by A 6-foot paramedic, who describes feeling “like a freak” because of her height, overcame her body image issues to star in a global beauty pageant.
Alice Jones, 27, from Walsall, West Midlands, suffered years of crippling anxiety about her height, causing her to stand out above her classmates at school.
“Mentally, I had a lot of self-doubt and body image issues,” she explains.
“Growing up, I thought I was worthless,” he continues. “Because I’m 6 foot, I felt like a freak because I was so tall.”
Although he says his problems started in childhood, they continued into adulthood and affected his personal life as well.
“I never really had sex because I was taller than all the guys, it didn’t improve my confidence,” she explains.
“I had to make a conscious effort not to slouch. I was getting comments like, ‘God, you’re tall,’ and that made me feel uncomfortable.”
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As he grew older, his self-esteem issues persisted even after qualifying as a paramedic.
“I used to feel like I didn’t deserve to be a paramedic,” he explains.
The turning point came when he took five months off work to receive therapy and overcome his bodily problems.
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And, after some encouragement from her colleagues, who urged her to “go for it,” she found the confidence to enter a contest.
“I entered Miss England as a challenge for myself as it was completely different to my day job as a paramedic,” she explains.
“I went from spending most of my time in steel-toed boots with my hair in a messy bun to wearing a fancy dress with my hair and makeup done.”
Another reason she wanted to enter the competition was to use the Beauty with a Purpose platform (the Miss World charity) to educate the public on how to perform CPR and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator).
“I have worked in the ambulance service since I was 18, providing care, treatment and even cups of tea for those in need,” he says.
“Being a paramedic has always been my ultimate goal and I have fulfilled it and will continue to do so.
“But participating in the Miss England pageant has unlocked this potential in me that I didn’t know I had.”
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Jones, who works for the West Midlands Ambulance Service and is the reigning Miss Black Country, says she is enjoying the challenge of combining her work as a paramedic with competing in pageants.
“I want to show others that you can, in fact, do both and that life is all about challenges,” she explains.
“I love going to photo shoots, doing different rounds, wearing dresses and really concentrating on my fitness.
“Sometimes modeling is more of a challenge than saving a life,” she continues. “It’s definitely not as easy as it sounds, but I welcome that challenge.”
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After reaching the semi-final of the competition and winning two awards, Jones has now been invited to represent the UK at the World Top Model final in Egypt.
“I’m really looking forward to representing the UK and I hope to inspire others to step out of their comfort zone, whatever that may be.”
Jones will represent the UK in the 29th Top Model of the World pageant at the luxurious five-star White Hills Resort in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on March 3.
Additional SWNS reports.
