Wicklow – Jane Harrison

I’m Jane Harrison, 26, and I’m the Wicklow Rose. If you’d told me years ago I would be involved in the Rose of Tralee International Festival I would not have believed you. I was amazed to be selected, having shed over eleven stone in recent years, unlike the majority of weight loss stories, I found myself unhappier than ever after my weight loss. While being heavily overweight, I always had a sense of hope and what was to come. However, once I had reached my goal weight my confidence and belief in myself was just the same as it was when I weighed over twenty-two stone. Three years on, life experiences and soul searching have led me to learn who I am, my life objectives and I now understand who I am as a person, emotionally, physically and spiritually and be content in myself. My weight was a symptom, not the problem. I hope to motivate others to start appreciating their journey to bettering themselves. I was one to always say “when”, when I lose weight, when I’m happy, when everything falls into place. It takes hard work and dedication but happiness and confidence is possible for everyone. Once you realise your self-worth, it is very hard to settle for anything less but you have to want to make the changes in order for it to happen. After going through years of taunting for my weight, it helped me grow a second skin and I cemented a strong character and as a Rose I hope I can help others do this. I have always been Ireland’s biggest Rose advocate and can’t wait to meet people with the same outlook during my year as Wicklow Rose. My passion is communication and socialising, and I know I will make lifelong friends during this experience.