A Journey of Self-Acceptance and Embracing New Adventures
“I’m open to trying something new.”
Two years ago, I made a huge life change. I packed everything I owned into my car and drove from Melbourne to the Brisbane, where my sisters and their families live. I felt it was time for a fresh start. I’ve been working remotely for five years—three of those during lockdown and the last two on the Sunshine Coast in IT. I recently quit my job and am on the lookout for a new career!
“I love beach life and collecting shells.”
When I’m not working, I spend my time enjoying everything the coast has to offer. I absolutely love kayaking and the beach life. There’s nothing better than walking along the shore and collecting shells; it really brings me joy.
“This is me.”
So, how did I get into swimwear modelling with Ocean Road Swimwear? A friend of mine, who knows Tanya, asked if I’d be interested, and I thought, “Why not?” I’ve never modelled before, but I was open to trying something new. I won’t lie; I had some concerns about my body—my stomach and thighs were my biggest worries since I don’t usually show my body. But about a year ago, I decided to embrace who I am. This is what I look like, and I’m not here to impress anyone. This is me!
“A confident person is a sexy person.”
A pivotal moment for me came just over three years ago when I decided to give up alcohol. It involved a lot of soul-searching, but it changed my life for the better. I started to accept and love myself, and while I strive to get fit—doing Pilates every second day—I’m genuinely happy with who I am, and it shows. To me, body confidence means empowerment. A confident person is a sexy person who can achieve anything.
“Just do it, embrace it.”
I feel so honoured to be part of a movement that challenges traditional beauty standards in swimwear. It’s amazing to be part of a team that embraces our unique looks. My family has been incredibly supportive of my decision to model. My sister sends me pictures daily that appear on the Ocean Road Swimwear site! I encourage other women considering modelling to just do it! It was such great fun, and the results were wonderful.
“The bright colours are perfect for my beach lifestyle.”
When it comes to my favourite items, I absolutely loved the bright-coloured leggings! They’re not only stylish but also functional for my beach lifestyle. I can wear them while kayaking, which means I can enjoy my time in the sun without worrying about getting burnt. It’s great to have swimwear that makes me feel confident and comfortable at the same time. I hope people see that I had fun, the swimwear looked great, and they want to try it for themselves!