NAME
Elijah Van Zanten
OCCUPATION
Artist, Model, and Actor
” Gym rat in the morning. Model in the day. Couch Potato in the evening. Artist at night.”
What are you most grateful for?
In life I’m most grateful for my health. Luckily I haven’t had any serious health issues or diseases in my life. I try to maintain an active lifestyle while I am well enough too. We don’t realize how much we take our health and well-being for granted until we get sick or worse.
Sweet or Savoury?
I am all about savoury. I love bitter and flavorful foods. Sweets make my stomach and teeth sensitive.
Most profound learning experience ever?
My most profound learning experience has been through my failures. Failures in life and work continually teach me to pick myself up and keep going. This has helped me develop thick skin and confidence in myself.
Name the biggest pet peeve you have. It can be anything, and it’s no-holds-barred.
Oh my god, my biggest pet peeve is a hypocrite. We all are hypocrites at times, but those who continually claim to hold certain beliefs yet follow up with actions that say otherwise drives me nuts…and finding tomatoes in my food when I asked for no tomatoes>:(
How do you prepare yourself before shows?
Before shows, I will typically prepare by eating a clean diet and exercising plenty for both physical and mental preparation. Self-grooming is a big one for me too. I will also put in a good chunk of time practicing whatever I need to perform for a show.
How do you use Sundays to de-stress from work?
I love Sundays because it usually means rest. I will spend as little time on my phone as possible and spend the day doing hobbies and things that make my soul happy: going to the beach, reading a book, or spending the day at my house just relaxing.
Who is your fictional superhero/idol?
My fictional hero/idol is Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves, Point Break) because he does what he has to do to get the job done. Even if unpleasant, he’s constantly pushing himself. Something I idolize in people.
What is your biggest weakness and strength?
My biggest weakness is that I focus too much on smaller details when I need to focus on the bigger picture. My biggest strength is determination. I may not always be the best at something, but I don’t stop until I become my best at it.
What is a trend that you wish to obliterate forever?
If I could obliterate any trend it would be cancel culture. People can destroy their entire careers over a statement of cancel culture deems it so, which is ridiculous.
What did you want to do with your life at the age of 14?
At 14 years old I wanted to climb Mount Everest and become an Air Force pilot. My interested have changed since then, but there is always a part of me that would’ve liked to see those dreams play out.
For more on Elijah:
IG-elijahvanzanten
