The Story Of You - Sophie.

Content Warning: These stories contain mentions of body dysmorphia, body image struggles, pregnancy loss, fertility struggles and gendered violence. If you find any of the below triggering, please find a list of helpful and free resources below:

DV/SV: 1800 RESPECT

Mental Health: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues: Butterfly Foundation 1800 ED HOPE

Meet Sophie who applied to our 2024 Model Call to share her story, one that resonates with the journey so many of us navigate. At 50, she radiates a confidence that wasn't always there, but that makes her story even more powerful.

"For as long as I can remember, my relationship with my body was complicated," Sophie reflects, her eyes twinkling with the wisdom that comes from hard-won self-acceptance. Like many women, she spent years wrestling with limiting beliefs about her body, particularly focusing on what she perceived as "imperfections."

But in 2021, something magical happened. Sophie took a brave step into a burlesque class, and that decision became the catalyst for transformation. In this space, she discovered more than just dance moves; she found a supportive community of individuals who celebrated every body, every story, and every journey.

"The burlesque community showed me a different way of seeing myself," she shares. "It wasn't about changing who I was; it was about revealing who I'd always been."

In March 2023, Sophie embarked on another courageous adventure, a photoshoot before her first solo burlesque performance on her 49th birthday. This wasn't just about capturing images; it was about documenting a metamorphosis.

The past year has been revolutionary for Sophie. In a society that often pushes for change before acceptance, she chose a different path. "When I finally began loving myself exactly as I am, something unexpected happened," she says with a knowing smile. "The weight I'd struggled with for years began to shift naturally, not because I was fighting my body, but because I was finally at peace with it."

Now, at 50, Sophie isn't just celebrating a number, she's celebrating a revolution of self-love. As a grandmother, she carries an even deeper purpose: to ensure her granddaughter grows up seeing beauty in all its forms. "I want her to know that she never needs to make herself 'less than' to fit into someone else's expectations," Sophie says firmly.

Her work as a spokesperson for invisible disabilities adds another layer to her advocacy for authentic representation. "In the media, we rarely see people, especially women, portrayed as complete, complex beings," she observes. "There's always an agenda, often tied to stigma and shame. I'm here to challenge that narrative."

Sophie's story reminds us that self-love isn't a destination but a journey, one that becomes richer and more meaningful with each passing year. Her upcoming photoshoot isn't just about capturing images; it's about creating a permanent reminder of her worth, her journey, and the power of embracing oneself completely.

As she steps into her next fifty years, Sophie carries a powerful message for all of us: true beauty isn't about conforming to standards, it's about nourishing our authentic selves and celebrating the unique stories written on our bodies.