Xtra Strength

5Jul/10Off

Xtra Strength

Which of the attributes of beauty, brains or brawn do you most value and why?

I don't believe in being bound by traditional stereotypes or expectations of women. I try not to create limitations for myself when it comes to what I can achieve in life. I have many interests and do my best to pursue them all.

In my snowboarding and dancing careers I found myself in worlds where physical strength, mental toughness and endurance were highly valued and critical for success. Moving into television it's hard to ignore the fact that you're judged by many on your physical appearance.

Sitting at an intersection of these very different sets of values, I'm interested to hear what is truly important to New Zealanders.

For more information about me, read the Yahoo!Xtra Answers blog http://nz.blogs.yahoo.com/answers/52/hayley-holt-on-answers

I guess there is a little place inside of me that wants to have all those things. I want the brains, the brawn and the beauty. I want to be physically attractive to others. I want to be intelligent. Have conversations on all levels. Know lots about everything. And I too want to have the physical strength of a ballet dancer and mountain climber combined.

However, there is also the realistic me that knows that I'm not too harsh on the eye, though I will never be a supermodel. I'm clever but certainly no genius and while I do 20 minutes (minimum) of physical activity each day I will never be a ballerina and I might climb a mountain - but not very fast and no doubt with a lot of difficulty.

I guess the key issue here is I'm quite happy in my own skin. I will never pay money to adjust my physical appearance (unless you count the odd haircut here and there). I'm not going to exercise myself into the ground. I gauge my physical activity on whether or not I will be able to do this same activity in 10 years, if not 20 years time. I read a lot. I talk a lot and being a school teacher I'm always having to learn new things. Being a single mother to 4 also helps with that. I'm forever learning.

If I was to choose just one of these attributes that I most value, it would be brains! Having a clue, helps me be a good mum. Helps me be the teacher I am. Choosing brains over beauty and brawn gives me the good sense and good values I want to pass on to my children. Having "brains" helps to be a good role model for my children. My mediocre intelligence is helping me live a balanced lifestyle. I stay close to my family and friends. I like to help others. I love animals. I like to create. I volunteer in the community. This is far more important than good looks and being able to lift that 10 tonne elephant over there.

Having a big heart and knowing what to do with it is what counts!