Joan Smalls by Patrick Demarchelier for Self Magazine October 2014.

Joan Smalls by Patrick Demarchelier for Self Magazine October 2014
On being diagnosed with Scoliosis at age 14:
“The lower half of my spine was inside out. I started crying. I couldn’t believe that was inside my body. I’m not going to use this as a handicap. I’m going to push myself harder.”
On taking up boxing at age 17, to combat Scoliosis:

“People might think that because I’m skinny and tall, I’m fragile. But I always knew I wasn’t. And it’s comforting to know that I can throw a proper punch if I have to.”

On why she workouts and has a steady diet of fruit and vegetables:

“I want to last in my career, and that relies on the way my body performs. So I need to take care of it. I need to push myself. I don’t want to be on such a strict diet that I don’t have fun. So if I eat sweets, I’ll just put in more of an effort when I go to the gym.”