Never Going Back, Amazing Weight Loss Journey – Dallas Frisco Photographer-Me Ra Koh

There are so many wonderful things to say about Jamie. It’s hard to know where to start.

We met almost 7 years ago. Brian and I were invited to teach a photography workshop on Royal Caribbean Cruise to the top bloggers in the country. Jamie picked my brain about photography, and I picked her brain about social media. LOL! We loved getting to know her and her husband and have stayed in touch over the years.

Amazing Weight Loss Journey

A few months ago, Jamie messaged me and said she wanted to have her own Rising Phoenix Experience. She explained that she used to struggle with walking more than 400 steps a day. Her health was impacting her ability to enjoy time with the most important people in her life, her husband and daughter. A little over 14 months ago, Jamie was done with frustration and disappointment and she began an amazing weight loss journey losing a significant amount of weight. Now she walks 10K steps a day!

“I never thought his could happen. I’m happier than ever before! My energy has never been like this. I don’t care where we park anymore!”

Jamie was so excited to celebrate this amazing weight loss journey milestone but also nervous.

I’ve always been unhappy in all my photos.

“I only saw how fat I was, going through the motions,” shared Jamie. “Now I’m living but I don’t know what my eyes say! I think my eyes are alive! They were so dead before.”

Tears come sharing the GORGEOUS Phoenix Portrait of her. Jamie had no idea just how alive and radiant her eyes are.

What Her Daughter Said

A significant, amazing weight loss journey like this doesn’t happen overnight. And Jamie was quick to share how much support her family gives. Jamie’s lifestyle and diet changes impacted all of them.

Halle, her daughter, said it was hard at first. “We were both overweight, and I wasn’t losing. But now we can share clothes! We go on family walks together which is so bonding. My mom told me I can complain the whole walk, and it’s become like therapy. I even realized the walk is more helpful when you’re not negative the whole time!”

When She Walks into the Room…

Halle beamed, “She has this presence when my mom walks in the room, and I get to walk in with her! It’s like the party has started. Jamie is here! The entire room responds. And I think ‘I’m with the coolest mom ever. The coolest person ever. I watch her dive into her dreams, and I know there is nothing I can’t do. She’s my best friend!”

Why She’s a Flamingo vs a Phoenix

This is one of my FAVORITE things Halle shared about her mom! I asked her what she hopes the Phoenix Portraits remind her mom of. Her answer blew me away and inspired this next Flamingo Portrait!

“I feel like my mom is a flamingo not a phoenix. When you first walk in the zoo and see the flamingos, it’s the way they stand. They have this commanding presence. They make no apology for who they are–that is what I LOVE about my mom!”

It’s a Conscious Choice

Jamie has over 2 million followers on social media. Halle said she has grown up watching people comment about her mom’s weight all her life. “Just the meanness that comes with 2 million followers is overwhelming. But my mom handles it with such poise and confidence. She makes no apology for who she is. She is that beautiful flamingo, my BIGGEST inspiration. If she can do it, I can do it!”

Jamie shared how she has struggled to pick everyone else over herself. Whether it was picking her daughter as all moms struggle with. Or picking overweight women to inspire online. I’ll never forget her saying “I picked me for the first time in a long time.” So powerful.

What Her Husband Said

Kevin shared how Jamie was really scared to undergo this weight loss journey because of how people might treat her. Would they still think she’s funny or feel threatened since so many women online identified with being overweight. “But Jamie is still herself, this beautiful personality we all love.”

“The biggest shift in energy is that Jamie is enough. She’s accomplished enough. She is worthy of taking care of herself, and she believes it.”

I can relate to what Kevin shared. Anyone who has overcome in a significant way knows how scary it is to venture into the unknown. Even though pain depletes us, it’s also familiar. The familiar feels safe. You may be in pain and like Jamie shared “existing versus living” but the idea of doing the hard work to grow beyond the pain is scary. If you’ve never ventured beyond the pain, you’re not sure what to expect. You’re not sure who will still be there for you on the other side. But you have to be for you first and foremost. No one else matters as much as you believing in your worthy.

She Took a Big Risk

It takes so much courage to face the painful things we want to ignore.

Jamie took a big risk. She didn’t just find success with an amazing weight loss journey. Jamie grabbed hold of courage looking at all the pain, the unhealthy habits, the addiction, and stepped into the unknown. She had no idea what she’d receive. There was hope but no quick fixes. This new way of life would require a ton of honesty and work to create healthy habits in every part of her life.

The Unexpected Rewards

She said that every day she is surprised by new possibilities! When I asked her if she could pull her foot up to the stool, she almost cried. Jamie hadn’t been able to do this for years! She couldn’t believe it! Another win revealing itself! In fact, being able to pull her foot up while sitting was a secret goal she journaled about more than a year ago when she began this journey.

The joy these unexpected wins bring is overflowing!

Didn’t Even Recognize Herself

When we showed her this Phoenix Portrait, she said she didn’t even recognize herself. Jamie couldn’t believe that was her. She included it in her Rising Phoenix Portrait Box to give herself time to process the reality of who she is now.

