by David Ball
Staff Writer
Kim Alexis knows how people’s values can shift throughout their lives.
In her early 20s living in New York City and working as one of the top super models in the world, Alexis’ values were based on how thin she was, how many magazines covers she landed and the money and fame that came along with it.
But life after the flash bulb was difficult. She went through one failed marriage and was stuck at the sunset of her career. That’s when she found her faith, moved to Jacksonville and began a process of self-reflection that will soon culminate in her emergence back into the public spotlight.
Alexis shared her story with members of the Christian Professional’s Resource at their monthly meeting Wednesday at Epping Forest Yacht Club.
While she did talk about her new TV reality show “She’s Got the Look” and gave advice to others hoping to break into a modeling career, her overriding message was a spiritual life lesson.
“I spent a lot of my time proving myself to others, being a people-pleaser,” said Alexis, “but not a God-pleaser. I’ve had a really good last part of my life.”
The first part of Alexis’ life began in Buffalo, N.Y., where she excelled as a student and champion swimmer and planned a career in pharmacology.
Then, at 17, she was “discovered.” At 18, she moved to New York and quickly became one of the most sought after models in the world. That was the first time she had to alter her life values, particularly when she had modeling experts telling her to lose weight.
“As a swimmer, I had no fat on my body whatsoever, but here I thought I was fat,” she said. “I always felt I wasn’t good enough in that part of my life.”
But Alexis said she learned to adjust, and she ended up becoming one of the first true “super models,” gracing more than 500 magazine covers including six Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues and working in TV and film.
Alexis said she would often return home and see old friends who were making little money and were envious of her success. They said she was lucky, but she defended her success as a result of hard work.
She said eventually, she realized it was neither.
“It’s not luck, it’s not hard work. It’s God’s grace,” she said. “I stepped aside and had God work on my heart and my head.
“Slowly, I think I started learning more of life’s lessons.”
Alexis now lives outside of Jacksonville with her husband, former pro hockey player Ron Duguay, and five children. She performs speaking engagements and has several workout music CDs and a book, “A Model for a Better Future.”
Soon, she’ll be seen by millions of TV viewers as host of the new TV Land series “She’s Got the Look,” where fashion industry experts search to discover the next model — a woman 35 years or older.
“I think that’s my door-opener,” she said. “I think that’s where I get back into the business.”
Alexis said that while she owes much in her life to her faith, she concluded her speech by advising attendees not to “overdue Christianity.”
“I can’t stand on a soapbox and preach that way,” she said. “I have to subtly be secure in my place and just be that way.”