When I need you.

My greatest mentor once told me that "when you build your friendships, keep in mind that these are people you are going to need in your future, treat them like you would a garden." 

I need you guys to remember this while I tell my story.

A long time ago while I was competing for past pageants, I had a hard time fitting in because of my stature and being the new girl didn't help either. I tried to make friends, but was super intimidated. When I reached out, many times girls were incredibly helpful, but there were a few who would boldly make it a point to not even acknowledge me. They would ignore me, ask me embarrassing questions, act better then, and so fourth. 

10 years later after many invites to parties, events and social gatherings I started to notice a pattern. Every time this particular person would reach out, it was generally to gain some kind of self gratification or something which wouldn't involve a collective collaboration. A recent conversation asked about the coordination of a fitness competition, in which the details they wanted from me were not understood, so I offered a consulting fee. Seems like the proper thing to do since I was working. 

From that I gained a full understanding of what passive aggressive behavior was and was subliminally told that I had terrible character and a terrible life. 

I didn't take it personally, but for someone who only contacts me when they need me for something and doesn't build any fruitful relationships; I'm kinda confused as to who has the terrible life and terrible character.

Referring back to what my mentor had said, gardening your relationships has to do with pulling out the weeds as well as feeding and watering your flowers. Take care of the friends that make your life beautiful, not the ones who are the pest.

Waiting for Changes

"So, how long do you think it will be until I see a change?"

I can remember asking my mentor this exact question when I made a lifestyle change about 7 1/2 years ago.

And, now that I am a personal trainer and a coach, I get asked this question quite often by clients who want to lose weight, gain strength, or just look better. Many times, I can look in to my clients eyes and see that they are wishing for something instant. But when I tell them that there's no instant change, only hard work and dedication, I see despair in their eyes and the actions necessary to achieve their goals disappear.

Do you know how long it has taken for me to notice a difference in how I feel, how I look, and how I carry myself? Roughly seven years. That's right, until very recently I didn't see, feel or think there was a difference. But other people did. Even though I didn't see the change, others did. You will always be the last person to see the change, because you are always going to be hardest on yourself; want more for yourself. And because you only see the little improvements, while they see all those little improvements stacking together, making big changes.

And regardless of who saw it first, the change happened. But it didn't happen over night, it didn't happen in two weeks, a month, (okay I think you got the point). It took time and a lot of little actions, little changes, all of them necessary, in order to get to where I want to be. There is no secret sauce, miracle workout... Just little actions stacked together.

My First National Show

Just recently I had the opportunity to compete in the NPC National Show. Of those who take the time to look at my life, many would say that I took to long to compete; but for me it was the perfect time. Yes, it took me five years to get to the national stage, but I finally did it. I reached my goal. Every experience was worth it, every new friend I made along the road was one more supporter. Every mentor that guided me there, and my sponsor ProFight, for helping me fight my way there.

Looking back on it now, my trip to Vegas was fruitful. Because I don't have the financial backing up most athletes do, I found a quiet little hotel just off the strip. Maybe, 45 bucks or so at night. Most will say it was seedy, but it worked perfectly - as my tanning appointment was at that exact same hotel. I also packed all of my food: the thought of wasting my hard earned paychecks to pay for food, kind of drove me crazy. So I packed unsalted canned vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and chicken, with microwavable rice. Essentially, I wanted to find a way to keep the calories on without eating garbage. I was actually more surprised at the fact that all that food went through check in at the airport.

Every morning before showtime I would get up, do a form of plyometrics, or some kind of activity to keep my muscles pumped because there was a crappy gym at my hotel. I don't care though, I came because I finally reached my goal. And I wanted to be the best that I could.

At prejudging, I felt like I finally arrived. My husband and my client both came out to support me, and it felt like I was meant to be there. Everyone was incredibly nice, helpful, and nobody was as carb depleted as I thought.

I did notice most of the girls in the bikini division all had their coaches with them or some sort of team. I'll be honest, I didn't have either. But what I did have, was the same desire and drive to be there. My team was a family that I built within my community of friends. My coach was my husband telling me that I am good enough, and have every right to there, even when I doubted myself.

Moving onto finals, I found myself chatting with most of the crowd while I was hanging out at the ProFight booth. It felt almost surreal, like a dream I was going to wake up from any minute. And it absolutely went by far too fast.

