She once had a promising future in track and field and trained with some of the world’s best, including Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake. So why did Shinelle McPherson leave it all behind to pursue a career in modelling?

She answers that question and much more during her chat with Our Today.

1) Where did you grow up in Jamaica and how did you become a track and field athlete?

 I’m originally from Kingston, Jamaica, where I grew up in a small community called Woodford Park. I went to Jessie Ripoll Primary School where I met my coach, Patrick Dawson. Mr. Dawson is the senior sprint coach for the Racers Track and Club. He saw my very first race at the school’s sports day and was amazed at how fast I was. From there I joined the school’s track and field team. Mr. Dawson has been my coach ever since, even after I began training with Racers Track club in 2010.

2) What high school did you attend and was that where your interest in the sport begin?

I attended Clan Carty High, but my interest for the sport came about from doing Physical Education classes back in primary school. Growing up in Jamaica, physical education class, sports day and football games were always the things students will look forward to.

3) You matriculated to the University of Technology. What did you study and tell us a little about your track and field career there?

I went to The University of Technology to study architecture but was unable complete my degree because of financial reasons at the time. After classes I would walk to the UWI/Usain Bolt Regupol Track where I trained for the 200m and 400m events, amongst the greatest athletes in the world – Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Rose-Marie Whyte, Ristananna Tracey and many more. I competed in both international and local track meets, whether it was the Miami Classics, Penn Relays, Gibson Relays, The Boys and Girls Champs etc.

4) When did the transition to modelling happen, and how did it happen?

The transition from track and field to modeling came about when I got injured in 2016. I had to hang up my spikes after a major growth spurt; terrible back pains and a serious case of tendinitis that left me seriously injured. Track and field was something my parents loved and it destroyed them to see me leave it behind.

But I had to move on and the little girl inside me wanted to dress up and strut on international runways. I was known has a tomboy so everyone was quite shocked when I suggested doing modeling. It was a tough transition, I must admit.

My mother with her Christian beliefs thought that modeling was selling your body. Also, my parents literally stopped talking to me because I stopped doing track and field but over time we resolved it. They saw that modeling made me happy. At the time Pulse Modeling Agency was the place to go to be an international model. They were having a competition called, “Pulse’ Search for The Million Dollar Girl” which I entered and did amazing!

5) When and where have you walked and how fulfilling has your modelling career been?

Since the start of my modeling career, I’ve done many photo shoots and fashion shows both locally and internationally.  I’ve done Austin Fashion Week, Moda X South Asia Fashion Show, Fashion X Houston, Dallas Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. I’ve also worked with international designers such as Chloe Doe, Annette Njau, Mysterious by N.P.N, Erum Khan and many more.

My modeling career has been fun and glamorous. I got to travel all over the world. I’ve been to places where others have only dreamed of. I’ve seen different cultures, had different types of food, and met lots of interesting people.

6) What have been the highlights of that career to date?

It’s so hard to just think of one, but one thing that comes to mind quickly was walking at Fashion X Dallas Fashion week. There I met all-time favorite movie star Matthew McConaughey. Meeting him was simply a dream.

7) We gather that you are also now an entrepreneur; how did that happen?

I think the mistake that 85 per cent of models make is not investing in themselves for the long run. Investing in yourself doesn’t necessarily means buying expensive clothing or booking expensive vacations. It’s securing a future for yourself, and that’s what I did.

At age 21, I started saving each pay cheque I got from modeling and went back to college where I got my Associates Business Degree with a G.P.A of 4.000. I went on to build my own online hair company called Little Wingie’s Customs. It’s a luxury wig and hair company that provides its customers with custom hand-made and affordable wigs. Little Wingie’s Customs is a US-based registered company with operations in Houston and Jamaica.

 8) Do you miss track and field?

Yes, I absolutely do! Track and field gave me discipline and as a child growing up in the inner-city areas of Jamaica, you needed it. I miss the weekend track meets, the intense feeling of competing against “the new upcoming athlete”, being around top athletes from all over the world and seeing their hunger for greatness, the rush of winning a race and the glory that comes with it. And most of all seeing the smiles on my parents faces whenever I won my race.

9) How has the pandemic affected your profession as a model?

Just like many other professions, I was also impacted by Covid-19. There’s little to no modeling jobs right now. Even my business has suffered major blows. Since the lockdown I’ve learned so much more about myself, my company, my family, my culture, and the world.

10) What’s next for Shinelle?

I would love to come back to my home country and help create job opportunities for young and determined youth in the inner city area.