Megan Colley HNS Industry Ambassador

Megan Megan is a model who currently lives in the “No Woman’s Land” being that she is too big for straight size modeling and too small for plus size. Megan has one of the most beautiful faces and features not to mention a super healthy proportioned body. She may not be a star in the modeling world because she doesn’t fit the industry standards but here at HNS we think Megan is the BOMB! We are excited to have Megan as an HNS Ambassador!

“Always remember that we are all dealing with our own flaws and our own demons. Respect each

other; embrace each others strengths and accept each others flaws. Try to always be mindful of

what it might be like to walk in someone else's shoes.”-Megan !

Why do you feel so passionate about Healthy is the New Skinny and the message it brings?

In college, I decided to devote my time in my writing class to researching how media and the fashion industry impacted young women and their perception of, not only themselves, but also what they perceived as beautiful and what they felt that they needed to do in order to FEEL beautiful. What did I learn? The physical, mental, and emotional impact is devastating to women of ALL ages. We need to start changing these trends in girls at an early age so they are able to grow up in a world that does not make them feel like they are not enough. We need to show women how to love themselves for who and what they are. We need to teach the importance of being the best person you can be in your skin. Being a woman is beautiful. Period.

“I have been passionate about this movement since I started modeling

in 2005. When I entered the industry at a size 6, I quickly realized that I would not be

accepted as a model unless I fit into a very specific size 0/2 mold. That was simply unacceptable to

me.”!

If you could go back in time and give your high school self a message, what would you tell her?

"Get ready, Meg. It's about to get real". I feel like when I was in high school, I was in a bubble of HS drama and politics and homework. I never paid attention to the REAL WORLD and what was going on outside of my selfish little box. I thought a lot about myself in HS, which is a very natural thing. I would tell my HS self not to get so caught up in the little things. Try to see the bigger picture. We only get about 100 years here, at best. Live every second....don't waste your time trying to be someone that you aren't. You don't take anything with you.

  What changes would you like to see for your generation of women and the next generations to come? I want women to educate themselves, in whatever way that they can. Go to school, travel the world, step outside of your box and examine life from every possible perspective. READ! There is so much to learn. Open your mind as wide as you can, and be the best human being that you can be. Once you stop pushing yourself to be better, you stop growing. Be someone that you would want to be around every day.

To me, happiness is being grounded in who you are. Once you are able to find out who you are, you are able to do anything. Some people spend their lives trying to impress others and arrange their lives to make their parents or their siblings or their friends happy. Once someone is able to "know thyself", the world will open up for them. Happiness is looking within and never expecting anything or anyone else to fulfill you. !

Why do you believe in Healthy is the New Skinny? Because it NEEDS to be. There are too many females suffering from eating disorders, depression, low self-esteem, etc. How many more models have to die from malnutrition before we realize that we have lost too many? How many more protruding ribcages do we have to gawk at in shock before some sort of action is taken? We have become too much a society of 'shock'. It is time to embrace health and reality.

I grew up idolizing Cindy Crawford and Tyra Banks....those enchanting, real women that were (and still are, for that matter) completely mesmerizing to watch. Beauty that inspired artists in the field of photography and art and music...that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to inspire people. So I decided that I would devote my time in the fashion industry to being someone that did not conform....I wanted to create a change. When I was approached by "Natural", it was a no-brainer. I HAD to be apart of this agency and this movement. !

Megan Colley Height: Tall Size: Healthy Weight: Who cares….. Representation: Natural Models www.naturalmodelsla.com

What is something people wouldn't know about you if they judged you off your appearance alone? I think that people have always assumed that I am a (for lack of a better world) 'bitch', because I am often introverted when someone first meets me.  Men think that, because I am attractive, they cannot approach me.  I think that my appearance tends to let on that I am very secure, which is not true. I work very hard on my confidence. It is easy to appear confident. It is quite another animal to really BE confident. !

HEALTHY IS THE NEW SKINNY