OLYMPIC BEAUTY BONNIE ST. JOHN
FALLING DOWN AND GETTING UP-IN LIFE
by: Donza Meagley 
Bonnie St. John, definitely deserves to be on the list for one of the most inspiring women in America. Bonnie St John became an Olympic Silver Medalist winner in downhill skiing in the 1984 Paralympics in Innsbruck Austria. She also went on to become an Author, Speaker, and Coach. Bonnie St. John was faced with one of her biggest challenges at the age of five: the loss of a leg. Bonnie, believes the process of learning to ski with one leg gave her strength. An African American woman fighting back adversities in a positive way fits the description of Bonnie. She feels you grow even stronger spiritually, when life challenges become difficult.   .:read more:.
 

 
The first ever Paralympic Winter Games took place in Sweden, in 1976. Bonnie’s books, Making Room For Joy In A Crazy Word, Getting Ahead at Work Without Leaving Your Family Behind, Money: Fall Down? Get Up!, How Strong Women Pray and Coming in April 09: Live Your Joy, all have thought provoking titles that exemplify her life struggles and triumphs. One of her latest books called, How Strong Women Pray, gives readers a glimpse into her life and her own prayer journey. Bonnie says, “writing the book was healing for her.” In her book, she talks about childhood abuse, motherhood, going through divorce and in the end finding love again. She is such an extraordinary women who repeatedly over came adversities. Bonnie is also one of the most inspirational keynote speakers in the country. Sending positive messages for woman of all kind and giving them inspiration to get back up when you fall.

Bonnie is currently in Colorado Springs as a Paralympic Ambassador helping to prepare the disabled athletes on Team USA to be role models, deal with the media and represent the values of the Olympics in China. Bonnie has the will and determination to overcome her disability, become a Rhodes Scholar, be a Harvard graduate and be part of the
White House National Economic Council as a well respected motivational speaker. Bonnie has been featured on several major networks and her accomplishments go on. Well since Bonnie is so fashionable I wanted to know about her beauty regime secrets and this is what she told me:

DONZA: What were you thinking about when you won the Olympic Silver Medalist Award?
BONNIE: It was amazing. I was in shock-I never expected to win at all since I was third ranked woman in the US. I had trained all summer and just came on stronger. My mother was crying. I didn’t know at the time that I was the first African-American to win Olympic medals in skiing.
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DONZA: What is your beauty regime like for your hair and facial care? What extra steps did you take to protect your skin while skiing?
BONNIE: Back when I was a jock life was pretty simple. I was religious about sun screen especially during summers on a glacier. Just because I am African-American people think I don’t tan—wrong. Dark skin absorbs more sun!

DONZA: Come on tell us some of the famous spots for beauty care.
BONNIE: Now that I do so many public appearances and TV shows, my beauty regime is more involved—hair salon weekly, nails every two weeks (French only), waxing, facials, highlights, etc. I go to J Sister Salon in NYC where Cameron Diaz, Vanessa Williams and others go, too. It is a fun and nurturing energy from these wonderful Brazilian women who own the salon. For wrinkle prevention I highly recommend yoga and prayer—less stress keeps you looking young!

DONZA: What message do you have for women on overcoming stumbling blocks, and life changing events?
BONNIE: Fall Down? Get up! Find the strength you need inside.

BONNIE ST. JOHN, a strong lady that has been known to say “Life sometimes throws curve balls,” but here’s a woman that can engage in positive dialogues and motivate others. Please log onto www.bonniestjohn.com for events and information on Bonnie.

 

Donza Meagley, Managing Editor, Center Stage Magazine

 

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