#interviews
Kelly O’Dell ¦¦ How I Keep Fit & Healthy
M1: How long have you been modeling for?
KO: I’ve been modeling for about 20 years now. I’ve seen A LOT!
M1: What are the best bits & the worst bits about being a model?
KO: Travel. I have been to over 30 countries. I’ve lived in Tokyo, Hamburg, Paris, Milan, London, New York, LA and Toronto. Experiencing different cultures has been an education you could never learn in school. Seeing how different people live, eat and work really opens up your mind and teaches you respect for other human beings and societies. Travel is something every young person should do before they settle down somewhere if they have the opportunity.
Modeling is a unique profession in the sense that a model has no control over how much she/he works. Some months you can be booked everyday and others the phone doesn’t ring. With experience I’ve come to figure out how to use these slow periods to my advantage: by doing something that I love.
I would tell any model to find something she/he is passionate about and use the down time to invest in that. Most people have to work 9 to 5, 5 days a week. As a model, we have a lot more time to ourselves, so why not do something that you enjoy and could possibly make into a second career one day, Like I’m doing?
M1: What do you do alongside modeling?
KO: I just launched my food and nutrition counseling blog and website. This is something I have been passionate about for years and I’m excited to share my ideas and advice about eating healthy, cooking great veggie-centric recipes and how to bring balance to your life with other people.
M1: How do you keep healthy & in shape?
KO: Listening to my body is the number one way for me to stay healthy. I feel good when I exercise regularly; it gives me so much more energy. I love to run (5km 3-4 times per week) and practice Yoga for flexibility, stretching and meditation. I walk whenever I can. I eat a mostly vegetarian diet, with some fish/seafood and dairy. Lots of whole grains and fresh fruit. Mostly Organic and local when I can. I take supplements when I feel they are needed, otherwise I get my vitamins and minerals from the food I eat.
M1: What one piece of advice can you offer to other young girls who are starting modeling regarding health & fitness?
KO: Remember that no two people are exactly the same. You have to find what works best for you as an individual, what your body and mind respond best to. For example, I can’t tell you how many models I have met that are vegan or only eat raw because that’s what’s in “fashion”, and as a result have low energy, bad skin and just feel wrong. Different bodies will respond differently to different diets. You have to find what’s right for you.
Learn to cook! If you don’t know how to make quick, tasty and healthy meals for yourself you will end up eating junk food or no food at all. Learning about food and eating right is the best way to stay healthy and take care of yourself.
M1: What kind of things have you seen regarding models & eating habits?
KO: I have stayed in many models apartments over the years and I really think I have seen it all when it comes to bad eating behavior. When you have no knowledge of food or cooking, it is really hard to nourish yourself properly. The worst things I have seen are apple diets (only eating apples), sucking on ice cubes to stave off hunger, dinners of pasta and ketchup, salads with no dressing for every meal and of course the model special as I like to call it: cigarettes and diet coke. Unfortunately this happens a lot because girls start their careers very young and have never actually cooked a meal. Or because they are so desperate to be thin and are ill informed on how to lose weight that they do crazy things resulting in more harm to themselves.
M1: Do you have a secret food/s?
KO: Kale! Its not really a secret as you can buy it anywhere these days, but I absolutely love it. It’s versatile and SO good for you! I use it raw as my main ingredient in Green Juices, I bake it with a little sea salt for the healthiest crisps around, I sauté it lightly and drizzle with olive oil and lemon for an amazing side dish or sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds on top with a little crumbled goat cheese for an amazing salad. I stir it into soups and stews and I add it to delicious, healthy curries.
Kale has anticancer properties, it helps to lower cholesterol, it’s an anti inflammatory and antioxidant. Bursting with nutrients, it’s high in Vitamins K, A and C. It is also high in Fiber and Manganese. Only 36 calories per 130 grams.
M1: Do you have a secret product/s?
KO: My favorite product that I take everywhere is Blue Oil from Aveda. It has mint and chamomile and comes in a small roll on stick so you can carry it anywhere. You use it on your wrists and temples for stress relief and relaxation. Mint is very cooling in nature and helps to calm stressed nerves and even sooth headaches. A must for any plane ride!
M1: What is your skin regime?
KO: Clean, moisturize, sleep, plenty of water, de-stress and eat healthy. Sounds easy right? Everyone knows by now that we should all be drinking pure water, at least 8 glasses a day, get at least 8 hrs of rest a night, use a good moisturizer and clean your skin well. That’s the easy part. The other part is a bit harder but in my opinion the most important. Stress and poor eating habits can cause illness and even disease. It can also cause premature aging, dry or oily skin, rashes, hair loss, acne, thinning hair, dry hair, dark circles, just to name a few. Your skin is a mirror for what is happening inside of your body, nourishing the inside properly will improve your appearance and maintain it for the years to come.
M1: What are you currently working on now & over the next few months?
KO: I have my on-going veggie recipe collection for Hello Fresh here in the UK. It’s an amazing food delivery service that delivers ingredients right to your door with a step-by-step recipe guide on how to cook delicious healthy meals at home. Check us out at www.hellofresh.co.uk
I am also currently putting together an exciting and informative Healthy Eating Program specifically designed for models.
You can check out my website at www.kellyinthekitchen.com for great recipes, kitchen tips and tricks, one on one nutrition counseling and all things food, travel and health.
Contact: chantal@models1.co.uk or uwe@models1.co.uk