From Model to Empowered: My Journey Beyond Validation
When I first entered the wild world of modeling at 17
I thought I’d become more confident from all the praise I got
From the “You’re so beautiful!”
To the “You’ve got the perfect body!”
But what they never told me was that the same industry that builds you UP
Can tear you DOWN in a heartbeat!
One minute I was on top of the world
The next?
I was told I wasn’t thin enough
Pale enough
Beautiful enough
It was a constant rollercoaster of opinions + emotions
Every single piece of my body has been critiqued [in a mean way]
That left me questioning EVERYTHING about myself
During that time I learned an IMPORTANT lesson:
If you let your confidence depend on the approval of others
You’re handing them the power to define your worth
And trust me, in the modeling industry?
Or in ANY industry where people judge you firsthand based on your appearance
That’s a DANGEROUS game
I realized if I let every comment and critique shape how I felt about myself
I would be down a VERY dark path
Changing to fit someone else’s vision of who I’m supposed to be
Instead of my own
So I STOPPED seeking validation from the modeling industry
Where I initially thought I’d be praised
Surrounded by glamorous women, photographers, and dazzling lights
But behind the scenes…
It was a very dark battle to maintain my sense of self
To hold on to my CONFIDENCE in a sea of CONSTANT comparison + criticism
3 tips to strengthen your body positivity:
1. Genki System™️ recordings
2. Small meals 4x daily [neutral or warm — never cooling]
3. Genki System™️ journal
If you’re going to build confidence
Build it on the unshakeable knowledge that you’re more than enough
NOT because of what others say!
Love, Kelly
*Disclaimer: Not medical advice.
About Kelly Prehn
Kelly's journey began unexpectedly when a Models 1 agent spotted her in Covent Garden during a ballet rehearsal. Despite landing a six-figure Japanese contract immediately, upon arrival in Tokyo she was deemed 'overweight', fired and sent back to London.
Her breakthrough came when Mr. Shu of Shu Uemura recognized her potential, launching her acclaimed career as a beauty and fashion model across Asia—from Japan and Korea to China and Singapore.
Leveraging her industry expertise, Kelly transitioned from modeling to sharing beauty insights as a columnist, becoming a highly recognized advocate for niche traditional wellness and healing modalities. She was the first to bring these transformative practices to a wider audience. Her influence grows rapidly: 1.4 million books in print, tens of millions of women reached through her teachings on social media, she currently impacts 11 million women monthly—and growing.
HARPER’S BAZAAR
“Kelly Created a Life Changing Method”
MARIE CLAIRE
“Kelly Is A Pop Culture Role Model”
