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| This is the ad where I am actually 16. |
I came across something today and I have to finally set the record straight. I am probably going to upset some people so know that it is not my intention to do so. But as much as I preach on being true to yourself, I have to be the example. For the past 5 years, since my win as Miss USA, Fitness Trainer, Mike Mauney, has been falsely using my pictures to impart the idea that he had credit for me winning Miss USA.
I can’t imagine him taking credit for my body as I am still criticized to this day for being Miss Piggy USA. In the new Pageantry Magazine, he writes an article (which I will address in a minute) with an add containing my picture. This picture is of me working out in his facility with the caption: Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005. This photo, however, was taken when I was 16 and preparing for Miss Teen USA. Not when I was preparing for Miss USA. It falsely advertises that he was a part of my team to get me to Miss USA.
Did I train with him when I was Miss NC Teen USA? Yes I did. During that time, I was 118 lbs. soaking wet before I ever met with him and after the first meeting; he determined I had over 30% body fat. I was a size 0/2 at the time, ate whatever I wanted and never gained a pound. I was traumatized with that assessment as it began the body image issues I would struggle with for the next 10 years.
Is Mike a nice person? Absolutely! But I cannot let this false advertisement go on any longer. I met with Mike once after I won Miss NC USA to have a consultation. I wasn’t too keen on his plan so I decided that I was going to get myself swimsuit ready for Miss USA. I never went back. Have I signed photos for him? Yes. As a sponsor for my state pageant, we are asked to sign pictures as a thank-you to all of our sponsors – an idea I fully support.
But what girls and titleholders don’t realize is the power their name has attached to it. I know that now more than ever how powerful my name and title will always be in our business. I am very thankful for it so I have to protect it. Being Miss USA is an incredible job to say the least. There are highs and lows and while I loved every minute of it, I am happier today than I ever have been in my life. The body image issues I once had are completely GONE! That is due to my business relationship and friendship with A.T. Dunn. A.T. became my trainer after I gave up my title as Miss USA.
Never had I seen changes on my body like his program could do. I was sent to EVERYONE - the best of the best – in New York City and A.T. is the ONLY person that not only got me the results I wanted on my body but changed my mindset and insecurities. His program includes ground-breaking techniques that I had never seen before. So when I read the article Mike wrote about his 20-year program and emphasis on water, I had to question it. I’m 27. I met him when I was 16. The first I heard of this water plan was when I met A.T. Please know that my intention is not to hurt anyone. But I have an intense passion on telling the truth.
The only thing I hope you can take away from this is to learn how to focus your thoughts on others intentions. Mike is not a bad person at all. He is so nice! But he is in business and in his business, promoting winners grows it. I cannot have someone promote something about me falsely anymore. StandOut Productions is my passion and livelihood. So I, just like you, cannot afford to have anyone ride your coattails.
