MEET AMANDA
i love our next guest because she’s always truthful to who she is, which i love. Watching your career grow and stretch in different ways has been so inspiring and amazing to watch. When i first had the opportunity to meet you it was at college and all i heard was “she’s a model”. So immediately the stereotype goes up & thoughts begin to wander. However with Amanda all those thoughts were thrown out the window once we met. Watching your modeling career blossom has been so beautiful.
What’s been your greatest fear becoming a model and joining that industry?
My greatest fear when joining the modeling industry was the rejection and judgement. When you enter the modeling industry there are so many high standards of how you look, what to wear, what to eat, and maintaining your body. You always feel the need to look “perfect”. Even being in the industry for a decade, I still feel the insecurity at times. However, to get past that and move forward, you have to get out of the mind set that you’re going to look like every other model that’s next to you. I used to think that I was competing against all these other beautiful women, but you’re not. You’re not even remotely close to competing with anyone else, because the only competition at the end of the day is you. You’re going to get rejected, modeling doesn’t happen overnight. You have to understand that you need to get rejected in order to be stronger and better for the next agency. Modeling is hard work and dedication just like anything else. If you want something, you have to go get it. You can’t possibly go after your dreams when you’re worried about how good the person next to you looks. The face you look at in the mirror every morning is the person you’re focused on, regardless of the outcome.
I know you take such passion in health and fitness. Does that come naturally or does it just go hand and hand with the life style?
Staying healthy and fit is most certainly a lifestyle. A lot of people go on, “diets” or “detox’s”, but honestly for me, the easiest way to maintain the healthy mind and body you want is to constantly do it every single day. Of course, you can still eat what you want. I think a lot of people hear the word, “healthy” and get freaked out thinking they have to drop all the pizza and chocolate in the world but that’s so wrong. You can most certainly enjoy those sweets and good eats; you just have to portion yourself. Everyone’s metabolism and bodies are different. Most certainly it’s always going to be easier to gain weight then lose it, but losing weight is actually not that hard if you are willing to work for it. I use to think how difficult it was until I changed what I was eating. I recommend people to switch out dairy products for vegan ones, or alternatives that are just as yummy but not so harsh on the body. There are times where I gained weight and felt uncomfortable with how I looked, but if you go to the gym and stay healthy, do it for yourself, don’t do it because someone else is telling you too. The hardest part is the beginning, but once you get the hand of it, the results are so worth it.
What’s been harder, making a name for yourself in this world of fashion and art or staying true to yourself? I know so many models say it’s very easy to get lost and get off track but i feel that you’ve always had the right mind set in this crazy world.
Honestly, I think making a name for myself has always been in my head of course, but staying true to yourself truly can be difficult. I can certainly say that when I moved to New York a few years ago, it was hard for me to stay focused because I felt so pressured to live this lifestyle I didn’t want to live and took me off track for modeling. When I lived in New York, I didn’t get to have the living accommodations I wanted, I also had to work full time and running on sleep was so low for me, it was nearly impossible to go to castings energized and revived. Once I moved back home from New York, I was able to find myself again, remind myself what I wanted to do with modeling, why I love doing it, and to also remember to have self-care. I know I got so lost in New York, but moving back home for me was the best decision. I was able to have my own apartment, buy my own car, have a job I liked, and model on the side. I had so much more motivation outside of partying and living the life I never moved to New York for. My biggest advice to myself until this day is to love yourself first, then everything else will easily follow behind. If I ever made a name for myself, if I ever made it big, it’s to motivate all the inspiring models to never give up, no matter how difficult things can get. I never once regretted moving to New York, despite the challenges, every single moment was a learning experience. Without that, I wouldn’t be who I am, or where I am today.
I know you live to travel! Where has been the best spot you’ve been to and what’s next!
Travelingggg, just saying the word makes me so happy! If there is one thing aside from modeling/acting, I would travel for the rest of my life. I have been to so many places, from Egypt, to the Caribbean, you name it, I will go haha. The most recent trip for me was Tulum, Mexico. Beautiful location, amazing weather. My next trip I want to travel to is Dubai. I’ve been dying to go for years, so I plan to take a trip there hopefully in February of 2024. Aside from that, I’m only doing little trips for the rest of 2023, I’m currently financially focusing on some personal things right now, but next year, I will be on a plane for sure!
What’s one item you can’t leave behind before going on a major trip?
One thing I can’t leave behind before going on a major trip is my license or passport. It sounds so silly to think the most common-sense item would ever be left behind, but it does happen! The night before, the morning of, and during the trip, I can’t tell you how many times I check my bag for my license and/or passport haha. Because it’s scary to think you can literally be stuck on an island or in another country longer then expected if you don’t have that passport with you. Although it’s safe to say I think anyone wouldn’t mind being trapped on an island for a little while longer, but we also all love our own beds at night!
