As part of my new web series, The Role Model In You, here is my most recent interview. The Role Model In You series discusses how individuals were influenced as a child to lead a healthy lifestyle. It covers who influenced these individuals, the changes they made in their life to be healthy, and the message they would like to convey to the youth of today. Our guests include doctors, soccer stars, Super Bowl champions, NBA players, Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and just regular people looking to share their story. I hope you enjoy it!

1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

Shekinah Monee, Associate Publicist and New York City’s Perfect Miss.

I am a publicist at Siena Media Group and Assistant Director at the Miss Brooklyn Organization. I have recently become an agency signed model.

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

My mother always involved me in sports and extracurricular activities growing up. But the person who motivated me to be healthy and stay fit was my grandmother. As a child I was not allowed to eat sweets, so when I got older I took it a little overboard. My grandmother would remind me of the importance of healthy living, and exercise. I had a busy schedule even as High School student, so she always made sure I made time to do sets of running up and down the stairs.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

My grandmother has always inspired me to be my best self. Due to her guidance, along with my mother, I am very much aware of when I am overdoing certain foods, and not getting enough exercise. I am then motivated to get up and move, and change my food choices. Another aspect of healthy living that is also important is getting enough sleep.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

This lesson has changed my life because it makes it easier to prepare for pageants and modeling. I do not have to do crazy diets, but just healthy living.

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

Yes, as an Assistant Director of a pageant I am able to assist in the healthy living of the young women around me. I am not about being the skinniest, but the healthiest person on the stage.

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

Eating healthy should not be a chore, but a lifestyle. There are so many great things that you can create with fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. If you take of yourself as a child, your adult self will definitely appreciate it more.

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

www.shekinahmonee.com