Category: FEATURE STORIES

Meet The Man Behind The October 2020 Issue Of Model & Mode: The Incredible Armand Peri

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Bodybuilding expert and serial entrepreneur Armand Peri is no stranger to hard work and overcoming adversity. He was once a seventeen-year-old scrawny kid who used to be bullied a lot but he made a definitive decision to do something about it. He decided to get into weights so that no one would mess around with him anymore and two years later, he was rewarded for all his hard work with a first-place title in the teenage division of “Mr. New Jersey” which then led to winning the heavyweight division in the same competition two years later.

Armand Peri was originally born as the son of Portuguese parents who emigrated to the U.S.; they settled in New Jersey when he was just 12 years of age. He began competitive bodybuilding in the ’90s and all of his hard work eventually paid off as he started winning one bodybuilding competition after another. Besides coming first in the teenage division of “Mr. New Jersey,” he also placed first in other bodybuilding competitions such as the Junior Bodybuilding New Jersey State Championships as well as the NPC Suburban among others.

Fast forward to today and Armand is now a successful entrepreneur, investor, artist, author, and motivational speaker. His fitness goals are quite different now since he’s older and he doesn’t compete in bodybuilding competitions anymore, however, he still works out though just to stay fit and healthy. In his book “Unparalleled Success”, which was published in 2019, he shares his recipe for success. He’s also frequently engaged as a motivational speaker. His genuine desire to help others to achieve true success, while keeping the focus on their professional and personal well-being, is what inspires others to find their own path to victory. Armand also happens to be a mentor to several high-profile personalities such as New York-based fashion model, actor, and former boxing heavyweight champion Rudy Bundini who has modeled for several high profile brands such as Dolce Gabbana, Nike, Armani, Versace, Calvin Klein, Roger Dubuis, Philipp Plein, and Hennessy among others. He also happens to be one of the world’s top male models who was recently featured on Forbes.

Model & Mode magazine recently caught up with Armand to discuss his journey in the world of modeling and bodybuilding and here’s what went down:

How did you develop an interest in fitness and what drove you to pursue that passion onto social media?

I developed an interest in fitness when I was a scrawny teenager wanting to improve my physical appearance; I began weight training at the age of 17 years old.

How do you balance maintaining a fit body while being busy with being an entrepreneur?

By making my workouts a priority in my life, I always make time for it!

We also note that you were a former bodybuilding champion, when you were competing, what was your diet like?

I began competitive bodybuilding in the ’90s and the following is a list of my bodybuilding achievements: First place at the Junior Bodybuilding New Jersey State Championships, first place at the Mr. New Jersey competition, NPC Suburban Overall Winner (first place), third place at the NPC Jr. Nationals, fourth place at the NPC Jr. USA Championships and sixth place at the NPC USA Championships. My diet back then was low fat, moderate carbohydrates, and one gram of protein per pound of body weight.

Being now that you’re older, has much changed in terms of your fitness training and diet? If so, what has changed?

Since my fitness goals are different now, I work out just to stay fit and healthy.

Do you have a moment in your career when you felt it was the pinnacle for you?

I’m still climbing up in my career so every day is a new pinnacle.

Do you have any “secrets” to bodybuilding success that you would like to share with everyone?

The secret to bodybuilding success is to just be consistent and stay the course, never give up!

What’s your view on the sport of bodybuilding right now? What do you feel has changed since the days when you were competing?

I believe the sport of bodybuilding has changed in the direction of becoming more of a freak show! I prefer the aesthetics of a physique like “Frank Zane’s” over the big monsters of present-day bodybuilding.

Are there any people you would like to thank for helping you get to where you are today? Is there anyone in particular who inspired you?

Yes, I would like to thank my wife Fran Peri who always supported and believed in me.

We further note that you’re a mentor to some of the top male models in the world, which models are you mentoring at the moment and how do you juggle being a mentor with being a successful entrepreneur?