Once they had all the bikini girls onstage, I knew I wasn't going to get picked for even a top 10 spot. There was no way. I wasn't even looked at. How did I know? I stared at every judge in their face, and not one of them made eye contact. Either way, the feeling that I had up there being compared with some of the top bikini models in the nation, still made me feel pretty good.

I would do that experience again, as a matter fact I will continue to compete until I'm unable to compete any more.

A huge thank you, again, to NPC for putting on a great show at the USA's in Vegas; thank you to Muscle Contest for voting me to get to a national show; a massive thank you to ProFight for being a spectacular sponsor and supporting my journey; and I couldn't have done any of this without my supporting husband and my team of friends and family who continue to support my dreams.

Pulp Protein Muffins

So last year, Wil and I had both received a juicer for a wedding gift. When we put it to use, we literally put everything inside of it. But as we got on our juicing kick, we noticed that we we're throwing away the most important part of the vegetables and fruit.

I decided to get creative and look for how to use the pump left over. I also wanted to try to recycle what was leaving my trash filthy and full.

I found a great website to make pulp muffins. Since I had no flax meal though, I would either replace it with glutamine powder, or protein powder. I would have to add a bit more mellow to get a better texture, but regardless it came out perfect.

Just some sound advice: if there's only two people living in the household, it may be a lot of muffins. They also spoil pretty fast because you're using very raw ingredients. So after you make them, make sure to throw them in the refrigerator.


Recipe taken from Never The Homemaker

JUICE PULP BREAD/MUFFINS
(makes 2 loaves or 24 muffins -- use any pulp)

What you'll need . . . 

• 3 cups white-whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup flax meal 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 
• Heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon (or other spice)
• 2 cups (fluffed, not packed)fruit/veggie pulp 
• 1/2 cup olive or canola oil 
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk, even water)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup maple syrup (depending on sweetness desired)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
  

Method . . . 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. If you've baking bread, lightly grease your bread pans; muffins grease muffin tins.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, flax meal, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon together. Then mix in the pulp and follow with the oil, almond milk, and maple syrup. 
3. Mix until just combined. Batter should be like normal quick bread or muffin batter, so if it is too thick, add more liquid -- milk.
4. Then divide into half for bread or portion out into individual muffin tins. 
5. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes for bread or 20 to 25 minutes for standard muffins.
6. Repeat with rest of batter -- bread is done when set in middle and lightly golden brown. 
7. Let cool before serving or storing in your refrigerator (or freezing!).

Recipe taken from Never The Homemaker

Strength in Mentors

What became a great day of reflection, came from a day which I was swamped with work, phone calls, clients, and attempting to get in my own training. Although, I was increasingly exhausted, I finally got down to writing this blog.

I had no idea what to write about but it finally hit me.

I was filled with the ambition to work for my client’s success in their fitness journey. One client whom is 61 years old, had a struggle with a basic sit up, is now increasing his strength tremendously. Another, future figure competitor has just sent me her posing photos. I also got offered a tremendous opportunity to help someone with their 100lb weight loss challenge.

With as much time that I have dedicated to my clients and my training, I knew I had to continuously stay vigilant for all of those who have helped me on my road of success and who have kept my head afloat above water. My mentors have been my strength, and have given me strength.

Most recently, Stacey Naito has taken the time to mentally prep me for competing at the national level show. Not only has she told me what to expect, but pointed me to her blog about how to meal prep for traveling.

Ian Lauer, Stacey Naito, and I at West Coast Classic 2015,

Xavius Gayden, has spent many days on the phone with me talking about the lifting process and what is the best way to maintain gains and get them. I had the pleasure of meeting with him for a training session, in which I would watch him like a hawk on his lifts to see if there was a magic spell. There wasn’t he just eats and lifts…

Michael Orr, who was in my pre-mature lifting days, shared with me his secrets on gaining some pretty hammies and reminding me of what keeps him humble in a selfish sport. His support at a particular show, impressed me on how dedicated he was being a friend and a mentor and expected nothing.

 

Victor Konovolov was the very first professional body builder I was able to have as a mentor. If you do not know Victor, I would like to be the many to say, that man does not have a selfish bone in his body, not even a selfish muscle. He gave his free time with me to work with me on my posing routine, help me focus in on my eating, and always was the first to challenge me in my lifts. “Evina, you can go heavier.” I have never really went heavy, but for some reason, the look he would give me showed me that I could do anything.

James Patrick, a fitness photographer, who I have known for 10 years (and counting). We both started off in more of a fashion/glamor realm of the industry. When I started my career in fitness, he was the main person I would consult with about how I would brand myself. Although I have yet to find what I am good at, he always made sure to let me know that giving up was never an option. The failure was the best part of success.

