Diaries of a Model: Volume II

A recent conversation with a photographer got me thinking again about modeling and what makes a professional model.  I think a lot of people wonder this and some raise eyebrows at you when you say that’s what you do.  Modeling can be defined very broadly, which leaves the door wide open for interpretation when you say that’s your profession.  If you are anything like me, the last thing you want people to think is that when you say you model it means “Ya, I dance on tables wearing a Hooter’s shirt”.  Don’t get me wrong, I have no issues with that, that’s just not my personal definition of modeling nor what I aspire to do.

So how can you determine whether you have the right to call yourself a professional model?  Well, I’ll tell you one thing, it really helps to get some experience under your belt.  You will feel more qualified and legitimate.  Until that point though, the bottom line is you need to believe in yourself, your goals and your ability.  Here are some things that I think qualify you as a professional.

1)      Take yourself seriously.  This is not a hobby.  Not something you say, “Well, if this doesn’t work out oh well, it’s just a hobby.”  That’s actually fear talking by the way, but that’s a topic for another blog post.  You approach your craft with the attitude that this is who I am, I am giving it 100% and I will make it work.  You don’t whisper to people “I model”.  You say it with conviction.

2)      Study your craft.  You have a lot to learn and the good news is that you will get better.  Every single model had a first and most, when you talk to them, will tell you that they probably looked ridiculous on set.  Find those around you who do it and do it well.  Identify people from whom you want to learn and take classes from them, ask for coaching, find a mentor, follow others.  I heard someone say the other day, “I never watch what others do”.  Really, I thought to myself?  That’s truly on of the best ways to learn.  I’m always watching and learning.  Watching and learning is different from copying others, keep that in mind.

3)       Be professional.  I cannot stress this enough!  If this is your job and you care about it you had better be professional.  That means you show up on time.  You give 200% of your energy.  You follow-up when necessary.  You come prepared, meaning rested and showered and energized and ready to go.  Bring your business cards, your resume, and your comp card if you have one.  Study the company, the brand, the organization, whatever it is that you are representing.  Separately, if you are auditioning the same principles apply.  Figure out what they want and decide if you fit the mold.  Practice!  Understand for whom you are aiming to work.

4)      Define yourself.  You will obviously not have a completely clear vision of the kind of work you want to do as you get started in this industry.  Part of that comes with practice, opportunities and growth.  You should; however, invest a significant amount of time thinking about who you are and what you aim to represent.  Who do you resonate with and which clients would find you marketable?  Find those and focus there.  Let’s face it; I could spend the next five years marketing myself to Victoria’s Secret.  Am I going to get hired?  No, I’m sure I won’t.  Why, I not 23.  Unless for some weird reason they decide to do “meet our cast of 38-year-old of moms” I am likely never going to get that job.  If you are perplexed, ask someone you respect.  Sometimes they can see things in you that you can’t see in yourself.  Think about what you love to do, who you spend your time with, where you shop, where you travel to, what your passions are and start there.

 5)      Be grateful and humble. I live by the saying that hard work trumps talent when talent doesn’t work hard.  Sometimes it’s not the prettiest, or the most talented, or the most experienced, or the most athletic person that gets the job.  It’s the person that is willing to work hard for it and is grateful for the experience.  Landing one job does not mean you land another.  Build relationships and earn trust.  Give more than you get, period.  Celebrate every opportunity and give 100%.  Do things for the right reasons.  Don’t forget to help others along the way.

6)      Don’t compromise. This is an important factor in the modeling/talent industry.  You will be pulled in so many directions, challenged by people who expect things from you that you are sometimes uncomfortable with.  You will be told by one client this is the way it’s done and something completely different by the next.  Your job is to make it happen, whatever they want.  Remember that modeling is not about you! With that said, when you find yourself in a situation that screams “this isn’t right”.  Just walk away.  Be true to what you represent.  Be polite and professional but don’t ever let anyone pressure you into doing something that doesn’t feel right.  Once something is out there, it can’t be taken back.  Aim to please but do not compromise your brand.  People will respect you for that.

These are my points I remember every day in trying to craft a career in this industry.  Be professional, be humble, it’s not about me, give more than I get, help others, represent things I believe in, find mentors, learn from those who have walked this road before me, surround myself with people who believe in me, believe in myself and my abilities, trust that I will improve with every job, be the person the client remembers because I am organized, timely, friendly, and professional.  Treat every single person with respect.  Above all, respect myself and remember that I am doing this because it’s what I love.  Find ways to use my experience to empower others and give back.  Always give back more than you get.

Good luck in your journey.  May you have more highs than lows.  Whatever it is you aim to do, if you believe in yourself and work hard enough, you will get there.