I mentor Rudy Bundini (@rudybundini) who is a New York-based fashion model, actor, and former boxing heavyweight champion. He was recognised as the male model of the year by IMTA. Rudy has so far modeled for high profile brands such as Dolce Gabbana, Nike, Armani, Versace, Calvin Klein, Roger Dubuis, Philipp Plein, and Hennessy and has appeared in numerous runways, campaigns, magazine covers, and billboards. He is also currently one of the world’s top male models who was just featured on Forbes.

What are some of the difficulties of being in the industry?

You have to get used to being rejected without losing faith, just remember that someone will eventually say yes because it’s just a number’s game!

If someone is going to make your life into a movie, who would play you?

Maybe Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (laughs)!

The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1. Best comfort food: Tagliatelle pasta topped with shaved black truffles.

2. Best pick-me-up: Just always be yourself, never pretend to be someone you’re not!

3. Last good movie I’ve seen: “The Gentlemen” starring Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, and Michelle Dockery.

4. Three most important characteristics in a person: Integrity, organization, and loyalty.

5. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? Visit Australia.

For more details about Armand please visit his official website on Armand Peri or follow Armand on social media via his social media accounts:

Instagram: lifeperiway

Facebook: ArmandPeriBodybuilder

Twitter armandperi

TikTok  armandperi

Trying To Get “Woke??” Here’s How To Awaken The “REAL” You

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We all recognise that social media is a tool, it is almost a ‘who drones wins’ game of crafting attention, engagement, and a mass following to be garnered and used for any given agenda – whether to fuel ego or for a more enterprising purpose. The landscape can be dominated by influence marketing, get-rich-quick-schemes, and Instagram models. Whilst the platforms all undoubtedly have their applications, the game is still basically about who makes the best moves on the chessboard of popularity.

When even ‘less mainstream’ content is filtered through such a distorted prism, and every human act or accomplishment requires a tick of approval, where can we possibly find any clarity of perspective? We are always showing the idealised side of ourselves and our lives. There is an overwhelming need to display our finest moments and to sidestep our worst.

Where is the reality? Just like that tree in the forest, living in the world of social media means we can’t even fathom stepping outside the frame to understand the bigger picture.

One perspective to examine is that of Nicole Armit, Holographic Kinetics (HK) practitioner (and holistic qualified chef) of ‘The Mind Foodie’. She says “…it all starts with us. Our perceptions and reactions, the world inside our own selves – the ongoing journey. Learning how powerful we can be when we tune in the observation of what is in our hearts and in our spirits. Find what helps you do that, without giving away your own power.”

Her approach – in accordance with the central tenets of the HK as a modality as espoused by founder Stephen Richards – is to access an internal mechanism as the sovereign guide to renewed choice and intent. This refers to ‘Spirit’, an essence that is neither New Age nor religious but, exists purely in its own right, belonging fundamentally to each and every individual on this planet. HK is comprised of the ancient Aboriginal knowledge of the laws of ‘Lore’ and the understanding that all things in nature are alive.

Empowerment is seen as the ability to change and manifest new cycles and patterns in an individual right down to their core, on a fractal level, and on multiple timelines. It is based on the principle that there is an internal invisible world that exists alongside the external. The zero points of these worlds are always the observer.

This means empowerment is the acknowledgment that we are the creator of our universe. This is how we answer the question of the tree falling in the forest: we are the arbiter of our own reality.

This viewpoint is echoed by Nigel Reading, a prominent architect and TEDx speaker responsible for the ‘Asynsis Paradigm’ that examines fractal geometries as embedded in complex systems and living beings alike. He states that “…we need to look at both the animate and inanimate, at the dynamical and space-time, not just the frozen and static.”

Just like the universe in and around us, we are perfectly paradoxical. No bandwagon, no predominant expectation, nor- or any form of outwardly driven phenomenon can give us our power. It is already within.

Despite a conditioned inclination to do the opposite, it is about not shying away from our darker moments, our deepest wounds, and perceived failings. Rather, it is about embracing and redefining them in the present. The process is dynamic. It is transcendental. Most importantly, empowerment is a vital force that is diametric to any extraneous viewpoint. In plain speak, it just is.

Trying to ‘get woke’? Maybe just try getting real.

