Olivia Culpo on Endometriosis, Giving Back & More for Shape Magazine

Olivia Culpo may be known for cutting a fierce figure in a swimsuit, but the model, actor, designer and fashion influencer is just as commanding in a power suit. For Shape’s December issue,  the star opens up about taking charge of her life goals, owning her health despite a challenging endometriosis diagnosis and finding pure happiness in a glass of champagne.

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On being diagnosed with endometriosis: “About a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, but I knew there was something wrong before that. I had gone to a number of doctors in agony—crying, shaking. When you’re living with chronic pain, you don’t know if you want to throw up or just curl into a ball and cry. That’s when I started a six-month journey of trying to figure it out. ‘OK, what is going on here?’ I finally went to a doctor who was able to diagnose me. Good thing, because my condition was advanced, and she needed to check my eggs immediately to make sure my fertility was intact. Right now, I’m trying to figure out new ways to heal holistically through what I’m eating and the rest that I’m giving myself. I’m also exploring acupuncture, massages, Chinese herbal medicine, and maybe cutting out caffeine.”

On doing something for good with her experience: “I realized what is important to me is finding ways to give back or to inspire someone. I’m going to actively try to help people who live with this and not just talk about my experience.”

On living her vision: “I journal every day—getting out all my thoughts, ambitions, goals. That escalated into vision boards. I really enjoy having a visual component for goals I want to achieve, things I have in my head that I can’t quite articulate yet. In my room, I have a vision board that I made the day before the Shape cover shoot. I went to bed staring at it and getting myself into the mood of the shoot.”

On her wellness mantras: “I love Pilates—the Lagree method with Megaformers and traditional Pilates. My grandmother went to Juilliard with Joseph Pilates. She’s almost 90, and she still teaches ballet. She actually owns her own studio. Maybe that’s where I got my love of Pilates.” “I’m also a big believer in meditation. I implemented Transcendental Meditation into my pageant training. I did it daily as I was preparing. It was not about winning, but more soul searching that meditation definitely helped with. These days, it’s about closing my eyes and visualizing what I want to see even in the day that’s ahead.”

Available for sale November 13th.

[Photo Credit: Thomas Whiteside for Shape Magazine]

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