Role Model Monday | Blanka Vlasic

I should maybe begin by explaining that this is a bit of an unusual Role Model Monday. Blanka Vlasic, who both looks and sounds like she should be a model, actually has doesn't work in fashion or beauty. She is in fact a world class athlete. After writing and dance, athletics is one of my favourite activities to both watch and participate in and there are so many athletes - male and female - who inspire me to keep fit and healthy.

Vlasic is Croatian in nationality, she has short, edgy hairstyles and she likes to celebrate winning her event by dancing so it's no surprise that she's one of my fave athletes to watch. Many high jumpers, the event that Vlasic competes in, share numerous qualities with top models; they are incredibly tall, toned and have great self-discipline. Whenever athletics meets are televised I tune in and I love that more and more female athletes are starting to accessorise their competition outfits. To my mind athletes shouldn't have to restrict their love of beauty or fashion just because of their career and I always enjoy seeing bright nails on the 100m start line! Of course this should never detract from their performance but I don't think a splash of colour will affect the outcome anymore than brightly coloured shorts or a jazzy sports crop top!

Speaking of sportswear, it was Vlasic's Adidas vest that helped me decide to write this week's post on her. Sporting a cow-print vest in her recent win at the Paris Diamond League event, it's clear Vlasic has a good eye for fashion but it's probably her hair that I like watching the evolution of most. A quick peak at her Instagram and you can see she's recently started sporting a new look for spring; still short but more curly and carefree. What I also love about Vlasic's Instagram is that it is real, proper 'fitspiration'. I am more than guilty of browsing the 'fitspo' tag on Tumblr and it's great to see people with perfect bodies and yes, sometimes it does spur me on to go on morning run. But Vlasic, like many athletes, are not afraid to use social media to show the nitty gritty work outs and if I'm honest, seeing tough workouts sessions actual motivates me more!

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