Texan Mosaic

by MATT MOLINAR/Opinion Editor 

For Emily Edwards, looking good has never felt better.

Edwards, a sophomore biology major from Levelland, Texas,  grew up with one particular goal in her mind, and that was to remain highly confident.

In order to achieve confidence, Edwards spends most of her time in the gym, working herself to her fullest potential. That is the reason she calls herself a “gym rat.”

“I go to the gym more than I go anywhere else,” Edwards says. “I’m obsessed with being the best that I can be. I just want to be better than I was yesterday.”

Edwards says that while exercising, your body produces endorphins, which make you happy. This is what makes her believe that exercise can make her a happier, healthier and more confident person.

However, with powerlifting and other extreme fitness activities being less common among women, Edwards has had her share of negative feedback.

“I was actually walking out of Reese the other day, and this girl looked at me and called me a ‘she-Hulk,’” Edwards said. “A lot of guys tell me not to get too muscular, because they say that guys don’t like to date big girls. But I don’t really care.”

Edwards responds to the criticism by explaining that she is not trying to impress anybody with her strength, but simply working on making her body look the way she wants it to look.

“I also get a lot of positive criticism as well,” Edwards said. “Everyone in the gym is there to support you. We are not here to judge anyone. We are only here to judge ourselves.”

For Edwards’ future, she has set in front of herself a goal to become a plastic surgeon once she graduates from Texas Tech University.

“I’m all about helping people feel better about themselves,” Edwards says. “I feel that with plastic surgery, the surgeon is there to make the patient look better and feel better about their self.”

Edwards also spends her spare time mastering the skill of makeup artistry. She explains that makeup has helped her find what she would want to do for a living.

“I would love to be a makeup artist,” Edwards said. “But that career is a very seasonal thing. You wouldn’t be making that much money at certain times of the year. With plastic surgery, it’s the best of both worlds.”

Edwards says that people who are willing to pay money to look better mean business, and this career path would be the best option for her future.

“I draw inspiration from Sophie Arvebrink, an online fitness personality,” Edwards says. “She’s just so huge. I want to look like her.”

Edwards says that if she could tell anyone anything, it would be to feel as confident as he or she deserves to feel. She also encourages her friends not to care about what other people may think of them.

“Just don’t care,” Edwards says. “Everyone has something to work on. If you enjoy something, get good at it.”

After attending SPC, Edwards plans to transfer to Texas Tech in order to pursue her degree, before moving to Corpus Christi to pursue her dreams.