‘50 doesn’t mean that life has ended’

The local pageant world is abuzz with the entrance of 52-year-old Dr Sandra Swaby as a candidate for the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica pageant.

The cosmetic surgeon at Harmony Health Cosmetic Clinic received her golden ticket on Sunday and is now one of 37 semi-finalists in the competition. The newcomer, who shared that she had never entered or shown interest in a pageant before, said that after a difficult 2023, she took a shot at the competition to show women what they are capable of.

“After a challenging 2023, having to dig deep to regain strength and health, I need women to know that they can overcome anything at any age with faith and persistence,” Swaby told Living, adding that one’s age isn’t a limitation.

“All women, at all times, should live their lives the fullest way possible. No regrets. Being a woman past 50 doesn’t mean that life has ended. It means that possibly, the most fulfilling life journey has begun.”

In 2023, the Miss Universe Organization announced that adult women of all ages over 18 years old would be allowed to participate in the global beauty pageant, come 2024, thus removing the age limit of 28 years old. Only the year prior, the Miss Universe eligibility rule was updated to allow married or divorced women and women who are pregnant or have children to compete.

As a medical professional, some of the most popular procedures performed by Swaby include Brazilian butt lifts, liposuction, and polydioxanone threading. She also conducts intravenous nutritional wellness and anti-ageing therapy, all which help patients feel their best and improve their confidence. What she has provided for others, she says she is now getting from entering the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant.

“Just being intentional about the way I look, speak, and comport, as I am now a representative of my people, also learning more social graces has given me more poise to face daily events,” said Swaby.

Swaby, who is also a medical spokesperson for Lifespan Spring Water, will wear the sash Miss Lifespan Spring Water.

She has addressed many audiences on the importance of maintaining good health, the importance of rehydration, as well as many other aspects of healthy living. As a result, it was an easy decision for Lifespan to become her sponsor in the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant.

Nayana Williams, the chief executive officer and managing director for Lifespan Company Limited, says that she is elated to be the sponsor of such an icon. “Dr Swaby’s outlook on life, her penchant for a healthy lifestyle, including hydration, balance, and healthy nutrition, is why she is our medical spokesperson and why we are delighted to support her in this important quest,” said Williams. “We launched our new vision this year, which is about longevity. She is a perfect representation of this vision and a shining example of what we all can achieve if we take care of our health.”

Swaby has advanced past the first round of eliminations and will take part in the final round of eliminations, which is intended to reduce the number of contestants to 20. As to what her routine now looks like as she prepares for the next round of eliminations, Swaby said it has been a “major adjustment”. “I now have to reallocate energies to the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant, but that is something that I am prepared and excited to do for me,” she shared.

“[My routine includes] weight lifting, stretching five days per week, at least eight glasses of Lifespan water per day, morning mediation, evening prayers, dry brushing of my body, high-quality skin-care products, [and] sleep, sleep and more sleep.”

Swaby is as excited as she is confident that she will make it to the stage on the final night and be crowned the next Miss Universe Jamaica 2024, and her family has been behind her every step of the way. “It has been phenomenal. My daughter says, ‘Mommy, I am proud of you’. [It’s the] best thing I’ve ever heard.”

The 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica grand coronation show is set for July 6. The reigning queen is Dr Jordanne Lauren Levy.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com