My detour from a career in medicine started early...actually, there was no detour; I was never on that path in the first place. Nope. I started out on a different route. I wanted to be a (don't laugh) star.
And I was actually off to a decent start. At the age of 17, I was recruited by a New York City modeling agency. While my friends were getting ready for prom, I was running around Manhattan in a little black dress, portfolio in hand, hoping to be become the next Linda Evangelista.
Within a few months I had lost 30lbs of my 5'10' frame and had a decent book together for go-sees. I was too idealistic and naive to understand how much I didn't know. People had always told me that I was smart, and so I expected to be treated that way. It came as a shock when I was told "shut up", "we are not paying you to think" when I made a suggestion during a photo shoot.
Every morning I 'weighed in', drank a bottle of water, ate one slice of banana bread (my breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner) and hit the pavement. It wasn't long before my body began to rebel. I was pushing my physical limits when one morning I passed out in the subway and was diagnosed with a raging case of mononucleosis. I came back home to recover, and was thrilled that - due to my sore throat - I had reached my goal weight of 103lbs.
My family doctor was was livid; telling me that I was a disgrace to women. "How can you project your body to other young girls as a role model when you can barely stand up by yourself?", she asked. And she was right. I realized that this was no way to live, and certainly no way to portray living to others. Besides, I was sick of being treated like a mannequin.
It was weeks before I was able to get up and around by myself. By the time I was ready to head back to New York I had already made up my mind that modeling wasn't for me...I had a brain and I was going to use it.
Wow! I never realized that models had to go those lengths... I mean, I guess I did in the back of my mind, but what you typed sounds really scary! Glad you found a better path!!
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Jamie
I'm impressed that your doctor had the guts and wisdom to say that too you. We need more people in society to speak out about the ridiculous pressure that is placed on women to be thin.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing the rest of your story.
*to you. Sorry, a bit sleep-deprived.
ReplyDeletemrsnice- It amazes me how many models and actresses can go to the lengths they do to stay thin for as long as they do. My body couldn't handle the stress and gave out at six months, but some of these women have been doing it for decades.
ReplyDeleteSolDiner - I remember being shocked to hear my family doctor speak to me the way she did, but she was right. Her words went a long way to getting me back on the right track. Its funny, but thinking about it now, I wonder how much I may have hurt my body during that time.
One-oh-THREE???? Even Nadja Auerman weighed 120, and she was basically emaciated. Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you decided to use your brain. It's a much better investment, and obviously you have a good one.
OMDG - yep..103. I remember how excited I was to see my weight get down that low. I've never regretted leaving modelling, but I have to admit, I still really like the photos of me from that time period.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. Like Solitary Diner, I'm so glad that your doc laid it on the line for you - a great model of courage for us family docs. (I know I am not always brave enough to say what my patients need to hear.) Eagerly awaiting part 2!
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