WHILE some think beauty has a time limit, one woman has proven otherwise.
Dr Nina Cash, 57, is on a mission to prove you can wear a bikini at any age and look good.
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The Californian woman modelled when she was younger, but it’s in her 50s that she’s really found her mojo.
She was named one of seven winners who were featured in the 60th Anniversary issue of Sports Illustrated in May 2024 and is often seen strutting her stuff to promote body positivity on the catwalk.
Nina was a model in her younger years but put it on hold when she got pregnant with her daughter, who is now 30 and raised her as a single parent.
Nina earned her undergraduate degree in Human Services, followed by a graduate degree in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding.
She pursued a doctorate in educational leadership, rising to the rank of associate dean at a university before retiring in 2022.
But after retiring, Nina wasn’t done and decided to revisit modelling.
Since then, she’d been dipping her toes back into modeling, booking commercials and print jobs, as well as Peloton’s holiday campaign.
But the mum took a leap of faith and applied to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Search, and it paid off.
“I thought, ‘Well, let me give it a shot to see if my look is in.’ And it’s been amazing, the reception I’ve been getting,” she said.
When she was younger, Nina admired Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover stars like Cheryl Tiegs but never imagined she’d have the opportunity to pose for the magazine.
“The women on the cover of SI Swim were beautiful, but unfortunately, none of them represented me — let alone now, fast forward to 56 with gray hair,” she said.
Now she won’t let her age, or what anyone has to say about it, get in her way of strutting her stuff in a bikini for SI.
Nina told the Mirror: “By showcasing women of different ages, backgrounds and body types, we challenge narrow beauty standards and celebrate the beauty and value of every individual.
“It’s essential for women to see themselves represented in media and advertising, as it promotes self-acceptance, confidence and a sense of belonging.
The 5 Best Body Positive Influencers To Follow
- @_nelly_london – Nelly has been on a journey with breast corrective surgery and has also shared her experience with eating disorders, her honesty and openness makes her a great follow.
- @lottiedryna – She regularly shares content on living with IBS and finds bloat-friendly outfits to share with her followers.
- @stephanieyeboah – Stephanie Yeboah’s body positive content has the most incredible message – everyone is worthy of being loved, plus she has the best fashion inspo going.
- @isabelladavis6 – Bella’s content spans more than just body image and is ideal for women wanting a community of women supporting women.
- @jessontheplussize – She advocates for women wearing what they want no matter their body shape.
And it’s true SI’s newer covers have featured 74-year-old Maye Musk and Yumi Nu, its first Asian plus-size model.
Inside were photos of trans model Leyna Bloom, indigenous model Ashley Callingbull, and fitness influencer Katrina Scott, who was the first woman to have a visible C-section scar.
Nina reveals she likes to stay active by walking, riding her Peloton and dancing, and follows a healthy lifestyle to help her Type 2 Diabetes.
Getting older means Nina has become comfortable and embraces the changes her body goes through..
She added: “Embracing my grey hair has been easy. I approach getting older with gratitude and a positive mindset.
“I have lifelines,” she pointed out, referring to fine lines on her face. “I have battle scars. I’m living life.
“Why don’t I want to express that? I’m not trying to turn back time.
“Now some people say, ‘Well, that’s easy for you to say because of your genetics. You are so lucky, you don’t have wrinkles.’
“But honestly, I’m proud of those lifelines, because I can be a lifeline to other people.
“I have wrinkles and laugh lines — why not celebrate that?
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all obsessed about what we loved about ourselves rather than what we hated about ourselves?”
Although she doesn’t judge others for getting Botox or dying over their grey hairs, Nina prefers the natural look.
She went totally gray during the pandemic, encouraged by her husband, her daughter, and her two stepdaughters — who told her: “Slay the gray.”
“I was like, ‘What am I doing? This isn’t me.’ So I just said, ‘I’m going to let it grow gray. I’m going to be my authentic self,'” she said.