Page 17 of Pieces of Us

I worked my ass off to get—and stay—where I am today. I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Media and Communications, completed via correspondence, and I made it a mission to stay savvy with current trends.

Not to mention the fact that my most challenging part of being in front of the camera is ensuring I ‘look the part’, which means staying thin. To be at the top of my profession, I need to fuel my body with the right foods and exercise—something I work on daily.

Admittedly, there have been some serious setbacks and a stint in rehab to help overcome the monsters I’m constantly fighting. I’m better now. I just have to remind myself that my worth isn’t measured by how I look. I’ve learned new ways to cope with my emotional pain, and better behaviours to keep my mind and body healthy.

Despite my tumultuous journey over the last seven years, I’m immensely grateful for my good fortune and good luck. And knowing how close I was to straddling life and death, I never take what I have or the opportunities afforded to me for granted.

The events that transpired on that fateful trip to Los Angeles in my senior year were serendipitous. Who knew that literally fleeing from my heartbreak would set my life on the trajectory that it did?

It all started when I was frivolously trying on sample lingerie while Mum airbrushed a suite of supermodel faces. They were all so down to earth, encouraging me to have some fun. One of them randomly asked me what I wanted to do after school, and when I replied, ‘Become a journalist’, she offered to be my very first interviewee. She even gave me pointers on how to stand, tilt my head and work the camera to my best angles.

Although she was a Victoria’s Secret angel, she was and always will be my guardian angel. It’s like she knew I needed something good to come out of what I’d been through.

After taking another sweeping glance at the coastline, I take a sip of Ami-tea and grimace at having let it cool to a tepid temperature. Ami-tea is my very own collection of bespoke teas that focus on restoring the body. They should only ever be drunk if iced or sipped hot. Never in between. This cool side empire began because of a gimmick. Everywhere I went, I’d either be pictured with tea or choose it as my choice of drink when interviewing. So, one day, a lucrative offer came across my desk, and I took it.

One of the most important parts of this venture was that I was involved every step of the way. After my issues, I wanted to create a product with health at the core. One that was part of my new story.

Sluggishly moving to the kitchen, I pour the tea down the drain and make another. Plucking an Ackee Amaretto teabag, I place the string over the edge of my cup and deftly fill it with hot water from my automatic water system. While I wait for the aromatic flavours to seep in, I scroll through the notes on my phone to remind me of my to-dos for this week.

-Look over sample lingerie

Smiling, I’m reminded that a few months ago, I partnered up with a luxury lingerie brand to have my own line. I wasn’t going to be able to stay in the limelight forever, so expanding my business empire with things I’m passionate about makes me a smart business woman.

-Go to the farmers’ market and pick up fresh fruit

I frown. Truth be told, I don’t want to leave my cosy comfort, but the alternative is that I starve.

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Call Mum

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Call Dad

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Call Lily

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Text Jagger

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