6 Best Detox Waters For Weight Loss And Body Cleanse

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Did you know that water makes up 95 percent of the human brain and 60 to 70 percent of the entire body? Hydration is essential for both mental acuity and physical performance. Sometimes, it can be difficult to get your eight glasses of water per day. Perhaps your lifestyle/diet has included increased levels of alcohol and caffeine? The detrimental effects of these toxins can be reversed with increased hydration.

Detox waters are great ways to make water more enjoyable. And, they have extra health benefits as well. It’s really simple – just fill up a container or glass with water and add nutritious ingredients. Leave overnight to distill. You’ll find that a lot of everyday fruits and veggies, and also kitchen cupboard staples, can easily transform humble H2O into your personalized detox solution. Here are the top picks:

Lemon

Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin c and enzymes. Nothing really tops the natural cleansing properties of citric acid. Lemon has been associated with boosting the liver’s function and tissue regeneration. This means great things for your metabolism and you’ll be radiating with healthy skin.

Cucumbers

The humble cucumber is one of the most hydrating of all vegetables – it’s mostly made up of water. It’s great for your physical health as it contains the minerals magnesium, potassium, silicon, and sulfur (those last two are particularly great for stimulating hair growth). Also, it’s very high in vitamins C and B, working synonymously to promote good general health and energy levels.

Strawberries

We all know strawberries are a luscious, tasty fruit. They provide a great flavour while also packing a punch of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Actually, it’s the phytonutrients in strawberries (that gives them their distinctive flavour and smell) that provide protective, disease-preventing compounds. Strawberries also have been proven to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cranberries/cranberry juice

Cranberry is perhaps best known for its ability to fight and preventing urinary tract infections. This berry can also improve immune function and lower cholesterol. Cranberry juice is a lot more convenient and easy to acquire in a supermarket than the berries in whole form. The berries themselves are often referred to as a “superfood” for their extremely high nutrient and antioxidant density.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a pantry staple but it’s also a very powerful detox supplement. It contains pectin, which is great for intestinal health. Just one or two tablespoons mixed in water can work well to reduce bloating and water retention. It’s also brilliant in combating indigestion. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can also work to suppress appetite and increase metabolism.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper has long been used therapeutically by many societies throughout the world. It stimulates circulation and helps to neutralise acidity. It works hard to get the digestive tract moving. This means increased metabolism and weight loss through the assimilation and elimination of toxins. Helping the body to sweat and to increase lymphatic and digestive rhythms, cayenne pepper in your morning beverage provides a great total body detox.

Meet The Model Behind The August 2020 Issue Of Model & Mode: The Stunning Maia Fuchs

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Maia Fuchs is a half Australian and half Israeli model who was initially doing TPF (Time for print) shoots with various photographers once in a while when she came across a pageant called Miss Auto D’Elegance – it was looking for contestants last year. She decided to apply and she actually made it as a finalist for Miss Auto D’Elegance 2019 where she eventually ended up placing 4th overall. From then on, she got scouted by the CEO of a modeling agency who was in the audience at the time and she has been modeling full time ever since.

Model & Mode Magazine recently caught up with Maia to discuss her journey in the modeling ndustry and here’s what went down:

Tell us your full name and something about yourself

My name is Maia Fuchs and I was originally born in Australia. I lived in England for a few years, after which I then moved and grew up in America, and now I’m back home in Sydney. I live here with my mom, dad, brother, 2 pet birds, and my gorgeous pet greyhound.

Photo Credit: Dave Choo

How did you get into the modeling industry? How were you actually ‘discovered’?

I was doing a few TFP shoots every now and then just for fun when I saw that the pageant, Miss Auto D’Elegance, was looking for models. I ended up applying and making it into the finals where I placed 4th. From there I got scouted by an agency that was in the audience at the time and I’ve been modeling full time ever since.

What do you like most about being a model?

There are so many talented and passionate people in this industry and it’s just such a pleasure getting to meet and work with every single one of them. You always come out of a shoot with tons of helpful tips and friendships.

The downside to being a model?

