Featured in Forbes, Glamour and Daily Mail, Rachel McCord is a self made entrepreneur, model, talk show host and speaker. Secret Shaper, the first of her product lines, is her daily focus. Alongside producing and starring in the Rachel McCord Show, which helps aspiring talent, entrepreneurs and creatives slay the game.
She co-founded The McCord List, a network which purports to represent the one thousand most influential women in media. She has been recognized as a trendsetter by publications like Vogue and Forbes.
Women Fitness President, Namita Nayyar, joins the self made entrepreneur for an illuminating chat about her journey so far and how she wishes to inspire more and more women in 2019!
Namita Nayyar:
You co-founded The McCord List, a network which purports to represent the one thousand most influential women in media. You seem to have always had a zeal for empowering women. Where do you think that comes from?
Rachel McCord:
I am very passionate about, what I call, sassy self-help. I went through a lot growing up in trailer parks as a kid. I moved many times, dealt with a lot of childhood abuse, and struggled with self worth because of it. Turning to over 1,000 self help books to heal myself, I worked hard to overcome the trauma, PTSD, and depression I struggled with.
Realizing that true healing comes from accepting yourself and story, believing in your ability to accomplish anything, caring for yourself, designing your life and establishing a positive community with non-judgmental people, so I decided to create a brand focused on helping women with that.
The McCord List (TheMcCordList.com) was founded for the woman out there who needs support and love. Who needs to know she is not alone. Who needs to learn to love herself and receive love from trustworthy people.
We are stronger together, and we deserve to have the tools to make us whole.
Namita Nayyar:
You are a world renowned model, author, actress, speaker and media personality. If given a chance, which role defines your personality the best?
Rachel McCord:
I find the most joy in speaking. Having the opportunity to find that one person in the room who needs to hear an empowering message is a huge honor. I don’t see it as speaking to massive audiences…I simply speak to each person in the room by seeing and connecting with each and every one of them.
Having struggled growing up and now building a handful of companies, working on-camera, and sitting on a few boards has created the platform to share my heart. I couldn’t be more grateful for that! My prayer is that it is a reminder to people everywhere that no matter where you grew up, you matter and you can create the life of your dreams.
Full Interview Continued On Next Page
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All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
You have an incredibly toned physique. Share with us the workout routine you follow to stay healthy & fit, especially while on the move?
Rachel McCord:
Aww! Thank you! I firmly believe you need to look at your diet and workout routine as an opportunity to enhance your life…not be the non-fun part of it. 🙂
I love great music, being outside, dancing, and doing yoga. So, I usually hike to a private yoga class in the Hollywood Hills. This helps me tone different areas of my body. And at my house I frequently turn on my favorite Girl Power Anthem playlist from Spotify, and dance my heart out. 🙂
For my diet, I try to reach for something healthy as much as possible. But I don’t hold myself back from snacks and candy when I get a craving. I have seen that my body works best when I avoid carbs and overindulging in dairy. So whenever possible, I give myself substitutes.
The best way to stay your ideal weight is simply eating when you are truly hungry and stopping when you are satisfied…not when you feel like crawling in a stretcher because you are so full. 🙂
Namita Nayyar:
Being a media personality involves attending parties and events, how are you able to eat healthy? What do you like to have for dinner? Do you have cheat days too?
Rachel McCord:
I do attend a LOT of parties but I don’t let that side of my business take over too much. I am a big fan of sushi and I love eating out with my husband, Rick Schirmer. I am one of those sensitive people who really listens to her body. I give it what it wants and try to work with it…not against it. That includes knowing when to cheat and when to rest and eat veggies.
Namita Nayyar:
5 tips that you would like to give to young women entrepreneurs?
Rachel McCord:
I would love to encourage you to:
- Look at your business holistically. When building a brand, it truly is an extension of you. It is important to remember that every great idea isn’t a good idea for you.
- Listen to your heart and discover your why. You might have a killer business idea that hasn’t been invented yet, but if your mind/idea doesn’t connect to your heart and the deeper passion that keeps you aligned with your purpose, it will be harder than it needs to be.
- Be opens to iteration. When I sat on the floor of my apartment with my husband years ago, sharing my passion to be the lipstick and heels of self help, I didn’t know how I would get there. We have pivoted our business model many, many times…but one simple piece has remained the same: I want to impact people’s lives in a positive way, so everything I do must align with that.
- Make sure the things you do fit within specific brand filters. For example, if your brand could be described as aspirational, positive, beautiful, and honest; you want to avoid sharing messages and posts that are negative in nature or don’t leave your audience feeling inspired.
- Take care of yourself. Entrepreneurship lends itself to early mornings and late nights of work. Resist the urge (I often feel) to obsess about it and find your life out of balance. Invest in your self care, spend time with your friends, shut off. Don’t burnout trying to break out. Life will still be there tomorrow…put the laptop down. Besides, when you’re starting out, your business is only as strong as it’s leader.
Namita Nayyar:
Share with us your personal story of overcoming obstacles, that finally led you to launching a successful Hollywood career.
Rachel McCord:
I remember being a little girl, struggling with a lot of scary stuff as a kid. My older sisters and I would talk about a day when we would be able to get away and create a different life. My older sister AnnaLynne worked hard to build a career in entertainment, to pave the way for Angel and I to be with her, far away from everything we had struggled with growing up. So, although I originally moved to Hollywood to support her/live with my sisters again and didn’t plan a career in entertainment, I met my now husband, Rick, who launches movies and products with his company ViralBrand, and things changed. He believed in me…before I believed in myself…and together we built The McCord List, as an empowerment community of influential women and aspiring entrepreneurs who need a little extra support or opportunity to make their dreams a reality.
