Monika Schnarre

I’m originally from Scarborough, Ontario and currently live 2 hours north of Toronto with my husband and our young son, Bode. I enjoy anything outdoors — hiking, running and skiing. About 7 years ago when I was trying to conceive — I was looking for natural ways to take care of my skin. I met a doctor (Dr. Keith Burke) who has been formulating anti-aging skincare for 30 years. I fell in love with his formulations and suggested we bring them to retail and make it affordable — he agreed. So, we created a medically directed line, iampure, for a quarter of the price of most skincare regimes you’d find in a Dermatologist’s office. We are now in 200 stores across Canada including Loblaw’s Superstores.

You are an incredible role model for women everywhere. At the young age of 14 you became the youngest model in the world to ever win the Ford Models “Super Model of the World” contest landing you on the cover of Vogue that year. How did you remain so grounded and approachable?

Well, thank you. I think coming from humble beginnings helps keep you grounded and very appreciative. I used to be very shy about meeting people and getting recognized but now I embrace it and hope that I am always approachable.

Did you have role models who guided you and inspired you?

My grandmother lived through 2 world wars, lost all of her siblings, a son, husband and somehow remained positive. She was the funniest and strongest woman that I have ever met. Her spirit continues to inspire me every day.

What’s the best thing about being a mom?

It’s the little things… the cuddles at night when he crawls into my bed. When he says, ‘Mommy, I love you 2 hundred million.’

And it’s reliving my own childhood through his eyes — while doing things like tobogganing, playing games and colouring.

You have been an advocate for women, openly sharing some of the challenges you and your husband had conceiving in an issue of Chatelaine. After years of treatments, you went to a Naturopath and you conceived 6 weeks later. Tell us how important natural health care is to you in your life after this experience.

Naturalopathic care is very important to me as it helped my conceive and that is not to discount Western medicine. I believe the best possible scenario for your health is a combination of both.

We met on Shopping Channel. You have now have a popular line of anti-aging beauty products and are often in the spotlight, how do you balance being a mom, a model, journalist and business woman and remain so cool?

I’m not that cool… actually a bit of a dork! I think the key to balancing work and motherhood is being organized with your scheduling. And it’s okay to say ‘no’ as well. My son is my first priority but I also want to create some financial freedom for him – so, it’s all about balance.

You have been in over 50 TV and film roles, from 90210 to the Bold and the beautiful, where do you think the TV and movie movie industry is heading? Do you believe we will now begin to see more women in leadership roles as the pendulum swings and shifts us out of the patriarchy with bolder women speaking up about their place in the world and the workplace?

With the success of films like Wonder Woman (which had a female director and female lead), hopefully we will see more and more women in leadership roles and one day it won’t even be talked about. I strongly feel there is a sea change happening. The ‘Weinstein’ effect will change how woman are treated in the workplace everywhere and men will be accountable for inappropriate advances and abuses of power.

Favourite city in the world?

San Gimignano, Italy

Teetotaler or something stronger?

Something stronger

Walk, bike or drive?

Run

Most recent indulgence?

Frye Boots

Who is the one person in the world you would like to sit beside on a long flight and what would you ask her or him? (Or maybe you already did and have a happy story….)

The Dalai Lama

What advice would you give people interested in pursuing modeling or acting?

Make sure that it’s your passion that’s driving you and not your ego.

Favourite quote?