It’s a whole lifestyle. If you really want to be the best model you can be then you need to make sure you’re eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising daily, and just overall taking care of your mental health. If those are not things you normally do it can be quite difficult to change your whole routine around to add them in.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the modeling industry so far?

Last February I was flown to Bali, Indonesia for the Australian Supermodel Of The Year competition. It was so amazing getting to meet all the talented models from all over Australia and being able to exchange all of our different modeling stories, all the while being in Bali and learning about the world of fashion from various industry professionals.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

When I was in Bali the ASOTY team brought in Esma Volder, the current Miss World titleholder, and she was absolutely an inspiration. She is an amazing spokesperson for the company Bully Zero and just overall an amazing role model. It was truly inspiring to hear her speak about what she stands for and how she got to this point in her life.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the modeling industry. This can be about the industry or yourself.

That everyone is beautiful and its good to be unique and different. I used to get bullied for my pale skin, freckles, and red hair which is now all of the things that help me stand out in a casting and book jobs. Modeling has really helped me appreciate all of my “flaws” and that even though I may look different I am still beautiful.

Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?

I like to constantly take myself away from work and put myself out in nature. I always go for hikes and walks with my dog to remind myself that there is so much more to life than just what I’m doing or working on in that current moment.

Is your family supportive of you being in the modeling industry?

Absolutely! It was their idea for me to give modeling a go. Before I got my license they used to drive me to every shoot as well. I am so grateful for them for giving me this opportunity, I would have never been able to start without all their help.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

I’d love to work as a full-time fashion model one day. It would be an absolute dream of mine to be featured in Vogue magazine.

One On One With The CEO Of Royalle Modelling: George Bastoli

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Royalle Modelling is an international talent agency based in Sydney with a reputation for being one of Australia’s most prestigious agencies.

They recruit, train, and develop unique talents for various photo shoots, TV commercials, video shoots, and runway events. Founder and CEO of Royalle Modelling, George Bastoli has over 15 years of experience in the modeling industry combined with 10 years of experience in corporate marketing.

Model & Mode magazine recently caught up with George and here’s what went down:

Firstly, congratulations on the 11th year anniversary. How do you feel?

Thank you. I’m very proud of what we’ve created.

So how did Royalle Modelling get started?

Good question. I actually got into the industry when I was 12 years old, helping my uncle behind the scenes for a beauty pageant in Dee Why.

I didn’t really know what it was all about, I was just helping out and I guess I liked the excitement and fast pace of it all. When I turned 18, I actually started doing some modeling work myself part-time and was pretty popular in the club and social scenes. Soon, lots of people wanted to know how I got into it so I started helping out friends and random people get modeling and promo work. In 2008 I thought, I should start a company, so I created Royalle and we kind of did everything from promo modeling, artist management through to events management. It was very different to where we are today.

So you’ve been in the industry since you were 12 years old?? Amazing! So, how old are you now if you don’t mind us asking?

I’m 31…but sometimes people think I’m 18 (laughs)

You started the agency in 2008. We’re sure a lot has happened in the 10 years that Royalle has been around. What were some of the key things that you have learned about the industry?

Wow, big question! There’s so much I’ve learned and I still learn more every day. I’ve literally managed thousands of models around the world and have worked with all sorts of clients; from backyard brands to companies as big as YSL, L’Oréal, and Reebok. I guess the main thing I’ve learned is that the trends will always change, but you need to make sure your values don’t.

I really enforce this to all our models to uphold our values as a fundamental that they bring into every conversation and situation and its one of the things I’m the proudest of most. I have so much more to share but I’ll be here all year if I keep going…

We love that. What sort of values does Royalle Encourage?

Well, what makes a person memorable in my opinion isn’t how they look, but how they make you feel. When someone is genuine you can really pick it up. When you’re genuinely doing something you’re passionate about, it’s almost impossible for anyone else to do it better than you because passion and love is way more powerful than ‘technique.’ But because technique is also very important, I make sure we invest lots of time in training and developing our models to be the best at their passions while also encouraging them to explore their diversity and to learn from one another. You also need to have integrity. Integrity builds trust. I can happily say that I trust our models. We have an open relationship and I know our clients really appreciate that about us. It’s really those values of Passion, being open-minded, and having Integrity that Royalle Modelling Encourages.

