1. Can you tell us about your journey into the world of modeling and how it led you to establish your own modeling club/agency in Tulum, Mexico.

Modeling to me is so much more than the physical perception we portray. It’s deeply rooted in self love, self discovery, confidence and inner radiance. It was hard being a young creative girl growing up in a small Catholic town in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, USA. Always having pressure from our elders, to be a certain way. Look at certain way, act a certain way, represent your family in a certain way. Modeling gave me the chance to express myself for what I wanted in life and who I was. I can really say modeling saved me at a couple stages in my life. It forever empowers me, and motivated me to step out of my comfort zone, be creative and try something new. I started modeling when I became an influencer 10 years ago, but truly it always lived within me, even as a photogenic young girl. And slowly, with each photoshoot I grew. Growing more deeply in self love, self acceptance, gratitude and confidence as the years conspired. Modeling has always been an outlet for me, a creative space. From growing and evolving into the woman I am today, this year I decided to create my own community of talent and open my modeling club and rising agency, The Riviera Models @therivieramodels on IG. I pride myself on being the first modeling club here in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. We are based out of Tulum, but hold monthly club meets and retreats all over the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Models is based on content creation and philanthropy. We donate our monthly club meeting funds to local ocean conservation funds here in the Riviera Maya like Akumal Save the Sea Turtles, Cozumel Coral Restoration Project, Eco Caribe and Tulum Coral Restoration Project. We also partner and work hand and hand with these funds, donating time, money and action to our community and environment. We believe by creating this family of like minded entrepreneurs, we can be the change, and lead my example. I have also created this platform to inspire young creatives. To show them that all your dreams are possible, despite your surroundings. To be an inspiration to those who have big dreams in their heart. And ultimately telling my story so others see my bravery and relentless actions to create my dream reality.

2. Your commitment to ocean conservation is inspiring. How did your passion for environmental causes influence your decision to donate a portion of your earnings to organizations focused on coral reef restoration and sea turtle conservation in the Riviera Maya?

I have built all of my businesses around my passion and love for our oceans. One of my first memories as a little girl was my father putting little bait fish into our pool and snorkeling with them. As I grew up my love for the environment and our oceans grew alongside me, attending a biological research trip with my University. We went to Costa Rico, and helped for a week at a sea turtle rescue, collecting eggs from Leatherbacks and Green Sea Turtles. Then, a couple years later, I became PADI Scuba certified, and traveled worldwide experiencing our beautiful vast oceans underwater. Heading to the Caymans, Hawaii, Bonaire, Roatan, Dominican Republic etc. Coming into contact with dolphins, manta rays, sharks, whale sharks, shrimp, octopus, squid etc. my whole life changed. Meeting likeminded divers, scientists, and ocean conservationist open up my heart and mind to this deep passion and love I have for marine life and our oceans. I then became a PADI Master Scuba Diver, certified mermaid and freediver within the last couple years after building my house here in Tulum, Mexico. As my love for all things conservation grew and become apart of my everyday life I intermixed this into my businesses. I now call myself an ambassador for our oceans. Promoting local ocean conservation funds through my boutique and modeling club/agency. I am also personally partnered with @4ocean @stream2sea @rawlovesunscreen and other conservation based ocean funds. The Riviera Models and my boutique @thesolymarboutique donates funds to multiple ocean conservation projects myself and my club members work with! @ecocaribemx @corales.tulum @save.akumal.mx @cozumelcoralreefrestoration We are proud to donate not only our money, but time and company to watch these incredible non profit projects grow and thrive!

3. Running both a modeling club/agency and a non profit boutique must be depending. How do you manage your time efficiently between your business ventures and your personal interests, such as fitness, scuba diving, and yoga?

First off, I am a big advocate for my morning routine. By having a solid morning routine it sets up my day for success. Every morning after waking up and grabbing my tea or coffee, I meditate for 20 solid minutes, I then add another 5-10 minutes in of breath work like box breathing or lions breath. It’s my way of showing myself self love through grounding techniques. I love gently greeting the day with ease and flow. Then I read a few of my daily devotionals, and journal for 10 minutes on what those devotionals meant to me. After having about 10 oz of water and a refreshing juices, I go and get in a sweat! Exercise is so powerful for your mental wellness and physical wellbeing. Studies show that working out releases positive endorphins which gives you a boost of energy, and positivity throughout your day! I am training for a triathlon currently so my workout schedule changes a bit day by day. But lately I’ve been biking, running, swimming, and practicing yoga and pilates almost everyday. When it comes to my morning routine, there is no compromise. I owe my success to the little promises I have kept with myself daily. These are promises no one else sees, but they’re character building. A champion is made in the darkness when others aren’t watching. Once you start to designate time for your personal goals and differentiating those from your professional goals the game of life starts to shift in your favor. Make your personal goals just as important as your professional goals, they go hand and hand with your success!

4. Your educational background in clinical exercise science is fascinating. How do you integrate your knowledge as a personal trainer and yin yoga instructor into your daily life and possibly into your modeling career?

