For nearly two decades, Aleira Avendaño, a 33-year-old yoga instructor from Florida, originally from Venezuela, has relentlessly pursued an extreme body transformation, particularly focusing on her waistline. She has successfully reduced her waist to an astonishing 18 inches, making it 16 inches smaller than the average UK woman’s waist. This dramatic alteration has come at a considerable cost, both financially and physically. Aleira has invested over £1 million in her body modification journey, a significant portion of which is dedicated to her rigorous corset training. What started as six hours of daily wear has escalated to 23 hours a day, allowing her body only a brief period of freedom. Her ultimate goal is to surpass the current world record of 15 inches, held by 86-year-old Cathie Jung.

However, this pursuit hasn’t been without consequences. Aleira acknowledges that her intense waist training has shifted her internal organs, yet she remains undeterred by the inherent dangers. She finds clothes shopping incredibly challenging, as her unique proportions—including naturally wide hips—mean nothing fits off the rack, requiring all her clothing to be custom-made. She estimates having spent a fortune on surgeries, treatments, and high-quality nutrition, jokingly suggesting her body should be insured due to the continuous investment.

Beyond waist training, Aleira has undergone extensive plastic surgery, totaling £471,000 in cosmetic enhancements, including seven breast augmentations, four rhinoplasties, and a full set of dental veneers. She’s a vocal proponent of cosmetic surgery, asserting that “all women should undergo cosmetic surgery to truly be beautiful,” and encourages others to try corset training despite warnings from medical professionals about risks like restricted breathing, organ displacement, and muscle deterioration. Capitalizing on her unique silhouette, Aleira has launched her own shapewear brand, which she believes can be life-changing for others seeking a similar look.

Aleira’s appearance consistently garners strong reactions, ranging from fascination to unease, with some finding her figure outright outrageous. She notes that men, in particular, seem captivated by her “exotic shape.” Despite the controversies and medical warnings, Aleira remains unwavering in her dedication to her aesthetic goals and has no plans of stopping her transformative journey.