Walk your talk

Knowing who you are and being comfortable with yourself is not always easy to achieve.

This is the important lesson wellness and lifestyle coach Sharon Castle taught the Miss Ballito finalists during their life coaching sessions.

Castle said the message she wants to instill in the girls is to walk your talk.

“The session is based on self image, belief and trust in who you are,” said Castle.

Finalist Savannah Donaldson worked as a personal trainer for two years and has seen how many girls lack a confident self image.

“The thing I wanted to teach the people I trained the most was to love yourself and to encourage individuality,” said Donaldson.

Leanne Channings is one of the finalists who was particularly shy when she started the Miss Ballito journey.

“Being part of Miss Ballito has been a real confidence booster. I have learned not to try and change who you are for others, because then you lose yourself.”

Channings added that it is important to accept your flaws, because they are part of who you are.

Besides self confidence, Castle wants the girls to embrace that they are unique, flaws and all.

“People are often told that they are not good enough or could have done better. I want the girls to know that they are good enough as they are,” said Castle.

“People who have a low self esteem slow themselves down and although they want to go faster, they cannot, because their foot is on the break pedal,” she said.

Bongiwe Dlamini is another finalist who is excited to learn more about herself.

“I want to be a good role model and I want to share what I have learned with the girls in my community, so that they too can learn to be proud of who they are,” said Dlamini.

So next time you page through a magazine, do not feel intimidated because you do not look like the models.

Only you can be you and that is the way it should be.