Alexandra Renee: From Struggle to Self-Love
She trained like a pro but still felt like she was losing—until something shifted.
During our trip to Phoenix, Arizona, we had the joy of photographing Alexandra Renee in a shoot that was nothing short of breathtaking. Her body? A work of art. Her spirit? Just as colorful and inspiring. Today, as a proud Bare Model, Alexandra embraces her curves and natural beauty without filters, without makeup—just truth.
But her journey here wasn’t easy.
Finding Confidence After Weight Gain
“Most of my life I was thinner because of soccer, but in the last two years I gained over 25 pounds,” Alexandra shared. “At first, I felt disgusting—but eventually I learned to appreciate my weight for what it is. Recently I lost the 25 pounds, and now I feel this is my forever home. I aim to nurture my body rather than beat myself up trying to be perfect.”
Redefining Beauty Marks
High school was tough for Alexandra, especially when it came to stretch marks.
("Me and Alexandra laughing as we tried to recreate a previous pose... nothing but fun! These black-and-white images we created are truly timeless." — Karlo Gomez, Photographer)
“I used to hate them. Seriously, high school was brutal. But now? I look at them and say:
‘Damn, this is such a pretty feature to have.’ They show my progress, my growth, my story.”
Embracing Bare Skin
Shooting with no makeup wasn’t a challenge—it was freedom.
“I don’t usually wear much makeup anyway, so it felt amazing to be true to my natural skin and beauty.”
Even posing partially nude became a breakthrough moment.
“At first? Totally nerve-wracking. But once I got comfortable, I felt confident in my skin. It made me appreciate my body even more.”
The Gym: A Double-Edged Sword
“Honestly, it’s a double-edged sword. Sometimes I’ve felt like I didn’t belong because I didn’t look like everyone else. But the flip side? I feel strong and empowered when I lift or hit a new PR. Strength isn’t just about looks—it’s about how your body feels.”
Inspirations Along the Way
Right now, Alexandra draws inspiration from The Way by Emilio Estevez, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne—each a reminder of presence, growth, and possibility.
What’s Next for Alexandra
She isn’t done yet.
“I want to keep transforming my body and pushing limits. Through personal training and Instagram, I hope to inspire others and maybe become someone people look up to.”
(Leg day with Alexandra: strong quads, sore hammies, and the eternal struggle of putting on pants the next day)
Why We Love Alexandra Renee
At the heart of her story, Alexandra shows us that confidence comes from embracing yourself—not chasing perfection. She’s proof that beauty is in the messy, the unfiltered, the authentic.
Find Alexandra on Instagram @alexandra_renee17
