Jess Danylchuk: Body Image + Starting College

While many girls join CHAARG for similar reason [find the fun in fitness, learn a workout routine, develop healthier habits, + become a part of a community], their journey stories are all unique + empowering.

This Q + A post features Jess’s #ChangedByCHAARG story + more about her journey! Jess is the Secretary on the Exec Team at Boston College!

Meet Jess Danylchuk, @Jdan_inCHAARG

University:

Boston College — join #BostonCHAARG here!

Major:

Management + Leadership

One Word To Describe You:

One word to describe me is passionate!

Reason I Joined CHAARG:

I joined CHAARG because I knew it would be the perfect community to be supported by throughout my  college experience. I have an extensive past of not being kind to my body + not believing in all the amazing things it is capable of, so entering college, being on my own for the first time, was a little daunting in regards to developing a healthy relationship with my body. When I heard about CHAARG I knew immediately that this organization would be the exact support I needed to help my transition into living on my own + not being triggered into old, unhealthy patterns, ++  I couldn’t be more thankful!

Favorite CHAARG Memory:

My favorite CHAARG memory was definitely meeting my very first small group this semester! I knew two of the girls from when I was just a SG member freshman year, but when I found out they were excited for me to lead their SG this semester, that was the coolest feeling! The other 3 girls were freshman new to CHAARG, so it was so great to be a part of their initial experience within the organization. All the girls in my group got along so well super fast, and because I took them to a Barry’s Bootcamp class for our first week, we were all able to get a fantastic workout in + bond//get to know each other over smoothies from the Fuel Bar afterwards!! It was so great!

#inCHAARG Instagram Crush:

She probably doesn’t even know this [lol], but my #inCHAARG Instagram crush is @lemax_inchaarg! She is always posting stories of recipes that look ~amazing~ + her body positivity posts are soooo true//relatable + everyone should go follow her asap!!

Philosophy On Wellness:

My philosophy on wellness is that everything starts from the mind. Healthy, positive thoughts lead to a healthy, positive body + life, while unhealthy, negative thoughts lead to an unhealthy, negative body + life. The power of the mind is truly significant + has the capability to control every aspect of your life — that’s why it is so important to foster a healthy mindset + a positive framing of yourself//your body. After all, “the body achieves what the mind believes.” ((this quote is actually on a CHAARG-bolt canvas I made at my chapter’s welcome party freshman year))

Favorite Self-Care Practice:

My favorite self-care practice is definitely going to getting my nails done every once in a while. I always take that time at the salon to just let myself have that time to relax + enjoy the treatment!

2019 Intention:

My 2019 intention is to honestly listen to my body + act on what it needs in any moment in time. On days it needs a rest, I’ll give it a rest + on days when it’s feeling great + can run that extra mile or lift that heavier weight, I’ll do that too : )

Ideal Morning Routine:

My ideal morning routine isn’t anything crazy. I wake up at 7:55 every weekday because I have 9am’s every day of the week. I’ll usually try to pick out my outfit the night before, or at least think about what I want to wear, because that saves soooo much time + hassle over never knowing what to wear in the morning lol, ++ after I get changed I’ll brush my teeth + then sit down to put on a little natural makeup [usually foundation, eyeliner, and lipgloss].

I like to try different styles with my hair each day of the week, so if I wear it in a bun one day, I’ll try to braid it another day + wear it down another day, etc. So once my hair is done, I’ll make sure my backpack is filled with everything I need for the day [water bottle, laptop, notebooks, etc.] + grab a greek yogurt from the mini fridge in my room for breakfast [my favorite is Dannon Oikos Triple Zero] before heading to class with my roommate, Ali!

Book Every CHAARG Girl Should Read:

The one book every CHAARG girl should read is definitely A Return to Love. No spoilers — just read it! I promise you’ll love it!

Greatest Lesson On College:

My greatest lesson on college is probably that everything will fall into place exactly how it’s supposed to. Stress + mental breakdowns are things that I’m sure all college students can agree are very real + very frequent, but I have learned, even though I’m only a second-semester sophomore, that everything happens for a reason + everything will work out just how it’s supposed to, even in the times when you feel like absolutely everything is going wrong — just breathe.

Advice To Your Freshman Self:

My advice to my freshman self is to not get caught up in the pressure of always having to go to literally every social event happening. Although FOMO is a real thing that I continue to struggle with, I’ve learned how important it is to stay true to myself + not to worry if I can’t or simple don’t want to go to something happening just because everyone else is going or because it’s “lame” to stay in on a Saturday night – which now I know is so not true: some of my favorite Saturday nights have consisted of me, my bed, SkinnyPop, and Netflix : )

Being #inCHAARG To Me Means:

Being #inCHAARG to me means being in a healthy + happy relationship with yourself + your body, physically ++ mentally. CHAARG radiates all the positive vibes + consists of an entire community of girls who are #inCHAARG of their lives through self-confidence + self-awareness. Being #inCHAARG is truly living a balanced life filled with fun workouts, yummy recipes, + reassuring mantras that all come together to help us build our bodies up to the strongest they can be – physically, emotionally, + mentally – rather than tear our bodies down.

How have you been Changed By CHAARG?

I have been changed by CHAARG in so many amazing ways. I grew up as a little girl with so many insecurities about myself, especially my physical body. I had never had a healthy relationship with food +/or exercise ++ I could not tell you what self-love was because I don’t ever remember truly loving myself just as I was. College was a very scary thing to me because it was an environment that could’ve sprung about a lot of my vulnerabilities, but CHAARG was there for me in the best way.

I met this group of girls my age that were all so accepting + caring ++ who genuinely wanted to get to know me + liked being my friend for who I was, not how I looked. The national community of CHAARG provided me with resources like wellness blogs + connections like summer “bolt-babes” to help progress my changing attitude around health, fitness + self-confidence.

I am still growing and improving everyday in my health journey, but CHAARG has played a huge role in how I now view what living a healthy lifestyle really means. CHAARG has most definitely helped change my obsession with looking perfect on the outside to a passion for fitness + being healthy on the inside. CHAARG has introduced me to so many amazing girls who share this passion too, + I’m so thankful for that. My heath, my attitude, + my actions have been changed throughout my experience with CHAARG + it’s super cool to now be in a position as an Exec Member, + hopefully one day Ambassador, where I can help recreate girls in the same way!

Learn more about your CHAARG Chapter here + grab your membership here! <3