Stephanie F. Hometown: Rochelle, Georgia “I am an aspiring fitness model and an avid runner from the state of Georgia. My passion for running wasn’t given to me so easily. My life was changed in an instant as a child from an automobile accident. I lived two months of my life in a coma. I pulled through this and awoke to find I would probably never walk again. Now that I’m 35 years old, I can say running has brought great joy to my life. It has helped me overcome my disability and given me an outlet to be involved in charitable events.” What is your favorite OWN show? Oprah’s Next Chapter. What is the first thing you do when you wake up? When I wake in the morning, I always say thank you. Then, I head out for a morning run to meditate and start my day off with a clean mind and healthy body. To finish my day off, I enjoy spending time with my son and reading. I continue to stay thankful as I fall asleep. I believe that if I continue living thankfully for the things I am doing with my life, it will ultimately lead me to the destination I’ve been dreaming of—traveling all over this world, running and sharing my strength. What is one thing you can’t live without, and why? My 26.2 necklace. I purchased this necklace before I tried to qualify for the Boston Marathon a few years ago, and I haven’t taken it off my neck since I purchased it. The number 26.2 means the world to me because I have run this distance [in miles], and it was believed that I would never walk another day in my life when I was a child. Knowing I have completed this distance—and wearing it as my own—is significant to me. What is your biggest fear? After everything I have been through in life, I honestly
feel almost bulletproof. But my greatest fear has to be leaving this world without sharing my strength with others who do not know what they are capable of. I want my son to see and feel my strength to learn the true value of life. What are you most proud of? I would say crossing the finish line of my very first marathon has to be my proudest moment. I looked to my right and saw my child and husband, but I glanced behind me and saw 26.2 brutal miles I was told I would never run, and I knew I could do anything at that point in my life! IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING!!! What is your biggest pet peeve? Complainers. When they begin the complaining or gossiping, I politely walk away because I have no room for that poison in my life! It is my belief that we have so much to be thankful for, and I know this firsthand. I have no need to poison my soul with gossip or lies. My advice is to always take it somewhere else. What would you like to learn to do? I would like to learn to play tennis. My all-time favorite female athlete is Serena Williams. I work in the fitness industry, and when I hear women complain about their bodies not being stick-thin, I always let them know right away that being stick-thin is not beauty. Then, I always follow up by asking whether they wouldn’t rather look like Serena—an awesome athlete who inspires me to want to learn tennis. Read more: http://www.oprah.com/owners/Meet-Our-Featured-OWNers/1#ixzz2kNeiZ6Ua