (the ones who wanted a lasting career at least) were pretty darned normal. They put on their pants one leg at a time. They got irritated when their hair didn’t turn out the way they wanted it to. And they also (surprise-surprise!) were conscious of what types of foods and how much of these foods they were eating (all the good things we learn about here and on other helpful websites like joybauer.com).

Sure, there was the occasional girl (an industry term not a sexist one, I assure you) who didn’t have to think twice about what she ate. But most models were careful about their food choices and portion sizes. And it’s while working with them that I began to pick up strategies that would help me eventually shed the 250+ pounds of my excess weight once and for all.

But my initial fascination with supermodels aside, I eventually began to realize that everyone around me was a supermodel in their own right. No matter if they were flying to Milan or trying to get the kids to school on time, everyone had agendas, everyone had schedules. Sometimes they met them. Sometimes they didn’t. But the real champs (whether appearing in magazine ads or not) carried themselves with grace at all times. And yes, I would even see this kind of grace in friends selecting vegetables while at the grocery store or picking random bits of baby food out of their hair after feeding time.

No matter what we do (or are trying to do) for a living, aren’t we all rockstars? (Oops. Sorry. I’ll try and stick to one analogy here.) But hopefully you’re starting to get my drift.

We’re all on life’s runway and all strutting our stuff. We have good days. We have challenging ones. But we’re making life work as best we can. And it’s when we throw our shoulders back, walk with proper posture and keep the right attitude that we can achieve even greater successes. This is true whether we’re trying to take off some excess weight, working to find that dream job or even simply meeting friends for coffee. We are all supermodels. And the sooner we own that, the more easily we can shift into carrying ourselves with a little more self-confidence — the kind of self-confidence that can help us meet all of our goals (even if said goals are going to take a little time).

So now the answer to the question posed in the headline of this piece… Did you know you’re a supermodel? Because, without question, you are one. And yes, with this proclamation, I’m giving you permission to work it however you see fit. As you scan this blog for your next favorite recipe, some fun snack food ideas or tips for looking your best, own your goals. Own your challenges. But also own your star quality… And make it shine.

Photo Source: Grunge Mummy