Katrina Scott walks Sports Illustrated runway in the middle of IVF cycle

Mama, model and Tone It Up cofounder Katrina Scott checked off a major career goal recently—all while in the midst of an emotionally and physically challenging in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. Katrina took to Instagram to tearfully share about her experience walking the runway in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit show in Miami after undergoing a surgical hysteroscopy procedure and hormone treatments just a couple weeks before.

Katrina writes: “I hope to represent all the moms… you are remarkable and so strong. I hope to represent the women yearning to grow their family… who may have experienced loss (my 3 angels), and all my IVF warriors who are holding onto every month praying for their family.”

The 37-year-old mama of Isabelle, 2, is receiving IVF treatment after going through two miscarriages and a chemical pregnancy. But when Sports Illustrated called and asked her to appear on the runway at Swim Week, she didn’t want to say no.

“I didn’t feel ready—[the] amount of swelling and hormones, the amount of things that were happening [with my body],” Katrina told TODAY Parents, “but I said, ‘I’m going to agree to this even though this is such a crazy time in my body.'”

IVF cycles may include oral or injectable fertility drugs and are notoriously hard on the body. Treatment can often come with challenging side effects, including:

• Headaches
• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Bloating
• Swelling
• Spotting

That, plus a whole litany of other not-fun issues that affect each person differently. I can’t even imagine putting on a swimsuit while navigating all of these hormone-related changes, which is what makes Katrina’s presence at the show truly remarkable. What’s also incredible? Her eagerness to show up as a representation of women everywhere—especially those struggling with fertility issues and loving their body image while undergoing all those changes.

“I really think that the more that women encourage and empower and give permission to each to be exactly who they are, the more we want to be around those people,” she told TODAY Parents. “At one point I was just holding my heart, because I couldn’t even handle how joyful I was.”

In a celebratory post, she writes:

“oh my goodness, my heart where do I even start?! I’m crying as I type this…

I walked the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway with my @si_swimsuit family and I just kept thinking… I hope to represent all the women out there who feel like it’s too late for them… IT’S NEVER TOO LATE! I hope to represent all the moms… you are remarkable and so strong. I hope to represent the women yearning to grow their family… who may have experienced loss (my 3 angels), and all my IVF warriors who are holding onto every month praying for their family. I hope to represent the women who have had the hardest year of their life… and show that there’s still light and to keep your head high and your heart open. I hope to represent the women who don’t see their body type in the media (AA, cellulite, curves, and beyond!). And I hope to rep the small town girls (NH baby!). Most of all… I hope to represent YOU. I hope I made you feel proud walking this runway!

I love you, Kat

thank you to my SI family… @mj_day @jo.giunta @margotzamet @sevaneveritt @ja_neyney @hillarydrezner_siswim @emilydidonato @kristenlouelle and beyond!!!! @si_swimsearch I adore you… and I’m so grateful SI brought us all together. And thank you to my friends, family, and #tiucommunity… this has been a dream for 15+ years… but this moment is perfectly timed. All the heartbreak, the rejection, the closed doors, the confusion, the loss, the days where I didn’t know if I could put one foot in front of the other… it all led to this moment putting one foot in front of the other on the Sports Illustrated Runway stronger than ever. Never give up on your dreams!!!! And never stop evolving. You are brilliant, worthy, and so capable!!! LIVE YOUR LIFE BEAUTIFUL!! “

Congratulations to Katrina on her milestone moment!