歪歪漫画

A gift and a bet propelled Sandra Cuadra into modeling and professional bodybuilding careers.

A 2010 Laporte High 歪歪漫画 graduate, Cuadra describes herself as 鈥渃urvy.鈥�

Her look captured the attention of a New York City modeling agency in December 2023 鈥� and next week, she鈥檚 headed to her first runway show.

New York Fashion Week is a semi-annual event showcasing international fashion collections.

It's one of the world's four major fashion galas, along with London, Milan and Paris.

鈥淚 am considered petite,鈥� said the 5-foot, 6-inch model. 鈥淭his is going to be very interesting to see how I will do. I鈥檓 going to be a midget among giants. I鈥檓 going to be one of the few women with curves.鈥�

Cuadra grew up on her parents鈥� cattle farm in Laporte, participating in 4-H from Cloverbud through age 19. She has five sisters.

She attended Laporte Public 歪歪漫画 from kindergarten through high school.

Cuadra never had any intention to become a model.

鈥淚 actually was wanting to go into theater,鈥� she said.

In 2016, she booked a 鈥渟elf-empowerment鈥� photo shoot so she could give the album to her significant other.

鈥淏efore that, I had no self confidence,鈥� Cuadra recalled. 鈥淚 gained a newfound confidence through that, and I just started doing photo shoots here and there throughout the years.鈥�

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It was a life-changing experience, she said.

Cuadra began hiring a photographer and makeup artist, purchasing outfits and building a portfolio.

In 2022, she lost a bet to one of her co-workers, who was a body builder.

On Jan. 1, 2023, Cuadra hired an online, personal trainer. She prepared for her first bikini, losing 40 pounds prior to the May 2023 competition.

At her second contest in October 2023, called Minnesota Mayham, she acquired her professional U.S. Bodybuilding Federation card by placing first in her division.

From then on, her modeling career took off.

For nearly a decade, Cuadra has done a variety of modeling styles: risque, swimsuit, figure, fashion and art.

鈥淚 have a very diverse portfolio,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just haven鈥檛 done anything under water.鈥�

Her work has appeared in magazines and art galleries.

As her fitness level advanced, Cuadra added aerial work to her modeling credentials.

鈥淚 can do photo shoots with wire hoops. I can be suspended by ropes. I look at different materials to put me up in the air,鈥� she explained.

She can perform both full or partial suspension work, adding, 鈥淚t鈥檚 very therapeutic for me.鈥�

Considered dangerous, 鈥渋f you don鈥檛 have the professionals with you on that kind of modeling that I do, serious damage can happen to the body.鈥�

Cuadra said she鈥檚 finding success in modeling, in part, because of her open mind.

鈥淚鈥檓 not afraid to bring other people鈥檚 ideas to life, and I work with a lot of fantastic photographers and makeup artists 鈥� all very professional. All very creative.鈥�

She enjoys creating new poses and concepts.

Cuadra picks up freelance modeling gigs, largely in Minnesota, but also in New York, New Jersey and elsewhere.

In December 2023, she went to New York City to complete a series of test photo shoots. At the end of the week, she signed with a modeling agency.

鈥淚 work with a solid crew, and the people I work with in modeling are absolutely fantastic and then my athletic family in the bodybuilding community is absolutely astonishing themselves,鈥� she said.

Cuadra currently lives in Grand Rapids. She works full time at Grand Itasca Hospital and Clinic in the administration office.

On weekends, she travels to photo assignments and bodybuilding contests. Sometimes she has up to five photo shoots in a single day. She made her pro bodybuilding debut in 2024, entering three shows.

鈥淚 spend a lot of time on the road traveling,鈥� Cuadra admits.

She researches clients before accepting jobs to confirm their ideas mesh with hers and 鈥渢o make sure I鈥檓 not putting myself in a dangerous situation.鈥�

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the biggest thing is my safety because you do put yourself in a very vulnerable position,鈥� she said, pointing out that photographers shoot in studios, under a bridge, in a field or any number of onsite locations.

Cuadra also said she advocates for body positivity.

鈥淚 work with people tall, short, skinny, plus-size. I work with them all, and they鈥檙e all so wonderful to work with.鈥�

As a self-taught model, Cuadra said she keeps a routine that starts at 4 a.m. every morning.

She works closely with her trainer on her diet.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of work and a lot of dedication.鈥�

Strutting down a runway at New York Fashion Week will be a new, yet thrilling experience, she said.

鈥淎 lot of people love my work and want to work with me,鈥� Cuadra said. 鈥淚 think I鈥檓 more excited than I am nervous because I love meeting new people and experiencing new things. This will be a totally new ballgame for me.鈥�

When she arrives in the Big Apple on Sunday, Feb. 2, Cuadra said she will go to casting calls and more than 50 designers will choose which models they want for their fashions.

鈥淚 know I鈥檓 walking for a designer that does custom leather jackets,鈥� she added.

Cuadra encourages everyone to step out of their comfort zone.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 where you start living life, really,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been an absolute roller coaster. It鈥檚 been fun. Sacrifices come with awards.鈥�

She can be followed on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok under miss_boudoir_mn.