Renee Turner is the newest #BackYourself ambassador to join our family, and we are so happy to share her inspiring words!

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Renee Turner, I am 27 years of age and I grew up in a small town called Katherine in the NT. I grew up with my younger brother Ryan and my parents Lindsay and Samara. My childhood consisted of many community events which allowed us as a family to spend quality time together as well as being part of the Katherine communities. My brother and I did a lot of camping and fishing with our dad and we’re both part of local sport teams. While my brother played football. I took part in horse riding with a family friend, Fran McPherson, which I did for 5 or 6 years. At 20 I left the comfort of the NT to move to QLD which then lead me to Melbourne 6 years later.

What made you want to be a model?

As a child I was never the prettiest girl in my class, I had short hair, dressed like a tom boy, and was a late bloomer when it came to puberty. I was teased a lot for the way I looked which gave me no self confidence. Seeing woman and young girls in magazines looking beautiful and showing confidence in myself was something that I had always wanted to do. The year I turned 14 I got creative with my looks, started spiking my hair and began to dress a little more girly and the year I turned 16 I began to grow my hair out and became a true girl. I wore dresses and skirts and lots of make up. Being a model was just something I had always wanted to be, despite what people thought of me.

How has being a runner up in the Ms Australia International shaped who you are?

Being 1st runner up for Ms Australia has given me a further perspective on what self confidence really is. I have given myself the opportunity to open doors I would be to afraid of opening and shown a side of myself I knew was always there but scared to show. Due to childhood traumatic experiences I sheltered myself from my friends and family and never believed in the abilities I was able to achieve. I grew stronger as a person and begins to shine through all negativity that was holding me back and discovered a new Sence of identity

If you could spread one message to all women in Australia, what would it be?

To step out from behind those shadows and to step in front of your own. Shine through that negativity and show the world to true meaning of self confidence.

How do you practice self confidence?

I look into the mirror everyday and I praise myself on every achievement I have made. I tell myself I believe in my self confidence and that I feel confident that today I am going to do great things.

What does #BackYourself mean to you?

Means a lot more then I thought. Self confidence is something that I have struggled with since I was a child, as my experiences with depression and anxiety I know it’s not easy to over come. I allowed myself to step out from behind those shadows and to step in front of my own and began to feel free from negativity.

Who inspires you the most?

My father inspires me everyday and is one of the many few who can bring me back down to earth and keep me grounded. He is incredibly inspiring with his hard work ethic and is very wise, kind, helpful, and very trusting. I can talk to my dad about anything. In some ways he is like my best friend.

What are you goals for the future?

I have many things planned for the future. I am writing a novel and two children’s books which I am hoping to finish with in the next 12 months, I wish to focus on modeling as well, making a brand for myself and becoming an inspiration for men and woman everywhere, and I wish to also have a second chance at winning Ms Australia. Being apart of the Australian international pageants was incredibly rewarding and inspiring and I can’t wait to be apart of the international family again.

What do you do besides modelling?

I work full time in childcare as a childcare educator, I love to go and meet new people make new friends and spend lots of quality time with my family and friends.

What 3 words would your friends use to describe you?

If my friends could describe me in 3 words, bubbly, outgoing and ditzy.

I’ve been told I have an attention span of a 5 year old and a memory of a gold fish..

Keep track of Renee’s journey as she begins a new chapter at WINK via her Instagram, @reneeturner02.