Stacy Sekiya: Never Look Back
I see a lot of woman on facebook trying to model and you definitely set yourself apart for some reason. I think when I read your stuff and seen pics of you I could tell you weren’t portraying a false character, very down to earth feel that got the attention… As I read deeper and started to converse with you I felt the confidence… Did you have that confidence 3 years ago?
3 years ago I was a totally different person physically and mentally. I was a “broken soul” so to say. I was going through a lot and didn’t have any confidence or self esteem. After breaking off a 5 year long relationship, I went into a deep depression that shaped who I am today. I think when people heard my story and literally watched me go through my transformation; is what set me apart from the other models. This wasn’t really handed to me. What I went through was real, hard, and I had to fight for ALL of it. And that’s why I love my fans, they love me for who I am, what I have done, and the message I am trying to spread. They keep me going, they are my motivation.
What made you decide to get up and change your stride?
Have you ever been in a state of mind where if you didn’t wake up the next day, you would be ok with that? I’ve been there; I was in that state of mind two years ago. I finally woke up one day, walked over to the mirror and I didn’t even recognize who was staring back at me, I just saw emptiness in the image staring at me. I thought about everything that day, and I decided that no one was going to do anything about my situation but me; I had to fix what was broken. I looked at myself in the mirror and said “I am tired of being trapped in a body that doesn’t belong to me” and from that day on, I fought to reclaim my life.
You went through a big change, which you received nationwide recognition for over the past year tell us a bit about that… What was your worst enemy
trying to hold you back and what helped overcome that to become who you are today?
While going through my “dark times” I had gained over 60lbs; now I am not very tall, but at 5’3 I was weighing in at 180lbs. I was very unhealthy and very much out of shape. After that day in the bathroom I thought to myself that if I was going to do this, which was change my life, then failure was not an option, I had a lot to fight for. I started working out in the gym and had a guy introduce me to a weight loss supplement and after losing 20 lbs, he hired me as his spokes model for his supplement company. I literally went from a 180lb property manager to a 120lb fitness model in ten months. He took me on a local TV show here in Denver where he said I was going to compete in a physique competition on live TV. I was so scared, I didn’t want to do it, but what was I to do now that he said I would compete on live TV? I trained hard and competed in the Northern Colorado’s Physique competition and placed 5th! I couldn’t believe I actually placed! Colorado watched my transformation first hand on TV and in doing so I inspired thousands! I have a following on Facebook now because of it, they follow me because I inspire them. Nothing makes me happier then when people tell me I inspire them. I would have to say that my worst enemy during it all was myself. I wanted to quit so many times, I wanted to give up. I literally would have to battle my old life vs. my new life on a daily basis. I was making a complete life style change, NOTHING about that is easy, but I knew there was no other way. The answer was simple, if I wanted this I would have to take the steps necessary to achieve it, if I don’t take those steps then I won’t have it plain and simple. And I wanted to be healthy and love myself again more than anything.
Is there ever times you catch yourself slipping back?
I do find myself having bad days, I’m human and everyone has them. You just have to know and recognize that you’re having a bad day and to fight through it and stay strong. When I have bad days, I like to reflect on where I’m going and where I’ve been. I think I day dream more now than I ever did as a kid which keeps me going. When I work out, I dream of the house I’ll live in someday and the kind of life I want to build for myself. It’s fun and it keeps me sane haha. Going through my transformation has taught me many valuable lessons. I’ve learned the value of hard work, dedication, self love and self respect. I’ve learned the value of true friendships and see life in a new healthier way. So I try to remind myself that I have a greater mission for myself and that keeps me going.
When your modeling everything about you is very genuine, where do you get that from?
When I am modeling, I feel that comes across because I am a genuine person inside. I live my life with a kind heart and I think people can see that through my photos, I feel confident and proud all at the same time. I earned this body and this life and I hope people feel that when they see my work.
What’s your favorite musician?
I love all kinds of music! I listen to a lot of lil Wayne and Drake but it depends on what kind of mood I am in to. Good music is good music to me no matter the genre.
Does your taste in music change when it comes to working out?
Working out for me is my therapy, I listen to anything that makes me feel it in my blood when I’m training, anything that moves you; you know what I’m talking about. I have to do a lot of cardio for my competitions so I usually listen to anything that gets me through it! When Im having a bad day I like music that’s a little angry to reflect my mood, to get it all out and take it out on my body. If I’m amped and hyper, then I like stuff that’s more upbeat. That’s the beauty of music, it’s what emotions sound like.
Who’s your favorite woman superhero, and/or is there a woman in any movies that caught your attention… Where you just like she’s a badass and
motivated you to go harder. Why what about her?
I like Lara Croft Tomb Raider! I just think she looks so strong, powerful, and sexy all at the same time. She looks like a bad ass! When I decided to lose weight I wanted to look strong and muscular, I wanted to look like I could hold my own just like her. I’m tired of seeing skinny little waif women on TV, in magazines, on the runway, we need more female heroines that are healthy looking and portray a healthier image, Hero or Villain. 😉
I know a lot of guys are notorious when it comes to working out and only build upper body and have scrawny ass legs hahaha what are some bad habits
you notice in women’s body that work out cause it’s totally different.. Or any bad habits you yourself still have to break?
I think the worst habit a lot of women make is not hitting the weights. I hear women all the time who are so concerned about “getting bulky” or “getting to muscular.” Muscle gives your body shape and curves and creating a healthy muscle base is good for you. We as women are not built or meant to be “bulky” just don’t go in the weight room and start lifting 40lb dumbbells and you will be ok I promise haha. A lot of women wont go in the weight room because of the men in there. Don’t be intimidated to go in the weight room and show those boys you know how to throw around some iron as well. 😉
What’s your next goal?
I just recently competed in one of Colorado’s largest physique shows “The Rocky” and placed 3rd qualifying me for nationals! I am now a national level athlete, so my next goal is to take on Nationals in Atlanta this November. It’s going to be the hardest competition yet, but I’m ready! At the end of the day no matter what, my mission is to be a healthy role model, a respectable role model, in the hopes that people will want to live healthier lives and find the right balance between life, nutrition, and exercise.
Thanks so much for taking your time to sit down with Unda$treaM… Any special people or last words you’d like to shout out?
I would like to thank my family, for without them I would be lost. I would like to thank my best friends Dan and Angel, you two are the most amazing friends that anyone could ever ask for. You give me strength, and you will forever be in my heart.
Photography by Adam V.
Interview by Breez