BETHANY MOK
Age: 20
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
College: University of San Diego
Major: Communication Studies; Minors in Leadership Studies and Theology and Religious Studies
Sorority: Pi Beta Phi
Instagram: @bethanymok @sd.stronggirls #SDSG (San Diego Strong Girls)
Tell us about yourself!
Hey there, I’m Bethany! I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and love living in the desert. I have been attending the University of San Diego (my dream school!) for almost three years now, and am so happy to be a student here. I just returned from a semester abroad in Rome, Italy which was absolutely amazing!I am studying communications, and am hoping to go into sports journalism and broadcasting in the near future. I am a huge baseball fanatic, and would love to work for the Arizona Diamondbacks or San Diego Padres!
I love dancing (ballet is my favorite), going to the farmer’s market, baking treats for friends, finding crafts on Pinterest to try, laying out on the beach, and spending time in coffee shops coloring and journaling. You can always catch me sipping a Diet Coke or reapplying my favorite NARS lipstick (Bahama or Volga!) on my way to class! I’m also obsessed with my Passion Planner, and have to write down and schedule everything that I’m doing each day, hour by hour, or I often forget!
I am involved in a variety of organizations across campus including Pi Beta Phi women’s fraternity, University Ministry, and the Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization. I am passionate about each of these organizations and love being able to be a part of so many communities on campus!
The three most important things to me are faith, family, and friends. Growing up, I’ve struggled a lot with depression and anxiety, and finding my support through my Catholic faith, my wonderful mother, and a great group of friends, I’m working towards overcoming those challenges. 
What does “Strong” mean to you and what makes you a Strong Girl?
“Strong” to me means healthy, confident and empowered, but even further means loving, intentional and faithful! I believe in self-empowerment, loving others, chasing after your passions, staying true to yourself, trusting in God’s plan, and living life to the fullest; that’s what makes me a Strong Girl!
What excites you about being a Strong Girl Campus Ambassador?
I am so excited to be a Strong Girl Campus Ambassador because San Diego is trendy place, where health and fitness are all the rage! The Strong Movement fits together perfectly in with eating local, yoga, and beach time, and I know that all of the girls at USD will be excited to become part of the movement.
What is your favorite thing about The Strong Movement™?
My favorite thing about The Strong Movement is that it provides tangible steps to transform your lifestyle through incorporating fitness, nutrition, and self-confidence! TSM is not just a workout plan, but focuses on having a strong body and strong mind to make a strong girl!
How do you envision The Strong Movement™ growing on your campus as a community of motivated, encouraging and supportive group of girls?
I can see The Strong Movement growing on my campus through the women involved in Panhellenic! I am a founding sister of Pi Beta Phi on campus, and I know that we have so many strong and empowered women involved in Greek life, that TSM will be something my sisters are looking forward to joining! We also have a variety of fitness classes on campus ranging from a stretch class to advanced ballet, that I hope to include in our Strong Movement community. 
When did you discover fitness & healthy living and decide to make it part of your lifestyle?
Moving to San Diego two years ago, I struggled to incorporate the gym in my daily routine – it was often full and filled with frat guys! I enrolled in a ballet class, and loved being able to be back in the studio, and that’s when I really started getting back on track. Aside from classes twice a week, I often dropped in for the yoga and stretch class, or did yoga in my own dorm room. Eating on campus definitely took a toll on me, but I have been able to make the most of my meal plans! We have a full salad bar available in the dining hall, and plenty of fresh fruits, so I try to stock up and sneak some back to my dorm in tupperware! I also love to hit up the local farmer’s markets on the weekends – the Sunday market in Little Italy is my favorite! They have the best produce and locally made treats, too.
How has exercise and healthy living increased your confidence and self-esteem?
Healthy living has increased my confidence because I love knowing what I am putting in my body and the amazing ways that my body can work! Picking out my own fruits and veggies from the farmer’s market is one of my favorite parts of the week. Practicing ballet and yoga boosts my self-esteem in challenging my body and pushing it to it’s limits!
What challenges and/or injuries have you had to overcome on your fit journey?
As a dancer, I have faced hyper-extensivity in my joints. This means that I am very flexible, which proves beneficial in stretching, but not strengthening. I have dislocated my shoulders multiple times, sublux my ankles often, and also have looseness in my hip joints. This means that it is especially hard for me to do simple things such as planks, push-ups, and lifting weights, because without proper techniques, it’s easy for me to get hurt.
What keeps you motivated when the going gets tough?
When things get tough, I turn to my faith to motivate me! I am Catholic, and am lucky enough to be at a Catholic school with two churches on campus and a handful of ministry programs that I am a part of. I love being able to go to Bible study during the week and talk about how I’m doing on a deeper level, and know that my friends there truly cherish my friendship and care about me. Going to our Mass for Peace on Wednesday nights is another great way for me to gain motivation, refuel, and help me push through the rest of my week! The community that I have found in Founder’s Chapel and University Ministry is something very special to me.
What do you love about your body?
It’s always easy to pick out what I don’t like about my body, but I do love my long, strong dancer legs and the cute freckles that I have covering my nose! I also love that my body has been with me every step of the way, during everything that I have encountered in life, and looking in looking at it, it tells my story.
What do you wake up looking forward to and excited about everyday?
When I wake up each day, I look forward to spending time with my friends and spending time with God! It is my goal to spend an hour each day in silent prayer with God, and it’s definitely challenging! I have to write it in my planner to remind myself sometimes since I’m super busy!
Do you have any daily rituals?
I try to start my day in prayer, and am hoping to also meditate before starting my day as well! I also tend to eat an avocado a day, and I drink lots of (mint and basil infused) water. 
Leave A Comment