Irina Haller: on Horses, High Fashion, And Building a Life That Move With Purpose

Namita Nayyar:

Beyond diet and exercise, what mental or emotional practices keep you grounded (e.g., meditation, hobbies)?

Irina Haller:

Beyond diet and exercise, maintaining a strict sleep schedule is my ultimate non-negotiable. Good sleep is, in my eyes, the foundation of everything — it’s where true recovery and clarity begin. I make it a priority to be in bed by 10 p.m. and to start my day at 6 a.m., heading straight to the gym. Before falling asleep, I like to quietly reflect on the day, revisiting what I’ve accomplished and mentally manifesting the goals I’m working toward.

And when I feel the need for a little more action and adrenaline, I happily indulge another passion of mine — fast cars. A few spirited kilometers on a German autobahn have a wonderful way of clearing the mind and putting life’s little problems back into perspective.

Namita Nayyar:

How do you measure success now versus during your equestrian career?

Irina Haller:

There was a time when I measured success in medals, titles, and moments of triumph under bright lights. It was a beautiful chapter — one where excellence had a finish line and victories could be held in your hands.

Today, success is quieter, richer, and infinitely more personal. I measure it in the life I have created — in how deeply I am able to live, love, and grow. True success, for me, is waking up every morning feeling grateful, fulfilled, and at peace with who I am, walking my path with purpose — and the quiet confidence that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

It is no longer about reaching a destination; it is about building a life that feels like home.

Namita Nayyar:

Do you mentor athletes or models navigating career transitions? What’s your core message to them?

Irina Haller:

I believe deeply that each of us is the author of our own success story. Whenever I speak with athletes or models that are facing transitions that are the first truth I remind them of: your journey is yours to write, with all its turns, challenges, and triumphs.

There will always be voices around you — but the only voice that truly matters is your own.
No one is you — and that is your greatest superpower.

The world doesn’t need another version of someone else; it needs the fullest, most fearless expression of who you are. Trust your path, honor your uniqueness, and know that every chapter, even the uncertain ones, are shaping you into exactly who you are meant to become.

Namita Nayyar:

What’s next for you? Are there uncharted passions or industries you’d like to explore?

Irina Haller:

At this stage in my journey, my heart is open to new adventures.
The world still feels wide open to me. I speak English, German, and French — each language a door that has led me somewhere new — and I dream of opening even more.
Modeling has given me the gift of travel, of standing in places I once only imagined, of calling different corners of the world “home,” if only for a while.
And yet, my permanent home remains unwritten — a chapter still waiting to be lived.
My work allows me the freedom to choose any place, any horizon, and perhaps the next step will be just that: finding a new city, a new language, a new rhythm that feels like mine.
The beauty of the unknown doesn’t frighten me — it excites me. Because sometimes, the most extraordinary destinations are the ones we haven’t yet dreamed of.

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President of womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.

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