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maya

@maya_kolton

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Spending an entire prep by her side last time around, I had the privilege of telling her story, learning her life, and getting to know the person behind all of the work. And this time, I had the privilege of being beside her through grief.

This show was about so much more than Kayla finally getting the flowers she deserves or bringing her best package to the stage. It was proof of exactly who she is as a human being. She cares deeply. She works relentlessly. She obsesses over the things she loves. She invests her whole heart into the people and passions that matter to her.

Celebrating her is easy because you never have to wonder what she loves. She shows you.

I know this show came under circumstances she never would have chosen, but man, did her character shine through. Watching her continue to show up and pour herself into something that means so much to her made me even more grateful that our paths crossed when they did.

So incredibly proud of you, Kayla. You deserve every single flower. 🤍 I love you!!!! by @maya_kolton

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2 months ago

Kansas City, thank you for becoming my favorite hello and my saddest goodbye. by @maya_kolton

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2 months ago

An earlier end to the season than anticipated, but still farther than I ever expected to go. In the fall, I was only coming in occasionally to shoot recruits, and now I’ve traveled to five states in just a few months with one of the top teams in the Big Ten. I can barely wrap my head around all the joy and growth I’ve experienced during this time.

I can’t say it enough, this team is something special. Being able to freeze these moments in time has been an honor, and I still can’t believe my work is being seen across the NCAA.

I’m so grateful to @curler.jones, @mrowe513, and @_devin.wright for believing in me and continuing to make me a part of this program.

To many more…!!! 🤍 by @maya_kolton

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6 months ago

To the regular season, thank you. 🤍
These past few months have been some of my brightest times at Michigan State, maybe even the brightest.
This team is truly something special, and being trusted to capture it has been an honor and a privilege. I feel so much love for this work, for this team, for the coaches, and for every single moment.
Now, onto the postseason!!!! 🤘🤘 by @maya_kolton

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7 months ago

Today kicks off National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and I want to spread some love to anyone who may be struggling.

Statistics say 9 percent of the U.S. population is diagnosed with an eating disorder. But those numbers only reflect people who had access to be diagnosed. Almost every person I talk to can admit they have struggled with food or their body in some way. It gets brushed off as not sick enough, just a phase, or what I need to do to stay beautiful.

Society reinforces this constantly. It sells us the next diet, the next workout plan, the newest low calorie snacks. It tells us we need to be smaller, leaner, more toned, more muscular. The standard changes every week, and somehow we are always behind.

That is what my eating disorder told me. It told me it would never be enough.

I used to look at photos and wish I could get back to that version of myself. But that version was exhausted. She was counting every step, every calorie, every crumb. She was missing moments. She was making herself sick trying to be smaller.

I never want to go back to her.

I started recovery in 2021. This year I challenged foods that once scared me. I skipped workouts. And nothing happened. My body got the rest it needed. I made memories about how sweet the cake tasted and how special it was to share it with people I love.

The version of me I want to be is present. She laughs at dinner. She rests when she is tired. She experiences life through her body instead of fighting it.

Our bodies are not passion projects. They are trying to keep us alive. The more we fight them, the more we shame them.

So many people struggle with this, diagnosed or not. Our world lives in a disordered mindset around food and bodies.

You are enough just as you are. Live in your body. Enjoy it because what a blessing it is to be able to do so🤍

| First photo taken by @megan.basile | by @maya_kolton

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8 months ago

some missing files over the past few months 📁 by @maya_kolton

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9 months ago

Kayla won all of her classes and placed second overall. It has been such an honor to capture this crazy journey of hers and get to see her finally get her flowers. She is a shining star and I loved experiencing this day with her 🤍⭐️ by @maya_kolton

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a year ago

My beautiful friend Kayla competes in her second bodybuilding show tomorrow.

To me, this is more than just a show because I understand the adversity and challenges Kayla has had to overcome to bring this package to the stage. This sport literally displays the challenges and obstacles you have had to push through physically on your body and Kayla’s package shows that she kicked ass this year.

I’ve also been working on a documentary alongside an amazing team to capture and document this prep for Kayla, which has made witnessing her dedication even more meaningful. I’ve taken away so much from hearing about her story and what she’s going through, and I’ve applied it to my own struggles and my own story. The same goes for her coach Jeremey; I am in awe of his perspective and his dedication to this sport and to his competitors.

I will have much more to share from this journey I’ve been along for, but right now I feel overwhelmed with amazement for my dear friend and want to share that. I feel grateful to exist at the same time as her, let alone be trusted to document and capture her journey throughout this prep.

🤍 by @maya_kolton

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a year ago

for the past few months you could either find me with megan, in the Spartan EQ office, on the sidelines, or filming kayla … by @maya_kolton

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a year ago

thank you to my amazing friend @cait.knight and @detroitpistons for bringing me to watch one of my favorite sports for my hometown team ❤️🤍 taken in Little Caesars Arena by @maya_kolton

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a year ago

3-0 BABY!!! @msu_football by @maya_kolton

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a year ago

First day of 15th grade check (my professor cancelled class yesterday) taken in Michigan State University by @maya_kolton

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a year ago