We recently had the chance to connect with Chrystal Norwood and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chrystal , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me lately has been about healing, balance, and faith. Since my recent surgery, my mornings usually start slower—I give myself grace to listen to my body. I begin with prayer and reflection, which keeps me grounded and reminds me that even in recovery, I still have purpose.
Much of my day is centered on managing my health, making sure I’m resting when I need to, eating well, and keeping doctor’s instructions in mind. At the same time, I stay connected to my work through Crystal With an H LLC™. Whether it’s coaching someone on their modeling journey, helping a client with a resume, or simply encouraging others with uplifting words, I still find ways to pour into people.
My afternoons and evenings vary—some days are full of energy and creativity, and other days I honor the need to rest. Through it all, I stay focused on gratitude, growth, and trusting God’s timing in this season of recovery.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Chrystal, but most people know me as Crystal With an H™. I’m a professional model, life coach, and mentor, and I run Crystal With an H LLC™, a brand dedicated to empowering people to step into their purpose with confidence. What makes my journey unique is that I live with Sickle Cell Disease, and even through hospital stays, my first surgery, and setbacks, I’ve continued to push forward with faith and determination.
My brand is special because it’s not just about fashion or business—it’s about resilience, self-love, and using every challenge as fuel to inspire others. I coach aspiring models, help with resume building and career growth, and also pour into my community through mentorship, tutoring, and other services. Right now, I’m focused on expanding my platform so that people see that no matter what obstacles you face, you can still chase your dreams and create impact.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I always had to be strong and carry everything on my own. Growing up with Sickle Cell, I felt like I couldn’t show weakness or ask for help, so I learned to mask my pain and push through silently. Back then, I thought strength meant handling it all by myself.
Now, I no longer believe that. I’ve grown to understand that true strength is knowing when to lean on God and when to allow others to support me. Asking for help doesn’t make me weak—it allows me to heal, grow, and keep moving forward. That shift has been freeing, because it’s taught me that vulnerability is powerful, and I don’t have to carry everything alone.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons that success alone never could. It showed me patience, humility, and the strength that comes from enduring what feels impossible. Living with Sickle Cell, experiencing my first surgery and setbacks forced me to slow down and truly appreciate life in ways that wins and achievements never made me pause for.
Success feels good, but suffering has shaped my character. It taught me compassion for others, the importance of asking for help, and how to rely fully on God when nothing else makes sense. Pain revealed my purpose—it showed me that my story has power, not because everything has been easy, but because I’ve had to fight for my joy, my health, and my dreams.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the modeling industry tells itself is that beauty has to fit into one narrow box. For too long, there’s been this idea that models have to look, act, or live a certain way to be considered “worthy.” That pressure has created so much insecurity and comparison. The truth is, beauty comes in all forms—different bodies, different stories, different journeys.
Another lie is that strength means perfection. In this industry, people often hide their struggles, whether it’s health, mental wellness, or personal battles, because they fear it will make them look “less than.” I’ve learned that our struggles don’t disqualify us—they actually make us more relatable, authentic, and powerful.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is my heart, my faith, and my resilience. Titles, things, and even recognition can be taken away, but the core of who I am—someone who has endured pain, grown through suffering, and still chooses love, faith, and purpose—would remain. What’s left is my spirit, the part of me that God shaped to impact others, whether I’m known as Crystal With an H™ or just Chrystal. That unshakable part of me—the woman who refuses to give up—is what can never be stripped away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crystalwithanh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aambitious_queen?igsh=Y2JrdnRseWpveWxs
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrystal-norwood-b9311ab4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/174m1CCK7b/
Image Credits
Edward Thomas
Eddy Be Snappin
https://www.facebook.com/share/1GFCvhZHks/
https://www.instagram.com/eddybesnappin?igsh=ZmdvOTJiMGhhdW81
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
