4  You are proof that big can be beautiful too - why do you think bigger women don't share that view?
First of all I don't like the word "big" or "plus-size" because it's misleading. A plus-size model can start at size 12 or 14, which is actually the average size of Australian women and within healthy weight range for many ladies so how can that be labelled "plus-size"? Having said that, Italian women always blow me away with their confidence and sex appeal. No matter their size they can strut their stuff in bikinis down the main street while men swoon. Confidence is everything; if you feel good then you look good. But there are days I wish I had half the bravado of those wonderful Italian ladies.

5  You have said that beauty is an attitude, not a dress size. Why do you think that women allow themselves to be judged by our dress size?
Because everyone, no matter their size or shape, has walked into a shop and felt judged. We women are our own harshest critics and until we cut each other and ourselves some slack we'll always feel a little pressured by the size on the label.

6  You are a woman who concentrates on the positives. How is it possible to instill that in other women?
I won't lie - some days I do feel overwhelmed finding nothing to fit at the mall but I remind myself that shopping should be fun, not a chore. The other huge tip is focus on fashion styles that suit your shape. No matter how much I want a string bikini "my girls" are never going to hold that thing up. Better to shop for a style with support and something that's flattering, then I will feel confident. Also Carrie Bradshaw had it right, all women look a million dollars in heels; suffer for glamour every now and then.

7  How do you instill it in your own daughters?
We have two daughters and a son and we encourage positive body image in all of them. We talk to them about a healthy diet and the importance of exercising. Like all parents there have been times we've needed to discuss with each child poor eating habits or lazing around too much. This is never about the way our children look - we make sure they understand that our concern and their concern should be being healthy, not a certain size.

8  While not underestimating the value of a career for a woman, you have often said that your family, your three children and your husband, Kieren, are your priority. How has that worked for you?
I'm lucky my mother always told me "choose a career that can grow with your family" and in many ways media work is very adaptable if you want it to be. I've never sat back and waited for jobs to come to me; when I thought my age or shape might go against me in TV I decided to be proactive. I didn't try and hide it; instead I went out and started modelling and trying to celebrate motherhood and maturity. We can all find excuses not to try things in life, but I never want to sit back and think, "I should have..." Far better to try and fail than always wonder. Like all working mums, though, the juggling routine can sometimes be very tricky, but the rewards are great.

14  Has the experience of daily pain strengthened you as a person?
Absolutely, but in the same way people say childbirth is a rite of passage. If I could get that baby out magically I would, there are no prizes for martyrs and if I could live a life without persistent pain I'm sure I'd find other ways to realise my personal strength. But if I have to search for a positive to suffering daily pain then strength and determination are it.

15  Do you still get the headaches on a daily basis?
Yes I have a migraine every day but the pain level varies. The IPG implant means I can usually get the pain to a manageable level and live a productive and fairly normal life. It also allows me to reduce the heavy medications I was previously taking, which hopefully will lead to a longer life. The IPG is not a cure but has given me back my life and in that regard it's truly a lifesaver. We used to have to plan holidays around medical facilities; if there wasn't a hospital or doctor close by then we couldn't go. Frequently I was also too sick to attend our kids' school concerts or sports games and this really got me down, so I was in pain and guilty plus depressed.

16  Does exercise exacerbate your migraine?
Yes, exercise and diet both make my migraines worse so that's why I work out with a trainer who supervises my heart rate and makes sure I don't strain the cords on my IPG implant. It's definitely tricky but the flipside is well managed exercise is obviously great for general health and fitness and makes me feel stronger. So it's a careful balancing act between keeping fit and over-exerting myself. It's a common problem for all chronic pain sufferers. But at the end of the day I count myself lucky I have three beautiful kids and a husband who tells me the dinner tastes good even when I know it's terrible.

17  On the juggling front - how do you manage?
One step at a time, like most mums. I'm also an obsessive list writer and can't remember my daily demands if it's not written down. Over the years I've learnt there's no shame in asking for help if you need it, whether it be from your parents, good friends, other mums at school or even neighbours. When I was growing up everyone helped each other out and there was no "supermum" myth to contend with. Believe me once you let go of the idea that you can have it all without sacrifice, life becomes a whole lot easier. Perfection is unattainable and I would never cope without my support network.

