The best part of my job as a fitness model has been getting to know men and women that are not only physically empowering, but mentally as well. When I first signed with Wilhelmina, I never thought that I would be surrounded by so many women who not only support each other, but build each other up, and are each others biggest cheerleaders, day in and day out. I know what you are thinking?! Pshhhh, yea right? How could a bunch of models really like each other? Well I think that many of us, being trainers in the fitness and wellness community, started modeling a little later in life, and we have been able to create a strong sense of self. We realize that there is work to be had by all, and have learned to set goals, inspire each other as well as our clients, and simply try to be our best selves every. single. day. I am so grateful for my agent, and for all of the strong, beautiful women I have met along my journey. This has been the best chapter in my little book of life.
So with that said, I want to introduce you to Equinox Trainer, Wilhelmina Fitness Model and all around stunning beauty, Lauren Williams from ChiselClub.com. Lauren’s background in ballet and fitness has landed her in numerous ad’s as one of Nikes go-to gals. She has graced the cover of magazines as well as fitness and beauty spreads in a number of publications, and seriously, can we just take a second to gush over stunningly beautiful skin!?
Recently, she achieved one of her biggest goals to date. She had the tenacity and strength to conquer Mt Kilimanjaro, and with her father no less! Mt Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, and stands as the overseer of the continent, the summit of Africa. Towering over 19,000 feet in the air, this trek is not for the faint of heart. So, without further ado I give you the story of ‘A Trainer, Her Dad and Kilamanjaro’, my interview with Lauren Williams.
What sparked your desire to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?
Several years ago I went volcano trekking for the first time with my then boyfriend. It was a life changing experience! Spending three days climbing a volcano, living in and so close to nature was unlike anything I’d ever done. After that I started wondering what it would be like to take on a bigger challenge like Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro has been on my Dad’s bucket list for a while, so a couple years ago the idea to climb it together came up over dinner. The rest is history.
You climbed with your dad…how cool?! Did you train together?
We did! He would come into Manhattan and train with me at Equinox on Saturday evenings. He already has a trainer that we works with in New Jersey that was also focused on getting him ready. So, I tried to fill in the gaps focusing on lateral movement and mobility work in addition to strength. On Sundays when we were both free we would go for hikes in New Jersey.
How has he influenced you?
My Dad has influenced me in so many ways it would take a novel to write them all down. In terms of fitness he has always been my inspiration. Since before I can remember he has gotten up before the sun to go for six mile runs every single day (even on vacation). He puts the same kind of intensity, dedication and passion into everything he that’s important to him from family to work. He has so much faith, determination and so many big dreams. It is so inspiring watching him reach major goals and milestones in his life. Kilimanjaro was one of those big goals, so it was special to be a part of it.
Did you ever feel like giving up? If so, how did you continue to drive onward and upward?
There were definitely a couple moments when I felt overwhelmed. Throughout the trip all of us would have moments where we were struggling with acclimation and sometimes self-doubt. We would get major headaches and nausea on top of fatigue and struggling to breathe. The summit day was the hardest day for me. I underestimated how mentally challenging it would be to be battling so many factors (altitude, cold, fatigue, headache) simultaneously. There were definitely moments that I questioned if I was going to make it to the top. I think it was a combination of determination, pride and being with my Dad that got me up there. Having a shared dream of reaching the summit together kept me from rolling back down the mountain. Also, having such a supportive guide and team leading us the whole way was priceless. Our guides sang to us in Swahili for part of the way up, which was so uplifting! The entire trip reminded me of the importance of family and community. Sometimes I forget how much we need each other. I thought getting up the mountain would be all about my own will power and strength, but really it was about our collective strength.
Tell us how you felt when you reached the top of the world!
It was awesome! Honestly, my first thought was “I want to sit down”! But my second thought was “this is incredible”. I was proud, happy, relieved, overjoyed, tired, elated, the list goes on. Taking a picture with the huge congratulations sign was something I has been visualizing for months, so it felt like a dream. It was awesome. And then I was super excited to get back down to base camp so I could breathe again!
In the modeling industry, we are under some serious scrutiny on a daily basis, what advice would you give women of all ages dealing with the pressures of the digital “Insta” age?
I am still figuring out how to navigate the “insta” age myself! What I do know is that you have to find ways to stay grounded in reality and connected to yourself. How you feel and what you think about yourself is so much more important than searching for external validation on social media or otherwise. For me that means constantly searching for ways to unplug and realign. One of the amazing things about the trip was being forced to unplug for an entire week. No instagram, no facebook, no phone calls, no wifi, no work, no distractions. Nuts! It made me observe the world and my own thoughts in a new light. It was surprisingly freeing. Now that life is back to normal I’m using mediation and journaling as ways to detach from the general pressures of life including the “insta” world.
