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Story & Lesson Highlights with Rachel Heyes

We recently had the chance to connect with Rachel Heyes and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My normal day is all about grounding, creativity, and setting the tone. I start with a tall glass of water, followed by a quick meditation or journaling session to clear my mind. Skincare comes next — it’s my favorite ritual and essential for what I do. After that, I either do a short Pilates flow or go for a walk outdoors to energize myself. Then I dive into planning my content: reviewing emails, checking trends, or shooting quick behind-the-scenes stories while the light is soft and natural. I try to keep this time intentional, focused, and mindful — it’s when I feel most connected to myself and my audience.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Rachel Heyes — a fashion model, content creator, and digital muse based in San Diego, California. I’ve built my brand around empowering elegance, feminine confidence, and storytelling through style. What makes my work unique is the blend of high-fashion editorial aesthetic with relatable, authentic lifestyle moments that connect deeply with my audience.

On Instagram, I don’t just showcase outfits — I share moods, narratives, and curated experiences. I collaborate with both iconic and emerging brands to bring their pieces to life in creative, cinematic ways. Recently, I’ve been exploring the intersection of fashion and AI, working on projects that involve digitally generated models and virtual campaigns — it’s the future of fashion storytelling, and I’m excited to be at the forefront.

For me, this isn’t just about clothing — it’s about how we express who we are, evolve, and inspire.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was simply Rachel—curious, creative, and deeply connected to my intuition. I was a girl who loved art and storytelling, fascinated by the endless ways we could express ourselves authentically through fashion, photography, and words. I embraced every part of myself without hesitation, unafraid of judgment or expectation. In many ways, my journey as a model and influencer has been about rediscovering that original spirit and honoring it, staying true to the woman I always was beneath the layers of who the world expected me to become.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back most in my life is the fear of not being enough—whether professionally, creatively, or personally. For a long time, it kept me from fully embracing opportunities or trusting my voice, worrying I might disappoint others or fail myself. Overcoming this fear has been a journey of self-love, acceptance, and realizing that true growth comes from stepping beyond self-imposed limitations, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’ve learned to redefine “enough” on my own terms, and it’s made all the difference.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say authenticity, creativity, and genuine connection really matter to me. They know I deeply value being true to myself and others, expressing creativity through everything I do, and building meaningful relationships that uplift and inspire. They’d probably also add that kindness, empathy, and supporting the people I love are at the core of who I am.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had only 10 years left, I would immediately stop worrying about other people’s expectations and trying to achieve perfection. I’d let go of the pressure to constantly please others, compare myself, or chase superficial goals. Instead, I’d fully embrace experiences that bring genuine joy, spend meaningful time with loved ones, and create without limitations or fear—living boldly, authentically, and unapologetically myself.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
@RachelHeyes

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