Meet Jill—an author, fit model, and entrepreneur. When speaking with her you can feel her positivity; her personality is infectious. We sat down with Jill to talk about her love of gut health to her new obsession with dry brushing. This afternoon at 4:00 PM PST we will be doing an Instagram LIVE where she will share more details on her story and how she is leading the way on inspiring others to be body positive. Get to know Jill...
I AM JILL PERIH AND I DEFINE CONFIDENCE AS LOVING EVERY PART OF MY BODY INSIDE AND OUT, UNAPOLOGETICALLY.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I grew up in Moscow, PA. A small town outside of Scranton. Currently back there due to COVID-19.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO?
I hold a position as a People & Culture Manager at a Cosmetic Dermatology company. However, I am an entrepreneur at heart. Outside of my 9-5 I am becoming a real estate agent, do occasional fit modeling, and am writing a book!
WHY IS HAVING A HEALTHY GUT IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Having a healthy gut to me means thinking critically about my overall health. Everyone always says it starts in your gut. I was recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and I have been focusing on what’s going into my mouth that may make me more inflamed.
WHY DOES THE CONFIDENCE CO MISSION RESONATE WITH YOU?
The Confidence Co. is the first supplement brand I've seen that aims to marry both self love and gut health. I think a lot of supplements or even some big "healthy" brands promote very strict diets and cut out complete food groups that can prompt guilty or shameful eating patterns. The Confidence Co. is not only female owned, which I love, but it also gives people freedom to eat what they want, while helping the digestive process. Their Digestive Enzyme Complex is less about cutting things out or losing weight. It's about empowering you to eat what you want and helping your gut to properly digest whatever that is!
NAME YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT.
Crown Shy in Manhattan!
NAME THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS.
Pizza, Avocado Toast, Asparagus
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE?
I love this buddha bowl recipe. It has all of my favorite veggies all roasted in one bowl. I don’t make the tahini dressing, I sub it for some poppyseed dressing on top!
ANY MAJOR WELLNESS MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE?
Oh man. I have had a million. I would say that recently, when I was diagnosed with my Hypothyroid. I spent two years trying to tell doctors I was not right. Something was off with my mood, I gained 40 lbs (after being a weight loss show), and was having some heart issues. This winter I finally found a doctor who listened and tested me and what do you know...I had the disease the whole time! So I would say, ALWAYS advocate for yourself with health care professionals if you know something isn’t right.
WHAT'S YOUR CURRENT SELF-CARE ROUTINE?
I’ll be honest, self care in quarantine is quite different from my everyday life. Right now: I wake up and walk Lake Scranton, then I make sure I do a full skincare routine before heading downstairs to start work. This includes dry brushing, washing my face, putting on my serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen. I take my probiotic and get on with my day!
WHERE DO YOU GET OR DRAW INSPIRATION FROM?
I follow almost every plus size model in the game. I love seeing people who look like me on my feed! Also, I absolutely can’t get enough of podcasts by women for women. Right now I listen to Second Life to get some instant inspiration!
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR 18-YEAR OLD SELF?
Baby Jill, don’t worry about a freaking thing! Freshman year grades matter, but your major doesn’t. No one ever said they didn’t like you because of what you weigh, so stop worrying about it. Stay safe and healthy, there are some tough times on the way but you always make it through!
HOW HAVE YOU KEPT UP YOUR CREATIVITY DURING THIS TIME?
During quarantine I have been letting my brain wander! Sometimes during life out in the world, you have to refocus yourself. Right now, there is no right way to do anything. So when I have an idea, I write it down. When I feel inspired, I write it down. Mostly writing!
HAVE YOU FOUND CREATING ART TO BE HELPFUL WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON? IF SO, HOW?
Sadly I have not been very good with physical art. I even admit to sometimes feeling not so great about my directions with photos I take. But for me I have been writing so much and that feels like art right now. It helps me focus my thoughts and organize them. I love making people feel something when they read my pieces!
WHAT ARE IS ONE SELF-CARE RITUAL YOU'RE LEANING INTO FOR COMFORT?
I started dry brushing! And let me tell you, I always feel like I took an ice bath after. It completely awakens my mind and my whole body each morning or when I need a pick-me-up.
DO YOU HAVE A QUOTE, POEM OR SONG THAT YOU WOULD DEFINE AS YOUR ANTHEM?
Good As Hell - Lizzo