What would you say is the main thing that separates Royalle from other agencies?

Oh, I love this question. Royalle has ALWAYS been the industry dark horse as we do things VERY differently (laughs). It has created some unique reactions over the years but now we sit as one of the top 4 agencies in Australia so I feel like the world is ready for what we offer.

To answer your question, the main thing that we have always done differently is providing a family-style environment to those that wouldn’t normally even be given a shot because of ‘set industry standards’ (175cm tall, size 4-6, Caucasian). I mean, we employ many models that fit that profile, but that’s not entirely who we are. Our gift is that we love to find naturally beautiful people in a thousand unique ways and teach them the Royalle Standards. Our values are heavily enforced and the training and development opportunities we provide, from production through to mentoring, is strong and consistent. We absolutely LOVE getting our models their dream jobs and have zero tolerance for bad attitudes and people who treat our modeling opportunities as ‘just a job.’ I’m very proud to say that we have one of the lowest turnovers of models and clients in the industry and we do this WITHOUT the need for contracts.

Sounds amazing! We also noticed that Royalle has one of the highest ratings with the most reviews on Google. Well done. Now for the last question, what is one piece of advice you want to give to anyone out there who is thinking about becoming a model.

The modeling industry can be a very fun and rewarding place, but also a very damaging place if you don’t know how to navigate it. It is a professional industry that is often polluted by creeps and naive people who think that Instagram likes equals modeling credibility. My advice is to treat the modeling space like a professional career job because it is. Act professional, communicate professionally, learn, and dedicate yourself.

@chrisdavidphoto, @royallemodelling, Chris David Photography, Model:
Maria Arruty, Photo: Chris David, Royalle Modelling

Introducing Model & Mode Magazine’s Latest Covergirl: The Stunning Liudmyla Tkachenko

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Liudmyla Tkachenko is a stunning Ukrainian model who is currently based in Los Angeles. She grew up in a picturesque town stretching in the western region of Ukraine. Ever since she was a little girl, she has always dreamed of becoming an international model someday. Unfortunately, the economic situation in Ukraine was bad at the time, and since she had no connections in the fashion industry – becoming an international model seemed like an almost impossible feat. But Liudmyla was persistent though, despite her situation, she was determined to turn her childhood dream into reality.

Liudmyla’s first taste of the modeling industry came in the form of a modeling contract that was offered to her to work somewhere in China. Although China has always been considered as one of the most dynamic, and vibrant countries in the world, moving to work in China can often seem daunting because of the language barrier and cultural differences. However, Liudmyla really wanted to make things work with her modeling career hence the reason why she felt that she needed a deeper cultural immersion in the Chinese ways for the sake of her career. She decided to hone her Chinese language skills first so she started taking Chinese language classes. Eventually, she came to the point that she was actually quite fluent in Mandarin.

Since working as a full-time model in China, She has appeared in several high-profile commercials and magazines in Asia. Liudmyla worked as a full-time model for a few years in Asia mainly around Hong Kong, China, and Thailand before deciding to move to the United States to further pursue her modeling career. When she moved to the United States in 2016, she didn’t speak a word of English which was tough because she had to start from the bottom again. She, therefore, decided to study English in a New York-based language school while pursuing her modeling career at the same time.

Liudmyla’s persistence eventually paid off when she started scoring one good gig after another. Since working as a model in New York, she has appeared several times in New York Fashion Week. She has walked for high-profile designers such as Dan Liu, Terraza, and Oxford Fashion, among others, and she has also done photoshoots for high-profile fashion magazines such as the L’Officiel magazine, Marie Claire, MD Trends magazine, Imaginary magazine, and Marjen magazine. Furthermore, she was involved in several catalog shoots as well as a number of exciting projects. Her photos from the New York Fashion Week shows have even been featured in Vogue, Elle, as well as Harper’s Bazaar.

