Meet the PP Founders - Jan

Hi,

My name is Jan aged 62 and a semi retired Finance Director (Chartered Accountant).

I'm an intelligent articulate female with 3 dogs for company and many friends who tell me I'm a fun person with a great sense of humour, a young outlook and an interesting life story.

After my husband had a heart attack and stroke 6 years ago through undiagnosed diabetes, we relocated from Surrey to Northamptonshire to be closer to one of his daughters and her family.

Sadly in May 2015 he was diagnosed with MND and died 20 weeks later. So I have been a carer for a while with a terminally ill husband and now I'm facing the future without someone special to share my retirement with.

I didn't worry too much about my weight gain through hyperthyroidism because my husband really couldn't have cared less. He loved me for the person he'd helped to develop over our 30 year marriage. My body was just a vehicle but my brain, my personality, my essence was what he loved. I felt secure, loved and safe. After he died I had to take a long cold look at my reflection in the mirror and sadly, didn't believe I was anything more than what I saw looking back. I was so wrong. I'm still that same thoughtful person that he loved and my body doesn't and shouldn't define me.

I am trying to be more spontaneous but do need a little shove now and again. I have a big personality and will try anything twice - just to make sure it's what I want or don't want. But I'm compassionate, caring and very loyal.

I joined a group of 9 strong determined women in November last year and despite our cultural, ethnic, location and age differences we formed Positively Perfect to promote positive body image. The ten of us wholeheartedly believe in what we're doing and hope to continue to deliver the positively perfect message.  I was also elected in September last year to the board of Trustees of the Motor Neurone Disease Association to try and help future sufferers of the awful disease which robbed me of my husband.

I enjoy the theatre, cooking, visiting and entertaining friends and of course I have my archery to fall back on if I feel sporty. I was a longbow and recurve archer and coach when I lived in Surrey. I'm watching far too much TV now but it does mean I have spare time to spend promoting Positively Perfect.
 

As the eldest member of the group I feel I have a unique perspective to offer. I'm proud to share a platform with these inspiring, strong and uniquely beautiful women. We all have a different story yet we all live our lives hoping to change individual perceptions of beauty. We are all beautiful in our own way. Be proud of yourself and stand tall. Everyone then has to look up to you. Be kind, be thoughtful, be honest be kind to everyone.

What you give out you get back. Smile

Jan
Founder Member, Model, Chief spellchecker and Mumma Chick.