INTERVIEW with Anja Christoffersen || Model, Business Manager, Speaker, Author, Health Advocate and Counsellor
SD: For those readers who don’t know you yet, can you please introduce yourself?
AC: My name is Anja - and I wear MANY hats! I am an international fashion model, business manager (international education), motivational speaker, author ("Behind the Smile: An Inspirational Journey from Disability to Ability"), health advocate and qualified counsellor. In June 2019 I placed 1st Runner Up in the Miss Grand Australia beauty pageant (3rd largest in the world, and fastest growing).
I am also a student, in my first trimester of a Masters of Business Administration, majoring in Entrepreneurship and Health Services Management.
I recently founded the Wellness Empowerment Movement (WEM) to create positive change within the patient community and healthcare. This is the next step for me after building a career as a health advocate over the past two years - speaking at medical and educational conferences internationally, delivering professional development sessions within education and healthcare, involved in consumer advisory and appointed the Youth Ambassador for the Continence Foundation of Australia.
I was also born with a congenital disability - VACTERL - that affected my vertebral, digestive, circulatory, urinary and reproductive body systems. It is an invisible disability for me; having had over 150 hospital admissions and more than 25 procedures/surgeries throughout my life. There is never a day where I am not battling physical challenges because of this diagnosis, and I am currently managed by 9 specialist teams.
Photo by Viktor Hawk
SD: How did you decide to be a professional model? Who or what inspired you?
AC: As a child, I was fascinated by fashion, makeup, jewellery and being in front of a camera. I had not dreamed that a career as a professional model could have been a possibility for me at that stage. My love for modelling was very organic and came naturally, however I had to put in a lot of work - physically, emotionally, psychologically and practically to get to where I am.
When I was 15 I completed a modelling course, and from there was invited into an agency to discuss signing. Unfortunately when asked if I had any scars, and revealing my abdominal scars from my many surgeries, I was told that I would never be able to model showing my stomach; and even jobs where my stomach was covered it was unlikely clients would book me after seeing my bikini digitals with scars.
Young and impressionable, this devastated me. I had always loved and accepted my scars - they told the story of my life being saved and I was proud of the battles I had faced and overcome.
From there I took a step back and focused on a career in fashion, starting a short project making one-off pieces and altering clothes to make them unique, and selling them. I was able to bead, sew and create, however my lack of practicality meant that it wasn't cost-efficient for me to continue. The first big sale event I held for this project I took photos in all the clothes and had them on the coat hangers. Little did I know, this formed my portfolio.
A few months after this I happened to see an open casting last minute for a modelling agency (Mystique Model Management), and cast my scars on display with pride and was signed on a development contract. From there I was 100% committed, I listened to every word my agents said, was mentored by other models and my booker within the agency, said yes to every opportunity and worked HARD. This paid off quickly when my contract was extended to 12 months within my first month of my development contract because of my dedication and positive feedback from clients. Within a year of being signed I was working in Europe and walked Mercedes Benz Fashion Week there in 2016.
I persisted with modelling and put my heart and soul into it because I was inspired by the previous agency's rejection when I was 15. I wanted to represent diversity on the catwalk, and be able to demonstrate to those with disabilities or who had experienced rejection and hardship, that they have a place in the world, wherever they want that to be, they just need to persist, be resilient and earn it. I also was determined to reach success without anyone knowing about my disability and physical struggles as I wanted to know I achieved because of how hard I worked, not because the label was wanting to make a statement by booking me. It was only after I achieved what I wanted to in modelling (Fashion week in Europe at 17 years old) before I disclosed my disability fully to clients (if they asked about scars) and my agents.
SD: When did you sign with an agency?
AC: April, 2015 - when I was 16 years old.
Photo by John Pryke
SD: What do you enjoy most about modelling?
AC: I love being able to work with passionate creatives. I am confident that when people who are wanting to pursue a career in fashion - whether in design, modelling, fashion blogging/journalism, styling, hair, makeup and photography - they would have heard a variation of, "You won't make it", "It is impossible to make money" or "It is too competitive" at least once. Yes - maybe 1 in a few thousand are able to make a living, but I guarantee you that they have worked hard to get there, and there is no reason why you can't be that 1. You have to be in it to win it.
In summary, the best thing about modelling is that the people you are working with are passionate - they are rarely motivated by money and status because it is a hard hustle, and nothing is guaranteed.
I also love stepping into the modelling persona and being able to showcase a huge part of myself that is glamorous, and loves being photographed and watched on the catwalk. It gives me goosebumps, a little adrenaline rush and makes me feel so ALIVE. Battling chronic illness I am always searching for things that are invigorating.
