Role Model Magic: Thank You, Jessica Weiner

Role models. Don't know where I'd be without them. Ever since I've been a child I've been influenced by the positive examples of other women. My grandmother, who I used to refer to as my Nana was my biggest role model and supporter. In so many ways, she showed me that a woman can do anything she sets her mind to.  Here's to my Nana. I dedicate all my work to women and children to the fire that she lit in me.

Several months ago I was interviewed by Dana Squilla, Assistant Editor of First for Women Magazine. Click on the the link below to read my story of how making peace with food has led to a more satisfying sex life with my husband:

Download first_juicy_woman.pdf

Before the interview, I wasn't quite as confident as I am now. For those of you who have worked with me, you know that I've been doing teleclasses and been present through a variety of forums, but I haven't done live seminars since last year.

I lost a lot of confidence and my self esteem got kicked in the gut when I sustained some personal losses last year. One relationship in particular, with my father caused me a great deal of pain and suffering. People change. That's just the way it is. It's taken me nearly a year to really get it, but I did.

The way that it affected my confidence was that it drove me to lose sight of what was important to me, helping people empower themselves. Other than the work that I was doing with the kids in Rockland County, I was just a voice over the phone.

I had taken media training, but was not ready to commit to stepping out in front of the camera. Why? Because I felt that I was too big! I felt that nobody would take me seriously and I'd be laughed right off the set. So I stayed hidden, wishing and hoping that I'd lose weight, but my body wouldn't budge. In fact as I focused more on wanting to lose weight, it seemed like I was getting fatter.

Then one day through a harmonic convergence of circumstances, I found my way to Jessica Weiner's site. In a matter of moments, everything changed. When I saw Jess' video of her appearance on The Tyra Banks' Show, I knew that there was a need for what I had to share.

Jess is a beautiful, big woman who boldly and unabashedly speaks about loving your body. She is my role model.

Jess is the Global Ambassador for The Dove Self Esteem Fund. As an author, of several books, including A Very Hungry Girl, and her latest, "Life Doesn't Begin 5 Pounds from Now, she speaks to groups of women and girls about the importance of having a healthy self esteem. At the time, I was in the midst of creating a self esteem program for my daughter's 6th grade class. After seeing Jess, I realized that the women of the world need to see more 'real sized' women talking about loving their bodies. I'm taking up the cause and joining in leading the conversation. Seeing Jess inspired me, now I'm ready to inspire you. Here I am world!