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For Elenga Moala, Movement Is A Way Of Showing Up For Herself Every Day
Elenga Moala shines her light bright. A Plus Curve Model of Pacific Islander heritage, Elenga is committed to expanding representation in the modeling and fitness industries. Outside of modeling and her busy workout schedule, Elenga is a committed mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend, and she makes sure to pour into all parts of her life with equal passion and excitement.
We spoke with Elenga about the importance of staying active for ourselves, how we can cultivate deeper connections with other women, and the journey of learning to love our lives every single day.
B3 MAGAZINE: You have amazing energy and an insatiable excitement for life. Where would you say that perspective comes from?
ELENGA MOALA: I’m an athlete, and I’ve always been active in fitness and in sports, but more than that, I’ve always believed that you have the agency of choosing what kind of life you want for yourself. I choose to be happy and to have an exciting life. I make it my goal to find a little light in everything I do and everything that comes into my life. Growing up in Long Beach, California, I was always surrounded by new and exciting challenges in my life. Competitiveness has always been in my blood.
B3 MAGAZINE: It sounds like a perspective you’ve woven throughout your entire life. Has that shifted during the past year, with all the challenges we’ve faced?
ELENGA: I’m a member of a lot of different gyms. I love having different options and spaces I can work out in. It was difficult for me when all the gyms closed down last year. I went out and bought myself equipment to work out at home, but of course it took getting used to. When you surround yourself in an environment where the same energy flows through the people gathering there, you’re pumped, and you feed off that energy.
When I work out at home, I have to push myself, because it’s just me. So what it comes down to is self-motivation. I’m talking to myself throughout my entire workout, inspiring myself and reminding myself that I can do it. I am my motivation.
B3 MAGAZINE: Fitness is such a key and central part of your life. How do you feel movement supports you as an empowered woman?
ELENGA: For me, it comes down to the fact that we are blessed with only one body, and I’ve always believed that it’s crucial that you take the best care you can of yourself. It comes back to self-love: I love myself, and because of that, I take care of my body, and I approach everything I do with that mindset. As I feed my body the physical health it needs, I feel strong and empowered as a woman more and more every day. My physical health contributes to my mental health and trust me, my mental health means a lot to me.
B3 MAGAZINE: We’d love to create space in this conversation to hear more about your experience as a Plus Curve Model and a woman of color in the modeling industry. What challenges have you faced in that journey?
ELENGA: It wasn’t easy. Being a Plus Curve Model for my agency has been so much fun, but at the same time, I’ve experienced many challenges along the way. Traditionally, there are so many stereotypes of how the world believes models are supposed to look. I knew I wanted to enter the modeling industry to inspire other women—to show other women that my shape, my size, and my color are all beautiful.
I was born on a small island called Tonga—it’s really just a dot on the map. It’s known as the Friendly Island. When I chose to become a model, it had nothing to do with fame, money, or popularity. For me, it was about the simple fact of wanting to represent women of other cultures and inspire women around the world.
Walking into castings knowing that certain clients were only looking for a particular look made it really tough for me. I have my insecurities like anyone else. I had clients telling me that I wasn’t plus size enough, or my curves weren’t curvy enough. I had other clients telling me that my skin was not dark enough or light enough. I even had scouts from Miami tell me I was too short. I can testify that I had more rejections than I had acceptance. I doubted myself and I doubted my strength as a woman, but it definitely didn’t last long. My self-love kicked in and I remembered quickly who I was and what I was capable of.
B3 MAGAZINE: What steps do you see being taken in the direction of a more inclusive fitness and modeling industry?
ELENGA: A lot of agencies are accepting many different shapes and sizes now. When I signed with my agency Muse Models Management, they told me that they were just starting to open up in the Plus Curve category, and I was excited to be that starting point and help them create space for more shapes and sizes. They’re taking that step of changing the world and changing what beautiful really is—what it looks like, the color it comes in, the shapes, and all the sizes.
I love seeing fitness being pushed more and put out there as a good thing and not a punishment. Steps that are being taken now in the fitness and modeling industries are being seen everywhere. From a lot of fitness brands, they have a variety of sizes in their clothing lines and plus-sized models that are the face of their websites and projects.
B3 MAGAZINE: You’ve said that barre3 is unlike any other workout you’ve done before. What in particular feels different about barre3?
ELENGA: I’ve done so many different kinds of workouts, and barre3 is so different from all of them. I love lifting weights, I’ve run 5Ks monthly, I’ve done so many different sports—everything. And then I try barre3, and as I’m working out, I’m huffing and puffing. I’m getting tired! I was confused, because I thought it shouldn’t be this challenging if I work out every day. I thought, How does barre3 kick me in the butt and heavy lifting doesn’t?
Barre3 is a sneaky workout. With barre3, you can definitely feel the strength coming from the bottom and working its way up. You really feel your strength in every posture. I thought it would be like yoga, but it’s more like the varsity team of yoga. Yoga times ten! Barre3 works muscles that I never even knew existed. It works not only my legs, but my ankles, too. It was such an eye-opening experience; barre3 is a totally unique workout.
