Fitness influencer Steph Claire Smith reflects on new bikini snap

Former model Steph Claire Smith shared her unexpected reaction after it was revealed she had been chosen for one of Australia’s biggest ad campaigns.

A former model turned fitness influencer has shared her surprising reaction after being chosen for one of Australia’s biggest ad campaigns.

Steph Claire Smith revealed she would be part of the global high summer campaign for Seafolly Australia.

It was something she’d always dreamt of after seeing Jess Hart and Sam Harris featuring in a 2010 campaign, which Smith loved so much she bought some of the bikinis from the range.

“The moment my agent Matt called me to say that the global campaign for @seafollyaustralia was confirmed I immediately started tearing up,” she wrote in a raw Instagram post.

Steph Claire Smith has announced she is part of Seafolly’s High Summer campaign. Picture: Simon Lekias

Smith said she was happy but found herself wishing she had landed the gig when she was still working full time as a model, before starting health and wellness brand Kic alongside Laura Henshaw.

But Smith was quickly hit with the realisation of how she used to approach big campaigns when she was modelling full time.

“I’d restrict myself from foods that I loved weeks or months leading up to it, I’d overdo it with exercise to the point it felt like punishment or a chore, and then on the day I’d be so hard on myself and only focus on insecurities,” she said.

Smith posted an image from the campaign to her Instagram, expressing her sadness at how she didn’t land this when modelling full time. Picture: Simon Lekias

“But I have come so far in letting go of this idea of perfection. I have come so far in respecting my body for its functionality over its appearance. And I’m already in my version of ‘a healthy routine’ for me … so I didn’t change a thing in the lead up.

“And I was just so excited for the opportunity that I could just relax and enjoy the day!”

The 29-year-old said she would love to show her younger self the image and prove that she got there in both the campaign and a state of being content with her own body.

The mother-of-one has been brutally honest about her experience in the modelling industry, particularly when she tried to break into the US market.

Steph has always wanted to be part of the campaign. Picture: Simon Lekias

On Grace Beverly’s Working Hard podcast the co-host said there was a perception that the American modelling scene was a lot more fast paced and glamorous environment.

She said her New York agency removed her name from the books until she was “worthy” to be sent to castings with the agency’s name attached to hers.

“I was going in for measurements every Monday and Friday, and they were telling me things like stop squatting, take hot yoga,” she said.

“[They said] if I got hungry or have a Diet Coke. It was ridiculous, the messaging.”

She said looking back, she couldn’t believe some of those things were said.