At the young age of 24, Rich Herrera is one of the most sought after models that companies turn to for endorsement of their products.
Our six-foot-tall bachelor graduated from Ohio State University. Right after graduation, and without any concrete career plans, Rich went off to Europe where fortune favored him with modeling jobs. Last year, he moved to the Philippines and shifted to doing commercials.
As he prepares to go to Thailand and Hong Kong for four months to do more commercials, Rich reflects on being like the Terminator, wanting to be a gladiator and his love of football.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life ?
Sports and athletics really saved my life. If it wasn’t for sports, I don’t think I would be the person that I am. I competed in college varsity American football for Ohio State University. It was a very high level of competition.
What is your passion ?
Learning. I like to discover new ways of doing things. I will try almost anything for the first time. No matter how old you are, you can always acquire new skills and knowledge.
What is your most fervent wish ?
To balance a career with a social and family life. The past couple of years have been so career-oriented that I have lost touch with my friends and family.
How do you resolve your conflicts?
By intimidation. I am the one who is right , the conflict is not my fault (laughs). I am a natural problem solver and can solve anyone’s problems.
What sports do you like most?
American football. I am a big fan of martial arts with no-holds-barred fighting. I trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu,which is a high form of wrestling. It focuses on submission and ground skills like moving around on the ground. I have a big interest in boxing, sky diving, mountain biking and war games.
What book influenced your life?
Respect for Acting by Uta Hagen who is a world renowned acting teacher. This book is more like a tutorial in which Uta demonstrates techniques designed to improve one’s acting skills.
Which hero of fiction can you most identify with?
The Terminator. I was put into a foreign place and day by day I just acquired more information to make it work. Sometimes I lack emotion like he did, but I learned different skills which helped me to be a better actor.
What is your greatest fear?
I don’t really know exactly where I am going and I am afraid of losing touch with myself. I don’t want to lose track of who I really am.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself ?
I hide my feelings and my problems. It’s something I can’t change.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Judgmental and opinionated people who cannot accept that there are different cultures and that people respond in different ways.
What is the trait you most like in yourself ?
I am very disciplined. I am not a quitter.
What is your motto?
Better to be feared than to be loved.
What is the first thing you look for when you meet a woman?
A girl who is not afraid to get some dirt on her. She is not the complaining type. She is open-minded and willing to try new things.
Which historical character would you like to have been?
A gladiator in ancient Rome, because I like to fight.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being content despite problems in your life. Nothing will ever be perfect so being able to live with your problems is happiness. When you can live with your problems, you can deal with them. Your relationships, career, financial situation will never be perfect.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Having no work.
Which living person do you admire most?
My grandmother whom I miss very much. I kind of grew up with my grandparents because they lived near my school. I got really close to my grandmother and her values, her work ethics. I wish I could show her to everyone. When we would have show and tell in school, I would show my grandmother.
What is your favorite occupation?
I am a competitor. I like to compete. Everything I do is a competition.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Someone with a good work ethic and hard working is very attractive to me.
Who greets you when you get home?
The people on CNN . I have an addiction for watching news.
What was your most daring feat ?
I left home without any concrete plans last year. That was really taking a risk. Since then, I have been working successfully in Europe and now in Asia.