Claudia Schiffer: Modelling Helped Me Overcome Shyness

Claudia Schiffer was an unlikely candidate to become a model. The stunning beauty once hid in the back row at school, afraid to be the center of attention or have others look at her.

Schiffer describes how traveling and working with a variety of people helped her to overcome her shyness. Over time, she says, she learned how to stop analyzing what other people were thinking and be more confident.

Although a modelling career is not going to be the answer for most people with social anxiety disorder (SAD), there is something to take away from Claudia's story. Sometimes, having the tools in place to change is not enough. Sometimes what we really need is a challenge and a new set of circumstances.

Photo: Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images