Where to Display Her Phoenix Collection?

Jamie and I talked about ideas of where she’d like to see her Phoenix Collection displayed on the wall. Possibly the bedroom. But I also love asking the spouse. Sometimes they have insight on a strategic place that we haven’t even thought of.

Kevin thought of their bathroom wall. He often sees her making micro changes throughout the day.

“I can see her struggling with a fear of keeping the weight off. But to see her portraits looking back at her would be a daily encouragement. They’d say “Look how far I’ve come, what I’ve achieved. I got this because I make good choices. I can keep doing this for me, my husband, and Halle.”

Jamie posted this on Facebook the day after her install with the words “Is this even me?!?”

I asked Jamie what it would give to her to see the truth of who she is every day.

“It will show me I have overcome, and I will NEVER go back! Reminding me how GOOD this feeling is. When I struggle to eat more, I will see these photos and I WILL BE STRENGTHENED.”

The Powerful Impact Already

A couple days after Jamie’s wall art install, I asked her what it was like seeing who she is every day.

She couldn’t believe how HAPPY it makes her feel all throughout the day! There is no price tag for that kind of daily impact, the constant dose of happiness! She wants Halle, her daughter, to have the same experience, so we’re going to do a very special Senior Portrait Rising Phoenix Experience this week for her!

Jamie’s amazing weight loss journey only continues to bring new possibilities, stronger confidence, more ENERGY, joy, and unexpected non-scale wins like being able to pull up her foot on a stool. What a beautiful, rewarding journey! Isn’t she inspiring?!

Love you Jamie! By choosing you for the first time in a long time, you ended up inspiring us all!

What is a Rising Phoenix Experience?

When was the last time you did something transformational just for you?

If you are overwhelmed with all the reasons why you shouldn’t invest time or money on yourself, I want you to pause and think of all the obstacles you have overcome in your life.

Have you achieved a weight goal, overcome a serious illness, been promoted in your career, pivoted with resilience in your career, or found healing from something painful in your past? Or maybe you’re turning 40, 50, 60 or 70+ and feel the need to reflect on who you are and what this next season of your life has in store? 

The first step is to fill out this Phoenix inquiry; CLICK HERE.

Michelle Found Courage to Step Beyond Grief

There are some seasons in life when we feel unshakeable courage and other seasons that leave us feeling lost. After great loss, it takes great courage to step forward.

Meet Michelle. She is definitely someone who has known great courage. At one time, she was an interrogator for the US military in the Middle East. This 5’4 woman knows confidence. But two years ago, the loss of her mom changed her life.

Kristina Overcame Cancer

Meet beautiful Kristina who overcame cancer! Even though she was thankful to have defeated this enemy, she struggled with seeing the scar that remained. Once she stopped to think about all of the incredible obstacles she has overcome, she realized that now was the time to celebrate the strong woman she is today. The Phoenix Portrait Experience allowed her to celebrate not only the healing but also embrace this scar. Now every morning Kristina wakes up to see that brave, powerful woman on her bedroom wall. Nothing will ever stand in her way again.

Click Here to see her Phoenix Portrait Experience!

Crystal drove to us from Las Vegas.

A single woman who has always been known for being responsible and quiet, yet there is another side of her that wants to come out. A side that is brave and takes risks—that believes she is worthy of doing something special not just for others but for herself too. Every time Crystal looks up from her computer in her home office, she wants to be reminded of that part of her who is beautiful and brave.

All these women have something in common, they were ready to …

Rise above the ashes of what other people have said
Rising above their fear and doubts
Embracing their beautiful Rising Phoenix within.

Through our Portrait of a Phoenix Experience, they not only did something special but transformational.

I want to invite you to experience it too!

The Portrait of a Phoenix Experience includes:

• Signature Phone Calls with You and Loved Ones
• Professional Hair & Makeup
• Wardrobe Consultation & Vision
• Phoenix Photo Shoot with Me Ra Koh (Sony Artisan, Disney Host, and Live with Kelly & Ryan Guest Expert—You’re in good hands. I will pose you, drop shadows and light on you in the most flattering way that radiates your Phoenix Rising.)
• Same Day Cinematic Reveal & Custom Design Session with our In-House Design Specialist
• Beautiful Artwork of Your Phoenix Rising, Custom Designed for the Best Place where it will Speak Truth to You Every Day.

CLICK HERE to fill out the inquiry and begin your Phoenix Experience!

Can’t wait to speak soon!
Me Ra

GEAR USED

(Amazon affiliate links included)

Camera: Sony Alpha1: https://amzn.to/3ncGe57
Lens: Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM: https://amzn.to/2VvyexL
Sony High Speed SD Card: https://amzn.to/2SV8Aky
One Light: Profoto B1X: https://amzn.to/2LSuAvL
Profoto Sony Air Remote TTL-C: https://amzn.to/2LUHWI2
Modifier: Profoto Octa 254712 RFi 5ft Softbox: https://amzn.to/331w38v
HP Spectre Laptop: https://amzn.to/2SSvtp0
Sandbags: https://amzn.to/326QjVl
Tether Cable: https://amzn.to/2GGcNUm