Meet Hailey Chorn | Model & Car Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hailey Chorn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hailey, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from The Woodlands, TX, and have moved a lot within Houston, TX area while growing up. I was raised by a single parent, my father, who later got remarried in 2010 which is when I moved to League City, TX with my new family. At this point, I was happy to have a mother figure in my life and two stepsisters around the same age. When I was in seventh grade my parents encouraged me to try out extracurricular activities and to become more active as a young adult. Now, I was used to gaming and keeping to myself, so sports were the least thing that was on my mind. I figured, why not give it a shot, and tried out for the volleyball and basketball team, but at the time I was not able to make the cut for either team. I’m the type of person that doesn’t give up easily on things and the result was discovering my talent as a long-distance runner in my last year of middle school, where it all started. Throughout my time at Clear Creek High School in League City, TX I set aside other activities to focus on long distance running. I had a mind set on working hard, never giving up, and practicing every day to meet my goals. I was there to support my teammates in their ups and downs, but I also displayed sportsmanship with our competing teams. I strived to be a role model not only for my teammates, but for my community. I was offered many running scholarship opportunities, but I ended up choosing Sam Houston State University who gave me the best opportunity to meet my goals. It’s funny, because I was told, with my test scores, most colleges would not accept me into their university and to consider other options. Sam Houston State University was the school for me and from 2017-2019 I had a successful program with the university, but moved back to the south Houston, TX area after accepting a job offer that I couldn’t refuse. I continued to train as a sponsored runner for a brand name company until the pandemic hit which had a major impact on my running career. Running events were canceled and with that I decided to change my career path from respiratory therapy to kinesiology. Even though my running career was affected I did not allow all that to stop me. I found another way to race through driving and learning racing techniques through High Performance Driving Events. I attended a Chin Track Days event at MSR Houston, TX after being invited, took pictures, and after experiencing what track driving had to offer in a ride along, I couldn’t see why this shouldn’t be for me too. I was reminded of how similar it was too long distance running when I was growing up. I’m the type of person to show that I am capable of a lot of things even if I must work harder at it. Once I got into the car community, I noticed I get a lot of confused looks because I am a woman passionate about racing with a new goal to get my racing license one day. Overall, I am taking everyday as an opportunity to get better and closer to my goals!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I always liked to try new things in life, for example, modeling. All started with a store that was in Rice Village, Houston, TX having a casting call for their runway show in October 2019. I never done anything like this, but I wanted to give it a shot! Long story short, I was chosen to be a runway model for their show, and it was a successful turn out. After my first modeling experience, then people started to see the potential I had to offer, and so other opportunities started showing up for me. Was it easy? No, but I think learning from others with experience, building my portfolio, and doing my research on opportunities helped. I’ve learned that I love to use my modeling to help promote businesses, events, and creatives. Most importantly, I know that throughout my experiences with modeling I believe that being your true self is what sets you apart from others. I hate when others compare themselves to those on social media negatively. Too many people want to be models, but not enough want to be role models. I want to show the world that when things don’t go your way in life, don’t retreat, advance in another direction.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start our day at The Original Kolache Shop on Telephone Rd in Houston, TX. A good stop for coffee and to try out the amazing homemade pastries, especially their cinnamon rolls which are about the size of my face. If they were interested in going to Galveston, TX, then I would suggest we try MOD Coffeehouse for a good coffee, tea, and pastry stop. Take them out to MSR Houston track to have some fun with their go-karts. For lunch, I would suggest we try out Gordan Street Tavern in Alvin, TX to try their fried tamales, Julie’s jalapenos, and a selection of yummy sandwiches, burgers, and southern comfort food. We would cruise up to The Waterway at The Woodlands, TX to enjoy our walk on the trails and maybe go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding if they are open. Since we are in The Woodlands, TX, then I would suggest we could go to the Gooses Acre for dinner. I recommend trying their Irish empanadas as appetizer and Irish bread pudding for dessert! If they are a busy spot, then I would recommend we travel to China Town in the Houston, TX area. We would go to another favorite place of mine, Tiger Den, to enjoy some yummy ramen! For dessert, I would take them to the amazing Nu Ice & Drink where they could try out their known shaved ice desserts! Before they leave, then I would suggest they try out some Korean hot dogs or even mochi donuts at Mochinut on Bellaire Blvd in Houston, TX. If they wanted to go explore the nightlife, then I would recommend Social Beer Garden HTX in Midtown Houston, TX, where they have a selection of drinks. music, food trucks, and sometimes movie nights.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank my father for raising me into the strong woman I am today. I want to thank my high school track and cross country coach, Zachariah Zepeda, for believing in me as a young athlete. Thanking my NCAA D1 Sam Houston State University coach, Jesse Parker, for pushing me passed my limits as a student athlete. Nuun Hydration, Chevron Houston Marathon, Bayou City Half Series, Runners Empire, Brooks Running, Asics, Nike, Life Time Fitness, and Garmin for creating events or products that supported me as an athlete to keep striving for my goals. I want to appreciate Chin Track Days for creating events for those interested in track driving. I want to thank John Mays for taking me out to my first track event as this opened my eyes to track driving. To those that believed in me when some did not in this journey called, life.

Website: https://linktr.ee/haileychorn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haileychorn/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-chorn-aa8b16174/

Image Credits
Jpphilms for image 1. ( Neon Shoot). Philipephotography for image 2. (Myself Driving my Scion FR-S #986) Dustin Estrada Films for image 3. ( Myself running in my Brooks Running competition outfit). Static Designz for image 5 (Myself with pink hair with the s2k car). Focus Driven Co. for image 7. (Studio orange). Instagram @questchen303 for image 8 (two cars facing each other).