with Heidi Lavon
Photography by James Marshall Ramsey – @james_m_ramsey
Hair by Tiffany Brickley – @topknothairpdx
Wardrobe by Honey Birdette – @honeybirdette
Nails by Christi – @polishedinportland
What an absolute honour to have you feature! How excited were you to shoot a cover feature? It’s kinda crazy actually! I never thought a heavily tattooed model like myself would or even could break into the mainstream magazine world! I’m extremely proud to be representing the alternative crowd out there and I’d love to see more of my kind of look welcomed more into the mainstream! So I guess you could say I’m STOKED!
Modelling is a big part of your life, could you tell us what inspired you to start and what your journey has been like to get to this point? I’ve always loved to model! It was more for fun at first then trickled into quite a business for myself. Modelling turned into photography, then photography turned into podcast host and so on and so forth! I really haven’t stopped this grind for the last 10 years! It’s nice to still be relevant for as long as I’ve been at this whole thing. It’s inspiring for me, it’s fun, and it helps me celebrate my sensuality as a woman. I think that’s really important for people to embrace their sexuality and that part of themselves and not be ashamed of it. It’s something to be celebrated especially in this day in age. Just because people choose to show off their skin doesn’t mean they don’t respect themselves. This is the best time to be alive – so we should all be embracing this kind of mentality.
You look incredible, what are some of your favourite ways to work out? My husband is one of my biggest motivators and inspirations. He’s an above the knee amputee and works out harder than any able-bodied person I know. If he can do THAT, I have NO excuse to not be in the best shape of my life. I had a really intense battle of addiction when I was younger, so the person I used to be v.s. the person I am now is vastly different. I replaced substances with vitamins and fitness. We have our own gym in a giant shop in the country where we live. 2020 has sure been a crappy year, but I can say with confidence that I’m thriving! Lifting weights, box jumps, anything with high bursts of intensity is my favourite. Ladies, DON’T NEGLECT YOUR CARBS!
We would love to get to know you! Describe to us what a day in your life is like? I like waking up when my body tells me to. So usually 7:30 to 8am, I have my cup of coffee and oatmeal. I chill, then hit the gym. I’m always working – whether I’m on vacation or at home or out with friends. In this line of work and industry, I’m in – there are a lot of other people who would agree. I’m a hustler at heart and I’m persistent AF. Every second is another opportunity to earn income or overcome some sort of goal I’ve previously set. DIE LIVING. I hang with my birds, Make some meals, work on the computer, then settle in around 7 for a movie and chill time.
What are some of your favourite things to do? Shoot content, photograph other models, hang out with my birds, go to the movie theatre. The movies are my favourite thing to do – same with my partner. We both have an endless love for seeing new AND old films. We just started up a new podcast “The Exposure Therapy Podcast “ – and we’re thrilled about it! It’s a lot of fun having guests come in to record a segment with us. Be sure to stream it on iTunes and Spotify!
You’re glamorous and fun, what would you say makes you the happiest? If we’re talking materialistically, I love getting pedicures and decor for my new house lol. Is this how it is to be in one’s 30s? Blows my mind! We bought some property out in the country and we do a lot of range practice, hanging out in nature and going to the river when the weather permits it! I’m fortunate to be in the Pacific Northwest! It’s totally lush and green out here.
Turn-ons? I like slacks lol. I can’t be the only woman who loves seeing a fit handsome dude in a pair of nice slacks. My partner is extremely fit, tall, and covered in tattoos so his body looks great in anything, but ESPECIALLY when he puts slacks on. Something sexy and business-like when a dude puts a suit on.
Turnoffs? When people don’t floss, have dirty feet, or don’t take care of their skin. I got braces on for my second time at 33, and I really admire someone who takes care of their mouth and teeth. It’s a reflection of themselves I think. When I’m in bed with a hot chick taking photos and she has dirty feet – I wanna boot her out of the bed lol! HELLO, BABY WIPES LOL! I’m kinda a crazy person when it comes to that stuff. I carry everything around with me in my purse. People would describe me as “intense” but I just call it persistent and knowing what I want.
What makes you tick? Opportunities. I thrive off possibilities and hypothetical situations. I over-analyze but by doing that, I tend to see what’s happening before it does and I seize any opportunity that comes my way. Life is too short to sit around and wait for shit to happen. You gotta go out there and get it!
As an established model, what advice can you give aspiring models out there to help them achieve their dreams of doing what you do? First and foremost, don’t ever allow someone’s opinion to affect you and your emotions. Thick skin, backbone, and confidence isn’t taught, it’s earned. You must not fail to succeed – WITH EVERYTHING. I don’t hear “no” I hear “figure it out another way.” Never change the kind of person you are to fit somebody else’s ideal image. Otherwise, how are you ever going to stand out in a sea of people? Find ways to be creative and original. This is for every kind of dream I set out for, whether it be modelling, photography, becoming a host, etc. DON’T SET LIMITS FOR YOURSELF. That’s how you get ahead! I love you all!
