August 2012

Welcome Home Kim Rhode!

After a stint in London, and breaking records, this Monrovia girl is finally home.

Photo credit: Mitchell Haaseth / NBC Olympics

With another Olympics behind us, we look back at the most exciting moment. It may be viewing Gabby Douglas twist and turn in an amazing display of mid-air acrobatics and somehow landing perfectly on her feet. Or, maybe watching the U.S. Woman’s Soccer team kick their way to a gold medal? We also can’t forget the dynamic duo of Misty-May Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings slamming volleyballs across the beach to become champions for a 3^rd and final time.

Something unique did stand out at these Olympic Games. Sorry Mr. Phelps—the women ruled! Women athletes captured an astonishing 2/3rds of all the medals won by the U.S. And somehow, in between the Queen jumping out of a copter with James Bond, and the Spice Girls riding the roofs of London taxis, Monrovia’s own Kim Rhode, quietly and tactfully, became the first U.S. athlete to win medals, for an individual event, in five consecutive Olympics.

Overshadowed by other events such as gymnastics, swimming and track and field, Rhode pulled off this amazing feat in a sport that takes great patience, a steady hand and an eagle eye—skeet shooting.

While growing up in Whittier and following family tradition spanning 3 generations, Rhode started competing in target shooting at local gun clubs at the age of 10. “The first time I remember shooting, I was sitting on my dad’s lap. We were in a lawn chair and he had the gun tucked under my arms, I would fire and he would take the recoil,” Rhode recalls. “It was something I remember just falling in love with—the moving targets, the fun of the outdoors, shooting cans and paper plates—it was fun and it just progressed.”

Soon after, Rhode soon found herself competing with a 22 rifle in local and state events, then advanced to moving targets and skeet shooting. At 13, she won the World Shoot competition and an Olympic coach took notice. Despite her age, the coach made an exception and invited her to the Olympic training center. It was there she learned international style shooting, the style used in the Olympics. “It was exciting and such an honor for me,” Rhode said. “I realized that it was about representing your country. I knew I had a chance at it, but I didn’t know I would be doing it five Olympics later.”

Photo credit: Mitchell Haaseth / NBC Olympics

Rhode entered the Olympic ceremonies in Atlanta in 1996, at age 16, and walked among stars like Andre Agassi, Kerri Strug, Carl Lewis and the Dream Team. “You don’t know what’s going to happen and what to expect and it’s so overwhelming,” she said. “I don’t really think you take it all in and realize what you’ve done until you get home.” With her trusty Italian-made Perazzi MX-12, she appropriately named “Old Faithful,” Rhode took home her first gold medal just a few days after turning 17. “Old Faithful” came through, and so did Rhode’s amazing skill. She would take both with her to the next 3 Olympics, winning the bronze in Sydney in 2000, the gold again Athens in 2004, and the Silver in Beijing in 2008. But, soon after returning home in 2008, “Old Faithful” was gone—stolen from her father’s car. “It was heartbreaking. I was devastated,” Rhode said. “At the same time, you have to pick up the pieces, move forward and make the best of a bad situation.”

Fans showed their support and, through anonymous donations, Rhode’s was able to get a new Perazzi 2000. With a bit of amazing luck, “Old Faithful” was recovered by police prior to the London 2012 games, but Rhode decided to retire her and went on to the games with her new gun. How’d she do? She hit 74 of 75 targets in the qualifying round and then went on to tie her own record in the final round securing her for her 3^rd gold medal.

As for setting her record among U.S. athletes, Rhode is modest. “I don’t think you ever look at yourself as the best or the number 1 in anything,” she said. “Heck, my hat wouldn’t fit if I thought like that. The reality is that you just think of yourself as everyone else. No different.”

Rhode said she feels old seeing Kerri Strug as a commentator now, when she was there when she competed in dramatic fashion. At 33, Rhode certainly isn’t old, but unless your Carl Lewis or Dara Torres, most Olympic athletes in physically demanding sports tend to hang up their cleats and swim goggles by a certain age. But, in Rhode’s case, she has an advantage. As long as she has the will and the skill, she can compete for sometime to come. “In shooting it’s a game that isn’t necessarily about strength as it much about endurance, hand/eye coordination, muscle memory and experience in the elements,” Rhode said. Rhode pointed out that the oldest person to compete in the Olympics was Oscar Swahn, who competed in Belgium in 1920 at age 72. His sport? Shooting. For Rhode, “I’m going to take it one at a time,” she said.

For, now she will enjoy spending time with her family, her husband Mike and roaming around her favorite town—Monrovia. “I love the atmosphere in Monrovia and the fact that everything is so close. You can go to the market, the movie theater and go get some great food at Café Massilia,” Rhode said. Rhode also enjoys riding around town with her husband on their beach cruisers. My guess is she’ll be cruising her way to Rio in 2016.