B3 MAGAZINE: Outside of fitness and modeling, what do you do to help you feel connected to your life and the world around you?
ELENGA: I’m not lying when I say this: I truly love my life. It’s not perfect, of course, and there are certainly ups and downs, but I love it. Family time is the best time. I am beyond blessed. I have a beautiful, little family—it’s my husband, myself, and my amazing eight-year-old son. And then I also have my extended family: my parents, my siblings, their spouses, my nieces, my nephews and my in-laws. I couldn’t ask for a better or more loving family.
I also have a religious background. We strongly believe in God, that we have a purpose here on Earth, and that we’re going somewhere after. That really plays a huge part in my life. It helps me find hope in all things.
I enjoy so much in doing service. I try often to serve those around me. I enjoy my time with my beautiful friends and that brings so much energy to the table. I love gathering with other women who share the same goals as I do. I was in a group called Fit Sistership. It’s a group of women from all different places, like New Zealand, Samoa, Utah, Vegas—everywhere! I was in the group from Southern California, my home state. We all have the same goals: To be active and support our lives with healthy routines. We get together here and there to work out and do other activities together. It’s amazing to be surrounded by this group of women from all these different parts of the world. Many of us are mothers too, so we’re trying to fit exercise into our mom routine, our family routine, and our work routine, navigating all of that together. I love being surrounded by people who have the same goals as I do. It makes life so much easier.
B3 MAGAZINE: Why do you think it’s important, as women, that we engage in activities that support us in building strength and moving our bodies?
ELENGA: As women, we should engage in activities that support us in strengthening our bodies physically, because mentally, we need that in our lives. As we learn more about healthier ways to move our bodies, we grow in loving ourselves and giving our bodies the love they deserve. Building habits is a great thing. Keeping ourselves fit with daily exercise can definitely grow on us as we stay consistent. As women, we need to be doing the things that help us feel our best and remind us of the love we have for ourselves.
I have a very active son, and because he’s so active, I knew that as a mom, I needed to stay active myself. I want to watch him grow, I want to be there for him, and I want to have the energy to be an active part of his life every day. But before I’m a great mom and an active mom for him, I have to love myself and be the best version of myself.
Follow Elenga on Instagram for more inspiration.
Barre3 is a community run by women, for women. Join us today by finding your local studio or signing up for a 15-day free trial of barre3 online.
Elenga Moala shines her light bright. A Plus Curve Model of Pacific Islander heritage, Elenga is committed to expanding representation in the modeling and fitness industries. Outside of modeling and her busy workout schedule, Elenga is a committed mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend, and she makes sure to pour into all parts of her life with equal passion and excitement.
We spoke with Elenga about the importance of staying active for ourselves, how we can cultivate deeper connections with other women, and the journey of learning to love our lives every single day.
B3 MAGAZINE: You have amazing energy and an insatiable excitement for life. Where would you say that perspective comes from?
ELENGA MOALA: I’m an athlete, and I’ve always been active in fitness and in sports, but more than that, I’ve always believed that you have the agency of choosing what kind of life you want for yourself. I choose to be happy and to have an exciting life. I make it my goal to find a little light in everything I do and everything that comes into my life. Growing up in Long Beach, California, I was always surrounded by new and exciting challenges in my life. Competitiveness has always been in my blood.
B3 MAGAZINE: It sounds like a perspective you’ve woven throughout your entire life. Has that shifted during the past year, with all the challenges we’ve faced?
ELENGA: I’m a member of a lot of different gyms. I love having different options and spaces I can work out in. It was difficult for me when all the gyms closed down last year. I went out and bought myself equipment to work out at home, but of course it took getting used to. When you surround yourself in an environment where the same energy flows through the people gathering there, you’re pumped, and you feed off that energy.
When I work out at home, I have to push myself, because it’s just me. So what it comes down to is self-motivation. I’m talking to myself throughout my entire workout, inspiring myself and reminding myself that I can do it. I am my motivation.
B3 MAGAZINE: Fitness is such a key and central part of your life. How do you feel movement supports you as an empowered woman?
ELENGA: For me, it comes down to the fact that we are blessed with only one body, and I’ve always believed that it’s crucial that you take the best care you can of yourself. It comes back to self-love: I love myself, and because of that, I take care of my body, and I approach everything I do with that mindset. As I feed my body the physical health it needs, I feel strong and empowered as a woman more and more every day. My physical health contributes to my mental health and trust me, my mental health means a lot to me.
B3 MAGAZINE: We’d love to create space in this conversation to hear more about your experience as a Plus Curve Model and a woman of color in the modeling industry. What challenges have you faced in that journey?
