PEOPLE FIT AND FLAWED Former model, actress Divini Rae becomes new face of fitness in Oklahoma by Heide Brandes
F
ormer model, actress and Playboy Playmate Divini Rae knows from experience how unrealistic the world’s ideal for women can be.
She hates that girls around the world believe they have to fit an image that doesn’t really exist outside of magazine pages, and she hates that women are taught to constantly dislike their bodies. “It’s about feeling healthy, not looking a certain way,” said Divini. “So many beautiful women look in the mirror and hate what they see. There’s no such thing as the perfect body, but there is such a thing as being balanced, healthy and happy.” Divini Rae Sorenson grew up in the remote village of Tanana, Alaska, with no running water and food that her mother grew herself. She wasn’t a fitness fan in her youth, but living in the wilds of Alaska meant being naturally active and outdoorsy. After marrying her husband, Oklahoma City’s Dr. Winston Fong, she had two babies and let her own fitness slide. She bloomed to more than 200 pounds, and that’s when fitness and health became her new passion. “I didn’t feel ‘gorgeous’ when I was unhealthy and over 200 pounds, and it was not easy to get healthy again,” she said. “Every day, I chose to let go of negative thoughts and focus on good, positive thoughts.”
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 ion Oklahoma 91