Tags: career success, first impressions, fitness modeling, modelimg, professional model, talent, talent industry, tips for models

Simple Health and Fitness: A Life Approach

What sells?  Magazine covers that read “5 minutes to a better body.”  Cookbooks that are titled “Eat what you want and lose weight.”  Diet plans that advertise “Take this pill and get fit and firm”.  That sells because it’s an easy fix, but the reality of getting the body you’ve dreamed of and the level of health and fitness you desire is simply not a quick fix.

So, with that said, the first thing you need to decide is do you really want to achieve this?  I’m going to give you some very good reasons why your answer should be yes.

While it’s very challenging to begin, in the long-term you will feel better about yourself, be more productive and able to navigate life more effectively.

Being healthy is not only a positive change for you but also for your family and friends. 

Being fit and healthy helps boost self-esteem which paves the way for success in other areas of your life.  It’s not just a matter of how you look; it’s your ability to realize you are stronger than you think.

Eating better makes you feel better.  We were not designed to eat fast food and chemicals.  Eating healthy and clean allows your body to function more properly.  When your body does that so does your mind.

There are plenty of reasons to work on achieving health, so why aren’t you doing it?  It comes down to this: We live in a faced paced society that has encouraged you to do everything quickly.  We attempt to accomplish ten tasks at once, we go till exhaustion thinking we will get ahead in doing so.  We eat on the run and fitness easily drops off our priority list.  We fall into these patterns and at some point usually step back and say “I’m not sure I’m really happy.”  True happiness is achieved through balance, mindfulness and purposefulness.

If you have read this far you probably agree with what I am saying and want to change this pattern.  You want to live healthier, be happier and more productive.  If you are going to make a life-long change for the better you are going to have to do it in small steps, period!  Here are ways in which you can move forward in achieving this:

• Stop eating fast food.  Give yourself license in the beginning to keep all your old habits but just stop eating fast food.
• Change one eating habit per week.  Swap out a product for something healthier; eliminate something from your diet that isn’t good for you.
• Begin an exercise program that requires you to do ten minutes of cardio at a time.  Ten minutes, that’s it.  You can make ten minutes a day.
• Simplify your life.  Life gets cluttered and clutter takes up a lot of space.

Example 1: Clutter in your home.  That actually pulls your attention from other things.  It’s hard to manage life when you are surrounded by things, and piles of paper and undone tasks.  Change that pattern and de-clutter your home, car and office space.  This will help you focus.

Example 2: Clutter in your life.  This comes in the form of people, activities, and commitments.  Sometimes less is more.  We tend to give of our time to so many things that then we really are not offering anyone anything much of value.  Or, we are offering a lot to others but in the process neglecting ourselves.  Simplify commitments.  Pick your top 5 priorities and do those!  Make fitness one of them.  Pick the people who you want in your life and make time for them.  You can’t make time for everyone.  The reality is that some individuals are actually a drain on your productiveness.  Begin to recognize that and make the necessary changes.

People often think health and fitness is basic.  You exercise, eat right and achieve it.  That is the foundation, but taking a closer look at what prevents us from doing that is the way we can actually achieve these goals.  Fitness and wellness is a life approach.  It’s a philosophy.  It is less about an act and more about a mindset.  If you can get to that mindset, the rest will come easy.

Tags: avoiding fast food, clean eating, de-clutter your life, fitness philosophy, fitness tips, health, health and fitness, living well, lose weight, mindful eating, mindfullness

Running Tips: Creating Your Own Beginner’s Luck

Photo copyright Drew McKenzie http://drewmckenzie.com/

Ask any runner and chances are if they haven’t been running from a young age they will respond “I didn’t like doing this when I started”. Beginning to run can be challenging but it can provide great benefits over time. When you get started don’t think of running as winning races. Think of it as moving your body just a little faster than you usually walk around the mall. Anyone has the potential to do that. Decide today that you are going to incorporate it into your routine.

To Get Started:

1) Commit – just decide this is something you are going to do. Don’t think too much about it or you will talk yourself out of it. Put on your tennis shoes and just head out.

2) Pace Yourself – When you begin run as far as your body will allow. When you reach a point where you can’t go anymore stop and walk for a bit. Pay careful attention to how your body reacts. Don’t try to overdo your training the first month. If you start slowly you are more apt to continue.

3) Improve – Each day you run go just a bit farther than you did before. Maintain this pattern until you are running greater distances with ease. Don’t think about the entire run as you get started; just convince yourself to go for one more minute.

To Keep Going:

1) Schedule – Figure out what the best time of day for you to run is and stick with that. For many it’s early morning. Getting it done early ensures that you make time.

