THE CATWALK MODEL
Patricia Schmid, 26
Who do you model for? Everyone from Givenchy to Gaultier.
What's the key to catwalking? Enjoy the attention and don't rush. Designers employ models to embody the spirit of their collection through their strut and attitude. Sometimes they have a theme where you have to play with the audience or smile, but it's generally pretty serious.
Have you ever fallen over? Luckily no, but I did trip in a Versace show once. I wore the shoes for 12 hours the day before, but I still stumbled.
Where did you learn to catwalk? My booker trained me in a hotel corridor the day before my first casting.
Who's the queen of the catwalk? Freja Beha. She's sexy and confident, with an incredibly magnetic energy. Before that, Linda Evangelista. I love how she always changed her look.
premiermodelmanagement.com
THE WALKING SAFARI GUIDE
Garth Hovell, 35
What's a walking safari? It's a very sensory experience, getting back to safari's traditional roots. You're truly in touch with nature, and notice little things like butterflies. When you see an elephant or a lion from a car it's impressive, but when you see it on foot, it's breathtaking.
Aren't you in danger of being eaten? Bush walking is very safe. We stick to open areas and don't get too close to the animals. If you stay calm and use the correct techniques, then it's a very safe environment.
What's been your most scary scenario? What you consider scary might be a walk in the park to me. Saying that, I have been charged by elephants, lions and buffalo — all while I've been on foot.
What do you never walk without? A national park scout who carries a firearm — just in case. But we have never had to use it.
Garth Hovell leads walking safaris at Sanctuary Zebra Plains in Zambia (sanctuaryretreats.com).
THE BOOT TESTER
Willie Fletcher, 44
What do you test? Shoes for Gore-Tex and everything from fashion footwear to hiking boots.
What does it involve? As well as factory tests, people like me put the shoes through their paces to prove they do what they claim. I'll wear them from 7am until 7pm, making sure they are comfortable and perform well in different environments. I put hiking boots through tough environments, wading through streams and mud.
What do you need to become a boot tester? You've got to enjoy being outdoors. I love hill walking. When I'm testing, I stay in a fantastic place, an hour's drive from the Highlands.
What do you never walk without? My waterproofs to shield me from the elements.
THE OLYMPIC RACE WALKER
Johanna Jackson, 24
Aren't you the Paula Radcliffe of race walking? I don't know if I'm the Paula Radcliffe of race walking yet, but I aim to be! I've been Britain's number one for five years. I went to the Beijing Olympic Games and won gold at the Delhi Commonwealth Games last year.
What is race walking? It's an endurance event that's also very technical. You have to have one foot on the ground at all times, and your leg has to be straight when your heel touches the ground. Judges are stationed around the course to check the rules aren't being broken. If you get three cards, then you're out.
How did you start? I began athletics when I was 11 — running, track, cross-country — and then my coach suggested I give walking a go. There was a real opportunity to become Britain's best. After winning my first few races, it snowballed from there.
Who are your competition? The Chinese and Russian athletes. In Russia, it's the national sport and taken very seriously. Britain was good in the 1960s but the rest of the world has caught up now.
How fast do you walk? Faster than most people run. I can do 20km in 90 minutes.
DOG WALKER
Marisol Rey, 25
How many dogs do you walk at once? I pick up around eight dogs from across Buenos Aires.
How far do you walk? I exercise them for two hours and cover about 6km so it's a good workout. I only do one outing a day, but some paseadores de perros do two in the morning, one in the afternoon and another at night. Apparently dog walkers earn three times the average Argentine salary. Is that right? I get £1.50-£3 per dog. It's not seen as a very prestigious or trendy thing to do. Maybe it used to be. But the people who do this are pretty cool. We all chat in the park while the dogs are playing.
What do you need to be a dog walker? I'm a qualified dog trainer so that helps.
What happens if you see a cat? There are never really any problems when I'm walking the dogs unless one of the bitches is on heat. Then there can be trouble.
And when it rains? I never walk them in the rain. Buenos Aires dogs don't like getting wet.
patitapatita.com
