This is one of those rare instances when the interviewer is caught off guard by the charm and candor of the interviewee! As you will see/read, yes, Ryan is a whole lot of eye candy but what really got to me was his openness and willingness to speak, no holds barred, about himself and his life. Another little idea popped into my head which is he is not looking to be Instagram famous or an Instagram model; he very simply wants to live his life on his terms!
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The “Clark Kent” moniker that I have attached to him is alarmingly apt when one knows his almost paradoxical life. Ryan has what you might consider a high octane position where his judgement is entrusted as the source to evaluate all candidates for a variety of positions at a law firm. His real life responsibilities are part of the dichotomy of this man’s persona and his being. Here as you will read is a man who realized early on that a career is exactly just that and that it doesn’t rule your life, define your life or stifle one’s dreams unless you allow it.
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Ryan possesses an almost boyish exuberance despite his appearance which is anything but and once again this sort of untainted wonderment comes through despite the significance and substantive nature of his everyday work.
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Lastly, I thank the internet gods and Instagram for leading me to him and having the pleasure of knowing him and now it’s your turn…..
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Jeffrey Felner: You’re sort of this Clark Kent character between your everyday profession and your “extra credit” activities; care to explain how all this came about?
Ryan Hiranga: With Superman being my favorite superhero, I am beyond flattered to be remotely compared to Clark Kent/Superman. I really love that for most superheroes, his/her superhero persona is his/her disguise but with Superman, his true identity is Superman and his disguise is Clark Kent. This Clark Kent had a realization that life was passing me by while being distracted by the future. With this epiphany I became a certified personal trainer, grew my hair out, jumped out of a plane literally (w/ parachute since I am not Superman), booked a few trips, joined a choir, and had some headshots taken; determined to unlock a sort of bucket list I’d kept out of “my life plan.” I wasn’t ashamed of these things, but I felt that they might only be an impediment rather than an asset for my future.
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I love music, singing, movies, and fitness; I would add sugar to that list, but I am pretty sure that is my kryptonite. Nothing is ever all black or all white, and I am currently finding a balance of passion, profession and responsibility that gives me both security and fun. My everyday career grounds me and satiates my “Type A” tendencies, while my extracurricular projects and collaborations fuel my passions and allow me to “fly.”
All metaphors aside, this is me realizing that I am more than just one thing. I don’t always have to make the safe choice. My diet and exercise plan were wielding results, my hair was becoming a mop, I was newly single, my passions were starting to show, and I was getting attention. The tipping point occurred when a friend of mine asked if I would be her prop for a photoshoot; .girls being girls and me being incredibly punctual afforded me a bit of time before the shoot to work one on one with the photographer. I loved the process and the final product. Since then and with a social media assist, I have been lucky enough to collaborate with a handful of brilliant creatives. My schedule is busy, but my commitments are purposeful and, I suppose some would say, heroic at least for my own soul.
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JF: Finding you on Instagram, one is taken by your physicality that you so expressively display with such great ease; I guess the questions are how this start did and why . . . and then let’s talk hair!
RH:I constantly joke that my muscles are aesthetic only and not functional in the least. I do not know what my one rep max is for any specific lift, nor do I play any sports. I exercise because I enjoy the endorphins, being active, and competing with myself; well let’s say I’m an overachiever. I have enough pressure with my day job and try to eliminate as much of it as possible through my extracurricular activities. It takes constant practice and reminding, but it is important to just let go, feel the emotion, be true, and be confident; stepping outside my comfort zone allowed me to discover what makes me tick. I decided to own it all out in the open and unapologetically… ME!
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“My favorite thing about working with Ryan is that we just have fun while we shoot... I will show him my storyboard ideas; we’ll take a shot, and then continue talking and laughing until the next shot. It’s nothing at all like work! What better way to spend a day?” Ben Veronis Photographer
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The hair, well it’s a whole lot of sass and has a mind of its own most days. I am at its mercy! I decided to start growing it out 3.5 years ago on a whim since I had always wanted to, but could never get through those awkward length stages where it just looked like a disaster. This time I made a pact with myself and would only allow it to be cut if I hated it non-stop for an entire week. Usually I got to day 6, I would wake up, look in the mirror, and I’d be starting at the most epic bedhead that would just make me smile. .. And so it began
I could lie and say that I am like Marcia Brady and brush it each night until I count 5,000 brush strokes. I am, however, very diligent on keeping it as healthy as possible by minimizing heat-styling, avoiding harsh products, and using ample oils and conditioners. Typically I rock a messy man bun which is affectionately called my “doodoo bun” because it’s meant to look like I just rolled out of bed, effortless, and… well… crap.
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RH: Am I cooking and hosting this dinner? OMG, please no. I can’t take the stress so to ease my shattered nerves, let’s assume that I am not hosting, I am attending this dinner with five people while we all wear pajamas. Here are my dinner companions …– Britney Spears: clearly, I am a fan. Teach me your ways of hairography. Quietly share inside jokes, and laugh with me in the corner… Barack Obama: politics are naturally going to come up and this dude’s temperament and patience blows me away as I’d love to hear intelligent arguments in support and in opposition on a few issues... Jennifer Lawrence: she is funny and not afraid to speak her mind. I imagine she would probably kick me under the table or make me laugh with food in my mouth. .. Jesus: I have questions… a lot of them in fact. (This is going to be a long dinner) and lastly RuPaul: brilliant, funny and inspiring. He has a million and one phrases that uplift my soul and I want more energy like that in my life.
Apparently, I am a huge fan of deep, meaningful conversations with a few sassy one-liners and hair flips thrown in.
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JF: Let’s talk about the big picture, where do you see yourself in 5 years. . . Aspirations, goals, collaborations, etc.!
RH: I am thrilled with where I am right now! I am so proud of the obstacles I have overcome, the awesome collaborations that I have been given, and I am beyond grateful for this amazing life. Over the next few years, I want to continue fostering a balance of passion and fun with responsible security. I would love to keep modeling, singing, exercising, and adventuring for as long as I can. I also want to delve deeper and earn a few more fitness/nutrition related certifications, and would love to teach a group fitness class/program. Separately, community theatre has interested me for a few years and I would love to perform in a musical.
All of that would be even more amazing with a family to share it with. Whether that is a partner-in-crime or a pet… we shall see what the universe has in mind.
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JF: Do you have any role models or mentors who you have chosen to emulate and why have you chosen them?
RH: As cheesy as this sounds… my friends. Each member of my close knit inner circle has something special aspirational which I would like to emulate. They may be outspoken and brave, quiet and kind, patient, funny, spontaneous, or even a bigger cookie monster than me. Honestly though, those who are kind, empathetic, and generous with resources, time, and emotion are the ones I hold in highest regard; those who despite their own personal struggles can still find time and energy to give back.
It’s difficult for me to attribute the title of role model or mentor to people I’ve never met in-person, but celebrities and/or pseudo-celebrities such as Kristen Bell, Jason Reeves, Eli Lieb, Steve Grand, Ellen Degeneres, Oprah, and James Corden all stick out for various reasons. Some have caught my eye due to their incredible talent, humor, power to overcome adversity, or philanthropic nature. Those who are considerate of others and can see outside of oneself impress me the most and earn the right to be my role model and/or mentor.
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