When I answered Nancy’s ad, I thought now here’s something that could change the course of life for someone else in the way I wished for. So I went. I had my body photographed. I talked about my insecurities. And you know what? It helped. It actually helped.

As I come closer to the book launch (15 more days!), I’ve had a lot of long discussions with some amazing reporters for various publications. I say “discussions,” because not only have my conversations been well over an hour with each reporter, but also half of the conversation almost always comes from their side about their own body drama and what they learned from the book (even the guys!). The cool thing about Body Drama is that having the book to talk about and defect to when things get a little *too* embarrassing opens up so many opportunities for people to come clean about what they’ve always been curious about, to spill on what’s been bothering them about their own bodies for many years, or to gossip about recent body dramas, like a zit that one reporter was trying to fight the urge to pop (note: DON’T pop zits! Popping spreads bacteria and could cause scarring. It says so on page 29.). It’s like, since I confess my most embarrassing body drama inside, why not share? And that’s awesome!

Anyway, the #1 question I always get from media and readers alike is, Where did you find the girls in the book and who are they? Stay tuned for more information on the where and how of it all, but I’m super-excited to share the who part of the question! I already started with Bianca’s story on Thanksgiving (see the post underneath this one), and many of the women will be participating in book signings and other New York City events once the book comes out. Because I knew y’all didn’t want to wait that long, and because there are a LOT of women in the book, I’m going to start posting messages that lot of the women wrote me about what participating in Body Drama meant to them. Here’s one from Nikki, who is currently a music teacher who teaches teens:

“I don’t pretend to think I was any different than a typical girl growing up: confused, shy, even embarrassed, particularly regarding my changing emotions and my body. While my mother was supportive, encouraging, and health-conscious, I don’t remember much outside of her aiding me in shaving my legs or dealing with my first period. I didn’t get a hold of any body books in my early teenage years, and now, looking back, I wish that I had something as comprehensive, informative and real as Body Drama.”

“I developed disordered eating: I went through bouts of not eating, exercise bulimia, and eventually, real bulimia. I worried about my sexual abnormalities, my body’s odd quirks, to the point of exhaustion. When I answered Nancy’s ad, I thought now here’s something that could change the course of life for someone else in the way I wished for. So I went. I had my body photographed. I talked about my insecurities. And you know what? It helped. It actually helped. Turns out, just the act of facing my issues in the hopes that they can be quelled for someone else was just the push I needed to break out of my own ruts. I am so grateful to Nancy for creating this book and including me in it. I am exceedingly glad the book is now available, and I intend to buy copies to give out like free samples as well as hold dear my own copy, understanding that help can come in all forms, including paperback.”

You’re amazing, Nikki, for sharing your story!

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When I first saw that I was on the cover of the book, I was a little self conscious about what people would think but it took me a second to realize how excited I was about it because it was a huge reminder about how empowering this experience was!!
- Bianca

This Thanksgiving, I’m giving thanks to all of the incredible women who came to my book photo shoots in New York City. As I say in my book, the women photographed aren’t supermodels, but they’re super role models who dared to bare it all so young women can know what REAL beauty looks like. I still keep in touch with almost everyone, and here’s a note one of the women on the cover wrote to me a few weeks ago:

“When I first saw that I was on the cover of the book, I was a little self conscious about what people would think but it took me a second to realize how excited I was about it because it was a huge reminder about how empowering this experience was!! And, I am very glad knowing that by me taking part in Body Drama, I am contributing to young women out there, by letting them know its okay if you feel or look a little different.”

“I’ve since learned to embrace EVERY bump, hair and curve on my body!”

You totally rock, Bianca.

Check back later for more super role model stories, and thanks so much, ladies! Happy Thanksgiving!

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