After modeling for two years in New York, Liudmyla decided to try her luck at acting by moving to Los Angeles. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has appeared in a Nike commercial, as well as a few alcohol commercials, and she also scored a role in an upcoming film called “The Nowhere Inn.” The movie is set to premiere in the Sundance film festival 2020. Currently, Liudmyla is studying at an acting school called Beverly Hills Playhouse hoping that this can be her ticket to more projects in Hollywood.

Starting from a humble background, Liudmyla was initially faced with poverty as well as other problems, but she learned how to overcome all that fate threw at her. She moved forward with a single-minded determination to achieve success. Having reached her goal of becoming an international model, she’s definitely a classic example of the results of hard work and determination.

Model & Mode magazine recently caught up with Liudmyla to discuss her journey in the modeling world and here’s what went down:

Could you please provide background about yourself and how were you actually ‘discovered’?

I’m originally based in Ukraine. I got started as a model when an agent from a modeling agency in Ukraine came up to me whilst I was in the middle of grocery shopping. The agent told me that he saw potential in me as a model. I, therefore, decided to visit their office the next day and that’s when I got signed up with my first mother agency.

What does it mean to you to be a model?

It means always being a role model for other people as well as spreading positivity and good energy.

What sort of person usually follows you? Who’s your main audience?

I actually have a lot of male and female followers so there’s a balance. People who love traveling as well as an active lifestyle always follow me as well.

What’s the biggest challenge to modeling?

Don’t pay attention to rejections. Stay strong and focused.

Have you always wanted to be in the modeling industry?

Yes, it has been my dream since I was a little girl.

What’s your personal mission in life?

Make the world a better place. Spread positivity and good energy.

What has been the most memorable experience of your career so far?

When I walked for high-profile designers such as Dan Liu and Terraza during the New York Fashion Week. The photos from their shows have also been published in Vogue magazine.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

I have met so many talented and creative people that it’s hard for me to choose specific names. The fashion industry is full of interesting, and creative people.

How active are you on social media?

I am quite active on Instagram. I love posting new content daily.

What is your favourite social media platform?

Instagram is definitely my favorite social media platform.

What will you advise other models who may wish to follow your footsteps?

Always believe in yourself. Be focused and enjoy every moment of the journey!

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

I am planning to get into acting.

The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1. Last good movie I’ve seen: Hollywood.

2. What do you consider beautiful and why? Beautiful minds of people, beautiful nature, and beautiful life. Life is beautiful because it’s full of blessings.

3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? I want to learn surfing.

4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” surf in Hawaii.

5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? My positive energy and kindness.

Meet The Beautiful Women Behind The Cover Of The Latest Issue Of Model & Mode Magazine

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Set at the Rydges Parramatta on the 28th of February 2020, eight extremely motivated and inspirational women took on the challenge of competing for five prestigious titles. After months of training and doing charitable work, the five beauty queens have finally been handed down their respective titles by the Australian International Pageant National Director, Ferial Youakim. The International Pageants system is a unique system that differs from other pageant systems due to the authenticity in its aim to strive to serve others in the community. It simultaneously creates an opportunity for women to become self-empowered and empower others. Now let’s meet the 2020 queens (Photos courtesy of Ruby Adamson):

Laura Ratliff (Mrs. Australia International 2020)

Laura Ratliff sparkles for every child. She’s a wife, an entrepreneur, a public speaker, and a philanthropist.

When Laura was a child in school, she was actually shy and she struggled with confidence. Through the support of her mum and dad, she eventually received the tools and guidance that helped her overcome her challenges. From a young age, growing up in Sydney Australia, she has a passion for the performing arts, racing motorbikes, circus arts, and having fun. But her constant thought was – there must be something more and there must be a reason why she’s here. Through the combination of all of the skills she developed in her childhood, she laid the foundation of her business, Fairy La La Land. In 2014 Laura became an international businesswoman when she found a fantastic company called “Send Out Cards”. That strengthened her belief in the power of appreciation and building relationships that led her to find the man of her dreams and a fairytale wedding in Salt Lake City.

