My Story
A cover shot of Lee in an editorial shoot in Paris.
Beauty is not skin deep. I know, I was a model.
Having been genetically blessed with long legs, a waif-like figure and high cheekbones, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime at the mere age of 14 to become an international fashion model. Throughout my teenage years, I was flown to exotic locales like Paris, New York, Tokyo, New Zealand and Singapore to work with some of the world's most legendary photographers, stylists, and artists on editorial shoots and campaigns. While this all seems utterly glamorous, you might wonder why I quit modelling and started selling butter. The answer is simple:
Modelling simply wasn't nourishing me.
I felt sick, lonely and powerless. On set, I was poked and prodded as though I were a mannequin that couldn't feel anything and was often forced to squeeze into shoes that didn't fit me, which nearly ruined my feet forever. The nutrition advice I was given was to "eat salad, drink water and run on the treadmill until my legs felt like they would fall off." Needless to say, this lifestyle was rather unhealthy. After six years in the industry, I decided to quit modelling for once and for all.
Shortly thereafter I discovered yoga, which completely changed my life. As cliché as it may sound, it taught me to feel at peace with myself and to love myself again. I also began to feel connected with my body and started attracting positive, inspiring individuals who were on the same path to healing. I began to make changes in my life that were better suited to the new person I was becoming -- and part of that meant changing my diet to one that was healthier and did not involve restricting myself or yo-yo dieting. I taught myself to cook at home and found that using simple ingredients such as grains, vegetables and legumes, was a fabulous way to get high nutritional value at a low cost and create meals that made me feel great. I fell in love with nourishing myself, inside and out.
Lee at the Wellington Farmers' Market. Photo: Johnny CY Lam
More importantly, I began to feel whole again.
I further fuelled my passion for healthy food, sustainability and organic farming by spending several months working on organic farms in the US, Canada and eventually, Northern India. It felt entirely natural to have my hands in the soil, be surrounded by nature and not have to think about my appearance. I felt stronger and more more alive than ever before. In India, I immersed myself entirely in the ancient traditions of Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga which teaches that our mental wellness, bodily health, and outward beauty are all intertwined. I also met some of the most beautiful women I have ever met while travelling through the villages in India (Hint: they weren't supermodels.)
True beauty comes from within.
Lee's Ghee was born from my journey toward discovering my own inner beauty and connection to nature and true self. My goal is to inspire others find their unique inner beauty and to feel radiant, healthy, alive, beautiful and connected. When you truly care for yourself, your inner beauty automatically shines through for all to see. - Lee