Chelsea Hardin is an American public speaker, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2016. She was the first runner-up to Deshauna Barber of District of Columbia at Miss USA 2016.
Hardin represented East Oahu at Miss Hawaii USA 2016 on November 22, 2015, and was crowned the winner by outgoing titleholder Emma Wo.
On June 5, 2016, Hardin competed in the Miss USA 2016 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. She went on to place as the first runner-up to winner Deshauna Barber of District of Columbia, despite being the favorite to win.
Chelsea Keolani Hardin, a true island girl at heart, is 24 years old and born and raised in Hawaii. She has traveled to more than 12 different countries on 4 continents and even lived in Romania. Besides playing volleyball on the beach, her competitive spirit pushes her to try and fall in love with any activity outdoors. Growing up with three brothers, Chelsea’s outgoing personality loves snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, hiking, canoe paddling, and diving for shells.
Chelsea is a graduate of Iolani School and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA, where she received a five year athletic scholarship to play NCAA division 1 volleyball. She majored in both Anthropology and Geography and minored in Ethnic Studies. Chelsea currently works as a team member and speed and agility coach with Hawaii Speed and Quickness, a non-profit that promotes the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle in under privileged communities throughout the state.
Chelsea Hardin was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2016. Catch up with her as she reveals her top fitness secrets in conversation with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You were crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2016 and were the first runner-up at the Miss USA 2016. Tell us something about this spectacular modeling journey and how it all began?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Spectacular is exactly how I would describe this journey. It all started while I was working after moving home from Romania, a woman approached me asking if I would ever consider running for Miss Hawaii USA. I’ve been an athlete all my life and never once considered pageantry or modeling, so I didn’t think much of it. This woman however, must have really saw something in me as she was persistent and eventually talked me into it.
The process was hard as it was my very first pageant, but I’m glad I tired something new and took a leap of faith. Not only have I met so many amazing people during my journey to Miss USA, but I was also able to grow as a young lady. I found new limits as I pushed myself physically, mentally and emotionally, more so than athletics has ever pushed me. Getting so far at the Miss USA 2016 I feel was a testament to the hard work the Miss Hawaii USA organization, my personal trainer, my glam team, my coaches and my family had put into getting me ready. Many people are unaware of how hard it is to prepare for something that is on such a grand scale, but the sacrifices and the hard work was totally worth it.
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All Written Content Copyright © 2016 Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar: While a university student, you played NCAA division I women’s volleyball. Introduce us to the role of fitness and sports in your life?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Athletics, and everything that comes along with it has been a huge part of my character building and fundamentals in life. My mom actually convinced me to play volleyball since she saw that I grew taller and taller until I finally stopped at almost six feet! Getting a scholarship to a Division I school was life changing as it not only allowed me to experience life outside of Hawaii, but it set me on a path to receiving a degree while getting the opportunity to play volleyball.
As I mentioned before, the skills I learned in athletics: discipline, time management, hard work, dedication, along with many more, were instrumental preparing for Miss Hawaii USA as well as Miss USA, and now I’m using those same skills in every day life. In my post pageant life, sports and fitness is still a huge part of who I am as I continue to play volleyball both indoor and on the beach, as well as do other activities like canoe paddling, surfing, hiking and training for races. Additionally, I work with young kids here in Hawaii through a non-profit where we set up camps and clinics to educate kids about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, proper eating habits, be drug free, and to involve families in workouts.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are a world leading media personality, fashion model and a beauty pageant holder. How do you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Time management and prioritizing is key. When people ask what I do for a living, I always chuckle and say I do a little bit of everything, work as a model, work with a non-profit and do “ambassador work” as I like to call my Miss Hawaii USA duties. There are days where it can be overwhelming with keeping up on my social media scheduled posts, appearances where I have to be dolled up, sponsorship work, paid modeling gigs or lunch meetings, and sometimes it feels like it can be all in one day. When I do feel overwhelmed, which I always remind myself that the feeling is normal. I step back, making sure that I’m prioritizing my time with what is most important and what is going to be the most effective. It’s not as glamorous as people think, and sometimes you just want to walk around in flip flops wearing sweats with your hair pulled back and do absolutely nothing!