Her decision to enter the Mrs. Australian International pageant started when she was looking for charity organizations to help children. Laura and her husband Barton were eating lunch in SLC when she read an article about Robin Towel, the current Mrs, International 2019, and the work she does for Teen suicide prevention. Robin inspired Laura to follow in her footsteps and allow her to inspire and help even more children through this wonderful platform. Her mission is to inspire children to reach their full potential through health, fitness, and a positive mindset. Over the past ten years, she has had the privilege to make children smile and in the process, promote a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude. She is now the support for children around the world living in poverty. There are 730,000 children in Australia and 15 million children in the USA alone, living in poverty. She is on a mission to lower those numbers and provide programs to help them have a bigger, brighter future.

Laura instantly connected with the McCabe Foundation and its mission to provide education and support to inner-city youth, where they can grow and develop positive personal development skills needed as they grow into adulthood. The McCabe Foundation is partnered with Nancy Lieberman Charities to bring these tools to the youth through competitive sports, mentorship, and various educational opportunities. By partnering with the McCabe Foundation who support the Nancy Lieberman Charities, she is able to bring awareness to this problem and raise funds for multiple sports and leadership programs that deliver opportunities for children. By donating one dream court to the Nancy Lieberman charity, she’s able to give children living in low-income areas the chance to learn new skills, learn about a healthy lifestyle and build relationships with their local peers giving them focus, skills, and a network of positive influence who will help to change the cores of their future. It is her goal, as Mrs. Australia International 2020 to create 2 dream courts; one in Sydney, Australia, and one in Utah, USA that millions of children in low-income areas can benefit for years to come. To follow Mrs. Australia International 2020, Laura Ratliff’s journey, you can visit her official website (www.laurajaneratliff.com).

Sindu Varathan (Ms. Australia International 2020)

Sindu Varathan was originally born and raised in India but she decided to follow a career opportunity in Singapore and now she has been in Australia for the past decade. She is an IT Technical Consultant by profession and she is also the founder of ‘Hasi Splash’ – a not for profit which strives to bring a splash of love, hope, and laughter with acts of kindness into people’s lives, in their community and beyond. Education has played a very important role in her life and has been one of her key tools to navigate through the different transitions in her life. She believes every child has a right to a safe environment and a right to education. This is what inspired her to enter into the world of pageantry and join hands with the Save The Children organisation as her platform who works hard “building a better world for and with children.”

Life eventually unfolded into some very uncertain turns in what Sindu thought was a perfect life. She says that becoming a single parent opened her eyes to the vulnerability of a child during those difficult transitions and advocating for child rights became her passion since then. Sindu currently lives in Victoria and is actively involved in her local community raising awareness for her platform. She loves her beautiful sash and crown but she believes that her mission is much deeper than the surface. She is determined to make the most of her title to make the most of these opportunities awarded to her by helping those children that really need a voice.

Tiffany Shen (Miss Australia International 2020)

Tiffany Shen is an ambassador for The Sunlight Foundation – an organisation focussed on putting a stop to child trafficking.

Inspired by the sacrifices of her mother, Tiffany decided to act selflessly on an issue close to her own heart. Sadly, the loathsome crime of child-trafficking is rising, especially in Asia, where girls and boys, often no more than six or seven years old are sold as trophies to sex-tourists and other pedophiles, then passed on to suffer more obscene violence in the brutal sex slums of Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. When Tiffany traveled to Vietnam, her eyes were opened to the terrible industry and she is now determined to make a difference and create a change within the government to tackle this issue.

Adelayde Mckellar (Miss Teen Australia International 2020)

Adelayne is the newly crowned Miss Teen Australia International 2020. She is a fourth-year hairdressing apprentice from Queensland and she decided to use her voice to raise awareness for the escalating issue of domestic violence after a tragedy in her family’s life sparked her need for change.

Sadly, Adelayde lost a beloved family member to domestic violence and that’s when she knew something had to be done. She is definitely a young woman on a mission.

Michelle Fleming (Goodwill Ambassador Australia International 2020)

Michelle Fleming was the reigning Ms. Australia International last year and she earnt the title of Goodwill Australia International Ambassador just recently. She’s a 45-year-old mother of three children (Tiarna, Blake, and Ruby) and she resides in the Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales. She works as a care worker/nurse in her local community.

