Get to Know Blogger: Rachel O’h-Uiginn

  Rachel O’h-Uiginn was photographed in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts Rose Lincoln Photographer 

“Rachel O’h-Uiginn , owner of Undercurrent Coaching for Curvy Gals, is a writer, certified life coach & public speaker. Her work aims to improve the body-image & self-confidence of plus-size women, encouraging them to love and appreciate the body they own as a key first step towards leading a happier and healthier life.”

What inspired you to start blogging? I’ve been writing since I was able to, but all my writing lived in numerous journals for just my eyes. However, when I was 23 I lost my job in the recession and turned to writing as a way to help make sense of it all and share what my next steps in life would be. The blog was called Undercurrent because it was all about what I loved and was learning about myself. Well, you can see how that idea to share and express, while helping others, myself grew to my business today!

Who or what inspires you the most? I’m endlessly inspired by the world around me because I’m just so damn curious! I’ve always been compelled to ask the deeper questions in life, like who you want to be and how to do become happy. I read and talk with people who I admire and devote time to developing my own world-view. Inspiration wise, I try to see the marvelous even in the most un-impressive things, like while I’m riding the subway or washing the dishes – it’s a great exercise to find something awesome in the mundane.

Photos by: Rose Lincoln Photographer 

How would you describe your style? My fashion style is classic with a twist! I LOVE bold colors, fitted pants, stylish jackets & you’ll never see me without some great accessory to complete the look. I like looking put together and have so much fun with it, even more so since I’ve embraced my curvy-body.  

What do you see being the fashion trend in 2013? You know, I bought this gorgeous wool cape last year for winter, and despite TONS of compliments on how awesome it looks, I’ve not see anyone else with it! So trends really aren’t important to me – what matters is how I feel & look in what I wear, and if people think it looks fab too, then I’ve done a great job 🙂  

If you had to leave for a desert island, what three items would you bring with you and why? My fiancé (does that count?), my book of Rumi poems, and a photo of my family.

Where are we most likely to find you? Depends on the day! I love trying new restaurants & going to events during the week. If on a weekend, either I’m running, yoga, or having dinner with my guy or girlfriends. But let’s be real  too — probably looking at my iPhone!

What do you love about yourself? I love that I actually DO love myself and find that everything in my life becomes possible because I unconditionally love who I am.  Photos by: Rose Lincoln Photographer 

Your blog focuses on self-esteem and self-love, can you let us know more about your blog and why you chose to focus on such an important subject? I write about self-esteem, confidence & love because everything amazing in life comes from us working on those areas. Success, happiness, joy, lasting relationships — they all require a firm ground of self-love to flourish. But that’s not such an easy thing for people to work on and certainly isn’t taught in schools, and time and time again I hear from people that a lack of confidence (aka, total self-love) is what’s keeping from being who they really want to be. Everything I write on my blog flows from the idea that within each of us, there is a happy, accepting and unconditionally loving part which I called “the undercurrent” — but due to self-doubt, fear & judgement, our undercurrent get’s blocks and trapped, making it feel like there is a constant tug of war between what you really want to do and what you keep on doing. My posts are often inspired by something I’ve worked through, being that body-image, relationships, doubt, and I then offer insight on how others can do the same.

Do you feel like people are more accepting of plus size bodies these days? I’m not sure its really that they are accepting the bodies, as much as society is back-lashing against the idea of a “perfect” body. It’s exhausts for anyone of any size to try and keep up, so overall, more women (and men) are saying “Enough!”There are far more options, resources and inspiration available to women of size than ever before and that is exciting. I feel in general, the population is becoming more accepting as a whole of different ways people live and love themselves. But it really starts within oneself — if I accept myself the way I am, another person sees that and thinks “I can do that too..” and so the chain begins. People hold more power than they think they do.  

What advice can you give our readers about self-esteem and loving themselves? A few years ago I made a conscious choice that my life’s purpose would be to learn everything I could about Love because I wanted to develop a healthy way to appreciate who I am and then share that with others. Everything I do really stems from this mission of becoming a master of Love in all its forms. For others, find that special something in your life that elevates you and devote wholly to it — maybe it’s a skill, an art form, or a way of seeing the world. When you devote time and energy to something you cherish, you’ll experience a deep sense of satisfaction.

Have you ever been bullied? If so how did you handle it? And what should others do if they are being bullied? I was bullied for half a school year in fourth grade by a new girl who moved into our block and also went to the same school. I had always been a tomboy so was able to hold my own with the boys, but this girl was a true terror! She would try to beat me up and would say such hurtful things to me and my little brother (who I was very protective of.) I never provoked her but I knew she was mean to others too, so I told the teacher that she was picking on me and many other people.

The girl & I had to sit in mediation together but it didn’t really seem to help. We then we had a talent show in our school and I sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and I won! After the show, she came up to me & gave me a hug saying that my song made her feel bad for all the things she said & did and I forgave her. We were friendly from there on out and I don’t remember hearing of her being a bully anymore. If you’re feeling bullied by someone there is no shame in telling another about it because you’re not only helping yourself, you’re going to be helping other people too – including the bully themselves. But the forgiveness piece was key in my story (certainly for me.)

Tweet Rachel: https://twitter.com/RachelTheCoach

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UndercurrentCoaching?fref=ts

Check out her fabulous website: http://undercurrentcoaching.com/