Savannah is a true triple threat. She sings, she dances and she models… and boy does she model! She’s the perfect combination of a runway model, party girl, and bombshell all packed into one of the most beautiful bodies we’re ever seen. We look at the Model of the Moment, Savannah Lynx.
Savannah, thanks for allowing our Fitness Gurls readers to know more about you! Give us a little background info on where you’re from, where you grew up and how were you like as a kid!
I grew up in rural Northern New Jersey. When most people hear NJ they immediately think “Jersey Shore,” but where I’m from people wear whale pants and Polo shirts instead of Ed Hardy and Bumpits. I’m an only child so naturally, I grew up pretty spoiled, but a lot changed for me when I lost my dad, grandparents, and dog all in the same year. With my faith in God, newly discovered passion for singing, and strength from my beautiful mother, I was shaped into the resilient woman I am today.
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You obviously had a natural knack for being a performer. You were crowned Miss New Jersey Teen and went onto Miss Teen USA capturing the Miss Congeniality title and placing in the Top 15. What made you decide to enter pageantry or were you influenced by your family?
I started competing in pageants at eight years old (FYI: they weren’t those glitzy pageants where toddlers wear ten pounds of makeup). The pageants I competed in were more like talent competitions with an interview portion. Preparing and competing gave me what I needed- an escape. With something to always look forward to, my mom and I could focus our energy on a positive rather than dwell on losing so much of our family. Some may say they’re just stupid beauty pageants, but in all seriousness, pageants were the glue that held my life together in a time of great strife.
Why didn’t you continue with the pageants? Obviously, you did really well in them!
Actually, I did continue. I went on to win Miss Swimsuit USA International and the International Las Vegas Model Search, pocketing over 35k in prize money. I’ve considered competing in Miss USA or Miss America, but there’s a part of me that feels it’s time to move on to something bigger and better.
It seems like your true love is music. At what age did you start singing? How about writing? Do you play any instruments?
I have a lot of true loves. I truly love food. I truly love to learn. Traveling, meeting new people…I love it all. But if I had to sum up the most fundamental component of what makes me, me, it all boils down to the fact that I’m a natural born entertainer. Give me a stage, I’ll give you a show. I don’t play any instruments, and to tell you the truth, I became a songwriter out of necessity. The people I was working with were writing crap that I just couldn’t bring myself to sing. I said to myself “Hmmm let me take a stab at this” and started writing. Turns out, I’m not so bad at it. The life of an entertainer is always three steps forward and two steps back…something I admittedly have trouble with. But that’s to be expected. I know that my destiny is in the arts, and I’m determined to see it to fruition.
Speaking of music, you were on BET’s show “F in Fabulous”! What is the show about and how did you become involved?
The show was short-lived, but a cool experience nonetheless. I would describe the show as M&M’s…the equivalent of television junk food that’s easy to mindlessly binge on. It was a spin on “Sex in the City” where the cameras follow four fabulous friends as they make their mark on fashion, music, and New York City. The show kind of fell into my lap after my good friend (and former Miss Teen USA) called me to say she met producers who had a concept. They asked her if she had any wild, interesting friends who would make good TV and she told them about me. The rest is history.
Each of you obviously has your own personalities. Was it difficult to get along with some of your costars?
Kamie and I have been close friends for years, but the other two cast mates and I didn’t know each other. I’d be lying if I said our personalities never clashed and tempers didn’t flare. A lot of big egos’s inside the same tiny room creates drama, but in the reality TV world, that’s exactly what they want.
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Moving along, you’ve been quite the fitness buff for quite some time now. At what age did you get into fitness?
Actually, I’m more of a mac n’ cheese buff, but thanks, I’ll take it. I got into fitness accidentally. For Miss Teen USA, I definitely felt the pressure to be skinny as opposed to fit, but it wasn’t until I moved to California that I found my love of running. I was dating this guy and we would fight so much the only thing I could do was go for a run to clear my head. Later, I realized I was just running away from him (quite literally), but I’ve kept it up ever since. I head out in the morning and run for hours on end, clearing my head and talking with God. These runs are much more than a way to stay in shape for me. In fact, they’re spiritual, medicinal, and centering for me in a way I haven’t experienced anywhere else. After a few months of running somewhere around 60 plus miles a week, I was surprised to find that I had accidentally gotten in the best shape of my life. Go figure.
Obviously, your passion for fitness paid off when you won Miss Swimsuit USA International! Have you ever thought about competing in fitness competitions?
I’ve definitely thought about it and am actually still toying with the idea. The only thing is I hate all that tanning crap you have to put on your body! It’s not exactly something I can see myself doing, although I have a lot of respect for anybody who is willing to push her body to the absolute limits of perfection.
How often do you work out and what kind of workouts do you do?
I work out every day and usually start my mornings off with a five to ten-mile beach run followed by floor exercises, spin bike, and a rowing machine. Honestly, I don’t have much structure in how I train- meaning that I pretty much just do what I feel like doing. I like to listen to my body and let it tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. If I don’t feel like running one morning, I don’t. Maybe I’ll go for a hike out in the Malibu mountains, swim, or bike. If I have a competition or photoshoot coming up, I’ll push myself just a bit harder and cut back on calories. I think the key for me is spending as much time being active outside as possible.
What’s your favorite body part to train?
Legs! My legs have always been the most muscular part of my body (especially my freak-of-nature calves). I used to be very self-conscious of them, but I’ve learned to love and appreciate just how strong and powerful they are.
You must eat pretty healthy because you look awesome! What is your diet like? What are your staples in your fridge?
Well, thank ya! I stick to low carb/high fat, but if I want to trim up I’ll cut down on my daily fat intake as well. I always have raw veggies, cottage cheese, and nuts at my place to snack on, but dinner is usually lean protein and sautéed veggies. Luckily for me, my boyfriend is an amazing cook, so eating healthy never gets boring. Before him, I was eating burnt chicken and overcooked broccoli.
Do you ever indulge in treats such as sweets or pasta? What are your favorite reward meals?
Two words: PEANUT BUTTER. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but that’s all I ever want. I legitimately fantasize about shoving spoonfuls of it into my face. It’s not really a guilty pleasure if you can eat it in moderation, but clearly, that’s something I haven’t mastered yet. For me, if something is really worth it, I’ll eat it. Everyone knows life’s not fun without ice cream and candy.
How do you stick to your diet when you’re working or traveling?
I always make sure to pack some emergency protein bars with me to keep my blood sugar levels up. But I’m not gonna lie, I still have trouble with travel days. There’s something about being in an airport that puts my equilibrium out of whack. I usually end up snacking on a bunch of crap I didn’t need and still being hungry. No Bueno. Once I’ve arrived at my destination though, I’m pretty self-disciplined and always make sure to locate the nearest gym.
Lastly, what can we look forward to with Savannah Lynx this year?
I’ve got a lot of irons in the fire right now. I’m working on a jazz/blues album, taking acting and dance classes, modeling, and doing a lot of creative writing. I wish I could tell you what this year might bring, but to be completely honest, I have no idea. What I do know is that God will lead me where I need to go like he always does. But regardless of where my life will take me, I can honestly say it will be filled with challenges, successes, personal fulfillment, and adventure. The how, when, and where parts I’m still figuring out for myself.
For More about Savannah Lynx:
IG: @savannahlynx
Her website: www.lynxmode.com
Photography by LHGFX
IG: @lee_lhgfx
