Tell us about yourself.

Hey name is Hannah Poddey (produced POH-dee.) I’m 17 and from a small town in West Virginia. I’m an aspiring photographer and in love with nature. Most of my time is spent either taking pictures or with my horse. I’m blessed with an amazing mother and grandmother who support me, 4 siblings and a puppy named Watson. 

What is your biggest dream?

I have so many big dreams honestly, but I think I’d have to say my biggest is to travel the world and to be able to experience all the different cultures, take pictures of all the beautiful places, and to meet all the different people throughout it and just get to experience all the new things the world has to offer. 

What does it mean to be your own kind of beautiful?

I think it simply means accepting yourself, to be who you truly are even despite what society says. To love yourself for who you truly are, not who society says you should be. 

Tell us about your modeling experience. 

I have no modeling experience, so I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity with Hannah Noelle and can’t wait to see where it takes me! 

What is your dream brand to model for?

As a country girl, my dream brand to model for would have to be Wrangler no doubt. 

How would you describe your fashion style?

My fashion style is all over the place, it really just depends on my mood for the day. Some days It’s sassy and fashionable, other days it’s edgy and punk rock, other times it’ll be a country look with my cowgirl boots, sometimes a bohemian look, and then there’s days where it’s simply just a laid back look. 

How important is self-awareness and confidence to you in your everyday life?

Confidence in everyday life is important. As someone who’s struggled with anorexia, self-harm, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, being confident in everything you do is a struggle. A couple years ago I went through a traumatic event in my life that destroyed my confidence and made me feel worthless. Overcoming all of that has been a long and hard process, and truthfully I’m still not completely healed from it. But I’ve promised myself that’d I’d never let anyone take away what confidence I’ve regained since then. 

What makes you beautiful?

This is a tough question for me to answer. There’s days when I look in the mirror and I pick out my flaws and I don’t consider myself beautiful. Society today has taught that beauty comes from your physical appearance, from your size, to your smile, your hair, or the color of your skin, your height, and so much more. Which is a shame. I think true beauty, comes from the inside, and I think mine comes from the fact I have a big heart for animals, other people, and the less fortunate. That’s something I need to remind myself daily, is that beauty comes from within. 

What would you say to another girl your age who is struggling with their confidence?

You don’t have to be pretty like her, you can be pretty like you. So many girls think they’re unattractive because they don’t look like the girls who are worshipped on social media, and that’s unfortunate. You’re a work of art, don’t let anyone tell you different. Your size does not define you, you’re weight does not define you, those things are simply numbers, and it doesn’t make you any less beautiful. Don’t let society tell you who you should be or what you should look like. The things you don’t love about yourself, someone else is amazed by those things, someone else loves those things. You’re absolutely perfect, no matter what anyone tries to tell you. Just be yourself, stay true to you’re heart, and be confident, even when it’s hard.