Michelle’s passion and mission for her platforms, homelessness, and farmers are much deeper than her crown and sash. Her passion for rural Australia stems back to her childhood, but it grew deeper with the effects of the drought. She has spent the last seven years being a role model; advocating and working closely alongside vulnerable souls in her community, and empowering others with her inspiring life story. She also survived a traumatic brain injury leaving her with epilepsy, speech, and memory issues, resulting in her, becoming a single mum and homeless. Her life story is about hope, determination, resilience, and faith.

Michelle gains a unique sense of purpose by helping others. She helps her homeless friends and farmer families settle into a life of love and support and assists them in securing accommodation and employment. She has initiated hundreds of successful fundraising events over the years to assist her community. The most recent fundraiser “Queens Heart N Soul 4 Kids” is a team effort with her Australia International Team. Each queen has pledged to walk/run 50km in August with the goal to raise funds of around $5000.00 for Westmead Children’s hospital.

“The fulfilling feeling of giving back and contributing to society is unparalleled. I believe we can make a positive difference and restore hope in the lives of others and ourselves through caring and giving, I recommend everyone to immerse themselves in their community and surround themselves with people who are dedicated to making a positive difference in the world.” Michelle actually encourages women to join the prestigious Australia International pageant system. “It truly is a sisterhood of genuine, beautiful, empowering women with diverse backgrounds, advocating for great causes. Ferial Youakim our Director, leads by example. We are family, making a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Michelle is dedicated and determined to make the most of her title and to embrace every opportunity to empower others to join her movement to make a positive difference in the lives of others. In fact, she has forged a life committed to helping restore lives and hope for others. She works tirelessly to unite communities in order to break the stereotypes and break barriers surrounding homelessness, so everyone can feel valued and have a sense of belonging. She lives by the motto “always stay humble and kind” and “we give hope to others through caring.”

Get To Know Instagram Superstar Stephanie Hunt

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Being a model can be difficult, often requiring people to make tough sacrifices. However, it can also prove to be a highly rewarding experience. For Stephanie Hunt, modeling has allowed her to travel around the world, get involved with high profile names such as Guess, Revlon, designer Melba Aros, Lady Jayne, Toscow Jewelery, celebrity hairstylist, David Babaii and magazines such as Camilla, RUSSH, Cosmopolitan, and FTV as well as meet a lot of interesting new people.

Stephanie has certainly proven that she can rely not only on her looks for her success but also on her focus, drive, and ambition. Added to that is a healthy dollop of good sense! ‘Challenges’ are a normal part of working as a model (“Modeling has definitely thickened up my skin!”) and to Stephanie, one’s attitude towards them will define you, “love and believe in yourself! I know that sounds so corny, but it can be really tough being around intimidatingly successful and gorgeous people and still feel as though you fit the bill.”

According to Stephanie, the biggest factor that determines how successful you will be is how much you want to succeed. Along with this strong passion, you should have a strong sense of integrity. Often, these values will have a bigger impact on your potential success than your looks. You should also take as many opportunities as you can, which will allow you to build your network. For many young models, a strong network is more important than seeing financial returns. In addition, it’s key to master social media. This is becoming increasingly important, allowing you to send a clear message to your fans. Once you’ve chosen your brand, use each post to re-enforce it. Social media also allows you to build a strong platform to get more people interested in your brand. You should use this tool to connect with your audience.

Stephanie’s early struggles with low self-esteem have served to spur this young entrepreneur ever onwards. She not only juggles her modeling career with her fulltime job but she also regularly volunteers at an animal shelter! It “serves as a great reminder of what my priorities should be, and what really matters in life. Having a  healthy balance between work, my personal life, and my volunteering has been the key to staying grounded for me.”

That healthy balance seems to be her recipe for success as well with many plans in the works for this talented (she speaks French and plays the piano!) young lady. But to Stephanie, it will always be “that with self-belief, hard work, dedication and a lot of resilience, you really can achieve anything.”