July 2012

Third time’s a charm

Heather Mitts is ready to go for the gold in the London Games

Opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympic games in London kick off on July 27 and a familiar face, representing the U.S.A. Women’s Soccer team, will be two-time gold medal winner Heather Mitts.

Mitts, who has played the last seven years professionally for the Women’s Professional Soccer league, finds herself without a team as the organization has halted play for 2012, citing internal struggles for their demise. All the more reason Mitts is excited to return to the Olympics for the third time as part of the National Team. But is it still thrilling the third time around? “Absolutely,” says the 34-year-old Cincinnati native. “Every time is unique and special. I figured if I made it this time around it would be my last time,” says Mitts, who is hinting at retirement. “To be able to say I had three, and on top of that to be ending my career at the Olympics, is the ideal way to go out of the game.”

How it Started

Mitts drew initial interest in soccer playing as a kid along with her older brother. Later, she attended St.UrsulaAcademy and played on the high school team. But she learned to develop her talent from her mentor Charlie Cooke, a former Scottish footballer who gave private lessons to Mitts in Cincinnati. “Probably the first person that ever taught me most of my skills and really encouraged me to want to be the best was Charlie Cooke,” she says.

Career Highlights

Mitts went on to receive an athletic scholarship from the University of Florida and was part of the Gators first ever Championship Team in 1998. By the end of her college career she had the most starts and minutes played in the team’s history. In 2000, she started her professional career with the Tampa Bay Extreme, as a defender/right back, then went on to play in Philadelphia, Central Florida, Boston and Atlanta. In between she made appearances in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games as part of the National Team. In addition, Mitts was named the “Hottest Female Athlete” by ESPN in 2004 and made the 2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

Her career hasn’t been all glory and roses though. She had several setbacks over the years, including an ACL injury in 2007 and partially torn hamstrings in 2011. But they were enough to keep her at bay in these Olympic Games and working with some of the younger players.

Back to the Olympics

Mitt’s advice to new members of the Olympic Team? “Nerves are natural. It just means that you care and eventually those will go away. Embrace the moment because it is such a grand stage. Make the most of the moment and try to enjoy it,” she says. Mitts is also excited that the games are in London this year. “I truly love it. Soccer is huge over there and I think they will be a great host; there is so much to do and so much to see. I was able to go over there with the Olympic Committee and see the best of London. It is so beautiful and has so much to offer and will be a great place to hold the Olympics.”

Age Accommodation

Preparation for these games can be an exhausting challenge at any age. Mitts works with a strength conditioning coach, runs six days a week and fits in a weight lifting regimen as well. “It’s pretty crazy and very demanding,” she says, and age is a factor. “The one thing that I’ve learned because I am older is that I have to monitor my body better. Sometimes less is more. I try not to overdo it because I don’t recover as well as I use to, so I’m just trying to be a little more efficient in my training fashion. I do use a heart rate monitor and it makes a big difference for me,” Mitts says.

For athletes who are getting older, Mitts gives this advice: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Take it slow and try to enjoy whatever you are doing. It’s never fun to work out if you’re dreading it. So try to pick something that interests you and you want to work hard at.”

Although 34 may not be retirement age for most, for pro soccer players, it’s within the average range. Retired American soccer player Kristy Lilly set the bar high when she hung up her cleats at age 40, but Mitts has other things on her mind—such as raising a family someday. “Girls now days are having kids and continuing to play. I personally couldn’t do both. That is my full purpose for stepping away from the game. I had a great career and it’s time for what’s next,” says Mitts, who has been married to NFL quarterback A.J. Feeley since 2010. And because the football and soccer seasons clash, this gives Mitts even less time to spend with her St. Louis Rams QB hubby. “We rarely see each other. We both have been able to do something we love and support each other 100%, but it has also been pretty trying on our relationship,” she says.

Nutrition and Motivation

Two other key factors for athletes at any age is keeping motivated and eating right. Mitts says she is her own worst critic. “I just want to be the best I can possibly be. I just try to go out there everyday and get better. My days are limited, so I try to enjoy my teammates and enjoy the traveling,” she says. As far as eating healthy, “I consider myself pretty health conscious. I definitely eat different at home as opposed to the road. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables when I am competing. Nights before a game I load up on carbs,” Mitts says.

New Goals

So what is in store for Heather Mitts after retirement? Maybe coaching? “I hold a summer camp every year and I love working with the kids. I love being able to come back and give back. It’s something that’s a lot of fun for me. It’s something that I really enjoy.” As for her own kids to coach someday, Mitts says, “It’s on the agenda!”

