Exclusive Interview With Super Model Madeline Stuart

Madeline Stuart is the first supermodel with Down syndrome. She has shown the world what she is capable of and she is breaking stereotypes one at a time. Madeline is an inspiration to many people all around the world and continues to achieve her goals. Her latest goal? Be fit, fab and fashionable. I have the inside scoop from Madeline on her latest fitness journey, her travel adventures and some helpful advice.

Which came first, your passion for fitness or your passion for modeling? My passion for Fitness hands down, I lost the weight to get fit and then just fell into modelling, of course my passion for modelling is what inspires me to keep so fit now as there is nothing to compare with the joy that modelling gives me. It is truly my dream career.

What is your favorite fitness activity? I love working out with my personal trainer as it is as much a social experience as a fitness experience. I also love dancing in my dance school.

What is your daily gym routine like? My hour in the gym starts on the treadmill to warm up and then I do battle ropes, the sled, kettle bells, medicine balls, a lot of machines like latt pull downs etc. and I love boxing so if I am not feeling it we always end up in the boxing room just to add a little more fun to the routine.

When doctors told you and your mom that you may never amount to anything, what was the first step you took to prove them wrong? I don’t remember that as I was a baby but mum says that when the doctors would say things like that she would find a positive answer, the paediatrician once told her when he measured my head that it was very small and mum said well that just means her brains are squished in really tight so they can all fit. Mum never accepted I would not be capable and we started doing physical therapy and speech therapy from 8 weeks of age. I was the youngest child with down syndrome to walk in Australia at just 15months. Most babies with down syndrome are at least 2 to 2 and a half years.

At what age did you begin your modeling/when did your career really begin to take off? My career just took off, I was actually considered a model before I even did a catwalk, photos of me went viral on the internet when I lost 50 pounds and we posted about being fit and loving your body, within a week people were asking me to model their clothes and I was asked to walk at NYFW within a month. I was 18 and now at 21 I model all the time.

Did your modeling and/or fitness success begin while in your school years? If so how did that affect your life? My modeling started at the beginning of the year after I left school, my fitness regime started in my last year of school so every day I would swim and go to the gym after school, it made my last year at school very enjoyable as my teachers and friends were there to support me on my journey.

I read that you have been a part of several fashion weeks and other events. Can you describe a day in the life of a model for our readers? Yes I have walked over 30 times during 5 seasons of NYFW, I have also walked at Runway Dubai, London FW, Paris FW, Russia FW, LAFW and many more. A typical day would be like today, I will get up in the morning do some exercise then I have a meeting at lunch to talk about some work coming up with a new client, after lunch I am heading out to see some sights in London where I currently am and then this afternoon I have hair and Makeup as I am doing a photo shoot at St Pauls Cathedral, I feel very blessed as apparently they have never let a photo shoot happen here before. I will finish my day with dinner with the guys from the shoot and head to bed.  My days are very full and a lot of fun.

Can you describe what it was like walking in New York Fashion Week? NYFW now feels like home to me, I love it and it is my happy place, the crowd and the other models and designers have been so welcoming. When I am walking down the catwalk the feeling is amazing, there is nothing like it in the world. I look forward to fashion season every day.

What philanthropy work are you involved in? I work with a lot with Charities, it is my other favourite job, in the past I have worked with the Up side of Downs, the Down syndrome Association, Special Olympics, The Cerebral Palsy foundation, Kulture City and Embrace Kulture to name a few. I am always open to work with other organizations if they reach out.

In relation to your fitness journey, what has been the hardest obstacle to overcome? I think giving up fries and ice-cream, I would have fried every day and now I may have some once a month, I love my food but I love my health and wellbeing more.

I, personally, have trouble finding motivation to work out. Where do you find your inspiration and motivation? I don’t like being alone, I have no brothers or sisters so I love to go out and be among people, being at the gym is such a friendly environment so it is a joy, I truly look forward to it every day plus I love feeling comfortable, before I lost weight I was very uncomfortable and I never want to feel that way again.

What does your diet consist of? My diet is very consistent, I have cereal for breakfast or toast and eggs, then for lunch I always have a grilled chicken wrap, dinner is white meat and salad or vegetables and in between I will have fruit. Occasionally at a party or to celebrate I will have sweets or junk food but that is only maybe 10 times a year.

I also read that you’ve lost over 40 pounds (congratulations!!) how did you do it? I have actually lost 50 pounds now, it is just from eating healthy, eating smaller portions and exercising about 12 hours a week. I am very active.

What do you find to be the most beneficial thing in a weight loss journey? (Whether it be a trainer, a workout partner, a nutritionist to make your diet, comfy workout clothes) Definitely the support of my mum and my trainer, mum has made sure the house is full of only healthy food and she takes me to the gym every day and encourages me.

What has been your least favorite part of your fitness journey? Having to watch what I eat, I am quite short so I cannot eat a lot of calories, sometimes that is annoying but it is all about choices and at the moment my first choice is my career and my health.

How do you maintain your “goal weight?” I don’t have cheat days, I have a very routine life and I try not to go outside of those routines especially with my diet. After fashion week is over I will have one celebratory dinner which is usually pizza.

Do you prefer inside or outside activity? Inside as my skin is very fair and I sunburn very easily. It is healthier for me to workout inside, especially in Australia where the sun is so damaging.

You are a big inspiration to many, many people. Who is your inspiration and why? I think kind people in general, I don’t think being famous or popular is inspirational, I think being kind to each other is what is important, when I meet people I don’t consider what their social status is I just wait and see how they treat people, in the end we are remembered by how kind we are, not how rich we are.

What is your favorite food that isn’t a part of your “fitness diet?” (Everyone’s gotta have a cheat food!) Fries, pizza, sushi, ice-cream and sausages. I love sausages.

Do you participate in any fitness/workout classes? If so, which ones are your favorite? I have done a few classes but really prefer to work out with a trainer.

What is your secret to keeping your hair so luscious and long?! I don’t’ colour it, I don’t add a lot of products, never hair spray or heating irons unless I have an event, just really good shampoo and conditions

We all have our celebrity crushes, who is yours? I spent some time with Jamie Fox recently and even though he is not my crush, I must say he was a lovely man and I really enjoyed dancing with him at a private concert he did with Global Down syndrome. The other celebrity I admire is Karlie Kloss she is amazing and inspires young women everywhere.

What is your favorite experience to happen on your modeling/fitness journey thus far? Traveling is my most favourite experience, I love seeing new countries and experiencing new cultures. Working all around the world is a dream come true.

What advice do you have for future models? Work hard, be fit as you will need to be fit to be able to work very long hours, understand you will get rejected but everyone does, it is not necessarily because of who you are but people may be looking for a different look. Never stop believing in yourself and loving yourself.

If you are as big of a fan of Madeline as I am, follow her on Instagram to catch her on all her travel journeys! She is a kind soul and loves kind souls in return. If you need fitness inspiration, Madeline is your gal. She doesn’t have cheat days, but loves the occasional pizza and urges you to never stop believing in and loving  yourself.

To keep up with Madeline’s journey follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.