Ever see the reality vs. Instagram content and think to yourself..Nah… it’s not really that bad, it’s over exaggerated, people’s lives on Instagram are similar to their real life…well, as Hope will tell you, it’s not as glamorous as Instagram makes it out to be. Hope Lane or as she’s better known on Instagram @hopeisdopee, has a life most people dream about because it begins with the words Living on my own time and freedom to do what I want. But as she shares in her interview, it’s not all sunshine’s and rainbows.
(Courtesy photo of @brittanyandree)
Tell us some interesting things about yourself that not many people know?
HL: I guess a lot of people wonder what my ethnicity is; I’m Native American & Filipino.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
HL: Yes and no, we’re all dealing with things that we’re not putting out on the internet, no matter how open some seem, you don’t see the day to day. People don’t see me crying for the hundredth time over going broke lately, you didn’t see me sleeping on couches for the past 8 months. In just this year I lost my job and was jobless for a year, that was a decision I made to live off unemployment and found gigs to work with brands for income, then I lost my car – I totaled it in an accident in LA so that’s how I ended up staying here, eventually I went broke and struggled to find just any job to be able to simply live – talk about poor planning.
Oh, then recently (like literally this month) I got scammed out of $1.2k after finally making enough to get my own room in LA, then had to get another apartment with what I had left. I’ve been taking buses and uber pools to get to work just so that I can still be able to travel and do exactly what I want again. Now I’ll be back to working 9 – 5 during the week and using my weekends to drive 3-8 hours to get to where I want, or hopping on a cheap flight. People don’t see the day to day of that, they see me travel and think “wow what an amazing life, I wish I could do that” and like, anyone can – I just sacrificed more than the average person to live the way I do and try to figure it out.
(Courtesy photo of @dreviac)
Who is your primary audience, and what do you think keeps them coming back to your blog?
HL: People who like girls who post booty photos and people who like adventure/cliff jumping & fashion.
Hope, we love the honesty. You’ve traveled to some amazing places, tell us a story about one location that really left a lasting impression upon you?
HL: I’ve been to China, Greece, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, and all throughout the US. But I’ll be honest, of all the places I’ve ever been I’ll never forget one of the first times I drove solo to meet my friends in Kings Canyon and how in utter aw I was of the beauty, not only that, it was the first time I had a run in with a freaking bear on the trail with a few friends, we were miles away from a road and all we could do was hide for a little, and scream to scare it off. I screamed for at least the next mile out just to make sure he wasn’t following haha.
Another place that had that same “aw” effect on me was Havasupai, the vibrant blue waters, the great vibes my friends all had, and not to mention watching some of my friends jump the highest height I had ever seen yet gave me nerves I’ll never forget. I’ve never shook so much holding a camera in my life than when I saw my friends 85ft high looking down to the water, then count down to jump – “THREE, TWO, ONE…”
Fuck, honestly now I start to think of it, there have been SO many places that have left lasting impressions on me – hotspring parties, waterfalls, night hikes – it’s hard to even narrow it to those two but those were my first thoughts.
(Courtesy photo of @es_dons)
Hope, what were you like growing up?
HL: I was a “scene” cheerleader haha no seriously, I was angsty but peppy all at the same time, and that statements still stands true. I loved being part of a team and I loved going to school functions, competing, performing, etc and I loved going to concerts/shows and had a solid Myspace haircut. I wasn’t a (total) loser and I don’t think I was totally popular; I was just friends with everyone and whoever. I had my close-knit group of friends who are still my best friends and we’re a mix of personalities.
Do you market on behalf of brands? Can you share any brands or campaigns you have worked on that you are particularly fond of?
HL: I do and I have, Volcom, AllGxxd Apparel, Lumsing, Extreme Official, IWA brand, Tahoe Native, Mizu, and a few others, I’m currently working with Baggalini, I’m a huge advocate of CBD and been loving Alpen Organics & Life Elements, right now I’m looking for a good bikini brand to start working with for the summer.
(Courtesy photo of @hallemadeleine)
Seems like a packed schedule. So tell us where does your style savvy come from, and where do you get your inspiration?
HL: I have some polar opposite styles I feel – slightly edgier, girly meets tomboy meets bohemian meets streetwear? From flowing dresses to boots and black, it really just depends on where I’m going. But most of the time you’ll just see me prancing around in some sort of variation of black bikini on the internet.
(Courtesy photo of @hopeisdopee)
Hope your travels are pretty adventurous and you’re obviously in great shape, does one correlate with another?
HL: Some people think I’m over here hiking like 20+ miles a trip, and that’s super not the case, BUT a lot of the things I’m doing do require me to be physically fit and agile, I put myself in a lot of situations where I could seriously hurt myself if I make a wrong move, but I trust my body and that’s something I learned growing up in cheer and dance – trust your body, learn how to fall and learn your capabilities.
(Courtesy photo of @macdog_outside)
Your photos are visual and stunning, do you take them yourself, or does someone assist you?
HL: It just depends, most are taken by my friends but I am trying to take some myself, but the creativity between two people working on an image is something really enjoy.
(Courtesy photo of @robert.wall)
Give us some secrets to living the most enjoyable life. Maybe some words of wisdom to live by?
HL: Just live your life exactly the way you want and do what you need to get that, it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
(Courtesy photo of @macdog_outside)
Anything else you’d love to tell our readers?
HL: I just hope everyone lives the life they love, I won’t give out locations to places but if anyone ever has questions on locations they plan on going to I’m always happy to help, and I’m always open to fun collaborations.