May 2012

Jennifer and Kyle inspire moms to take control of their lives and get fit.

Jennifer Pinder and Kyle Furlow

Being a mom is truly a full-time job. Whether you have a newborn, toddler or teen, balancing time between two lives can be a great challenge. And finding the time and the motivation to lose weight after pregnancy can seem like an impossible task.

Sometimes the motivation we seek can be drawn from other people. That’s just what happened with Jennifer Pinder and Kyle Furlow, two friends and moms, who realized their need to change diets and start exercising after adding extra pounds once they had children. “We committed to work out together at the Y, and by supporting and encouraging each other we began getting in shape,” said Furlow, mother of a five-year-old boy. Along the way they met AFAA certified personal trainer Paula Ruff, who Furlow credits with giving them the extra push they needed. “She became our mentor. What started out as a need to get healthy, became a hobby, then a passion…and with Paula’s help, a career,” Furlow said.

Furlow and Pinder lost a total of 100 pounds between them, which for some, may have been satisfaction enough—but these moms took it many steps further. They both became AFAA certified and started Boot Camp Moms to inspire other women, especially busy moms, to take control of their health and get fit.

“Becoming healthy and stronger is more than a physical change. It positively impacts your mental and spiritual well-being and gives women confidence,” Furlow said. “It’s our hope that our program and the community of women involved will provide the resources needed for each participant to accomplish this complete image of healthiness.”

But it wasn’t easy. During the start-up program at Harrington Grove Clubhouse in Raleigh, N.C., the two friends faced more challenges. “Our first challenge was how to get the word out about our company,” recalled Pinder, mother of a five-year-old girl and three-year-old boy. “We did not have any equipment! We put up flyers in neighborhoods, preschools, diet centers and any location that would allow us. We told potential clients all they needed was a set of hand weights, bottle of water and a mat. The rest is history,” Pinder said.

Bootcamp Moms!

Say hello to the bootcamp moms

Now, a year later, Furlow and Pinder have a solid, energizing, group exercise program that concentrates on cardiovascular and strength training, all presented in a fun atmosphere. Pinder feels this boot camp program is unique and that their clients truly benefit from having two AFAA trainers guiding them through their workouts. “We notice the subtle milestones in them and are able to encourage them,” Pinder said. “When they are able to do 10 extra push-ups or sprint faster…we notice and sing their praises.” Ages and experience vary—Boot Camp Moms participants range in age from 25 to 65 and from the elite to beginner exerciser.

In addition, these two moms set the tone with different styles to help motivate and get the most out of their clients. “Jennifer is often recognized as the cheerleader while I am considered the drill sergeant,” explained Furlow. “That balance allows us to get participants beyond their comfort zone in a way that creates a relationship of trust and respect, not intimidation.”

Both moms feel their own story has inspired their children as well. “I am so thankful that this world is all my kids know. Growing up, diet and exercise was never instilled in me. For years I struggled with my weight and had no form of fitness regime. I can honestly say that I never truly ‘got it’ until my 30s,” Pinder said. “My children are outside playing, running, biking every day. That is all they know and all they want to do.” Pinder said they have also instilled good eating habits in their kids with diets that include a portion of fruits and vegetables in every meal. With such high rates of childhood obesity in America these days, Furlow and Pinder hope to pass on good values and lessons to their own children.

“The most important thing for our children is to understand that you need balance in life—and physical fitness is the foundation for that balance,” Furlow said. “A healthy body leads to better mental, emotional and spiritual health which will allow our children to be successful in whatever way they choose to define success.”

In the future, these two Boot Camp Moms are hoping to expand into different programs, as well as different towns. They have already added TRX^® Suspension Training, BOSU^® and the Lebert Equalizers^TM into their classes, and Pinder has added a Zumba^® certification to her repertoire. “Expansion would likely come in the form of more classes in surrounding neighborhoods, but we want to keep classes at less than 20 people, so they can remain personal,” said Furlow. “It’s the relationships with each other and with our participants that make this special. Without that bond we wouldn’t be Boot Camp Moms.”

October 2011

The ’81 World Series MVP likes what he sees in Kemp and Kershaw 

Dodger Great Ron Cey signs autographs at Hall of Fame Cards in Arcadia

When it comes to baseball, you don’t have to be from Los Angeles to recognize the names Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey—one of the greatest assembled infields ever to play the game. This quadruple threat helped lead the Dodgers to win the NL Pennant in ’74, ’77 ’78 and the World Series in ’81 against their heated rivals, the New York Yankees. Who was the MVP of that World Series? Ron Cey.

