JEANNIE - DEFYING HER OWN EXPECTATIONS - IN SURFING AND LIFE

Hi Jeannie, 
so happy to chat with you.

I discovered that I’m much stronger than I thought. Growing up, not seeing any plus size surfers I doubted that I could ever surf. I doubted that I can do pop ups, I doubted that I could paddle, I doubted that I could surf a wave. But when I tried it, I suddenly knew that those thoughts were just on my mind. I’m stronger than I think, I’m more capable than I think, and I’m more competitive than I think. It might take longer for me to learn but as long as I stand up again after getting washed, as long as I keep paddling, all this is worth it.

The first modelling gig I had was a while ago in Jakarta for a beauty brand. It was when I moved to Bali, that I had several brands approach me for shoots. I think Zealous was one of the first ones who asked me to model in Bali for their swimwear collection and I’m super thankful for the opportunity. Now I have my own content creation agency where I help business owners with their content shoots with or without me as a model.

My personal style changes over time but for now I like to mix feminine and masculine pieces - I love to call it feminine with an edge. I love dresses (for the sake of comfort of not wearing pants) then using combat boots with lace socks. That’s my go to for work days. If it’s more casual I love to wear bikinis as tops then wear pants or shorts with an oversized shirt , again with the boots. This might sound ridiculous but boots are my go-to shoes in Bali.

Support and functionality! I want a bikini and one piece that stays put no matter what kind of waves I surf, so I don’t have to worry about it. Other than that, cute looking ones, cause life is too short for boring bikinis!

JUST DO IT! It might seem scary at first, you might doubt yourself at first, but nevertheless you will be able to do it. Your learning process might be slower or even faster than the others, but the only one you should compare yourself to is your past self. It feels so grounding whenever I surf and it’s part of my self-care.

For me, the biggest challenges I’ve had in my life is my kidney disease. I’ve been having a kidney disease since I was in 3^rd grade, so super young. That means I need to eat medications such as steroids ever since. The effects of the medications and how they change in my body are bizarre and knowing that I don’t really have control of my situation was just heart breaking. It took me a while to make peace with myself that I’m basically sick and not a normal person. It took me 9 years, till I was in 12^th grade, for my AHA moment. That yes, this is me, I have a kidney disease, I need to have steroids and immunosuppressant medications all of my life, I have stretchmarks all over my body because of it, and it is fine.

I think one principle that I always try to hold on to is that you need to focus on what you have control on, what you can change, rather than what you don’t have control over, what you can’t change. That believe is so powerful.