Posts Tagged ‘bullying’

Excited and honored to launch the new Teen Program with the Compass Personal Development Network! Through their unique MAPS programs, a teen can coach with me for a few minutes a day, and for only $19 a month! We’ve developed three powerful month-long programs, you can check it out by visiting www.mylifecompass.com/debragano and click on the TEEN tab in the upper right hand corner. Be sure to watch my video! Give the lasting gift of self-esteem to a teen this Valentine’s Day!

This past fall, I’ve been blogging, as well as commenting on my Twitter and Facebook pages, about the dangerously skinny photoshopped ads by designer Ralph Lauren and the firing of his loyal size 4 model for being "too fat." (see earlier posts). Maybe I’m sensitive to all of this due to my years of modeling in that crazy industry, because, even then, it would madden me as to the pressure the models faced to be ultra thin. Everyone wants to blame "those skinny models," yet in their defense, it’s really the designers and advertisers who are to blame. Models aren’t known for their sense of self or high self-esteem, especially the younger ones, and will often "do what it takes" to be accepted, seek approval, or get a job. They will often be cruel physically, mentally, and emotionally to themselves – and to each other!

Unfortunately this behavior filters down into our schools with the increasing popularity of "mean girls," and that’s why I am so passionate about getting out there and reaching these girls. It was challenging to handle all this as an adult as a model, but it breaks my heart to see it happen with our young girls today!

More on that at a later time…for now, here is a call to action to help stop a contributing factor to our girls’ obsession with thinness. Filmmaker Darryl Roberts has become an advocate for body acceptance since making the fabulous documentary AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.  Now he’s spearheading a boycott against Ralph Lauren that’s really intended to get the attention and wise up the whole fashion industry. He needs us all to join the boycott! Here’s the link to sign up for the boycott and learn more about Roberts’ campaign: join the boycott

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 Debra Gano comes to Arizona to deliver this empowering and interactive workshop, teaching self-esteem principles "from the inside out." Adults & girls appreciate Debra’s open and amusing style as she discusses unhealthy media, critical peers,  inner beauty, and the importance of connecting to your true essence. You will walk away with a greater sense of self-worth and confidence, feeling more empowered and resilient to withstand life’s challenges.

WHERE: New Vision Center

www.HeartlightGirls.com & www.DebraGano.com

The other day I blogged about the Ralph Lauren ad that was getting some attention that showed a skeletal-sized model (see my October 8 post) because I was so triggered by what I had experienced in my years in the modeling industry. This morning on the Today Show, that model, Filippa Hamilton, a size 4, announced she was fired from her 8 year career with Ralph Lauren because she was "too fat." Her termination actually took place last April, but she decided to come forward with it when this photoshopped ad appeared of her – it’s been recently exposed that her head was used on another model’s (very skinny) body.

( To see Filippa’s appearance on the Today Show and to read more, click here )

In speaking to young girls about the current and harmful trend of "mean girls" and bullying, I often admit  how well I can identify with what is going on due to my years in the very competitive modeling industry and some of the experiences I had with mean girls. Just like the girls who bully other girls today in our schools, the bullies of the modeling industry did so due to low feeling of self-worth. The modeling industry is brutal on a girl’s/woman’s self-esteem…can you imagine being a size 4 or 6 and constantly told you are too fat? As models, we would get criticized on a daily basis for one physical "flaw" or another. I learned from the bottom up how to build my self-esteem, and that’s why I’m so passionate about teaching it to others through my speaking and books at Heartlight Girls!

I believe the fault lies with the designers and advertisers who put tremendous, unrealistic pressures on the models, which in turn, filters down to the young girls who want to emulate these models. Thank you, Filippa, for speaking up. If enough of us speak up, the world will pay attention! Would love to hear your comments too, please leave one below!

Did you know that approximately 90% of kids will experience some form of bullying this school year? Ouch! What’s happening??? When did it suddenly become “cool” to be mean? While “Mean Girls” may think they’re cool, we here at Heartlight Girls are here to remind you that they are NOT cool…and NOT beautiful! Girls who bully are really suffering from low self-esteem, and use bullying tactics to cover it up. It’s important to remember this if you are the victim of bullying (or your daughter is). Remind yourself that the mean comments and manipulative games have nothing to do with YOU, it‘s about THEM and their insecurities. Bullying is the sign of a dim Heartlight, and when someone’s Heartlight is dim, they will try really hard to dim your light too (or steal some of your beautiful bright light!) So protect yourself, Heartlight Girls, from the “dimmers” and keep your Heartlight bright! Be sure to do your Heartlight Meditation every day (it’s at the back of Beauty’s Secret).