From Scientist to Supermodel: The Unlikely Journey of Jessica Kopp

July 14, 2024

In the realm of extraordinary life stories, few are as compelling as that of Jessica Kopp, a Texas native whose life took an unexpected turn into the world of modeling after a near-fatal accident. Known for her diverse talents as a scientist, equestrian, and football player, Jessica’s life was dramatically altered in May 2022 when a tragic incident nearly cost her everything.

While working on her horse farm, Jessica was kicked in the abdomen by a horse, resulting in severe internal injuries. She was airlifted to Seton Hospital in Austin, TX, where a team of surgeons performed life-saving reconstructive abdominal surgery over two grueling days. The surgeries left her with significant scarring, both physical and emotional.

“I will never forget the first time I looked down at myself and saw the 35+ staples running down what used to be flawless abs, tubes coming out of holes in my belly, and bruises everywhere,” Jessica recalls. “Despite the fact I was using all my mental strength simply to survive, I still managed to carve away space in my mind to obsess over the disturbing sight of my own body. I felt betrayed by my own existence.”

Jessica had previously dabbled in modeling as a side job during her college and graduate school years, but she never seriously pursued it. After a decade-long successful career as a scientist, she had no intentions of stepping back in front of the camera. However, her friends encouraged her to confront her feelings of self-loathing and depression through a photoshoot. Just a week after returning home, barely able to stand, Jessica tottered to her back porch for an impromptu session with a trusted friend, Dave, behind the camera.

“I dealt with a flood of so many emotions – I even carried hefty guilt over the fact that cared about my appearance at all,” Jessica admits. “I fully realized that I should simply be grateful for beating enormous odds and living to see another day. I felt not only ashamed of my own body, but ashamed of how I felt about it. I knew I needed to learn to love myself again, but it felt impossible. There was parallel healing going on both physically and emotionally; at times it was hard to know what hurt more. This experience shook my view on life, and I struggled to navigate finding who I really was inside and out.”

Sharing the photos of her scar led to a surprising realization for Jessica: she began to see herself in a new way. Positive support from friends and strangers alike led her to Hollywood, where she did her first professional shoot with renowned photographer Karl Larsen. Since then, Jessica has graced the April cover of FHM magazine, with more highlights on the horizon.

“People don’t realize that I can never escape my trauma – every time I see myself, I relive it,” she explains. “Shaping a renewed perspective on the world first meant that I had to embrace a new perspective of myself. Modeling gave me the confidence to do that again.”

Jessica Kopp’s story highlights the power of resilience and the importance of embracing one’s imperfections. She hopes her journey will inspire others to be brave in the face of societal pressures and find strength in their unique stories. Through her newfound modeling career, Jessica is not only redefining beauty standards but also demonstrating that true confidence comes from within.

Pic Credit : Karl Larsen

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