Page 72 - Demo

72 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || JUNE 2015 || EDITION 2 Sarah Ainsley Harrison is not a stereotypical pageant girl. For her, beauty is about a healthy mind, body, and spirit. That%u2019s why the 2013 Miss International Canada worked to become Vice President of her college%u2019s Student Association and ran social events, sports, and charity work throughout the college. She also was Minister of the Nova Scotia Secondary School Studies Association and a sponsored athlete. Sarah took the time to talk to us about health, fitness, beauty, and her greatest achievements. Ms. Harrison is a rugby playing former Miss Canada. She wore the title of Miss International Canada for 2013, and won the Best Body Award at Miss Universe Canada for 2013. While reigning as Miss International she traveled to Tokyo representing Canada. For all the stage appearances and focus on beauty and muscles, Sarah shares that women in pageants and competitions are beautiful, intelligent and capable. She leverages her success on stage for philanthropic work and to be a successful spokesperson for major products in the fitness world. Ms. Harrison was named a Celebrity Ambassador for World Vision Canada. She loves where she is at right now, coaching, training, modeling, being a spokesperson, acting and more. Yet in time she plans to return to her great loves of travel and tourism. With her outgoing personality she enjoys learning about people and their cultures and seems to thrive even outside of her day to day routine.In my interview with Ms. Harrison she talks about her best friend, her great sponsors, and her career plans and goals. FMM: What did you learn about yourself from your experiences in pageants?SAH: I learned the power of intent. Put forth your intentions into the universe; ask for things and take actions. It%u2019s amazing what you can achieve when you just try. From fundraising for charities to creating sponsorship partnerships, I learned a lot about creating a network and how much you can achieve working with others.FMM: As a former Miss Universe Canada, how do you respond to claims that pageants are sexist or misogynist?SAH: Sexism and misogyny sadly exist in many areas of life, not just pageants and fitness competitions, but also into business and social %u201cnorms%u201d. On every forum and medium women can choose to project a strong, intelligent, healthy example. Pageant delegates are some of the most accomplished women I%u2019ve ever met%u2026 bioengineers, lawyers, Masters and PHD students, women who speak 10 languages fluently, women who have started charities to help with education, abuse, poverty, and environment. Pageants promote philanthropy and education, beauty that comes from within is what gives you that sparkle. I feel that pageants give women an example of finding their voices, seeking more knowledge, helping others, and even highlights that women can be leaders and inspirational. Shows like Toddlers in Tiaras and Last Week Tonight with Jon Oliver portray an extreme end of the spectrum, By Lilly Willner>>>