Staying ModuVated with Modu Seye

At an impressive 6.3 ft, 210 lbs and about 8% body fat, Senegalese international model, Modu Seye should be basking in his good looks instead; he likes to be known for his brains and business acumen. Modu who is currently located in Cabo, San Lucas, after living in the US for 10 years is a versatile model with experience in fitness, fashion, commercial, to runway modeling.

He started modeling in 2002 and is now with Model International in Beverly Hills – California. In spite of doing it all from A-Z, he says his favorite forms of modeling are fashion, fitness and runway. He has been in several national commercials with companies like Budweiser and Gateway computers, billboards among others.

Modu is a personal trainer and entrepreneur; he manages his own business known as ModuVated Inc. ModuVated Inc. currently provides fitness training, fitness clothing and casual clothing, as well as supplements which would be introduced soon. I caught up with Modu, who is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) to find what keeps him “ModuVated to be fit”.

Ameyaw Debrah: What got you into modeling?

Regarding modeling, It never crossed my mind to do modeling while I was living back home in Dakar. But being so fortunate to live in the US, I couldn’t refuse to try any opportunity I got. I was constantly approached by people to consider modeling. I feared that I wasn’t the prototype model; as well as not wanting to disappoint my family; I stayed as far away from modeling as possible. My focus was on education. However, the offers and interest from the powers that be were ever present. I said to myself “Why not give it a try?” I signed with my first agency Exposure Inc in Kansas City, Missouri and I was discovered in 2003. I always tell people I’m not a model but I do modeling. I don’t want people to think I’m just a good looking guy with an empty head and too into himself. I’m more of an entrepreneur and I have my Masters in Business Administration.

Ameyaw Debrah: Who are your role models in the profession?

Tyson Beckford and Tyrese Gibson; a lot of people think I look like a combination of those two. But I don’t try to be anyone; I just try to be myself. I respect what they have done in the industry as black models.

Ameyaw Debrah: Do you think that models in Africa could have international careers in modeling?

It is a challenge. That’s why they have auditions; sometimes what people submit is very different from how they actually look. People want to see who they are as a person; what you look like naturally, and for that you have to be where the agency is. Every time I go on vacation back home I see a lot people who could make so much money doing modeling if they were living in the US.

Ameyaw Debrah: What have been your highlights so far?

I would say my biggest highlight was qualifying to become a member of SAG (Screen Actor Guild) which is not easy, and being able to do what I do in the most well-known city, Los Angeles, where I have made my mark. And today have my own clothing line. I have a lot of connection in the modeling industry. So when I came up with ModuVated concept I teamed up for the clothing a well known designer named Sterling Williams. He did the designing of the clothing.

Ameyaw Debrah: Do you have any other ambitions to go into acting?

I would like to act someday, but I don’t think it is the time. I am really focused on my business but in the future if the opportunity is presented to me, I would like to do it. Right now, I have my hands full with so much going on.

Ameyaw Debrah: What is a routine day for you like?

I get up at 4:30 every day, at 6am I am training on the beach with my Boot Camp. After that I train my private clients and get a few hours where I focus on my business development and administration, paperwork, etc. I finish the night with a nice dinner and some green tea.

Ameyaw Debrah: What is your training regiment like?

I do functional training; every exercise I try to engage as many muscle groups as I can. Work out at least 4 days a week. I don’t use a lot of weight; I focus more on my own body weight and resistance band. I always integrate in my workouts some core, balance & stabilization exercises in order to have a good foundation. I change my workout routine frequently to avoid plateau

Ameyaw Debrah: Do you have any special diets or habits to stay in shape?

I never drink alcohol or do any drugs; never tried them in my life. I don’t believe in diet, but I eat very clean; a lot of oatmeal, chicken, steak, and salad. I avoid processed foods, fried foods, sugar and high fat dairy. I don’t eat 2hrs before I go to bed otherwise I don’t give my system time to digest the food.

Ameyaw Debrah: Do you get any jobs through social networking platforms like Facebook?

Definitely it has an impact since I am managing my business by myself; it helped me a lot to grow my business; I get requests all over the world and what I convey to people. It helped me put the ModuVated concept out there around the world with no investment.

Ameyaw Debrah: What’s the weirdest thing a fan ever told you on these platforms?

She said she would buy a brand new car for me if I would spend a night with her. I would’ve done it if she was hot. (Laughs out loud)

Ameyaw Debrah: Name your top designers from Africa/international?

As far as African designers, I don’t know many yet, as far as international, Armani Exchange and my own designs from ModuVated.

Ameyaw Debrah: What are the trendiest fashion accessories of the moment for you?

Big Watches, Bracelets and Kangols hats