ELENGA: It wasn’t easy. Being a Plus Curve Model for my agency has been so much fun, but at the same time, I’ve experienced many challenges along the way. Traditionally, there are so many stereotypes of how the world believes models are supposed to look. I knew I wanted to enter the modeling industry to inspire other women—to show other women that my shape, my size, and my color are all beautiful.
I was born on a small island called Tonga—it’s really just a dot on the map. It’s known as the Friendly Island. When I chose to become a model, it had nothing to do with fame, money, or popularity. For me, it was about the simple fact of wanting to represent women of other cultures and inspire women around the world.
Walking into castings knowing that certain clients were only looking for a particular look made it really tough for me. I have my insecurities like anyone else. I had clients telling me that I wasn’t plus size enough, or my curves weren’t curvy enough. I had other clients telling me that my skin was not dark enough or light enough. I even had scouts from Miami tell me I was too short. I can testify that I had more rejections than I had acceptance. I doubted myself and I doubted my strength as a woman, but it definitely didn’t last long. My self-love kicked in and I remembered quickly who I was and what I was capable of.
B3 MAGAZINE: What steps do you see being taken in the direction of a more inclusive fitness and modeling industry?
ELENGA: A lot of agencies are accepting many different shapes and sizes now. When I signed with my agency Muse Models Management, they told me that they were just starting to open up in the Plus Curve category, and I was excited to be that starting point and help them create space for more shapes and sizes. They’re taking that step of changing the world and changing what beautiful really is—what it looks like, the color it comes in, the shapes, and all the sizes.
I love seeing fitness being pushed more and put out there as a good thing and not a punishment. Steps that are being taken now in the fitness and modeling industries are being seen everywhere. From a lot of fitness brands, they have a variety of sizes in their clothing lines and plus-sized models that are the face of their websites and projects.
B3 MAGAZINE: You’ve said that barre3 is unlike any other workout you’ve done before. What in particular feels different about barre3?
ELENGA: I’ve done so many different kinds of workouts, and barre3 is so different from all of them. I love lifting weights, I’ve run 5Ks monthly, I’ve done so many different sports—everything. And then I try barre3, and as I’m working out, I’m huffing and puffing. I’m getting tired! I was confused, because I thought it shouldn’t be this challenging if I work out every day. I thought, How does barre3 kick me in the butt and heavy lifting doesn’t?
Barre3 is a sneaky workout. With barre3, you can definitely feel the strength coming from the bottom and working its way up. You really feel your strength in every posture. I thought it would be like yoga, but it’s more like the varsity team of yoga. Yoga times ten! Barre3 works muscles that I never even knew existed. It works not only my legs, but my ankles, too. It was such an eye-opening experience; barre3 is a totally unique workout.
B3 MAGAZINE: Outside of fitness and modeling, what do you do to help you feel connected to your life and the world around you?
ELENGA: I’m not lying when I say this: I truly love my life. It’s not perfect, of course, and there are certainly ups and downs, but I love it. Family time is the best time. I am beyond blessed. I have a beautiful, little family—it’s my husband, myself, and my amazing eight-year-old son. And then I also have my extended family: my parents, my siblings, their spouses, my nieces, my nephews and my in-laws. I couldn’t ask for a better or more loving family.
I also have a religious background. We strongly believe in God, that we have a purpose here on Earth, and that we’re going somewhere after. That really plays a huge part in my life. It helps me find hope in all things.
I enjoy so much in doing service. I try often to serve those around me. I enjoy my time with my beautiful friends and that brings so much energy to the table. I love gathering with other women who share the same goals as I do. I was in a group called Fit Sistership. It’s a group of women from all different places, like New Zealand, Samoa, Utah, Vegas—everywhere! I was in the group from Southern California, my home state. We all have the same goals: To be active and support our lives with healthy routines. We get together here and there to work out and do other activities together. It’s amazing to be surrounded by this group of women from all these different parts of the world. Many of us are mothers too, so we’re trying to fit exercise into our mom routine, our family routine, and our work routine, navigating all of that together. I love being surrounded by people who have the same goals as I do. It makes life so much easier.
B3 MAGAZINE: Why do you think it’s important, as women, that we engage in activities that support us in building strength and moving our bodies?
ELENGA: As women, we should engage in activities that support us in strengthening our bodies physically, because mentally, we need that in our lives. As we learn more about healthier ways to move our bodies, we grow in loving ourselves and giving our bodies the love they deserve. Building habits is a great thing. Keeping ourselves fit with daily exercise can definitely grow on us as we stay consistent. As women, we need to be doing the things that help us feel our best and remind us of the love we have for ourselves.
I have a very active son, and because he’s so active, I knew that as a mom, I needed to stay active myself. I want to watch him grow, I want to be there for him, and I want to have the energy to be an active part of his life every day. But before I’m a great mom and an active mom for him, I have to love myself and be the best version of myself.
Follow Elenga on Instagram for more inspiration.
Barre3 is a community run by women, for women. Join us today by finding your local studio or signing up for a 15-day free trial of barre3 online.
