Interview with Crystal Hoshaw
Crystal Hoshaw is a 25-year old model residing in San Francisco, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
I am a transplant from LA who relocated to the Bay Area as soon as I could “get out of dodge” as they say. My father is a real estate broker in LA and my mother helps him with the business. I started practicing yoga at 14 and fell in love with it. I went on to complete a teacher training at 17. As a teen, I was obsessed with philosophy and its potential for reflection and growth, and completed my BA in philosophy at 19. After a couple of years of grad school, I decided that pure philosophy wasn’t pragmatic enough for me and moved to Thailand for a year and a half to study yoga, Ayurveda, and Eastern philosophy. Now I’m back in the states hoping to apply what I learned to my life.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
I got involved in modeling by chance, when I was new to the Bay Area and exploring my sexuality. I posted a W4W ad on craigslist with a photograph, and got an email from a photographer asking to shoot me. It seemed like a good way to make a bit of extra income while I was in grad school, so I started networking with photographers who enjoyed exploring the artistic aspects of the work.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
In five to ten years, I see myself with my family enjoying a life untethered to time or place. I hope to travel and experience different cultures and people, and to find ways to apply myself to help improve circumstances for those who are less fortunate. I think the world is on the verge of major change, and I want to contribute to being a force for making sure that change is a positive one.
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I consider myself something of a hobbyist model and usually do a shoot once a month. My favorite shoots are artistic and bold, outdoor, and narrative. I primarily do photo shoots but have done some art modeling as well.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
My best experience modeling is when I have a real connection to the photographer and we can create meaningful art together. This happens quite often and feel blessed for that. I haven’t had any particularly negative experiences, and I’m grateful for that as well.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
I’ve had a few “wardrobe malfunctions”, but that’s par for the course.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Oy! Where do I start? There is such a need for diverse beauty to be showcased, for narrow definitions of contrived beauty to be chucked. The modeling industry should be an expression of women’s inherent beauty and not a means of excluding it from the limelight.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I believe being in touch with your body is essential for health and I exercise daily. I do a combination of conditioning, cardio, and strength work. I was recently training in catch wrestling and found that to be an extraordinary tool not only for fitness but for sharpening my mind. I choose foods with a blend of Ayurvedic and paleo principles in mind, and always strive to listen to my body. I don’t believe there is such a thing as a universal diet prescription, but that we all have unique needs for health. Nutrition and exercise are a major pillar of my life, necessary to keep me feeling in balance.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
I’m pretty transparent, but I suspect not many people know I went to track & field finals for shot put when I was 12.
Would you change anything about yourself (physical or otherwise) if you could?
The only things I’d like to change about myself are the bad habits that don’t serve me or the world I live in and keep me from being the highest expression of myself.
How do you think you are most likely to die?
I think I’m most likely to die one of two ways; 1) I’ll completely lose my marbles and go insane, or 2) I’ll close my eyes, invite in a feeling of bliss, and let go.