I always say that yoga is life. How we treat people, ourselves and the world around us comes back to us. Life is cyclical, just like the cycle of life, the planet, and a heart beat. What we give will always come back to us, even in most cases better then we could ever imagine. I integrate my fitness and yoga passion in everything I do. Showing others that a healthy life starts with getting themselves into alignment. What helps get people into alignment is through movement. The momentum of moving our bodies, starts to shape our minds and discipline. Working out in any form, from heavy weigh lifters to marathon runners to acrobatics, all of these movements and skills takes discipline and action. That is one of the most beautiful teachers we have. By showing up for ourselves daily, we are making a lifelong investment. This investment not only shows as a radiant glow on the outside, but a noticeable transformation takes place on the inside. I like to bring this mindset to both my boutique and modeling club/agency. Once again leading my example, showing my team that with discipline, hard work and perseverance, you can have that dream, and truly your mindset is that key to achieving your success.

If you are interested in becoming a virtual personal training client of mine checkout my website, and write me a message!

Www.coachjenniferdyer.com

5. As a professional influencer and digital marketing creator, you have a significant online presence. How do you leverage your platform to promote sustainable practices and environmental awareness, especially in the travel and leisure industry?

As a professional and environmental advocate I promote sustainability in all my platforms, keeping that intention with everything I post and create. I only partner with brands that are aligned with my values of organic, cruelty free, natural and chemical free products. All of the cosmetic companies I work with are all aligned in this like @lemonandbeaker, @lumineuxhealth @pacificabeauty @stream2sea @ogee @oseamalibu @malieorganics. Authentically promoting what you are passionate about is above all one of the most important things you can do. Once you find your niche in content creation, this becomes second nature and your lifestyle reflects everything you are promoting. While I am creating my travel content I like to bring into awareness different natural products, accessories or techniques that help me stay eco conscious while traveling. For example always bringing a reusable water bottle, or bringing your own reusable grocery bags to the store so you don’t have to pack your groceries with single use plastic bags, or even packing your lunch in glass travel containers instead of using plastic lunch bags. Being a conservationist, environmentalist and eco friendly advocate is not taken lightly. I like to show my audience and the people around me that we all have a roll in this movement. If we all do these small changes daily, it will add up and help our planet in the long term.

6. Balancing the roles of a professional model, wife, and mother can be challenging. How do you maintain a healthy worklife balance while juggling these responsibility.

Worklife balance is tough and takes a lot of consciousness and self awareness to create. We will never be perfect at this balance, especially those who are entrepreneurs. I am a wife, step mother and dog mother. I own two properties one in the United States and the other in Tulum, Mexico. I definitely have a lot of responsibility outside of my businesses. My recommendation is this, when you truly love what you do for work, it doesn’t really feel like a work. Also, the people in your life that love you and know the importance of your work will support you and do everything in their power to watch you succeed. But, this doesn’t mean you work yourself to death. We need breaks, for our own clarity. We need family time to disconnect. We need to honor our close friendships, and family who mean the world to us. Just like the tides come in and out at different length and strengths, we have to be fluid and flexible with our journey. I enjoy pushing and working hard, then relaxing and taking breaks. My mother always said to me, “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but stone by stone and brick by brick, in the end, it was a masterpiece.” You are the masterpiece of your life. Make sure it shows in every angle of your life, both professionally and personally.

7. Owning properties in both Tulum, Mexico and Detroit Michigan suggests a diverse lifestyle. Can you share with us how you manage your time between these two locations and any challenges you encounter as a result?

I am beyond grateful to be able to own two properties. I was born and raised in Detroit Metro, Michigan and met my husband there many years ago now. When we got married we bought a house in Plymouth, Michigan. This summer we are going through a beautiful transition! We are putting that house on the rental market to be able to make residual income. The last few years when transitioning and living here in Tulum, we would stay here for 8 months and head back to our home in Plymouth for 4 months in the summer! Now, we are closing that chapter, and this will be our last summer spent in Detroit Metro. We are becoming Summertime Nomads I call it, giggle. Where each summer we will travel to different locations and live remotely until we find a place we want to stay longterm in the summertime! I do Digital Marketing for high end venues around the world, so this will be an incredible professional change as well as personal change that I look forward to in the years to come! Also, my husband works remotely so for us this is the perfect situation.

8. Looking ahead, what are your future goals and aspirations, both personally and professionally, for yourself and your various ventures?

I have many future goals, dreams and aspirations. Luckily I know I am in alignment now with my business and personal endeavors. This upcoming year turning my modeling club into a modeling agency is a goal of mine professionally. Also, to keep growing and progressing as a professional model with different high class and world renowned companies and venues. In addition I want to finish my 200 hour YTT yoga teacher training program I started last year, along with becoming a PADI Mermaid Teacher so I can host mermaid experiences here in Tulum and in the Riviera Maya. Also, getting my house in Detroit Metro ready this summer to put on the rental market! A lot of incredible transitions happening for me this upcoming year. I am beyond grateful for each transitional phase as it unfolds a new undiscovered level of myself I have yet to unveil.