Namita Nayyar:
You were named “American Beauty … Rising Star” in 2017 by Dailymail. How do you feel about this incredible compliment?
Rachel McCord:
It is SO nice! I’ve been really surprised and grateful for all of the support by the Press. The journalists who work tirelessly to share stories to inspire and entertain are just amazing! When I got my first Vogue feature, I literally cried! And having Daily Mail call me the above was so humbling, because the articles featured on that site are of some of the most talented people in entertainment. It is very encouraging! And I’m grateful because the attention has lead to so many opportunities to speak at so many events like WWDMAGIC and the United State of Women event, with Former First Lady, Michelle Obama as the keynote. Talk about humbling!!!!
Namita Nayyar:
Share with us your most favourite travel destinations to go to in 2019?
Rachel McCord:
I would love to go to Greece. I have been on so many incredible trips, most recently to Israel, with the Government’s Export Institute, and that was amazing!!! Just getting out of LA (although I really love it here) is a great perspective shift. Seeing how other cultures live and love is fun to me! I learn something new whenever I go, and bring that back to my life, work, faith, and friendships.
Namita Nayyar:
Most memorable professional experience as a model?
Rachel McCord:
I love runway shows! Being able to work with epic designers and creative directors to support their visions is such a blast. As someone who balances a life in front of and behind the camera…and is very empathetic, I can really understand and appreciate how every person is feeling…what the director needs, how models want to feel, and what shots photographers and the Press look for.
I love that runway shows are an opportunity for all of these to come together in a massive way. I used to do 10 shows daily for weeks. They were for Macy’s and were a total blast. I would be sooo tired after, but I felt so content with my work. I also love a recent shoot I did for Ipsy, which was all about being real and honest about our flaws. We had so many amazing women, from all ages and shapes of life. It was a truly beautiful and emotional experience.
Namita Nayyar:
Your favourite activewear brands are?
Rachel McCord:
I really love edgy activewear, stuff you can throw heels on with later, if you want. Mott & Prince has a lot of pieces like that. So I LOVE them. PLUS my best friend founded that company and I’m a loyal Scorpio so I LOVE supporting her as the incredible female entrepreneur she is!
Namita Nayyar:
A lot of celebrities are talk about the pressures of social media. What do you feel is the best way to deal with it?
Rachel McCord:
I believe giving yourself permission to unplug is absolutely necessary. Constantly being your best is a great goal…that is also unrealistic. I also encourage you to BE REAL on social media. When I’m struggling when something, I research a positive message on it and then share what I learn. I never use social as a way to vent at scale, but I do use it open up my heart and share how I feel. If you try to convince yourself or anyone else how perfect you are, it will backfire. Because people love honesty and they relate to flaws. Be yourself and try to see/share the positive in every honest circumstance you feel like opening up to the world about.
Namita Nayyar:
Best memory from your first ever photoshoot.
Rachel McCord:
This is hilarious! I was 13, and was shooting a campaign with my older sister, AnnaLynne at the Chateau Elan in Georgia, near the towns where I grew up. After a few hours in hair and makeup, we were STARVING! They hadn’t provided Kraft Services (which is basically the industry term for food), but I found a beautiful plate of bread and grapes…we were soooo happy! We immediately started eating and just as we were finishing up, the creative director entered the room to pull us on set, and started freaking out asking, “Oh my gosh!!! Who ate the props!?!” That was so awkward!!!! 🙂
Namita Nayyar:
Your morning beauty ritual before a photoshoot? Your haircare routine?
Rachel McCord:
I need great music, a cozy robe, and clean face. I start with a bath, using one of my favorite brands, Copper + Crane. Their products smell so good they literally make my bathroom like a garden. Then, if I’m doing my own glam, I blow-dry my hair and put it in three, stacked sections. I take the first section, on the top of my head, and twirl it around into a knot and pin it with bobby pins. I repeat this down the center of my scalp, until I have three knots. This makes it look like a fresh blowout. I spray hairspray and then move to my face.
I have to start with a clean face, so after washing and toning, I add a serum, moisturizer Jojoba wax and spray a little Skindinavia on as a primer. If I am going to be on camera I focus on the eyes. Depending on your eye shape, there are many eyeliner tricks to help open them up more. Find a beauty tutorial by someone with a similar lid. It will make all the difference in your photos!
If I am just doing meetings and work, I keep a lazy girl glam routine of concealer, bronzer, eyebrows, and mascara. Easy and quick!
Namita Nayyar:
After a long hard-working day, you relax with?
Rachel McCord:
I LOVE couch time with my puppies, Giggles and Munchkin and my epic husband, Rick! We talk, have dinner, watch movies or binge on shows…it is literally my favorite thing! I also LOVE heading to Malibu or Marina to ride Birds and eat Hot Dog on a Stick (it is soooo good!) at the Santa Monica pier with my sisters.
Namita Nayyar:
Message for your fans on Women Fitness.
Rachel McCord:
I’m so grateful for the life I have. I’ve had to design and fight…hard for it. I’m in a difficult season right now, as some things come up with my family, but I know the lesson is to hold onto your gratitude, be honest (always), and continue to share love and healing with the world.
If you ever need anything, please find me on Instagram or The McCord List website. Let’s chat! My team and I host positive events, photoshoots, and self care moments all the time. If you are going through a hard season, get on The McCord List or find/start a tribe locally and lean into this hill. You will get through it. You are stronger than you know…and I love you!
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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 © 2018 Women Fitness