My Journey: A guest Post by Kim Iglinski
Maya Negri Fashion House' new presenter reveals her healing process and invite you to take part
I was a top model leading a glam lifestyle, but someone was not present and my life had no meaning and no depth. It's fine in your early 20's, no one needs depth. But later, around age 26 my whole life became empty. There was a point where I could keep going up and up and making more and more money as a model, but I looked around and said, I'm not satisfied. A part of me searched for safety and love in money, stuff and career. But once I had all that, I still wasn't satisfied. It did not fulfill me.
Until then, my real goal and aspiration was to live fast and die young. I had to wonder what was going on. That prompted me and my husband to start searching for what else exists. We both needed more. I realized my foundation - what I was basing my whole life upon - was very unstable and wasn't supporting any growth. I had to go down and work at root level, to create a new foundation.
I started doing therapy, going back over my life, looking at my toxic coping strategies, the traumas I held in my body. It was really difficult as not drinking or smoking brought what was going on to the surface; what I was really feeling. I kept on working with it through all these different modalities; working out issues of how I felt about growing up in a kibbutz, the way they raised me and decisions I made about the world as a result of that. 
Now I feel empowered (even though I hate that word) to live the life I love. Anyone can do that - if you are willing. Even when you feel - "I hate this!" - you don't have to stop. I didn't like all of it, but it was definitely worth it. The life I have now is one I love living. I think that's really what we sign up for in this lifetime, not just to have ease, but to go through the fire and come out transformed.
I also grappled with the affect models have overwomen's body perception for a long time. I know most people don't look like me or like other models. I know I'm part of something that's selling a look that's unattainable. For me too! In looking at vogue, I would feel insufficient, not skinny enough; not stylish enough. What Maya and I are trying to create is accessibility. We want for women to feel access to their own beauty in the way they look, and not necessarily at size 0.
I invite you to take part in a retreat I will be hosting this April in Peru. The retreat will include three ceremonies, preparation & integration work, yoga and guided meditation, healthy nourishing food, visiting sacred sites, shamanic work to meet your power spirit animal and the practice of sacred healing touch; all in a supportive environment for and by women. You have the option to visit Machu Picchu, which is 3 hours away.
To find out more about Kim and her work, log on to her website, The Evolving Center