In the lead up to International Women's Day on March 8 the Port Macquarie News spoke to five local women about their passions and achievements, coping with setbacks and what they have learnt along the way. First up we meet 26-year-old Jessie Myers.
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Ever since she was a girl Jessie Myers loved to dance.
Growing up in Port Macquarie the youngster immersed herself in every type of dance.
"Ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary... I basically lived at the studio," she said.
"I feel like everyone has something that lets them escape from the world and for me that is dance."
When she finished school the one thing she loved triggered some unhealthy eating habits.
Ms Myers got a job dancing on a cruise ship touring the Mediterranean.
"I was young and there was obviously a lot of pressures."
"The company I worked for was quite strict on weight regulations and I didn't have the tools to be healthy in a safe way.
"I wasn't eating enough and I was miserable."
Ms Myers said during that period food controlled her life.
She remembers visiting some of the most beautiful islands in the world but being unable to enjoy it because of her obsession with food.
After 8 months Ms Myers left the cruise and headed back home.
It was the circuit breaker she needed.
"As soon as I was able to take myself out of the situation I improved.
"It took a few years though to completely break the cycle of fad dieting and excessive exercise."
A breakthrough came when she decided to study nutrition via distance education.
I knew I was interested in nutrition but I wasn't doing it the right way.
- Jessie Myers
Her interest in food became more about "nourishing my body than what weight I was."
She even went back to dancing professionally and eventually moved back to Port Macquarie where she now teaches kids to dance at Port Macquarie Performing Arts.
The busy 26-year-old also works as a personal trainer and nutritionist.
Ms Myers is most proud of her latest venture called Project Goddess with business partner Francessca O'Donnell which empowers women through a holistic approach to women's health.
As part of Project Goddess she runs Mother & Daughter retreats encouraging quality time between mothers and daughters.
Ms Myers said she has learnt a lot in her 26-years.
"I've learnt to be kinder and less critical of myself.
"I have realized that my worth is not determined by my image.
"I want my life to be surrounded by love, amazing food and abundance rather than deprivation."
She encourages the girls she teaches to change their attitude to one of self-love rather than judgement.
And despite the adversity she has suffered she has no regrets.
"I am glad I went through it because it has allowed me to help people now and prevent young people from entering the dangerous cycle of fad dieting."