 

The countless hours my husband would spend with me making sure my nails were done (yes, he did them) for a show along with helping me prep my food. Sometimes, him just showing up was good enough because I was too frantic to worry about anything else, but he made sure whatever I needed got done. My dad, step-mother, and brother would spend all day at a show just to watch me take 5^th place. Although I was discouraged, it was a first place win to them. My mom would make countless calories for me to eat when I would go visit because I needed to keep my gains. She thought I was too thin anyway.

Along the road to what I have become and turning into, I have encountered some pretty amazing mentors. Mentors, which not only are those I look up to, but people I seek active advice from who have very similar morals and ethics. These mentors and I have not only built a connection, but a relationship beyond any business can falter.  Of course, there are MANY mentors where this list is coming from, and to be fair, I would not want to bore.

On a day like today, where I may be exhausted and have a full plate, I have to remember, that I am my clients mentor and friend. I cannot give up on myself, because my mentors never did. What was passed on to me, is passed on to them.

Underwater Modeling

Photo Credit: Joe Stemmer

At times, some jobs I get for modeling can be either very easy to extremely demanding. Depending on the job, it can easy or difficult depending on the models personal skill set.

Joe Stemmer is a photographer based in Palm Desert, CA who had asked me to do an underwater shoot with him. I immediately said yes, and figured it would have been easy for me, since I felt I was in top shape and felt strong enough to not only do a shoot under water, but to do a shoot under water with Andrew MacLaine gowns on. Little did I know the demands were more than expected.

As I put on the flowing red gown, my first thought was, “this is going to have such a nice flow!” But once I went in the water, I felt and looked like a drowning long haired dog. Although, we were able to catch some great shots of the red flowing gown, I didn’t expect to almost die in the process. Anything for art.

Photo Credit: Joe Stemmer

As we started to get through some of the other outfits, my old high school swimming days started to kick in. I started to channel how I felt during practices putting on layers of nylons and 3 different bathing suits in order to make me a faster swimmer. I was always a natural athlete and I always challenged my body to incredible lengths to get the solutions I desired. With that said, once I started to channel that moment during our photo shoot under the water, my natural mermaid intentions kicked in and it got easier as the day went on.

“What if the water is cold?”

Photo Credit: Joe Stemmer

HA! This reminds me of the day Joe, Lauren (HT Sister), and I decided to shoot in Northridge on a chilly day in February. The pool was freezing and Lauren and I could maybe get one outfit out of the shoot, We felt our bodies being tortured in the cold pool and decided we had enough. Joe was a sport about it.

My suggestion to models considering to shoot under water shots would be to learn your environment before the actual shoot day. Practice at home or even practice holding your breath (without the squish face). I would also suggest start prepping for most pool temperatures and bring a towel, you never know when you’re gonna get cold.  

What Seperates You?



Photo from Huff Post 



              At the Wella Hair Studios, I had the chance to step in front of the casting director and let her know I was able and willing to work as their model for an instructional video. Sitting patiently inside the audition waiting room reading up on the historical back ground of Wella, I would glance at the reflection of the glass case looking at my competition. They were all blonde and I was keeping my fingers that it would stay that way. Sure enough a wave of other brunettes came in and crushed my chances of being the one model they chose.

                As we all prepared to line up (as you would line up cows to be slaughtered for their best and worst parts), slight elbows were given as an indication to move out of each other’s way. At one point there was a silent stare down between two models (if looks could kills, there girls would have bled all over the floor).

                Once we lined up, in the matter of seconds the casting director picked one of us for the shoot (not me) and sent the rest of the 50 girls on their way. Some stomped away and the rest silently put their head down in disgrace as if they missed winning the decathlon by one point. I did something different. I walked out without taking it personal. What I am going to do is send a lovely thank you card to the casting director thanking them for their time and considerations.

                I don’t need to act like a diva, nor do I need to feel that rejection is something I deserve. “No” is just part of the industry. If girls keep pouting and whining, what make you think anyone wants to work with you? As models and professionals in anything, who are you to always be chosen? And if you haven’t been chosen, maybe it’s time to change your perspective and do something different. Many times I have taken the time to do follow up emails, and touch base. When I am at an event, I will make time to attempt to remember their name (internet is a wonderful thing) and make sure they remember mine. Go out of your way to be nice, trust me, it’s a lot more memorable.