Athlete First Model Second

When you think of an athlete you think of someone who is strong and committed to a passion. They are driven to succeed to become the best in their performance. Whether they're a dancer, soccer player, football player etc. They strive to be the strongest, fastest or most coordinated person in their profession.

When you think of a model, you think of the glitz and glamour. You think, hair, makeup, gorgeous photos, beautiful clothes and runways.

When I first got into modeling, I felt as though I was in the second category; a model. I had photographers that wanted that "sexy" image. Pulling on my bikini in photos, trying to give that look that the photographer wanted. I realized after two years of working with photographers and getting emails about doing shots like Maxim Magazine and various other types of risque work, that I wasn't in my element. I felt out of place and that I was trying to portray someone I just wasn't. So I walked away and let my dream fade.

Two years later I was inspired by someone who was doing fitness modeling. She said sexy is a state of mind. She was athletic and had morals and standards I could relate to. I realized I was just as capable of doing fitness as she was. After all, I was a Montana girl. Being outdoors and sports oriented was second nature to me.

I took the first step I needed to find the right people to work with and attended FMI "Fitness Model International." For the first time in my life I felt like I was in the right place and the right time and I had surrounded myself with the right people. I was at a workshop and business event made for athletes. People who had worked hard for their physiques and were as ambitious as what I was, trying to turn their passion and love of fitness into a business opportunity.

Fitness has given me strength and has allowed me to grow as a person. Modeling gave me the opportunity to be comfortable in my skin, but fitness has given me an identity I didn't know I had or was capable of having.

No matter where this life is about to lead me, I know that I am an athlete first and will continue to stick to my Montana roots.

Get Fit: Workout at HOME

Summer is just around the corner in a matter of weeks, are you ready?

If not no worries. Here are a couple of simple pieces of gym equipment that you can purchase for a total of around $50.

Most of the time I hate going to the gym. I don't always have the motivation to go to the gym after a long day at work or first thing in the morning. So my solution is bring the gym to me.

I use three pieces of equipment:

1) 2 10lb Weights

2) Stability Ball

3) Resistance Band

You can easily find workouts to do with these 3 pieces of equipment on youtube or researching workouts from Oxygen Magazine or Shape Magazine to name just two of my favorites.

I'll post some workouts that you can do with these later this week. Get ready for SUMMER! :)

Lauren Lee: Strength and Beauty

Lauren and I at FMI 2009

I first met Lauren Lee back in 2009 when we were both signed up for FMI (Fitness Model International). Lauren and I had been corresponding prior to going to FMI getting to know each other before the eventful week and looking forward to being roommates. What I noticed about Lauren right away, even in her emails was how genuine and down to earth she was. Lauren has a way of speaking from the heart and telling it like it is. She's never afraid to speak her mind and is very upfront with people, which is something I admire.

Lauren and I quickly hit it off. I think she and I were able to relate to each other and confide in each other about things we had gone through and it was easy to see how good of a friend Lauren is. I remember how much I admired her confidence and willingness to give FMI her all by taking and learning as much as she could during the conference at FMI and jumping in front of the camera for the first time.

3 weeks ago, Lauren posted a blog on her Facebook page saying she had cancer at 28. Her story has inspired me and many others. Please click on the link below to read her story. Lauren has a beautiful message that needs to be heard. Her beauty and strength shine through.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. it comes from an indomitable will." - Gandhi

Lauren Lee 2010 Photo by Mike Byerly

http://iamlaurenlee.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-am-28and-i-have-cancer.html

True Beauty

When I look in the mirror first thing in the morning, I see someone who has gained confidence over the years. I see someone who has continued to train hard in the gym and have been able to have the opportunity to change myself physically as well as mentally into a stronger person. I have recently taken a mental break from personal matters and focused just on staying physically active and the changes I’ve made have made me pleasantly surprised.

When we look at someone, the first thing we notice is someone’s physical appearance. There is something within that person that we’re attracted to physically such as someone’s eyes or smile, but true beauty goes beyond the physical aspect.

True beauty really starts with personality. How a person treats others and how we respect others and ourselves. Taking the time to take care of yourself, just by eating healthier or doing some sort of physical activity is a beautiful thing. Striving for goals and pushing to make your dreams happen is admiral. Treating others with respect, kindness and generosity and acknowledging others for their accomplishments are truly beautiful traits.

My advice to others and myself is this: Don’t forget to congratulate others for their accomplishments and keep climbing to reach your goals as well. When you reach your goals or an accomplishment, those very people that you took the time to encourage and acknowledge will return the favor. It’s ok to give yourself a pat on the back from time to time when you reach a personal goal too.

I’m giving a shout out to all of my Fitness Model International family and congratulating everyone on their accomplishments so far. I’m also congratulating everyone that has taken the time to strive for a goal. Goals are what keep us all going and striving for success and that is a BEAUTIFUL thing.

www.slaursen.blogspot.com

Where does your motivation come from?

I have days where I want to quit and give up on things just like everyone else. I get frustrated, down, and I can't seem to see the positive sometimes. When I have days like these, I look to my close friends to help me out. Other times I like to sit by myself and zone out to music that I can connect with for an hour.

What keeps me going and uplifts me goes beyond getting sound advice from my family and friends. I look to my friends and at their ambitions and goals. I look to my Fitness International Model family and to people who have left me inspired in some way or another.

What blows me away about my friends, the ones that have their goals laid out in front of them and are working towards them, is they always seem to find a way to be joyful about what it is they're doing. They take up side hobbies, painting, quilting, anything that makes life a little more uplifting for them. They find the humor in their jobs.

I look at my Fitness International Family and I have the opportunity and pleasure to watch everyone succeed in their fitness goals and working hard within the creative entertainment industry. I find joy in seeing their successes, because I know when I have success I receive the same kind of encouragement from them as well. I love that I can feel challenged in a healthy way by my FMI family. When I see everyone making huge strides, I want to do the same. I love that we can all support each other and network with one another. I'm blessed to have so many amazing people in my life near and far away.

Where does your motivation come from?