Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrystian Dennis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chrystian. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I honestly feel I will be all over the place trying to capture my life in a few paragraphs. The word ‘Started’ even has a clipping sensation to me because when does one really know where it all started? Most times, I think I found the answer or the day I manifested my dreams, but it was never solely just me who brought my visions and goals to life. Half the time, it was a blessing and synchronicity when my life took a turn and began in a direction I had no idea where it would lead me.
I was going through a troubling and demanding time my college years, from expectations of my track coaches to the emotional roller coaster of my father’s incarceration. My older cousins decided to gift me a photo shoot on Christmas to boost my spirits and increase my confidence. This led to attention I wasn’t prepared for, but showed me a talent I would later empower others with. I graduated in May of 2012, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and went into the world to work in the tech industry and pursue what I thought would be secure and rewarding. I received an email to cast for a fitness company, which opened the door for me to pursue other avenues in the entertainment world. I decided to take a risk and model full time. My modeling career had skyrocketed as talent was in high demand in 2015. I have been featured in reputable campaigns for top brands such as Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Tempur-Pedic, Verizon, McDonald’s and many more. But if you look past the surface, you’d know that I have overcome obstacles most people would shudder to imagine, having lived a pretty fragmented life and endured fragmented hopes of ever finding happiness. I constantly struggled to find my self-worth and spent most of my young adulthood questioning my own capabilities.
Being an active and reputable fitness and commercial model, I did not realize that this journey would bring me full circle to health and wellness. Balancing the stigmas, inequalities, and privileges of the industry provided me with experiences to learn and share the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual intersection of life. In late 2016, I enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) to receive my Nutrition Health Coach Certification. Deepening my knowledge, encouraged a (w)holistic approach that everything is connected and always growing.
Since this awareness, I have decided to live out my passion of fostering a healing space to Recognize, Recall, and Reset internal and external wellness by inspiring lasting changes to the mind, body, and soul! pHreshLife was born and is still finding its place in my greater purpose.
Sharing my experiences and journey behind and in front of the camera in hopes to collectively work to reach life goals in areas such as committing to self-care, achieving optimal health, strengthening spirituality, connecting to emotions and maximizing energy. I aim to inspire the community, create art with the people, and change the narrative of women, people of color, and the youth across the globe.
Please tell us more about the struggles you’ve faced along the way.
I have dealt with family members sharing opinions of how and what I should be pursuing because I wasn’t clear on it myself. The separation and traumatic experiences of my father’s incarceration. Moving to NYC because I felt unsupported of my visions to later removing the veil over my eyes. Trying every hustle to stay afloat, to realizing I have everything I needed.
The inconsistency of bookings and fraudulent people in the entertainment industry strengthened my discernment. Unnecessary competition and comparison amongst my community, onset and offset, kept me humble and grateful. People making their assumptions about my life and lifestyle reminded me to mind my perceptions. My own insecurities, judgments, and expectations of myself encouraged healing and self love. Toxic relationships that derailed me and convoluted my strength, expression, and opportunities created clearer boundaries. The racial inequality of the industry and declining roles that would compromise my character deepened my appreciation for inclusion. The distractions of social standards showed me beauty in uniqueness and that I am enough.
the greatest struggle of them all has been the spiritual journey for this forces me to grow and be present with every lesson and blessing. Learning how to interconnect the material world to the spirit world so that life is abundant. There’s so much more to speak on and feel I have only touched the sand to my ocean!
Alright – so let’s talk about your work. Tell us about ThisisChrystian and pHreshLife – what should we know?
My business is myself, Thisischrystian because everything comes from that source. My image has become my resume for who and what I stand for. People know me as a model, co-founder of The Bold and Beautiful Women Circle, and a (w)holistic health advocate creating pHreshLife.
I’m most proud of the impact I have on people through the transparency I share in my struggles and success. It is the greatest gift to hear from an individual how much I’ve empowered them, encouraged them or shared with them. Whether it was tangible or intangible has led me to work on a book expressing my deepest thoughts and emotions.
I don’t choose to be set apart from my people but to be an individual that has the freedom to create on the canvas of life within the community and have others do the same. What I’ve been able to do isn’t reserved for just me, but what is for me will be to share.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My family that was open to learning my dreams and goals and sharing their knowledge of life throughout my journey.
My friends who became family when I felt alone and didn’t know how I was going to survive mentally, emotionally and physically.
Relationships that showed me how strong I am, regardless, if the lessons were painful.
My community near and far, in person and online that sent me encouragement, inspiration and even shared images of my campaigns in countries I haven’t been to.
My agents in Boston and NYC that believed in my talent and work ethic and push my image even when I do something drastic to my aesthetic.
Even those who didn’t, don’t and won’t believe in me. They are the fuel in my fire when I think to give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: thisischrystian.com
- Email: thisischrystian@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/thisischrystian
- Facebook: facebook.com/thisischrystian
Image Credit:
Naaliah Askia Green, Michael Cameron Crew
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
