Rachel Peru, My Body, My Story

Hi, my name is Rachel Peru and I’m 49. Three years ago, I changed my career.  I am now a model and podcast host of “Out of the Bubble’ represented by Bridge curve model agency in London.

Losing Myself Along The Way

I’ve lived in a small town in Yorkshire all my life; I have three children who are hopefully getting ready to flee the nest soon at age 21,19 and 16. I met my first husband when I was 15 and we separated 24 years later just before I turned 40.

Looking back, I think being in a relationship for that long from such a young age definitely contributed to me losing myself along the way.  When I found myself single again at 40 it really felt like I was starting a new life again where anything was possible.

I went to university and gained a 2.1 in Education Studies and worked happily as an early year’s teacher. I thought that I had got my career finally sorted it and wasn’t looking for any other options.

The year I turned forty, a close friend volunteered both our services for the annual Ilkley Macmillan cancer fashion show.  Although I was nervous, I couldn’t come up with a good enough reason not to do so agreed. I remember being so nervous and definitely needed more than a few G n T’s to get me going.  Afterwards, I felt exhilarated and loved it.

No Expectations

It gave my confidence such a boost and I’ve continued to volunteer every year.  The last months being my tenth year. It was suggested by several people connected to this that I should try and do some modelling, so three years ago I decided to give it a try with no expectations what so ever.

I think I thought if I get a bit of local modelling work it would be fun. To my surprise I was accepted by a top London agency and I haven’t looked back since.

Increasing Confidence

I’ve recently interviewed some of the women, all in their 40’s, 50’s 60’s, who also walk in the fashion show, about what they get out of doing it.  They all said it had increased their confidence and made them feel good about themselves afterwards.

If I had my way, I would love to see fun catwalk classes run in schools to help improve children’s body confidence and self-esteem.  I think there is a real crisis happening in younger generations mental well-being, partly due to social media and advertising.

Dealing With Body Confidence Issues

At first, I picked up small jobs here and there and several smaller agencies.  This included work with BUPA, Forever Unique, leisure spas and travel companies. I was enjoying each job but still struggled with imposter syndrome and felt embarrassed when someone asked what I did for a living. It was almost like I wasn’t worthy of the role, so I realised I still had self-esteem and body confidence issues that I needed to deal with.

Plus Size?

I am as size 14 -16 with a 34G bust so in the modelling world I am classed as a plus size model.  This is rather ironic when you consider the average UK woman is a size 16. In my 20’s & 30’s, I struggled with my body confidence.  I probably tried every diet going at some point, believing that if I lost that half a stone, I would be happier.

In my mid-thirties, I even booked to have a breast reduction. I hated my boobs so much and am so glad that I chickened out of that decision!

Loose Women

A photographer called Mya Fawcett placed a call out on Facebook for women to join her in a body confidence shoot after seeing the Loose Women tv campaign MyBodyMyStory where the ladies were photographed in their underwear without any editing.

I volunteered myself and a few months later joined 14 strangers of all ages, shapes and sizes to recreate the photo.  All of us spent one Sunday afternoon, in our bras and knickers.

Emotional Baggage

What did I learn from it? That we are carrying so much emotional baggage around the things we don’t like about our bodies. It really made me realise how much time and energy I had wasted worrying about my body.  This was a huge turning point.

As if that experience wasn’t enough, the Loose Women team picked up on the photos and we ended up recreating it live on the programme.

My new found body confidence was liberating. It led me to my next job, the dream job working with Ashley Graham for Swimsuits for all in the Bahamas. I found myself spending the week with 4 top models modelling swimwear in a music video. Something I would never have done when I was younger or ever thought possible at the age of 47.

Fighting Against Feeling Invisible

I’ve talked to so many women over 40 who have lost their body confidence.  They feel invisible to the fashion industry and high street.  I’m now really passionate about being active to fight against it and use my voice.

I take any opportunity to push my own levels of body confidence.  This included taking part in the Real Catwalk in my bra and knickers in the centre of London.  Plus modelling swimwear in lingerie shop windows!

I really hope that from seeing this it might help other women become more accepting of their own body. I no longer weigh myself.  Walking and exercise make me feel happier when I do them.  And not because of the numbers on the scales.

Next time you are about to be hard on your body, think of something that you have achieved recently that you’re proud of.  Give yourself a pat on the back instead!