2) Fuel Positive Energy. The “I think I Can” attitude is always what allows us to accomplish our goals. Make a point to put quotes on your bulletin board, read success stories of runners, and subscribe to blogs. These things will keep running fresh in your mind and help you stay focused.

Overcoming Challenging Days:

1) There will be days when you struggle to get going. Just commit to five minutes and allow yourself to stop if you can’t make it. Generally once you get started you will keep going until you get to the end.

2) Enlist a support group. Join a running club, find a partner or become part of an online accountability group. These will foster support and motivation.

3) Reward Yourself. Set goals and when you achieve them do something nice for yourself. You might decide to treat yourself to a new running accessory every time you reach a certain distance. 4) Use mantras. Positive self-talk while you are running is critical. You CAN do this! Use phrases such as this:

Every day I get a little stronger and a little faster.

 I will not see results immediately but that doesn’t mean I am not making progress.

 I am worth it. I can do this.

I am improving with every step.

Want to read runner’s tips? Check Runner’s World Magazine at http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267–14131-0,00.html  for more info. Good luck in your journey. Remember, once you get started, you’ll never look back!

Tags: exercise, mantras, motivation to run, run for life, running, running motivation, running tips, scheduling runs, starting a cardio routinue, starting to run

Exercise of the Week: Activate Those Glutes!

It’s been said that one of the things that can help you go from a good athlete to a great athlete is developing your glutes.  Working with resistance bands is highly effective in helping you achieve this goal.  This exercise, if done properly, can produce excellent results.  Beginners should start with one band around their ankles.  Advanced individuals can add another band just above the knee for added resistance.

Step #1: Start with your feet hip width apart .  Place the band accordingly, squat down and ensure your toes stays inward.

Step #2: Push through the heel and take a step.  Alternate sides.

Everytime I do this exercise I feel my legs and glutes building muscle!  As a runner, I tend to lose a good deal of my glute muscles and this exercise helps to maintain and build.  In addition, come race time it also helps me develop the strength to power through those last miles in a race.

Thank you to Scott Keppel and Kelli Michelle from Scott’s Training Systems http://www.scottstrainingsystems.com/  for demonstrating this exercise.

Tags: build muscle, exercise of the week, glute activation, Scott's Training Systems, STS

What’s Holding You Back? How to Get Fit, Achieve Your Goals and be Simply Amazing

Do you have goals to get in shape yet fail to achieve them?  Better yet, do you have goals in life that seem overwhelming and unattainable?  Why is that and what are you doing to do to change it?  Getting fit requires dedication and persistence; there is no arguing that fact.  However, many people are aware of that and willing to dedicate time to improving their health.  The greater issue that holds some of us back might just be the fear of failure.

What does this look like?  Consider this example.  Including strength training in your routine is beneficial for a multitude of reasons and just spending fifteen minutes on the weight room floor at some point during your workout can produce positive results.  So do you do it?  If not, why?  The why for some of you could be:

1)      You feel uncomfortable on the weight room floor because you don’t know how to use the equipment well.

2)      You worry people will stare at you.

3)      You mostly feel like you will look like a fool up there because you have no idea what you are doing. (You know this is true!  I feel like this all the time.  To this day I still feel uncomfortable on the weight room floor by myself).

At the root of this is that you worry how people will perceive you.  You fear you will be judged negatively.  So, what I say to this is who cares?  What if you were willing to risk judgment and hit the weights?  Do it wrong, ask for help, jump in like you were meant to be there.  Chances are things would turn out much better than expected.  You might even find you like being there and enjoy the results you achieve.

Let’s take this same scenario when it comes to running and racing.  There are a lot of people who say “I can’t run.”  I’m just going to call you out on that and say in 90% of the cases I’m not buying that.  I will agree with the fact that maybe running a marathon in less than four hours for you is not in the cards.  However, running takes all different forms.  You can do intervals of running and walking.  You can do short jogs, you can trail run which takes some of the pressure off your joints.  As a matter of fact, you can even run in a pool if you wanted.  Have you ever thought, maybe I should run a race and then decided it was a bad idea?  Why did you do that?  Maybe it’s because:

1)      You thought you were not fast enough.

2)      You worried you might not finish it.

3)      The training scared you off.

4)      You were worried people might look at you because you are not a good runner.  They might say, “Why is she running this?”

The reality is that simply by showing up you have achieved something far greater than you could have imagined.  You have conquered your fear and said I am willing to fail.  This line of thinking doesn’t only relate to physical fitness, it relates to everything in life.  People succeed because they are willing to try.  Those who have achieved great things did it because they didn’t listen to the voice inside their head that said “It might be too much work, you might not succeed, and people will judge you.”

