Interview with Michael Hillebrand — Fighter and Model
Michael Hillebrand is a 25-year old model residing in San Francisco, California.
How would you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Michael Hillebrand. Im a German American model out of San Francisco California. After graduating High School in the Sierra foothills, I started working as a Firefighter for the state of California. I eventually decided to drop everything and pursue my dream to become a world class Jiu Jitsu fighter. Jiu Jitsu is my passion, but modeling has been an interesting side hobby that sometimes helps pay the bills.
When, how and why did you first get involved in the modeling industry?
From middle school till high school I took drama, but I got started when I was training at the gym. One day this director came in looking for fighters to help with some scenes for his movie. It sounded like fun and from there the snowball just kept growing.
What are your personal and professional goals? Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
I have 3 goals for my 5 year plan
1. I want be the first German to win the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Wrestling World Championship
2. Create something to give back to the world
3. Have fun doing it
How often are you modeling and what does it usually consist of?
I usually end up doing photo shoots and runway. Id like to get more into the acting side of things.
Please tell us about the best and/or worst experiences you’ve had so far in modeling.
I think one of my best experiences was the first time I was on the Discovery Channel’s TV show “I almost got away with it”. It was my first time being on a nation wide TV show. I just remember being incredibly nervous and the feeling was very surreal. It felt like I had finally reached the first step to the staircase leading to my acting and modeling career.
Have you had anything funny, embarrassing or completely out of the ordinary happen during your modeling career?
I did a runway with Calvin Klein, and they had us in the store’s window pretending to be mannikins. It was funny seeing people’s reactions to the group of underwear models in the window.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
I wish there was a way to filter past all of the creeps and non-professional photographers. Having a camera does not make you a photographer. So until that magic filter exists, I recommend always bringing someone you trust with you to the shoot.
Do you practice any sports and what do you typically eat? Please elaborate on the importance of nutrition and exercise in your life.
I try to live by a very simple rule of thumb, eat food in its most natural state. Processing is the killer, stick to the produce aisle and you’ll be fine.
Living in a city like SF it’s hard not to cheat from time to time, but with my involvement in Jiu Jitsu, I like to think I more than make up for it with exercise. Jiu Jitsu is my main form of exercise which I do about 6 days a week, I do yoga at least 3 days a week, strength and conditioning 3 a week and cardio and explosive training 2 a week.
Please share something people don’t know about you.
In my free time I really like painting.
Would you change anything about yourself?
More self control when it comes to candy.
What superpower do you wish you had? Why?
I would choose Time-Space manipulation. The ability to just stop everything would be a pretty cool ability that we could all have fun with.