Beating the odds! Andrew Sanders
Photography by Joem Bayawa
Interviewer by @PnVMaleModelHQ
Life is full of ups and downs. Usually the people that succeed are the one that overcome the challenges. However, sometimes those challenges are deadly. Andrew Sanders slipped the hand of death and came out stronger on the other side. After suffering a medical catastrophe he used his faith and inner fortitude to rebound and come back even stronger! This is an interview nine months in the making and it’s my honor to introduce you all to Andrew Sanders!
Chris Chase: Andrew, first of all thank you so much for your time. I know you’re a busy guy. I think our followers will enjoy your story. Let’s start like I always do. Give me your stats.
Andrew Sanders: Sure thing!
Height: 5.11
Hair Color: Light Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Birthday: October 5th
Hometown: Winnetka, IL
CC: Winnetka, IL. I can honestly say I have no idea where that is. Lol What the readers will soon notice are your eyes. They’re crystal blue and amazing. Wow. Who’s your childhood hero?
AS: James Bond. When I was 5, my Father used to read them to me. Goldfinger. Casino Royale. Thunderball – All the cool thrillers. & Ian Fleming is a genius.
CC: I’m a huge Bond junkie! I think I’ve seen every movie at least 5 times. How long have you been in the business and what drove you to be a model?
AS: I’m new to the whole business of modeling. It’s Chic & Daring & I like the look of paparazzi in a camera, flashing, framing, snap-snapping a picture of a moment in time. A beautiful photograph with the purpose of selling inspiration. Because how you look is a reflection of how you feel.
CC: What drove you into modeling?
AS: I’ve always loved that killer rush of a gymnasium. Everyone is so focused and on key. The idea of accepting the uncomfortable for progress is one thing I believe applies to many aspects in our lives. Modeling shows it off in a lovely way.
CC: I certainly agree. There’s an elegant charge in a perfect photo. What are your long-term aspirations?
AS: I’m just in today. I really can’t say.
CC: If you weren’t modeling, what would you be doing?
AS: Modeling is a gorgeous thing. Not just because of a pretty fancy face & body, but for setting a standard of success. If I wasn’t here, I’d be in school learning. But I’m kinda learning as I talk. It’s hard to describe.
CC: Everyday is a learning experience. What does your workout routine look like?
AS: Everyday is different. I always run first. Whatever exercise I’m doing, I’ll drop set. Like this: 2 sets of my heaviest weight for 15 reps. The 3rd set, I’ll do my heaviest to my lightest weight. Five drops of 5-8 reps a piece. I’ll do 5 exercises like that.
CC: I know that’s an average day but what does a perfect day look like?
AS: Early morning 3-4 mile jog. Read and write a few hours before hitting the gym. Play some violin music. Watch some John Wayne pictures. Then meet up with the crew. Maybe doze on lounge chairs before waking up to a waiter with a café au lait. Swimming in The Beverly Hills Hotel pool with some gorgeous and understanding women – and is that legal? You see their hair all wet and glistening and the body is under water but you know its there. When those girls come around, I work up the courage to say, “Hi” which I think is pretty suave.
CC: that’s a very full and cultured day! Lol What’s your favorite cheat food?
AS: WarHeads. They always give me a popping thrill.
CC: I’m just going to pretend that I know what Warheads are. What do you do in your spare time?
AS: I’m writing a screenplay right now. But I never can tell if I’m just spilling a little nasty down the page and wasting my time. Just writing a bunch of poisoned pen letters. I always think, What am I doing? Who knows?
CC: So what we are learning is that you’re an extremely talented and diverse guy. Give me a run down is your favorites…Favorite TV show, movie, music, sports, Team?
AS: My favorite TV show would have to be The Dukes of Hazzard. I really like Luke Duke. His getup: the dark blue jeans with that belt with a fish belt buckle with black boots and brown boots. He’s a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and an old boxer. Watching him really knocks me out.
My favorite movie is Cool Hand Luke with Paul Newman. The Iconic Rebel Hero. –Andrew
Music? It always depends on my mood. Like if my girlfriend’s over, whatever she wants to hear, I’ll say, “Wo! I was just thinking the same thing.”
Sports team? Blackhawks.
CC: If I asked your friends to describe you, what would they say?
AS: I wish I could say something nice. Maybe that I’m a cool guy. Nothing fancy.
CC: In one word describe yourself. Then tell me why.
AS: Daring. The next Q will tell you why.
CC: Obviously I know what you e been dealing with over the past nine months but tell everyone about what you’ve been going thru over that time in regards to your health and how that’s changed you.
AS: On October 25th, 2015, I had 7-10 cryptogenic strokes and was hospitalized at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago until early December. Cryptogenic means “of unknown origin.” Doctors don’t know the cause of the attack. Was one of those 1 in a million events.
Everyday for me now, I feel so grateful to be alive. Truly I know it’s one of those sacrosanct sentences of holy pomp and frill and I would never have understood the meaning before it hit me. The doctors call me the “Poster Boy” for stroke victims. I’m just very lucky to be doing this interview right now. –Andrew
CC: Your courage and positivity certain inspires me. Who inspires you?
AS: David Beckham. J.K. Rowling. Buddha & The Fallen Great Men of old whose names we don’t know.
Andrew thank you so much for opening up to us about your ordeal and giving us some insight to what a truly amazing person you are.
Model: Andrew Sanders
Instagram: @smooks_screen
Photographer: Joem Bayawa
Instagram: @joembayawaphoto