We can learn a lot from children about success and happiness.  Think about when you were a young child and how you perceived world.  What did you think was possible?  Did you ever say I want to be the president of the United States, or an astronaut or a professional baseball player?  You probably did and were completely serious.  When did we stop doing that?  Think about that.

Be willing to risk, try something different.  You are amazing.  People might tell you that you are not but the minute you start believing that you’ve failed.  You have to risk achieving your goals.  It requires being scared, being judged and being vulnerable, but in doing so the rewards are plentiful.  You HAVE to be willing to look like a fool to be amazing.

In the words of Seth Godin, “You become a winner because you are good loosing.”  Get comfortable with loosing, being the dumbest person in the room, looking like a fool, being out of your league and trying things that others don’t believe are possible.  Surrounding yourself with people who think this way as well helps.  Find people who say “yes you can.”  Pay little attention to the critics that say it can’t be done or doubt you.  Find those individuals that you can call up on a whim, share your accomplishments and they will cheer for you.  Be that person for others as well!  I promise if you begin to think this way you will achieve greatness, and even better yet, you will likely inspire others in your journey.

Tags: achieving your goals, being amazing, fear, fear of being judged, fear of loosing, getting fit, lifting weights, overcoming challenges, seth godin

Keeping Your Gym Smell Under Wraps

Smelling at the gym is a necessary evil.  While it might not be appealing to those around you, it’s actually the body’s way of keeping you cool as your temperature rises and riding your body of the toxins you produce on a regular basis.  When the body sweats in produces acid in various sweat areas.  This acid is secreted and when it makes contact with the air and dries is produces a sour smell.  Sweat is also considered a food source for bacteria living on the skin; thus, when it reaches the top layer of your skin bacteria begins to feed off of it producing an unappealing smell..Obviously we are not going to prevent sweating, especially for those who make exercise a regular practice; however, there are steps to take that help mitigate smell.

Practice Good Hygiene:  It goes without saying that showering on a regular basis is critical for controlling smell.  Many people underestimate the value of using a loofah when showering.  A loofah exfoliates and removes the outer layer of dead skin.  Its added benefits include increasing circulation and making skin softer, smoother and cleaner.  Loofahs can be purchased at any local drug store and should be replaced every 3 months for optimal effectiveness.  Wearing a deodorant designed for high activity levels is imperative.  Consider trying Degree Men’s Sport Deodorant.

Care for Gym Clothing and Equipment: Always wear clean clothing to the gym and wash items as soon as possible after exercising.  The best way to clean exercise clothing is by washing in extra hot water with a sport detergent (Consider Pro Wash Active Wear Detergent).  In addition, adding a cup of baking soda to the wash can help rid gym clothing of smells.  Keep your gym bag smelling fresh by leaving it open every night to air out and using products such as Febreeze Sport Extreme Odor to help prevent smells. An effective way to control odors from tennis shoes is by placing fabric softener dryer sheets in them after your work out.  Caring for your gym bag is essential and investing in a washable bag is helpful.  If you change clothing after the gym, particularly if your clothing will sit in a gym bag for any length of time, placed soiled items in Ziploc Sports Bags to control the smell from seeping into your bag.

Focus on Lifestyle: Diet plays a major role in body odor.  Certain food, particularly spices such as garlic and curry, can produce ill-smelling sweat.  In addition, certain studies indicate caffeine consumption can actually produce sweat and increase excessive odor.  Consider what you consume and how you might regulate that.  Stay hydrated and avoid consuming high levels of alcohol.  Finally, wear clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton and silk to prevent sweat from being trapped against your body.

Keep in mind that you are less likely to smell your own odor and women are actually better at recognizing body odor.  There is nothing worse than being next to someone at the gym who smells bad.  Using the tips above will help you keep yourself clean and fresh.   If you have taken steps to control body odor and are still suffering consider seeing your doctor or dermatologist.  Sweat and body odor, while normal, in certain cases can be indicative of illness or vitamin deficiencies.

Tags: controlling sweat, good hygiene, gym ettiquete, keeping gym bag clean, mens degree deodorant, smelly gym clothing, sweat, sweat and lifestyle, why we sweat

Exercise of the Week: Working with Bands

Julie lays on the ground while Josette stands upright.

Julie lowers her legs while pulling on the band. Josette concentrates on her core while pulling the band to her sides. In this picture Josette is doing an advanced move by balancing on one leg while doing this exercise.

Julie lowers her legs just a few inches from the ground while Josette brings her legs back in a verticle position.

Every week I do some sort of exercise that I have fun doing.  This blog is the first in a series of exercises of the week, a collection of some of the ones I really enjoy.

This exercise is a good one because it’s very versatile.  You can always pack bands when you travel and use them with or without a partner.

 

Tags: bands, core strength, partner exercises, resistance bands