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Sometimes I look back in horror at how cruel I used to be to my body. Smoking, drinking, drugs, shit food.. you name it – I’m guilty of it. About a month ago, I was diagnosed with a ‘hurty’ knee after a failed yoga demonstration in Sierra Leone – what hit me the hardest was the realisation that whatever I’d done to my knee couldn’t be undone. It was injured. And that was that. When it comes to our bodies, we don’t get a second chance. Whilst waiting for an MRI appointment today (‘hurty’ knee required a scan), I was chatting with a friend of mine who has been dealing with severe back pain for years. She’s tried exercising, chiropractic, physio, back surgery (ouch!) and god knows what else –...

Ahhh, resistance. I know it well – and you know it too. Resistance, procrastination – whatever. It’s that feeling that stops you from doing what you really want to do. You know what I mean. “That’s it, I’m sick of feeling gross! I’m going to start eating healthy.. tomorrow.. let me just finish this family size block of cadbury chocolate first..”...

As much as I’d like to claim that I’m right about everything, all the time, I can’t do it. But, there is one thing that I’m ALWAYS right about. I’m ALWAYS right about what’s best for me. But how often do we go against what we know is right for us? I do it all the time. A few days ago, I decided it would be a brilliant idea to do a Yoga demonstration for our One Girl Sierra Leone team. We were discussing our favourite activities (outside of work). Whilst rushing through my demonstration, I moved quickly into a low lunge, lost my balance, twisted awkwardly and heard an disturbing *pop* erupt from my left knee. At first I thought it was my knee’s way of expressing how pleased it was with me. “Chantelle, I was so...

I know I’ve been quiet on the blogging front for the last few months. Truth be told, 2012 has been pretty rough. There’s been lots of ‘stuff’ going on, but I’ve had zero motivation to share it. I’m in Sierra Leone at the moment, and I want to share about what’s going here, but I felt bad about launching into travel stories when I’ve been so quiet for so long. Yesterday, that changed. I read an article by Dave Ursillo (a brilliant writer and great friend of mine) called 26 Confessions I’ve Never Told You. He challenged his readers to express themselves more fully. To open up. To really share. So that’s what I’m doing. I’m tearing the Gaffa tape off my mouth. No more hiding away from the...

A conundrum for you. You’re walking along a street, and you notice a small boy sitting on the side of the road. This boy is incredibly malnourished. Face gaunt from lack of food, distended belly, visible ribs and shockingly thin limbs. He’s starving. He sits on the side of the road with his hand lifted. He’s begging. You’re shocked. What Would You Do? (note your answer) You know that most begging that occurs in this area is organised. Street gangs kidnap abandoned children and train them to beg. The children are abused in every possible way. Physical assault, forced starvation, sexual abuse, disfigurement – it’s all used as a ploy to attract more money whilst begging. Each day, exploited children are dropped at different points...

“I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line.” - Lucille Ball. So true. But why are we so quick to forget it? With just 3 days to go until Do It In A Dress completes, we’re coming to the end of an incredibly successful campaign. With 66 people participating across 5 different countries, and enough money raised to put 100 girls back in school PLUS extra funds for our social enterprise – our amazing Do It In A Dress team has kicked some serious ass. I’m happy, proud and a little overwhelmed. I’m also tired – and just a few days ago – I was resentful. My passion for One Girl had dulled, and my weekend was spent lying in bed with a head cold. But these...