Lindsey: Past, present and future.  Part 2

Lindsey learned early to harvest all the good there is in a full, rich life.  "I've always been a people person, so I made friends in no time when we moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania. The highlight of grade school was probably my bar mitzvah in seventh grade. This was a very special time in my life, because I was becoming a woman in the eyes of God and the Jewish community. The party wasn't bad either! In 11th grade, I also went to Israel with the Ambassadors for Unity, which is an American/Israeli exchange program. I traveled all over Israel for two weeks, and I saw everything from the Dead Sea to Jerusalem. It was the most amazing time of my life, and it really gave me a chance to get a firsthand look at my religion and culture in the Holy Land."

Lindsey jumped into activities in high school with the same enthusiasm.  "I was always popular in school, and I was friendly with everyone. I tried to be nice all the time because I know what it feels like to be picked on. I was president of the community service club all through high school. It was a great experience, and it gave me a chance to do what I love doing most: helping others. My senior year of high school was the best! I was crowned Sportsnite Queen, which is my school's spirit and events week. It's a bigger honor than being prom queen. I also received an award for all my work within my community. There was prom, and then, of course, there was graduation. I was just so excited I got through it all."

With high school behind her and college ahead, Lindsey and her friends enjoyed a summer partying in Cancún.  It was during her freshman year in college that Lindsey became admired by millions of men and women, chosen for the honor of posing in Playboy magazine. Interestingly, it almost did not happen.  "My friend Kristy and her husband Todd are Playboy readers, and one day Kristy asked me if I had ever thought about posing. At first I said no, because at the time I was in a relationship with a boyfriend who was a little conservative. I knew that he would never let me do Playboy."  Luckily for her fans, the couple split. Newly single, Lindsey decided to give it a try when her friend Kristy bet her $50 that she was Playboy material.  "I took the bet on one condition: She had to take the pictures, send them in and put her name down as the contact person.

We took the photos in January 2001, sent them in February, and by March I was on my way to LA for a Playmate test," she said.  The people at Playboy see beautiful women all day long, but they knew there was something special about this 18-year-old.  "Shooting my Playmate pictorial was the most fun I've ever had, because it was a totally new and thrilling experience."  Lindsey brought her typical zest for life to what might have been a nerve-wracking experience for most women: taking her clothes off in front of a camera.  "During my Playmate shoot, I walked around with a smile on my face all day long, just trying to take everything in and learn as much as possible. Everyone I worked with was so nice to me, and I can definitely say that I was very spoiled during my photo shoot. I loved all my pictures, but I have to say that the kitchen scene was probably my favorite.

Getting to know all the great people who work at Playboy, meeting Hef and spending time at the Mansion are definitely key perks of having this job. Overall, I had the most incredible experience, although shooting my Playmate video was probably the very best part. Whenever I meet other women who are interested in posing for Playboy, I always tell them to give it a shot and send in photos, because I'm living proof of what may come out of it. Just have your head on straight and hang on, because it is one hell of a ride.

"I really was treated like a princess. Playboy is very professional. They treat you like you are one of them so you feel like you are in Hef's inner circle. Whatever he gets, you get. He would never go get his own food. It's all catered. It was such a great opportunity to network and it has really built my personality. Putting yourself out there, you have to talk to people. I love to talk. I could talk forever. It was nice to meet new people and see what others were doing and try to find where I want to be."

- click to continue -