Claire Jedrek: When I got older, something changed in me. I realised how I saw the world was entirely up to me – Rock The Naked Truth

Claire Jedrek: When I got older, something changed in me. I realised how I saw the world was entirely up to me

It was sometime in her teenage years when she was signed to a modeling agency that Claire Jedrek struggled with her body. “I remember bumping in my agency boss after not seeing her for a few months and she said, ” Oh you’ve lost some weight, call me.” To be honest, being thin was a requirement and she was just seeing it from a business view, but it made me criticise what I was born with,” recalled the 38-year-old presenter, co-owner of The Film Dispensary and mother of two.

“I used to get affected by other people’s comments. I don’t think I had ever received so many comments – comments about having an hourglass body, being buck toothed, thick hands and feet and calves. I never noticed any of this until someone would point it out.

“I remember being bulimic because of anxiety. I was dating someone and his sister-in-law would gang up with her friends and bully me for no reason. That would make me feel sick to my gut walking into the same house as her. So I would get really drunk or would make myself sick. Then I also used to cut myself to stop myself feeling angry. Strange to think that I did it, but you do silly things when you’re young.”

As Claire got older, she definitely cared a lot less of other people’s opinions.

“I remember when I got older and was far more independent earning a little bit more. I had just had my heart broken and I moved back to Singapore from overseas and something changed in me. I realised how I saw the world was entirely up to me. I had a new opportunity to start life again at 30 and not everyone had that chance and I had to live life exactly as it was, with one chance.

“I honestly don’t care as much as before. I know how hard I work out, what I eat is entirely up to me and I don’t take myself too seriously. I have two young kids and if it’s one thing I want them to feel and act like children and feel uninhabited as long as possible.”

After becoming a mother, Claire is now kinder to her mental being and body because it’s done such an amazing thing by growing two kids – it’s the coolest thing ever, she added.

*This is a collaboration between Rock The Naked Truth and Our Bralette Club.

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I had a very unhealthy relationship with my body w

I had a very unhealthy relationship with my body when I was in my early 20s and the relationship carried till Circuit Breaker. This period of isolation forced me to reflect on my own inner child wounds.

I was born with big hips structure and damn jialat metabolism. At 24, I tried to lose weight by jogging every morning and only having yogurt for the whole day. I did lose some weight but I also lost a lot of my hair. That lifestyle lasted for 2 months and I was not in a good mental space. Then I went back to my usual diet and gained all the weight back.

In 2021, I got molested in the bus by this Gray Hoodie Ah Pek. He sat beside me, pretended to fall asleep and circled his thumb on my thigh. He then alighted the bus and looked back at me with a smirk. I swear I was beyond disgusted.

Due to genetics, I have a heavier bottom and the yoga pants and bicycle shorts that I buy online are not squat-proof (very transparent at the butt area) so most of the time when I head out for training I would need to double wear my yoga/bicycle pants with shorts. But that day, I was in a cover-up dress that showed nothing and was feeling disgusted and fat. I reported him to the police anyway.

Later, I released myself from a very toxic situation when I was constantly seeking for acceptance and at the same time, I received news that Gray Hoodie Ah Pek was sentenced to 2 counts with 4 months imprisonment.

At that point of time, it was very dark and I questioned myself frequently, “Is it because I am not good enough?”, “Confused, I was fat but why did that ah pek still touch me?”, “Guilty, because I was one of the reasons that sent him to imprisonment and he might have a family to feed.”, “Why me?”.

To cope, I went back to doing yoga and also started Muay Thai. I felt more balance, love and acceptance towards myself; learned self-defence, resilience, discipline and how to stay grounded.

Definitely, there will still be days when I question myself with my own self-acceptance, but I made a promise to myself to continue to learn and grow mentally and never stop.

Thank you for reading my story. Namaste.

- Val (@soundslikehokkienmee)

Came across this photo taken in 2010 and I had pos

Came across this photo taken in 2010 and I had posted it on Facebook with a caption “omg I look so fat here”.

This was when I was struggling with my eating disorders. I was starving myself, taking slimming pills, counting calories and I remember feeling so miserable all the time.

How was this fat?! I clearly was struggling with my body, with my self-worth, with my confidence. And this lack of self-confidence showed in many different ways.

For example, I was constantly in relationships or dating because I needed attention for validation. I would stay in toxic relationships even though I know it’s bad, and I would enable it further, because at the back of my mind I just want to feel loved.

It took me over a decade to reach where I am now and it hasn’t been easy at all. There are days when some of these past demons rear their ugly heads but I am able to better deal with them now.

Self-love is a journey, so be patient and keep working at it!

“I hated my body with a passion, the entire preg

“I hated my body with a passion, the entire pregnancy, and after my pregnancy. I hated it. I felt like it failed me. I felt fat my entire pregnancy instead of embracing the fact that my body was growing a human and creating a life and just being all around awesome.

I was still weighing myself and going, “Well, how much does the baby weigh and how much weight have I put on?” I couldn’t find clothes that fit me.

Part of my trauma (on top of PCOS, lupus, endometriosis, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) during my IVF journey as well, was multiple people saying, “Oh, when are you due?”, when I wasn’t even pregnant. I’ve had two flight crew in the past saying, “I do have your letter of authorization for travel.” I’m like, “What are you talking about?” “Well, you’re pregnant. You must be due soon.” And that was when I was just fat and trying to get pregnant.

My body issues and my self-esteem issues followed me into my pregnancy. I gained 27kg while I was pregnant and it was because of the meds. I wasn’t eating everything or anything I wanted; in fact, I was vomiting every day and still getting fat.

I gained more weight after I gave birth and got to 129kg, which is the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life with a baby going, “I’ve done this bit. Why aren’t I having the other bit now?” I literally was worse after I had the baby in terms of my mental health surrounding my weight.”

- @jazskimo keeping it real and sharing her thoughts about her first pregnancy and childbirth. This was after 7 years of IVF and S$130,000 spent. She’s in a better place mentally now with a beautiful son and is on her next IVF adventure to try for her second child.