Chelsea Werner is a 4-time National Champion, 2-time defending World Champion, and 4-time Olympic National champion gymnast.
She also happens to have Down Syndrome.
Now, she’s both a role model and a real model – as of 2019, she had been on the cover of Teen Vogue, walked in multiple New York Fashion Weeks, and continues to travel internationally for big-brands such as H&M and Target.
“I have always loved being in front of the camera – that’s where I got the nickname ‘Showtime’,” Chelsea told Forbes.com. “Whenever there is a camera or an audience I am at my best. I also love the travel.”
Chelsea’s parents wanted to support her interest in being active at an early age – even though she didn’t walk until age two.
“When she was five or six we tried soccer and that didn’t work too well and she kept finding trees to sit in the shade,” her father Ray recalled to Bancroft TV.
She’s always had a mind of her own despite her disability and it’s never been about what she can or can’t do, but rather what dreams she wanted to pursue.
That’s why when her parents Ray and Lisa signed her up for gymnastics as a child and she started working with a coach who treated her just like everyone else, she flourished. But she also put in the long hours that led to success.
When she was born, doctors said her physical disabilities were minimal – but she would simply have the low muscle tone common among those with Down Syndrome and probably wouldn’t be able to do much in the way of athletics.
She certainly proved that prediction wrong.
Still, the skills that take most gymnasts a year or less to learn take Chelsea a couple of years. But that’s ok. She never stops working.
Even when her local Special Olympics program in northern California was shuttered, Werner didn’t give up – she went to train with USA Gymnastics instead.
“We have tried to treat her as normal as possible and have the same, you know, drive and expectations as our sons [who were 8 and 10 when she was born] and that seems to have worked out,” her dad said.
At 26, she was still at the gym practicing with her coach alongside other aspiring – albeit younger – gymnasts.
The modeling came about as a fluke when the clothing store H&M came calling one day asking if she would fly to Havana, Cuba for an ad campaign. The family thought it would be a great opportunity – and it was.
She’s still modeling for companies and magazines seeking out more diverse models. Of course, even with the new acceptance of diversity in modeling, those with disabilities are still rare.
But Chelsea told Forbes.com that getting by in the modeling world is a challenge for everyone:
“I think it’s hard for all models. I’ve had a lot of challenges in my life and I never give up. I have a lot of people rooting for me and a good team behind me. I’m a very positive person and don’t see things as limitations. I’m pretty stubborn and work very hard. The way my parents raised me really made me feel good about myself.”
Last week, she got another chance to model for Foxy’s Leotards at New York Fashion Week – before that, she was at a gymnastics meet in Reno, Nevada.
It’s clear we could all learn a lot from Chelsea, who those around her call “fearless.” Even while modeling, for example, when women look around to compare themselves to others, Chelsea has the confidence to go out and rock it – no self-doubt, no measuring herself against others.
Luckily, Chelsea is happy to be a role model for the rest of us – a lot of us need someone like her.
Be sure to scroll down below to see an interview with Chelsea and her family.
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