Why supermodel Rachel Hunter ditched glitz and glamour for yoga and meditation

After unintentionally falling into the world of celebrity, fame and rock and roll, the world famous supermodel has ditched the harsh glare of the spotlight and taken up a very different way of living.

Supermodel Rachel Hunter feels like she’s in a scene from from Alice in Wonderland.

Born a nature lover with a deep passion for spirituality and living a quiet and simple life, it still baffles her that she unintentionally fell into the world of celebrity, fame and rock and roll.

Hunter, who still to this day credits Australia with kick starting her modelling career thanks to an Australian Vogue cover at age 16, was one of the world’s most famous models in the 80s and 90s and went on to marry rock star Rod Stewart, with whom she shares two children, Renee and Liam.

And after a couple of decades in the spotlight, the Auckland native is back to where it all began. Immersing herself in nature and practising a slow and conscious way of being.

Rachel Hunter has embraced a new way of living. Picture: Supplied

“When I was a child I loved spirituality, I love nature, I loved animals,” said a radiant Hunter on the phone from a yoga retreat in Bali.

“How I got catapulted into the modelling world, I don’t know, but in the end it has been for the best reasons. It was part of my process to get to where I am now.

However getting to this Zen and content state didn’t come easily for Hunter, who has had her fair share of hurdles in recent years.

Rachel Hunter with her former husband Rod Stewart in 1996. Picture: Supplied

“There was this period from 2010 to 2017 when I constantly thought, wow, what is going on in my life?.

“Absolutely I have been damn lucky and I am very fortunate but there has been times when it hasn’t been like that…”

“I remember there was this time in life when my kids left home so I had an empty nest, I was meant to get married and that didn’t happen, then I had back surgery, then I had Pericarditis and myocarditis, then my mum passed away and I supported her through her cancer...

“It was one thing after another. I thought you joking? Is this ever going to stop?

It was then LA based Hunter consciously quit all things glitz and glamour and began devoting her time to meditation and yoga retreats – something she has practised for more than 15 years.

And while she says the transition from supermodel to yogi hasn’t been a sudden one, her days spent barefoot and make-up free is a world away from what feels like another lifetime.

“After my mum passed away and I went back to LA and I just kept thinking, what am I going to do now?

“I was numb so that’s when I went to India. I hadn’t even graduated high school and didn’t think I would be accepted to study over there. But here I am.”

“It feels like Alice in Wonderland, what am I doing here?“It is so cool. If you had asked me five years ago did I think I would be doing this? Absolutely not. Not at all.”

Posing for Playboy magazine.

Rachel back in her modelling days.

Gone are the days of catwalks and film sets, the Essano beauty ambassador’s social media sites are filled with spiritual words of wisdom, fresh-faced, make-up free images mid-meditation and the 52-year-old mastering a plethora of yoga poses.

She has completed more than 500 hours of yogic training and has certifications in areas including yoga, meditation and tantra and is an in-demand yoga teacher.

And Hunter feels like she is right where she is meant to be.

“Right now I want to stay where I am because I am going to get a kick in the butt again and end up in a different direction... But right now I am very happy with where I am.

“I find that life is Zen then you are hit with more chaos.”

Hunter’s passion for living a natural, toxic-free lifestyle also includes her skincare regimen.

Right now Rachel Hunter says she is right where she needs to be.

She has recently signed on as an ambassador for cult New Zealand beauty brand, essano.

Since discovering the brand almost ten years ago, their cruelty-free, natural products have become a mainstay of her beauty routine.

“Almost ten years ago when I was doing NZ’s Got Talent and I saw this Rosehip Oil in pink packaging and I tried it and thought it was so amazing,” Hunter said.

“I took some home and tried it and loved it.

“My skin regimen is really simple. I have to thank my mum and dad for my skin...but I have to be honest, I literally created and adjust my regimen to not being regimented. Using these products make my regimen so simple.” “

“So I have loved Rosehip Oil for years so to be working with a brand like essano that has such high-grade Rosehip Oil is a match made in heaven. essano encompasses the qualities I admire in beauty - conscious, quality and makes my skin feel amazing.”