Cey met with many fans at Hall of Fame Cards to sign autographs, pose for photos and, most importantly—talk baseball. Enthusiasts of all ages showed up to meet and greet the 6-time All-Star, ranging from those who followed his career from the beginning as rookie with the Dodgers in ’68, to little leaguers who aspire to be major league players themselves someday. “It’s very gratifying,” Cey said of the fan turn out on the corner of Foothill and 5^th between 11 and 12:30 Saturday.

“The Penguin,” as Manager Tommy Lasorda called him due to his waddle-like run on the base path, Cey was a staple at third base during the fantastic run the Dodgers had in the ’70s and early ’80s. During his impressive career with the Dodgers, Cubs and A’s, Cey posted a .261 batting average, hit 1,139 RBIs and belted 318 home runs. The 228 home runs he had in a Dodger uniform is the 5^th highest in the club’s history.

Yours truly with Ron Cey

Still remaing very much active with the Dodger organization in a marketing, sponsorship and community affairs capacity, C ey still keeps in touch with former teammates including Steve Garvey (1B), Davey Lopes (2B) and Bill Russell (SS) who he played eight seasons with. It was the longest any infield ensemble played together in major league history. “I’m very pleased with the era of baseball I played in, and the group of players I played with,” Cey said. “We had the individual and team success that lived up to the history and tradition of the Dodgers. Anything less than that would have been a disappointment,” he said.

Disappointment is a word that Dodgers fans have gotten use to these days compared to glory days Cey spent with the team.  The 2011 team barely finished above .500 in September, 11 ½ games out of first place, with a cloud of uncertainty looming over them thanks to the ownership woes that still are still waiting to be settled.

But despite tough times, Cey sees a promising future for the team. Especially with names like Kemp and Kershaw in the mix. “I was very pleased with the way that Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw performed this year under some difficult circumstances,” he said. “I thought both Ned [Colletti] and Donny [Mattingly] did a good job during this period of time. We had a club that was well under .500 midway through the season…and finished above .500 playing very well the last month of the season,” Cey said. Cey went on to say tha Kemp is “very deserving” of the MVP award for the National League and hopes that Kershaw follows in the footsteps of other Dodger pitching greats, such as Newcombe, Drysdale and Koufax by bringing home a Cy Young award.

In a bit of advice to all the youngsters playing ball today in hopes of making it to the big leagues some day, Cey says “Have fun!” “If it works out to where you are pretty good and have a dream, you should follow it and see where it leads.”

Hall of Fame Cards owner Bob Newton has hosted similar events with Steve Garvey and Bill Russell, as well as Maury Wills. He hopes to have Davey Lopes at his family-owned card shop soon…the missing piece of that ’81 World Series infield.  For more information about upcoming events at Hall of Fame Cards, visit .http://www.halloffamebaseballcards.com.

Local Photographer Captures ‘Quirky’ Small Town Life

August 2011

Photographer Gina Long

What makes a small town like Sierra Madre a great place to live? Surely, a number of things come to mind. But in the end, most of these reasons are essentially derived from being a part of a close-knit community. It’s something that tends to get lost in bigger cities.

Walking down the streets, being greeted by friends, family and neighbors alike has a certain feeling; a feeling of camaraderie. Meeting for BBQs, parades and picnics in the park are some of the things that truly make a small town special.

With that in mind, it’s easy to see how, for a photographer, Sierra Madre just may be the perfect town.

Just ask Gina Long, who says she lives for bringing out those extraordinary small town moments: the unexpected glimpses of joy in the lives of her subjects, the surprises, and the simple beauty of a town that prides itself on its uniqueness and splendor.

Long moved to Sierra Madre, along with her husband Steven, because she was happy with the educational choices for her son Nolan, now 7-years-old. Her family has since found their niche here. And now, Long is the first photographer to ever have an exhibit on display at Sierra Madre City Hall.

Her photography, on display until Aug. 19, is collection of “life’s moments and quirky things,” she says.

While Long says she does shoot traditional portraits, it’s the quirky shots she enjoys capturing the most.

“I’d like to make the quirky more common and the common more quirky,” she said. “I would also like to draw attention to some unusual subjects and show the world that you can find beauty in everything when you seek it. I especially love taking striking and interesting photos of people who don’t like to be photographed.”

Long’s portfolio features some beautiful family shots, intriguing neighborhoods, curious pets and children photos that are so cute they might bring a tear to your eye.

So why call the show “The Unexpected Portrait”?

“I’m not traditional and I wanted my name to speak to that,” Long said. “It would be horrible for clients who hire me to be disappointed by the results of their shoot and I look for adventurous, out of the box type subjects.”

At Home in Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre, and the audience she has found here, are very meaningful to her work, Long says.

