Introducing AIA Vitality Ambassador: Jess Quinn

For all the adversity Jess Quinn has faced in her life, it hasn't held her back. At the tender age of 9 years old, Jess broke her leg and shortly after discovered that she had bone cancer. The leg needed to be amputated but eighteen years later, the influencer and Dancing with the Stars competitor is proof that with the right attitude you can overcome almost anything. Her Instagram account boasts almost 180,000 followers, and Jess uses her fame to share inspiring messages on body positivity and how we can all live healthier, longer, better lives. So influential, in fact that her campaign against extensive image retouching aimed at petitioning advertisers to let consumers know when a model's image has been altered has achieved over 10,000 signatures - part of her mission to challenge society's standards of beauty.

"I grew up surrounded by people making comments about how they wish they could change things about their bodies that to me were perfect because they still had their whole bodies." Jess has talked about how she struggled with how she looked as a teenager. "The best of us have low confidence during those years, and I was no exception, especially having been through so much and adapting to a new way of life at the same time."

"I couldn't just keep living this miserable life and I was the only one that was going to be able to do anything about it." It was a long road to self-acceptance but the Instagram star and international model has since overcome her insecurities and is on a journey to help others find confidence in their own skin.

"I didn't just go from not being able to walk to running a marathon - I took little steps that eventually got me to where I am now, and I think through my experience I can show people that being healthy and well can fit into their lifestyle." Health and well-being has been an important part of Jess's journey. From distance running to healthy food choices, Jess uses her healthy lifestyle to find confidence in her own skin, and what better person to help Kiwi's on their own journey as an AIA Vitality Ambassador.

"When the team at AIA asked me to join the family it was an easy decision. I share their commitment to encourage people to take charge of their health. I have never been an elite athlete, but I understand the importance of taking small, manageable steps towards being a better you."

Follow Jess on her well-being journey through AIA Content Hub and our social media channels where she will be sharing her own healthy tips on the small changes we can all make to live healthier, longer, better lives.