Day On A Plate: Maia Cotton, Victoria's Secret model

When asked about her dreams and aspirations in an article with the NZ Herald back in 2014, model Maia Cotton revealed her three goals were: “to be on the cover of Vogue, walk for Victoria’s Secret, and work with Karl Lagerfeld.” At just 19 years of age, we’re happy to report that one of those dreams has already come true.

Taking to Instagram earlier this month, Maia posted: “I am so ecstatic to say that I’ll be walking this years VICTORIA’S SECRET FASHION SHOW!! I used to think about what this moment might feel like, and it is simply indescribable. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I would get the opportunity to cast, let alone confirm the show of a lifetime…”

The news comes following a whirlwind 5 year’s for the model influencer. After being discovered via Instagram at aged 14, Maia quickly became one-to-watch on the modelling scene – named the face of New Zealand Fashion Week in 2016. At aged 18, she left New Zealand to pursue her international career in New York, and by the recent VS news – it looks like she has well and truly landed on her feet.

But with almost 5 million viewers in the US alone tuning into last year’s Victoria’s Secret show – there’s a lot of pressure to be looking your best when it’s time to ditch the clothes and head out on a catwalk in just your underwear. Which had us begging the question, what is she doing to ensure she stays in shape ahead of her big debut?

Below, Maia talks us through her typical daily eating and exercise regime that ensures she’s always runway ready.

7:30am
I wake up and have a black coffee. For breakfast, I have a breakfast shake which is 1tbsp of almond butter, 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk, one scoop of Moon Juice Chocolate Adaptogenic Protein, and one scoop of collagen peptides. I pretty much have this every single day for breakfast without fail!

9-10am
I do a workout session with my trainer Rob at Gotham Gym.

11:30am
Snack
If I get hungry mid-morning, I will snack on either a handful of nuts, 85% dark chocolate, or a Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bar (my favourite flavour is fudge brownie!)

2pm
Lunch
For lunch I usually end up at Hu Kitchen – a healthy and delicious fast-casual restaurant. I have 1/4 roast chicken with a side of sweet potato and broccoli. Hu Kitchen also has the best “healthy” brownies – I’ll usually pick one up for later while I’m in.

6pm
Dinner
Option 1:
For dinner I usually whip up something speedy. Most of the time I have 2 maybe 3 scrambled eggs, half an avocado, and some grilled halloumi.

Option 2:
Broiled salmon, half an avocado, kale/spinach, roast veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Dessert:
Hu Kitchen brownie or some dark chocolate! Plus a peppermint tea before bed.

10:30pm
Bed time!!