“With a nudge here and a bravo there, I gathered enough self-belief to bring my photography to others. It has been really fulfilling.”

Long was greeted by many art-loving attendees during her show’s official opening on July 22 at City Hall. And Long is quick to thank Community and Personnel Services Deputy Director, Kristi McClure and the members of the Arts Committee for putting together the event.

“I think it was really successful. I love having my work at City Hall,” Long said in an interview following the reception.

Some Favorites

“Comfortably Numb”

One photo Long featured, “Comfortably Numb,” was snapped outside of Sierra Madre and is one of her favorites. “I love “Comfortably Numb” because it juxtaposes the timeless beauty of a restored old train sitting at the Santa Barbara station with the reality of the life in a cart position of the homeless man who is basically living there un-restored and watching the trains come and go in this beautiful place from a place most people can’t and don’t understand,” Long said. “I feel I was able to convey a sense of how every person, place and thing has many sides, some that you see and some that you don’t. It’s truly an “Unexpected Portrait.”

Another favorite is a picture of her son bringing in the mail entitled “On Arrival.”

“On Arrival”

“I took it the weekend we moved into our house in Sierra Madre in a very innocent and cute moment when he was gathering our mail for the first time from the post box and bringing it into the house,” Long said.

“It’s also an “unexpected portrait” and, in fact, the “Unexpected Portrait” which inspired the name of my business and is on my business cards. It truly represents my work.”

For those who take a serious interest in photography of their own, Long offers some advice.

“Take your camera out with you and shoot,” Long said. “Make up a story in your mind and shoot the photos that tell it. Use your eye. We are all photographers and we each have a unique way of seeing the world, find the parts or patterns or activities you love to translate through the lens and shoot, shoot, shoot!”

Long says aspiring new artists should remember one thing, “Art is so subjective. Take both praise and criticism open-mindedly and make what moves you. It will move others.”

Try to catch Long’s display during City Hall’s normal business hours and, who knows, you might come away inspired.

And for those who like what they see, Long offers her photography services on her websitewww.theunexpectedportrait.com, and is available to visit your home to snap those special moments during birthday parities, holidays and other special events.

Local to the San Gabriel Valley, Tortelvis is still a rockin’

January 2011

Tortelvis leads the band that has spanned 2 decades

Penny Marshall’s character on the classic TV show Laverne & Shirley use to enjoy a refreshing combo of milk and Pepsi. Yum! Or how about the combination of baseball and basketball in the movie BASEketball? Some combinations are not fondly remembered, but one that has stood the test of time is the combo of Led Zeppelin classics to the tune of Reggae music, with a sprinkle of Elvis Presley style to top it off. What you get is Dread Zeppelin.

In 2009, the band, (Tortelvis, Butt-Boy, Spice, Bob Knarley, Ziggy Knarley and Charlie Haj) celebrated their 20^th anniversary. They have local ties to the area, but have seen the world while performing material from 15 albums including Un-Lead-Ed released in 1990 and their latest Bar Coda, a take on Led Zeppelin’s Coda. They have also released a greatest hits collection from their IRS years which includes fan favorites such as “Black Dog” and “Your Time is Gonna Come.”

I had a chance to talk to front man and Elvis impersonator Greg Tortell (Tortelvis) about the band’s success.

KM: Dread Zeppelin has been together with various members for over 20 years now. What are your feelings on that, and is it something you envisioned back in ’89 when the band formed?

Tortelvis: Someone said “Dread Zeppelin” Wow, what a moment! We all started as friends getting together in a garage and messing with Zeppelin songs and Reggae. I tried to sing like Robert Plant, but too high. So I went with the Tortelvis persona, but without the outrageous costume, and hot dang, it fit. Zeppelin, Elvis, Reggae.It was always about friendship. Still to this day. You lose some members along the way due to various reasons. But it’s just the way. We’ve had pretty much the same core guys playing in the band for the last 15 years.

KM: What has kept the band going for so long?

Tortelvis: It’s all about friendship and musicianship. These guys are like my family and killer players (with the exception of myself of course). It’s a goofy idea that caught on and even spawned other similar groups, but without the great playing, it could not have lasted this long.

KM: Tell me how Tortelvis came about. Were you performing as an impersonator before Dread Zeppelin?

Tortelvis: I performed as Tortelvis in another band a few years before Dread Zeppelin was created called “Pete The Butcher.”Our motto was “we suck, but were fun to watch.” At least we got one of those right. I had two names back then, Tortelvis, and Gregelbert Torteldink. Pete the Butcher still plays now and then. Torteldink still gets to put on his graduation gown and fake beard and play Partridge Family songs until they just can’t take it anymore.

