The Power of Fitness and Runway in Beauty Pageants
- Musulyn.M
- Jul 6
- 6 min read
Hey friends, it's no secret at this point, but I'm excited to share that I'm a delegate for this year's Miss Universe Canada 2025 competition, also known as the Beauty Olympics. As the reigning Miss New Westminster North America World 2024, competing amongst 90+ Canadian women nationwide is an honour and privilege.
A lot has happened in my life over the past five years, especially during the pandemic, and I can't help but feel that this is God's plan. I have been working tirelessly in the background with this platform for years. Now, my advocacy, career endeavours, and passion projects have a platform to shine and a stage. In preparation for the pageant, I mentioned that this is essentially the Olympics of beauty. I have been training extensively over the past year and a half, learning and perfecting my interview skills and public speaking, refining my platform and fitness, and honing my runway skills. Not necessarily because I'm trying to fit a certain beauty standard but because I'm trying to lock in, in both body, mind, and spirit; Pageants keep me on my toes. This will be my third pageant within the past two years, and I couldn't be more excited to return to the center stage, this time in front of a national audience.
I am writing a quick blog post for those on this journey with me and anyone interested in reading something fresh and beauty-related. I started writing these posts to study and document my experiences, initially focusing on fitness and the runway. However, I have a holistic health and wellness beauty blog that aligns perfectly with the overall theme of Miss Universe Canada 2025, which emphasizes mental health and wellness with an emphasis on 'beauty with a purpose', a concept that promotes the idea that beauty should be used as a tool to make a positive impact on the world.
Having worked in this space for several years, particularly in health, beauty & fashion, I now consider myself a beauty and health expert. I want to share some tips and insights as I navigate this journey, particularly for those who may not be familiar with my background. I began my career as a theatre kid and have worked as a commercial actor and model since my early teens. For the most part, I have been an 'atmosphere actor', a role that involves creating a background ambiance in a scene, for a long time. This is why I passionately advocate for the healing arts.
As someone who has transitioned from theatre to modelling, I have always understood the importance of fitness and runway skills. Although I have experience as a commercial model and have also walked a few catwalks, beauty pageants are a completely different arena.
Beauty pageants are often associated with glamour, stunning gowns, and impeccable stage presence. However, beneath the surface, they embody something much deeper—a journey of empowerment, confidence, and self-care. Training for the runway and focusing on fitness, for example, is not just about achieving a specific look; it influences how we carry ourselves, feel in our bodies, and project strength and grace into the world.
Aside from the inspiration it provided for my advocacy, one of my most significant takeaways from pageantry was the commitment to my beauty regimen and health, not for vanity, but for overall well-being. While the word ‘beauty’ may suggest a superficial focus, pageantry, unlike other fields such as modelling, dance, or acting, is a powerful tool for boosting self-esteem and supporting other women.
It's not solely about being judged in specific areas but about celebrating contestants' diverse physical appearances, personalities, talents, and intelligence. Despite the controversies and criticisms, pageants remain a significant and popular form of competition, providing entertainment and scholarship opportunities for participants. The emphasis on self-love and acceptance in pageantry empowers every participant to feel confident and beautiful in their unique way.
The lessons I’ve learned from pageantry extend far beyond the competition itself. Whether stepping onto a stage, entering a meeting, or navigating everyday life, principles of our voice, movement and physical well-being shape our presence. These concepts are not exclusive to pageant contestants; they apply to every woman, regardless of background, age, or lifestyle. The journey to Strength, Style, and Self-Love is profoundly personal and one we all share, especially those seeking the path toward the divine feminine.
Runway: More Than a Walk—A Statement of Confidence
A runway walk is a powerful expression of presence. How a woman holds herself, moves, and looks ahead with determination signals inner strength.
However, runway poise isn’t limited to fashion shows. Posture, grace, and intentional movement influence how we feel and how others perceive us. Whether standing tall at work, practicing self-love through movement, or learning to own your presence in various settings, runway techniques can enhance confidence in all areas of life.
Inclusivity Tip:
- A confident walk is accessible to every woman, regardless of body shape, height, or ability.