Symantha Perkins juggles her day job with being a mother to three kids and a wife to swimming great Kieren Perkins. She is also a champion of the Breast Cancer Foundation. It's a busy life that is made more difficult by the chronic migraine she endures.

1  What motivated you to become a model?
I never really wanted to "become a model," I just wanted to do something that might inspire other women to feel good about themselves. Actions speak louder than words. I thought if another woman sees me, a curvy mum, juggling three kids and a job outside the house (I was a TV presenter and journalist at the time) stepping in front of the camera as a model, then they might think to themselves "well if she can do it, so can I." I put myself out there so it might help another overtired mum smile in front of the mirror in the morning instead of cringe.

2  At 30 years of age, you were a "late" arrival in the business - how difficult was that for you?
Honestly I totally underestimated how hard modelling is. The casting process is gruelling and I assumed that having been a newsreader and journalist for so many years, then how hard could standing in front of a camera and smiling be? It turns out it can be hellish. You are physically and mentally so vulnerable and I found it more difficult to perform in a still photo than doing a "live TV" segment for the Today show. Honestly. I still have trouble with nerves before a modelling shoot.

3  Your body was reportedly criticised during your early days in a TV newsroom - can you explain exactly what happened?
Well let's just say curvy, ethnic-looking chicks with long hair were few and far between in the newsroom. It was the Ally McBeal era of TV and all most of my colleagues were very slim, petite and blonde. The news editor would ask me to chop my waist length hair off at least three times a month and once I was even told "you are too tan" (I'm part Chinese). At my slimmest a size 10 I still had a double D cup bust so I was like a paddle pop with boobs, I just didn't fit in. Now of course I think we see many different women on our TV screens and that's solid progress.

9  How do you keep the romance alive in your marriage?
Is this a trick question? I can hear my husband laughing out loud! Honestly we tried date night but I fell asleep in the movie cinema. I never believe celebs who proclaim to have candle-lit baths at the end of a long day, I mean come on! My kids would be bashing down that door. I reckon there's just a time in your parenting life that you accept the kids come first, sorry to disappoint. However, I'm certain my husband would be very glad for any suggestions your readers might have for me.

10  How are you preparing your daughters for a world where women can often by judged by their size and their appearance?
I am honest about it with them. People do judge and my kids, male or female, will have to learn self-confidence and how to stand by their own moral compass even in face of baseless criticism or cruelty. Life can be tough, no doubt about it but you get what you give. My kids have a choice, they can let someone else make them feel inferior or rise above it. It's a tough lesson to learn and one we all have to keep reminding ourselves of, even as adults.

11  What are the attributes you would like them to have as women?
I would like my daughters to have self-confidence, compassion, determination and be loyal friends.

12  How do you keep your figure and does being in the spotlight put a lot of pressure on you?
Over the past few years gravity and age have taken their toll and the battle of keep fit gets harder for me, like most women I suspect. I've had the added hindrance of ill-health along the way and this means I have to work out with a specialised trainer and watch my diet. There is no easy fix to being healthy and unfortunately I don't really enjoy working out but I do it because I know afterwards I'll feel better. Of course being in the public eye puts extra pressure on to look good but honestly most days I'm so busy I don't have time to worry about what's for dinner, let alone how my hair looks.

13  You have suffered from migraine for most of your life. How have you dealt with the debilitating pain?
Pain is a terrible thing but nothing compared to the toll it takes on those around you, your family. Some days the pain makes me snap at the kids or be short with my husband and that's the worst aspect of chronic pain. I hate when pain stops me from doing any job properly be it being a mum, a wife or a working woman. I really struggle with the physical and mental restrictions extreme pain can have on your life. I have undergone many surgeries and medical treatments over the past 30 years including having an electronic device (an IPG) implanted along my neck and spine to manage pain. The best description is that it's like an internal TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine and sends an electric pulse out to curb the pain levels. The kids think it's quite hilarious that I charge my batteries up at night like they charge their Nintendos!