KM: Robert Plant was quoted as saying that Dread Zeppelin was “one of his favorite bands” and that you guys did a better job on “Your Time is Gonna Come” than Led Zeppelin did. What are your thoughts on that and has the band had the chance to meet original Led Zeppelin members? If so, how did that go?

Tortelvis: It was surely a great endorsement from Robert Plant, as there were a lot of diehard Zep fans who thought we were making fun of Led Zeppelin. I was a bit worried that the Elvis fans would be a bit ticked. But no, come to find out that some Zeppelin fans didn’t have much of a sense of humor about it. But Robert Plant got it! It quieted up some of the dissenting voices, that’s fer sure. We met Jimmy Page in England in 1990. I don’t think he knew who the heck we were. And I had a chance to speak with Robert Plant on a Rockline interview in 1991. I was so nervous to speak to him my low Elvis drawl sounded more like a twelve year old Justin Bieber [voice]. Robert thanked me for giving him “months of entertainment.”

KM: Any comments from Pricilla or Lisa Marie Presley on Dread Zeppelin?

Tortelvis: We met, or should I say saw Lisa Marie in a dressing room in the early ’90s as her husbands’ band was opening for us at the UC Irvine Auditorium. She was probably used to all the goofy impersonators so didn’t pay much attention to us. Until we rocked the Zeppelin and Reggae!

KM: Are you surprised by the success of the band and having the chance to play, not just in your home town, but across America and the world?

Tortelvis: Surprised yes. Once we started playing in other countries we started seeing that the reactions were the same no matter where we went. Japan, Europe, South America. Wild nutty fans. What the hack man? Maybe it’s the Elvis…or the Zeppelin…Or the Reggae.

KM: Many of the members are right from the Pasadena/Sierra Madre area. Where did you attend high school? Give me some thoughts on how you feel about this area and why you stay.

Tortelvis: I attended Arcadia Schools, and have lived in Sierra Madre for over 10 years. Sierra Madre is just a great town for friends, family and kids. Plus it’s home to Graceland West, an exact replica of Graceland here in town where I live, which also houses the man who hands me my water and towels on stage…Mr. Charlie Haj! (don’t mind me if I slip in and out of character).

KM: Tell me about the Annual Fund Show at Sierra Madre School. What will the proceeds go to? What is the importance of the event? Are you looking forward to seeing some of the local school talent that will be performing as an opening act?

Tortelvis: This is year three of the event for us and we just love doing it. Benefits go to Sierra Madre Elementary. And when you play to screaming 3^rd graders, it almost sounds like a Beatles concert. Except in a Reggae style.

KM: What is coming up next for Dread Zeppelin?

Tortelvis: A new CD this year and two days at Zep Fest in Washington D.C. in May. Some shows planned for the Midwest this year. And a local show at T. Boyles tavern on February 19^th. Let’s get it on!

KM: What advice can you give to local kids who are playing in their parent’s garage and hoping to make it big someday?

Tortelvis: Put towels on the drums or your mom is gonna come running out and shut it down! But seriously folks… Keep on singing and strumming. Do it every day. Learn from the great musicians but don’t copy them. Think outside the box. Practice, practice, practice. Slap on those sideburns and wiggle them hips. Sing it baby, sing it! P.S. Remember to wear earplugs.

Still chalking up the losses

September 2010

The Biggest Loser on NBC, Now in its 10th Season is still going strong and Jillian—even stronger.

She has been on the forefront of the fitness/gaming craze with her release of “Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2010” for the Nintendo Wii system. In addition, Jillian launched her own TV show in June 2010, Losing It With Jillian, where she moves in with a family and not only motivates them to get in shape, but to make difficult lifestyle changes as well. Jillian influences families on what to buy, what to get rid of and yes, invades their refrigerators too. Not an easy task. Says the world’s toughest trainer, “It’s intense. Seriously intense. Honestly, it’s impossible to describe. You have to see it with your own eyes.” In one episode, Jillian has her adopted family working out on a football field and later clearing out their cluttered home of junk that they seem determined not to part with—but it’s all part of a lifestyle change.

Accepting the Truth and Willing to Change

Jillian has experienced situations time and again where persons have had multiple failed attempts at weight loss. “They lack self-esteem and they are uninformed about the facts [regarding] weight loss,” says Jillian. Changing eating habits for many is a tough pill to swallow and is different in each scenario. There are many factors to consider: Metabolism varies from person to person, as well as blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. Each diet plan has to take these (and other) factors into consideration. Yet some people seem to eat anything they want and not gain an ounce. “[It’s] because of genetics,” Jillian explains. “While some of us are predisposed to gain weight, it doesn’t mean it’s a sentence. Genetics are static, not dynamic, so if we eat right and exercise regularly we can maintain a healthy body weight.”