Mindful movement can be practiced by standing tall, engaging your core muscles, and walking intentionally.
Fitness: Wellness and Strength Over Perfection
Physical fitness in pageantry is often linked to achieving a specific appearance. However, true wellness is not about conforming to one standard—it’s about feeling strong, energized, and in harmony with your body.
For many women, fitness is a deeply personal journey. Whether through strength training, yoga, dance, breathwork, or gentle mobility exercises, movement should empower you rather than create stress.
Inclusivity Tips:
- Everybody is different, so fitness routines should be adaptable to individual needs.
- Choose movements that honour your body, involving intense workouts or gentle, restorative practices.
- Accessibility is essential! Fitness can be tailored to suit different mobility levels, incorporating chair exercises and low-impact movements to suit individual needs.
Nourishing Beauty: The Role of Holistic Nutrition
Health and radiance come from within, and nutrition plays a crucial role in energy, mental clarity, and overall physical well-being. Pageants often emphasize glowing skin, strong bodies, and overall vitality; beauty should not be tied to restrictive diet trends.
Instead of rigid eating rules, my advice as a nutritionist has always been to adopt a mindful approach to nutrition, which honours balance, nourishment, and cultural diversity. Traditional foods from various cultures offer unique nutritional benefits. Health is not about eliminating joy from eating but embracing what serves your body and mind.
Inclusivity Tips:
- Avoid diet trends that impose specific beauty standards; prioritize nourishment over restriction.
Honour diverse cultural food traditions that contribute to wellness in various ways.
- Hydration and nutrient balance are essential! Beauty radiates from a well-nourished body.
Divine Feminine Energy Through Movement and Self-Care
Beauty is not solely about physical appearance; it encompasses energy, presence, and empowerment. Movement and wellness are sacred tools that help women connect with their divine femininity.
Activities such as dance, yoga, fitness, and even fashion are acts of self-love that promote wellness. A woman's strength can be soft, fluid, powerful, and unwavering—it can take many forms.
Inclusivity Tips
- Recognize that feminine energy is diverse; some embrace softness, while others embrace athleticism.
- Wellness is about personal empowerment, not seeking external validation.
Confidence & Wellness Beyond the Pageant Stage
Beauty, wellness, and self-care should be accessible to every woman. Whether or not you’re competing in a pageant, how you carry yourself, nourish your body, and embrace your definition of confidence make you radiant.
Inclusivity Tip:
- Beauty isn’t about competition—it’s about self-acceptance.
Every woman deserves access to wellness practices that empower her.
- Diversity is strength—embrace the beauty in individuality.
Pageantry teaches valuable lessons about confidence, wellness, and embracing presence, but its principles extend to all women. How we move, nourish ourselves, and care for our well-being are universal acts of empowerment.
So whether you’re preparing for a pageant, redefining confidence in your daily life, or simply stepping into your power, this journey is yours.
What does beauty and wellness mean to you? Let’s celebrate diverse expressions of self-love, strength, and confidence because every woman deserves to shine in her way.
CALL TO ACTION💫 Ready to make a real difference? Your vote for me!!! Delegate 51, Muse. for People’s Choice can help secure my spot in the Top 25 of Miss Universe Canada! Your influence matters. ✨
Here’s how to cast your vote in just a few taps:
1. 📲 Download the Miss Universe Canada App from your App Store or Google Play
2. 🧑💻 Create your profile (takes 2 mins!)
3. 🔍 Go to People’s Choice Voting
4. 🔎 Search for Delegate 51 - Muse
5. ✅ Click FREE VOTE — boom, you’ve just helped change the game
6. 📣 Share it with your squad because every vote counts!
And don’t forget: your generosity fuels our humanitarian mission. ❤️
Support our efforts here at the Helping Healer and friends through the CMHA Windsor-Essex:
🔗 [Donate Now](https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/events/miss-universe-canada/) ps://windsoressex.cmha.ca/events/miss-universe-canada/) Make sure to put my full name (MUSULYN MASSAQUOI) when donating, and don’t forget to leave a kind comment
Tax receipts are issued automatically through that link!
Together, we rise. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means the world to me and to those we are helping. 💖
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