Chelsea Warner is an incredible young woman who has never let the fact that she has Down syndrome hold her back from achieving anything in life. Chelsea has been beating the odds ever since she was a child, when doctors told her parents that she would have low muscle tone. She went on to prove them wrong by becoming a two-time World Champion gymnast at the Special Olympics.
Recently, Chelsea has set her sights on modeling, and she’s already achieving her dreams in this industry.
After doctors told her parents that she would never have much muscle tone as a baby, Chelsea did not learn to walk until she was 2 years-old. By the time she was 8 years-old, Chelsea was trying her hand at many different sports, and she took to gymnastics more than anything else.
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So exciting to have my first meet of 2019 yesterday ? My teammates and I took First Place ??
Because of her determination and hard work, Chelsea found success in the special gymnastics circuit and even went on to represent America at the first Down’s Syndrome International World Championship. She is now a two-time defending World Champion and after her fourth US National Championships win, Chelsea decided to turn her attention to fashion modeling.
When asked why she made this surprising career shift, Chelsea said, “I’ve been at the top the Gymnastics World for probably ten years now. I still enjoy it but it’s not my entire life. I got some great modeling opportunities through my gymnastics and discovered I really loved it!”
This comes as the definitions of beauty in the modeling industry are changing, and Chelsea is playing a major role in this change.
“It is slowly becoming more diverse but what they typically consider diversity is usually racial or plus-size models,” Chelsea’s mother Lisa said of the changes happening in the modeling world. “When it comes to models with disabilities it’s pretty rare. A large segment of today’s population has some form of disability – they want and deserve to be represented!”
Responding to her mother’s comments, Chelsea said that modeling is hard for people of all different shapes and sizes.
“I think it’s hard for all models,” she explained. “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.”
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Photo by the always amazing @rajat ? hair and makeup @yaviviartistry ?@wespeakny
Chelsea has already found success in the modeling industry, as she has been featured on the cover of Teen Vogue, walked in New York Fashion Week, and traveled across the world for big-brand campaigns.
“I have always loved being in front of the camera – that’s where I got the nickname ‘Showtime.’ Whenever there is a camera or an audience I am at my best. I also love the travel. My first modeling job was for H&M and I filmed it in Havana, Cuba,” she said.
Chelsea has now become a role model for people all over the world, and when she was asked about this, she said, “I love it! Many times I hear it from parents of young children. If I can help give anyone hope that makes me very happy and proud!”
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Keep up the good work, Chelsea! Find out more about her in the video below.
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