SD: Besides modelling, what else are you passionate about?
AC: I consider myself a very passionate and ambitious person. I love business and international education, however I am most passionate about health. Growing up "sick" and facing my mortality regularly, I want to create a better path and experience for others experiencing chronic illness. That has motivated WEM, my book, advocacy and motivational speaking. I can't get enough of it because I truly believe it is my purpose in life. Doing the work I am doing within health is incredibly fulfilling and the answer to my 'Why?' when I think about the reason I was born with this rare disability.
SD: What are your hobbies?
AC: I don't really have hobbies, only hustles! I fully immerse myself in my projects and channel every spare minute there unless I am spending quality time with my loved ones.
SD: Your top 5 favourite fashion designers?
AC: That is HARD. I have unfortunately seen a lot of local labels come and go in this industry, and many of them have genuinely been my favourite. I have been inspired by the designer and the designs. Otherwise I am loving; For Love & Lemons, Alice McCall, Bec and Bridge, Niki Teljega and can never go past a good Kookai basic.
SD: How do you keep in shape?
AC: For over a year I was training 4 times a week with my incredible Personal Trainer however moved gyms at the beginning of the year. From then I have been doing Boxing, Yoga and Pilates and am lucky to have my best friend as a gym buddy to keep me motivated and accountable. In quarantine I throw together some of my favourite exercises my PT and youtube taught me! I also am a huge advocate for intermittent fasting (because I want to be able to eat what I want and enjoy it when I do - I am not sure if that is how IF is supposed to work or if I am doing it wrong!), and when possible fast until 1-2pm daily at least 3 days during the working week.
SD: What advice would give someone about starting modelling?
AC: My 5 fast tips for modelling success:
1. Understand the industry before entering it
2. Find your confidence before modelling rather than from modelling
3. Listen to the guidance of other models and your agent; get a good agent that you can trust, and then say YES to every opportunity
4. Know that the opinion you hold of yourself and your body is the only one that should be relevant to you; if you do not book a job or get nasty comments don't take it personally
5. If you are wanting to succeed, treat it as a PROFESSION rather than a hobby.
Photo by John Pryke
SD: What’s your favourite snack?
AC: Chilli chips and sour cream... YUM (hence why I do intermittent fasting haha!)
SD: Tell us about your passion project, Wellness Empowerment Movement:
AC: In a nutshell, the Wellness Empowerment Movement is a community created by patients, for patients. It is focused on empowering ourselves and each other to maximise our wellbeing, while living or caring for someone with a chronic illness. It is all about taking responsibility, being supported and redefining the path to wellness through compassion and collaboration. We have a beautiful group of WEMbassadors who are able to step into a position of being a role model to others with illnesses with the focus on no one with chronic illness ever having to walk this journey alone.
The website is currently under development however when launched a big focus will be on the membership component, that will provide resources to maximise your wellbeing; from guides, to fitness tutorials, private support groups, opportunities for counselling and mentoring and so much more! I am so excited for this, it is a piece of my heart that I am so READY to share with the world. It has the potential to create so much positive change in people's lives.
SD: Where would you like to see WEM in five year’s time?
AC: Our long term vision (my idea of long term is 2-5 years) has 4 objectives. WEM greatly acknowledges that while an idea may be had by one, it must be grown, nurtured and promoted by many. With people's support, sharing and membership, WEM can action our very beneficial LONG TERM VISION. As we expand, we wish to:
CREATE GRAND SCALE POSITIVE CHANGE: Developing a positive, prominent and trust-worthy reputation will enables us to advocate directly to Government and consult on projects within the healthcare sector
CREATE INCOME FOR OUR AMBASSADORS: Employment can be very challenging with a chronic illness - as we grow we would love to secure mentoring, speaking and paid consumer positions for our ambassadors.
WELLBEING EDUCATION: Raising awareness for chronic illness and sharing resources and insight through school programs and presentations
HOST EVENTS: As our community grows we have plans to host WEM Breakfasts, Events and Conferences
SD: What are you reading right now?
AC: I am halfway through 2 books that I love written by strong and empowered women: Winging It by Emma Isaacs and Bossypants by Tina Fey
SD: What advice would you give to young girls?
AC: I have so much I need to put it in another book! A big one would be: When you know what you love, you have found your passion; when you find your passion, you have found your purpose. Never let anything stand in between you and your purpose.
Follow Anja on her:
Personal Website: http://www.vacterl.com.au/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/behindthesmilebyanja/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anjachristoffersen/
Youtube: http://tinyurl.com/yck3jmd4
Buy her book: http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Smile-Inspirational-Journey-Disability/dp/1504314611