In Jillian’s experience she has worked with some tough clients including persons with hormonal disorders such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and lipodema, which causes people to be heavier from the waste down to the ankles. When it’s unclear why clients are overweight, or when they are holding back from revealing their true reasons for overeating, Jillian finds a different approach to get them to open up. “I ask a series of questions when they are fatigued from exercise and their defenses are down,” she says. “I help them uncover the roots of their self-destructive behaviors.”

Mind Over Matter

Lack of motivation can be a major issue when it comes to breaking old habits and starting new, healthy ones, but Jillian points out another prime factor—willpower. “Willpower is like a muscle. It can be built and it can also be fatigued,” she says. “You can build willpower by shifting the part of your brain you use to think. You can literally go from impulse to reason, by stopping and asking yourself a series of questions before each choice you make.” Jillian believes this is a good way for clients to rethink their food choices. “So the next time your client wants to reach for the donut, tell them to think the whole choice through. They eat the donut—then how do they feel 10 minutes after? What is it going to do to their body? How is that going to make them feel? And so on.”

Smart Eating

Speaking of food choices, the typical approaches to weight loss include portion control and calorie counting. For many, it just doesn’t work. Jillian believes in calorie counting in conjunction with exercise. “The truth is that weight loss is an energy equation [and] you have to exercise to utilize stored energy—a.k.a. fat,” she says. As for Jillian’s own diet? “Ezekial English muffin with almond butter for breakfast, grilled fish tacos on corn tortillas with black beans, apple with raw nuts…grilled fish and greens for dinner,” she says. But is there room in the toughest trainer’s diet for a snack? “Only between lunch and dinner,” Jillian clarifies. “Snacking throughout the day is terrible for weight loss and weight management. My snack is about 15 percent of my calorie allowance. I will have [a] protein and carb combo like fruit and raw nuts or hummus and veggies. Baked chips and salsa with yogurt instead of sour cream.”

Success Doesn’t Come Easy

Jillian’s own success took a lot of motivation and willpower on her own part. She was overweight as a teen, about 50 pounds, and was motivated by her mother to take up martial arts, then on to working with her own personal trainers. So who trained the trainer? “I fell into fitness training at 17 while training for my black belt. People would see me training in the gym and they approached me to train them. Fate took its course.” And training doesn’t stop now that Jillian has found success. “I have many trainers. I believe a good teacher is a good student,” she says. “I work with an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and kettlebell guy named Steve Lee in L.A., a Capoira guy named Brett Hoebel in N.Y., and a yoga woman named Heidi Rhoades in L.A.”

But being where she is today wasn’t always Jillian’s dream. She says, “I fell into it and loved it. I switched careers at [age] 24 to 27 and went to work as an agent in Hollywood. I hated it. Then I went to work at a sports medicine facility as a PT aid. Fell back in love with this type of work and the rest is history.” So for the trainer who pushes people to be the best they can be and find that inner strength that drives them, what drives her? “I am driven by my own feelings of helplessness. I wrestle with those emotions by trying to help other people. It makes me feel less helpless.” Hard to believe while watching Jillian’s tough as nails exterior on TV, that she is indeed only as human as the rest of us.

March 2010

Motivating the online masses to Tone It Up!

When it comes to being fitness professionals, keeping abreast of the latest and greatest trends is of vital importance. Performing the same old routines, in the same old way just doesn’t cut it in this business. Clients want new and exiting programs, featuring the latest in fitness apparatus, apparel and techniques. In this age of instant information, if you snooze, you loose. AFAA member Katrina Hodgson has not missed a beat with her own series of very popular video shorts along with her counterpart, Karena Dawn, on the video sharing phenomenon known as YouTube.

Fitness became a huge part of Hodgson’s life at a young age. “When I was 12, I was overweight and was teased by the other kids,” she said. “I became serious about sports and fitness in high school…and would put together fun routines for myself.” Hodgson then went off to study exercise science at Keene State College in New Hampshire and became certified through AFAA, which made visits to the campus. Soon after, she was teaching her “Abs and Core” classes at the school gym. After college she moved on to the Boston Sports Club as a master trainer and group fitness instructor. “I taught classes of over 40 and loved every minute of them,” said Hodgson. “I was able to learn so much about different people, what motivates them and take that knowledge to my videos.”

Multi-media—A New Direction

Karena Dawn and Katrina Hodgson

In the summer of 2008, Hodgson moved to California and joined the team at Equinox Fitness. It was there she met Karena Dawn. The two found they had a lot in common and had both done their share of sports modeling, fitness product work and DVD production. They both felt they needed a new direction in their careers, so they partnered up and created their Web site http://toneitup.com/ “We both recognized that we were a great dynamic and complemented each other’s goals and backgrounds,” Hodgson said. “We started filming videos together in February [2009]. Our first video was on the beach with the little HD camera. Little did we know what the future would hold for us. We now film videos regularly for three channels: fitness, healthy cooking and lifestyle.”

