As part of my new web series, The Role Model In You, here is my most recent interview. The Role Model In You series discusses how individuals were influenced as a child to lead a healthy lifestyle. It covers who influenced these individuals, the changes they made in their life to be healthy, and the message they would like to convey to the youth of today. Our guests include doctors, soccer stars, Super Bowl champions, NBA players, Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and just regular people looking to share their story. I hope you enjoy it!
1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?
Rae Rohus, Administrative Director, 45. I work for a publishing firm where we focus on autism/Asperger’s/SPD and hold conferences for professionals/family members who would like information. I manage an office of 20 people and handle the continued education area for our conferences for those who would like to receive credits/contact hours.
2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?
The only person I could count on was myself as a child. During the 60’s and 70’s no one really cared about fitness as much as they do now. My mother worked three jobs so barely saw her plus she was dealing with her issues of being a single parent, work, and other areas of her life she was trying to straighten out.
3. What did they do to inspire you?
What inspired me to keep fit was the bullying I continuously received in school. I did not like it, but I had to face it and be strong. With the few friends I did have, I would go to their house to get away from my dysfunctional life to have fun and play and do sports. Do not get me wrong, I love my mom now more than before, but she was dealing with her own emotional meltdowns. In school, I had to take special classes due to my learning disability. Kids at school called stupid, retarded, fat, and I had bad skin, so pizza face was one too. It hurt, oh yes, but like I said the few friends I did have helped me through it with laughter and hugs.
4. How did their lesson change your life?
There are many lessons in life we have to learn and do on our own. Mine was to keep going, never stop believing, and know that I am ok. I can do this, it’s just going to take some time. As a loner, I had to figure things out and muster through it. There was one time in my life at age 13, that I could not take anymore, so I did the unthinkable…. Attempted suicide. I took many sleeping pills and went into a deep sleep. I did call a hotline, but they put me on hold for several minutes, so I gave up on them. I do remember a place I do not wish to be in again, but I did feel a moment of death. I was awoken by my step-father’s mother (who was a RN) and somehow woke me out of it. My mother did put me through counseling after this happened, so I can say my counselor (Debbie) was my true inspiration.
5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?
I would like to convey my message to kids now. Just to say, “Hey I been there too. Hell yes it’s hard. That what life throws at us some times, but it’s how hard we throw back that counts.” Keep on going don’t stop believing in yourself. Find a way to keep yourself healthy. Get into boxing, martial arts, a gym, or just go outside for a walk/run. Love you for being you. The only change you can make worth while is the positive outcome you receive in return… this is the best gift you can give yourself.
6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?
Always remember… Eat to live, not live to eat… This was told to me by my doctor before I had my surgery. If you rely on comfort food, yet you feel uncomfortable, how is it comfort? Remember it does not love you back. Only you can love you back. Look in the mirror and find five to ten positive affirmations within yourself that you can do that others have credited you for and/or you know you have that no one else does. We are all unique and have a great quality that makes us this way… this is what makes us just Being human.
7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?