A Model Human Being
Roxy Louw appears to move through life as fluidly as she moved through the water when she was a competitive surfer, easily transitioning to the roles of international model, qualified yoga instructor, entrepreneur, and even conservationist.
From magazine covers to Instagram posts, it’s easy to look at Louw and have the perception of a charmed life spent on beaches and in bikinis. And to be fair, there is a lot of beachside living. But where Louw does break the stereotype is in her own search for balance in life, her views on the unrealistic portrayal of women’s bodies in media, and a love of conservation that goes beyond just typing out a Tweet now and again and actually sees her doing something about it.
She recently joined Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth in a beach cleanup aimed at raising awareness of the increasing levels of plastic pollution in the ocean. She is now working to add her voice to this drive in South Africa, starting with a campaign for people to stop using straws. “The aim is to clean all four major beach cities and bring some awareness to what damage it is doing to the environment,” she explains.
Amidst all of this is the launch of her wellness business, Green Leaf Vitality, as well as running yoga retreats. Louw is doing her best to be an authentic voice in these industries, using her own life as the barometer.
“I’m constantly trying to better understand myself and appreciate that as people we are in constant flux. When I started modelling, I clearly remember being told I’d end up with an eating disorder or on drugs, and I was motivated to prove everyone wrong. Now I’m an adamant curvy model enthusiast. I don’t believe women want to buy an outfit that only fits an unhealthy airbrushed body, and then be made to feel unworthy because they don’t fit this mould,” she says.
“My current idea of a balanced life is eating healthy, clean-calorie dense foods, good sweat time in the gym, a good amount of time being an entrepreneur and running my business and charity project, and making time for myself and my family, with the option of an ice-cold beer or a glass of wine after a hard day’s work.”
The search to discover her own expression in life is something Louw says began as a child in a household that encouraged free thinking. And she’s even taken inspiration for a Hollywood heavyweight – Sean Connery. “I’m a firm believer in stepping into the unknown and breaking out of comfort zones. I grew up in an artistic household with my dad’s [former Springbok Rob Louw] rebellious approach to life and mom who is a sculptor and the daughter of Fanie Bekker, a famous Afrikaans actor. They gave me the freedom to make my own mistakes and form my own opinions of life.
“I’m a big 007 fan, and Sean Connery is one of the nicest, most humble people I have ever met. When my dad was recovering from being treated for stagefour melanoma, Sean came and had tea with us.”
Balance, beauty and business is a constantly evolving world for Louw. And in it, there’s always time for a beer every now and then.
For more info on Louw and her projects, visit www.roxylouw.com, www.greenleafvitality.com or follow her on Instagram: @roxylouw. Text: Michael Vlismas Image © Tiaan van Wyk