I’m proud to be 57 years old – I won’t let my age or gray hair stop me from showing off my toned figure in a bikini

WHILE some think beauty has a time limit, one woman has proven otherwise.

Dr. Nina Cash, 57, is on a mission to prove that you can wear a bikini at any age and look good.

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The Californian modeled when she was younger, but it was in her 50s that she really found her appeal.

She was named one of seven winners to appear in Sports Illustrated’s 60th anniversary issue in May 2024 and is often seen strutting her stuff to promote body positivity on the runway.

Nina was a model in her youth, but she put that aside when she became pregnant with her daughter, who is now 30 years old, and raised her as a single mother.

Nina obtained her undergraduate degree in Human Services, followed by postgraduate degrees in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding.

She earned a doctorate in educational leadership, rising to the rank of associate dean of a university before retiring in 2022.

But after retiring, Nina wasn’t done and decided to revisit modeling.

She has since returned to modeling, booking commercials and print work, as well as Peloton’s holiday campaign.

But the mom took a leap of faith and signed up for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Search, and it paid off.

“I thought, ‘Well, let me try it to see if I look good.’ And the reception I’ve received has been incredible,” she said.

When she was younger, Nina admired Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover stars like Cheryl Tiegs but never imagined that he would have the opportunity to pose for the magazine.

“The women on the cover of SI Swim were beautiful, but unfortunately none of them represented me — least of all now, at 56 years old with gray hair,” she said.

Now she’s not going to let her age, or what anyone has to say about it, get in the way of her bikini display for SI.

Nina told Mirror: “By featuring women of different ages, backgrounds and body types, we challenge narrow beauty standards and celebrate the beauty and worth of each individual.

“It is essential that women see themselves represented in the media and in advertising, as this promotes self-acceptance, confidence and a sense of belonging.

And it’s true that SI’s latest covers feature 74-year-old Maye Musk and Yumi Nu, its first Asian plus-size model.

Inside were photos of trans model Leyna Bloom, Indigenous model Ashley Callingbull and fitness influencer Katrina Scott, who was the first woman to have a visible C-section scar.

Nina reveals that she likes to stay active by walking, riding and dancing, and follows a healthy lifestyle to help with type 2 diabetes.

Getting older means that Nina has become comfortable and accepting of the changes her body goes through.

She added: “Embracing my gray hair has been easy. I face aging with gratitude and a positive mindset.

“I have lifelines,” she pointed out, referring to the fine lines on her face. “I have battle scars. I’m living life.

“Why don’t I want to express this? I’m not trying to go back in time.

“Now, some people say, ‘Well, that’s easy for you to say because of your genetics. You’re very lucky, you don’t have wrinkles.’

“But honestly, I’m proud of these lifelines, because I can be a lifeline for other people.

“I have wrinkles and fine lines – why not celebrate that?

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all became obsessed with what we love about ourselves instead of what we hate about ourselves?”

Although she doesn’t judge others for getting Botox or dying from gray hair, Nina prefers the natural look.

She went completely gray during the pandemic, encouraged by her husband, daughter and two stepdaughters – who told her: “Kill the gray.”

“I was like, ‘What am I doing? That’s not me.’ So I just said, ‘I’m going to let it go gray, I’m going to be myself,’” she said.