But has the advent of YouTube hurt the fitness industry? Hodgson does not see this as the case. “I think YouTube actually helps instructors and fitness professionals,” she said. “I am huge on visualization. I have to picture things before I do them…especially if it is out of my ‘comfort box.’ If you see it…it will happen. If you can’t see it, then you probably won’t end up doing it.” Being a YouTube instructor hasn’t hampered Hodgson’s career. In fact, she is in more demand than she ever was. She is recognized as receiving more views on YouTube than any other certified or degreed trainer, receiving over 13 million views. “If no one was talking about fitness, showing workouts online, or putting together fitness DVDs, then fitness classes would probably go down in business. The more people see fitness, the more they can imagine themselves doing it. The next time they pass a health club they will feel comfortable going in because it is not foreign to them anymore,” said Hodgson.

A Senior Fitness Boom

In one area of her expertise, senior fitness, Hodgson explained the importance of having a fitness assessment every six weeks. “Ask them to take your blood pressure, resting heart rate, to do a squat assessment, a strength assessment, and some kind of walking or cardiovascular test,” Hodgson said. “If you can’t work with a trainer regularly, then just ask them to meet you every month or so to do a program. This way you will be able to see measurable results and it will motivate you to keep it up.”   Hodgson encourages seniors to make fitness fun and try new things. She emphasizes that going to the gym is not the only option. “Sign up for salsa classes once a week or get outside. I have seen people in their 70s go from needing eight medications, barely being able to get out of a chair without assisting themselves up, to jogging five miles, ditching the medications, and looking and feeling like they did 20 years prior,” she said. “I always tell people…‘You will never regret a workout.’ Get dressed, get outside and get moving. Let yourself be fit and healthy. It is the best thing you can do for your family, too.”

On the other end of the spectrum, with the current childhood obesity epidemic, Hodgson recommends that parents use the right approach and make exercise and eating right fun, and not hard work. “Kids need more programs based on sports, fun games and activities,” she said. “They don’t want to do sit-ups. They also don’t want to eat ‘healthy food.’ I notice that if I set out wheat pitas, chopped veggies, cheese and colorful toppings, kids will actually make their own pizza and choose more toppings than if I made it for them. It is hard to get children to eat healthy…especially with all of the garbage [advertised] on TV.” But Hodgson feels that the government needs to do their part also. “We spend over 100 billion dollars on obesity issues each year when we could actually prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes,” Hogdson pointed out. “Imagine if every state received 20 million dollars a year to put toward PE programs in schools, build parks, farms for fresh produce and education for parents. I like the idea of taxing junk food. That would equal up to more than 10 billion dollars a year to help with health programs,” she said.

Tone it Up with a Sound Eating Plan

Speaking of nutrition, Hodgson and Dawn are always creating healthy recipes in their videos. After taking nutrition courses in college, Hodgson stopped consuming foods that are sugar-filled and use chemical additives, and chose more healthy alternatives for snacking. “It is better to have a hand full of almonds, than to have a diet [soda],” said Hodgson. “The less ingredients the better…especially if you can pronounce them.” Hodgson creates her own healthy snacks that include ingredients such as peanut butter, dried fruit, agave and oats. For a great pre-workout meal, Hodgson suggests a banana, flaxseed muffin or dried fruits, and a good bit of water. “I drink water all day…always more than 80 ounces, especially if I’m training for a race,” Hodgson said.

As motivation is the hardest thing to attain when beginning a workout routine, Hodgson believes you have to dig deep into how clients feel to find their motivation. “My usual quotes are ‘This is 30 minutes of your life…make it count’ and ‘Push harder and show me WHY you are here.’” Hodgson believes clients need to visualize where they want to be in four weeks and push themselves as they are the only ones, and no one else, that can control their health and bodies.

What the Future Will Bring

As far as her own motivation, Hodgson is inspired by the way workouts make her feel and also by the success stories of her clients and fans. She receives cards thanking her for motivating them and family members to get up and get moving. In the future, Hodgson would love for Tone It Up to take off and reach more of the masses and to get more involved in educating people on health topics and to do more charity work. “We recently did a triathlon to raise money for ovarian cancer. We would like to do more events to educate about heart disease, cancers and diabetes,” she said. But, for now, be sure to catch Katrina on her Web site or on YouTube. Just key in “Tone It Up” in the search engine and you’ll find her—motivated and ready to motivate you!