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: My workout routine was pretty tricky as I wasn’t trying to master olympic lifts, build stamina and put on muscle like we had to for volleyball. Instead, I was training for long and lean muscles. I did a lot of plyometric exercises, high intensity work and compound movements. We worked with TRX, kettlebells and resistance bands for “Pilates-style movements to elongate the muscles” as my trainer Alana would say. For me specifically, we made sure to use lighter weights but keep the volume high. As for cardio, we did a few things, including making sure to keep my heart rate up during workouts and alternating between high-intensity training and long and steady workouts on the stair master or incline walk.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Competing for a pageant has many similarities to competing for a body building competition (although, thankfully, not as extreme). Since I was so busy with other pageant prep: walking practice, interview training, onstage question practice, napping, (yes napping was key in keeping me balanced) it was increasingly harder for me to stay consistent in meal prep. Thankfully, with the guidance of my trainer, I became educated on the right foods to eat and I lived by easy and simple rules: I cut out excess sugar (pretty much anything packaged, any sweets or anything tempting), no dairy, no alcohol, I only ate specific types of carbs, lots of protein and and drank tons of water.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: The key for me personally to maintain a healthy skin, especially during times of stress, is drinking lots of water and having a really good moisturizer that I apply daily. I also have a great three step face wash that I know is right for my skin type. As for my hair looking perfect on stage, I have an amazing hair sponsor in Houston, Texas that yes, I traveled all the way there to make sure my hair was in the right hands. It took two days to get the perfect balanced look that suited my skin tone and really light up my features, giving me a sun-kissed natural looking hair color. A key trick I learned recently that has helped my hair stay healthy is not washing it every day, even if I had a long workout at the gym, the natural oils are healthy for it and once I started only washing every 2-3 days, I felt my hair maintaining its healthiness despite all the work being done to it.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have done a lot of volunteer work in South Africa and even lived in Romania. You currently work as a team member and speed and agility coach with Hawaii Speed and Quickness. These associations have been dear to your heart, tell us how you have been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through these endeavors of your?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Growing up, my mom was a single mother raising my brother and I. From a young age I have seen what it’s like for her to work so hard and sacrifice so much in order for my brother and I to have the opportunity to attend private schools, participate in extra curricular activities and live in expensive paradise. Understanding what it’s like to work hard for a better life and have opportunities pushes me to want to give those same opportunities to kids who might not know the possibility is out there. Whether it’s helping kids through teaching like I did in South Africa or working with kids through athletics like I do now with Hawaii Speed and Quickness, it makes me happy knowing I can help set kids on a brighter path to success. If there’s a will, there’s a way, that is how I have been able to achieve these things. I was able to fundraise and save money to fly to South Africa, I met the right people and made the right connections to have the opportunity to work with Hawaii Speed and Quickness, and I have the help of the Miss Hawaii USA committee to make sure I am able to maximize my year as Miss Hawaii USA.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us about your current Top 3 Fashion Must-Haves?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Living in Hawaii, the fashion must haves are a little different than the rest of the US mainland since, at least most of my actives, and every day lifestyle revolves around the sun and water. A bikini is most definitely the first thing, I always want to make sure I have options incase I’m going out surfing or going on a sunset cruise on the boat. Second would have to be a cute hat. I always make sure to have a boater hat, a panama style hat, or a wide brim floppy sun hat for protection from the sun and to spice up an outfit. Lastly would have to be a chic maxi dress that you can wear during the day for brunch and that you can throw a jacket over and dress it up for a night on the town.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar: Congratulations on becoming Miss Hawaii USA 2016! Share with us your experience of winning such a prestigious title.
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Thank you! In the beginning, I didnt know much about pageants and everything that it entails, so I went into the year not really knowing what to expect. What I learned, and I learned quickly, was that when one becomes a title holder, you instantly become a public figure and a role model. You get the opportunity to work with numerous charities in helping with events and fundraisers, you become heavily involved in the community and meet people from all walks of life. Through events and appearances, and being on talk shows and the news, I was able to increase awareness for the non-profit that I currently work for and becoming involved in numerous other great non-profits and organizations. One of my favorite parts of being Miss Hawaii USA is knowing that young girls look up to me and I can make their day with just a smile.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is a day like in the life of Miss Hawaii USA 2016 “Chelsea Hardin”?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Everyday seems to be different as I could either be doing an all day shoot for modeling or laying out getting a tan! I also travel a lot for modeling, Miss Hawaii USA gigs and for pleasure, so sometimes I’ll only be in Hawaii for a few weeks out of the month! What I make sure is a constant however, is getting in a good workout and getting my heart rate up, weather that means putting time in the gym with my trainer, going on a hike, or getting in the water, I always make sure to do something active at least once a day.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding fashion models, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of modeling?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: I’ve learned quickly it’s a tough and cut throat business out there. The most important thing I learned was to stop trying to make everyone else happy and start making myself happy instead. And this is the advice I would give to all girls, young or old who want to make their mark in the modeling industry. Be happy with how you look, and to not change yourself so drastically that you become a different person, regardless if you do or don’t get the job based on your body image or your look. Everybody has their niche in the industry, for some it’s runway, for others it’s fitness modeling and once you find your niche, you can be happy with yourself, which translates to being happy at work and with the results. Why change who you are when someone is out there looking for somebody exactly like you. With that said, maintain a healthy body, be confident and always make sure to be kind to people because kindness goes a long way no matter what industry you are working in.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Chelsea Hardin: Womenfitness.net is such a great tool to have, I visit the website religiously, whether it’s for finding ideas to change up my at-home workout routine, looking for new and healthy recipes, wanting to stay on trend with beauty and fashion, helping get (and stay) motivated or just wanting to read inspiring stories of real life people doing well in life. Womenfitness.net is more than just a website, for me it’s a place where one can go to ask questions about health related issues, or things we flat out don’t want to ask our parents about. Everyone has questions, needs new recipes, and sometimes are in search of a few extra reasons to get motivated, womenfitness.net is the perfect place for me to find just that.
To know latest about Chelsea Hardin check out her social networks:
Or Visit her website at: http://chelsea-hardin.com/
Women Fitness Team thanks Chelsea Hardin for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2016 Women Fitness