Role models have an astounding effect on the lives of young people in our society. A role model has the ability to shape the views, ideals, and actions of a young person. Role models help youth to discover how they wish to become in the future. The influence that role models have over young people is tremendous. It is important for role models to be positive and responsible in instilling good morals and values because future generations are directly dependent on the role models of today. By examining the influence of role models, role models in the community, and role models in the media, we will be able to determine the true effect that role models have on the lives of youth.
Wait a minute… let’s all laugh at ‘youth’ hahaha! I am currently 27 But hey – I lost a few years of my life after my accident, well didn’t really loose them I just can’t remember them. Best thing, I don’t want to remember them – always looking forward, never looking back – you can’t change yesterday, but you can start changing tomorrow, today!
There are a few influential people in my life at the moment that are quite inspiring to me. So let’s start with the people that are residents of the Hinchinbrook Shire.
1 – My dad – Big Al – So if anyone out there hasn’t read the piece I wrote on dad I suggest you do…. IT’S FREAKING AWESOME! I surprise myself sometimes!
https://aquoonline.com/2019/12/04/my-dad-big-al/
My dad is a legend for reasons I can’t bring myself to discuss – I’m crying on my keyboard as I write this. He’s been through a lot in the last decade and has come out the other end swinging. When you’re a kid at school, and they ask you what you want to be when you grow up – I want to be just like my dad.
2 – Karen Venables – Karen is the owner of JK’s deli in Ingham and has been a great support, whether she knows it or not, for me in discovering who I really am and how powerful I actually am. Karen is a bloody superhero – I have no idea how the hell she gets as much done in a day as she does! And on top of running a successful business (with amazing coffee and some of the best food in the Hinchinbrook Shire) she has raised three absolutely beautiful daughters and married a man that reminds me so much of my dad it’s not funny.
I recently had Karen signed one of the books that she put me on to right when I started out, and it means so much to me because in years to come when I am taking over the world I can look back and read the message Karen wrote me. Karen is one of the most loving, humble, successful women I know. “I’m nothing special lovie.” – Um correction yes you freaking are!
3 – Rachel Finch – So someone who’s not too far from home, she’s actually from Townsville! I’ve met Rachel a few times at modeling gigs when I was younger.
Rachael was born on 8 July 1988 is an Australian TV host, model, and beauty pageant titleholder. She was awarded the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for the 2006 Miss Teen Australia and finished as 3rd runner-up at Miss Universe 2009.
Since 2011, Finch has worked for Seven Sport as a roving reporter at events such as the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup and Olympics.
I read her book ‘Happy Healthy Strong‘ and it hit pretty close to home. Rachel proves that it doesn’t matter where your from, you can become anything you want to become.
4 – Louise Hay – Dubbed “the closest thing to a living saint” by the Australian media, Louise Hay is also known as one of the founders of the self-help movement. Her first book, ‘Heal Your Body,’ was published in 1976, long before it was fashionable to discuss the connection between the mind and body. Revised and expanded in 1988, this best-selling book introduced Louise’s concepts to people in 33 different countries and has been translated into 25 languages throughout the world.
Louise’s book and dvd set ‘You can heal your life” has helped me turn my life around. From being a typan full of the deadliest venom (I was cranky) to now the most positive version of myself – I really have healed my life! My cousin put me on to it after an incident happened with a friend’s father when I was younger. I never understood how powerful Louise’s material was until recently – and WOW!
This link will take you to Louise Hay’s official website.
5 – Bethany Hamilton – Another influential person to me is Bethany. Bethany Hamilton (born February 8, 1990) is an American professional surfer who survived a 2003 shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off but who ultimately returned to professional surfing.
She wrote about her experience in the 2004 autobiography Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. In April 2011, the feature film Soul Surfer was released. She now has a new movie called, Unstoppable, where she shows the struggles and happiness of her family. Hamilton has been in the WSL league for quite a few years. Her best friend, Alana Blanchard, is also a pro surfer.
So like me – She only has one functional arm BUT her other arm was bitten off! She will never regain any kind of movement, it’s not there – at least I still have my arm, no matter how functional it is. She also has two beautiful little boys, as do I… Boys rock!
This link will take you to Bethany Hamilton’s official website.
6 – Leanne Hall – Is a Psychologist who has been in private practice for over 15 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, as well as qualifications in both nutrition and fitness.
In addition to her clinical practice, Leanne has held various academic teaching and research roles. She has particular expertise in illness and disease prevention and early intervention, as well as working with people suffering with anxiety, depression and body image issues. Leanne’s holistic approach to health means that she also works with patients experiencing chronic and acute health issues and lifestyle diseases; such as IBS, Crohn’s disease and colitis, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and auto immune disease.
When I was a few months in on my fitness journey, I bought her book ‘Head first health fast.’ It was all about changing your whole mindset from wanting to loose weight to achieving sustainable health. It helped me change my mindset on the way I look at food and exercise to enable me to change my life for the better.
This link will take you to Leanne Hall’s official website.
These 6 individuals all played a part in helping shape me into the person I am today a completely different person I was 7 years ago. “When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It’s very simple.” Paulo Coelho
Aquo Xx