Winter Sunscreen

Not only is winter a time a pleasant moment to create new memories, but also a time where our skin has a ruff beating.

I hear more complaints about people's skin during the winter than I do during the summer. Living in southern California has its perks of being sunny and beautiful about 90% of the year. Santa Ana winds, however, have the tendency to dry out our skin and destroy its elasticity.

You can Google everything under the sun to find out what the perfect product is to keep your skin moist and fresh, but I have a little secret.

Sunscreen.

Yes, that stuff you only use during the summertime... sunscreen.

Being a seasoned former Miss Hawaiian Tropic, I found out how important it was to use sunscreen all year long. I used to almost never wear sunscreen during the winter, thinking my skin was fine with plain moisturizer. However, since I have been using sunblock during the winter, there has been a noticeable difference in how my skin feels.

The UVB and UVA rays may not be as strong during the winter, but the combination of both the UV rays, chill, and wind will create as much damage as the UV rays at their strongest.

If your of my generation and remember the sunscreen song, I suggest you listen... he was right.

Be the better you.

Most of the time I always seem to conversate with those around me about what our accomplishments and goals may have been. Seemingly enough, I run into a brick wall when the question arises, "what has been your major accomplishments and goals?" Not that I have nothing to vouch for, but mostly because I have a hard time boasting about my identity and how good I am about my job. I'm a complete extravert by nature, yet allowing my ego to drive me to talk about how important I am I always steer to the discuss what my future accomplishments will be.

For example:

1. I would like to graduate CSUN with a 3.0 or higher: Since I was a complete jerk in my first attempt at college at College of the Desert, I aim to be the complete opposite of that.

 

2. Involve myself more in the campus culture: I'm am in two different clubs on campus with kids younger than I, and I do the absolute grunt work just to show I am ready to work. I don't want to miss out on what I have already missed out on before.

Kinesiology Majors Club at CSUN

3. Reach out to models about body image: Every model (including myself) has gone through a form of body image issues or eating disorders and feel that it is almost necessary to keep that image up.

4. Write: Ok, so... I don't have the best grammar. I am not a journalist, nor did I go to school for it. However, my writing abilities have achieved a better comprehension level then where I was before. Now that I maintain those capabilities, I want to share with the world my experience with modeling and how to become successful.

5. I want children: Oh, so girly of me. But, it is my decision to make it a goal. Why? It's hard teaching the value of life to our youth today about how important it is to use imagination rather to discover one on the internet.

6. Keep in contact with my friends: With the advancement of technology, we feel we no longer have the obligation to call each other when its as easy as posting a disconnected "happy birthday" on someone's wall. Or even text message them to keep them up to date in our life. Whatever happened to, "hey, want to do lunch?", or even a simple phone call to let them know we were thinking about them?



Girlfriends of Hawaiian Tropic

7. Grace a COVER of a magazine: not because of my ravishing good looks (note the sarcasm), really because I want to share my story of overcoming my fears and what I did to get there. There still is an ample amount I do hold back.

8. Be the person my dog sees me as: You may have heard this from your social media feeds, and it holds true. When my dog greets me after I have had a long day at work or school, she does it in the most loving way possible. She wags her little tail and licks my face till I break out. She snuggles in between my armpit and my rib cage never wanting her to let her go. As I sometimes see it, she is a dog. Yet in her eyes, I am the perfect companion.

Tiny, my little dog.

9. Disengage in technology: WE are ALL guilty of this. I will skim for hours wondering what everyone is doing, or as some call it "trolling". In the end, I find myself missing an hour of my life with my fiancé, or making a phone call to a close friend.

10. Don't take myself so seriously: I find myself in moments where if something doesn't go my way or if I didn't nail a gig, I will blame it on me. Here is the thing, so many situations happen for a reason. If it wasn't supposed to happen, that's because another opportunity was waiting for me.

These may seem like the type of goals in which many will have the reaction like, "yea... so what?". With my experience in life, it is not about who you were but who your striving to be.

CNP Performance-Be the better you!



New Brand Labels Coming soon!

          As a fitness model, I get stopped often and asked about the types of workouts I do, what my diet is like, and especially what kind of products I use. Most people would consider me of a bias opinion when I mention my sponsor, CNP Performance. Well… duh, they are my sponsor, so of course I am going to mention them first. But also, it works for my body in combination of my workouts and eating regimen. This interview isn’t about me, but about the quality and history of CNP Performance is what I want to share with you.

Courtesy of James Patrick Photography

            I could remember 2 ½ years ago, walking in to the CNP office praying I got some sort of recognition from them to be worthy enough to get sponsored. After about a year of selling their product out of my car, they finally found me worthy enough to be considered a fully sponsored athlete. CNP has held their standards of their products high and valuable. Being that it is a family business too, they themselves maintain a level of dignity, morals, and loyalty.

            I will testify, their products (along with a proper eating regimen and working-out!) have made me the beast that I am today. During a workout, I use a combination of ProGF (no caffeine) and ProSlams (no caffeine) both loaded with BetaAlanine and peptide bonded glutamine. For my post-workout, I’m usually having a MBF (Mass BuildingFormula, ProPeptide) mixed with water. Then at night I always have a little treat with the protein pudding, ProDessert. I do feel significantly better and stronger when I train. I know with CNP (Certified Nutritional Products) I am getting a high quality protein with a high absorption rate.

I interviewed James, President of CNP. He will detail properties below.

1. Hi James! To start off, can you introduce yourself and talk about the position you hold with CNP Performance? My names is James Ernster, President of CNPPerformance Sports Nutrition.  I have worked for CNP in some way, shape, or form since its conception in 1998.

2. What is the history behind CNP Performance?

The history of CNP started in 1998 with an idea of how we can make a better protein than what was out there at the time.  My grandfather, John Ernster and Phil Connolly developed the ProPeptide to be produced for the best of the best atheletes out there.  Propeptide was way ahead of the game then and still is today with its blended formula.  CNP was originally Dorian Yates Approved which after 5 years was changed to CNP Professional after Dorian wanted to do his own thing in the fitness and supplement industry.  From there we were CNP Professional, up in tell a year ago when we changed are name to CNP Performance along with a label change and logo change.    

3. What about CNP Performance that sets apart from any other supplement brand?
Our brand is all about performance and recovery.  CNP ProPeptide is a blended protein with whey protein, micellar casein, and egg protein to make our ProPeptide a true time release protein to stay anti-catabolic repairing muscle.  We have also added probiotics that have been bonded to the micellar casein to help protect the delicate probiotics in the stomach.  You cannot have a great protein without peptide bonded glutamine. Healthy from the inside out with this blend, we want you to not only look healthy, we want you to feel healthy.  Our formula has not changed other than changing the flavors to better the taste.  The blend of proteins has been the same and we do not plan on changing anything unless there is scientific data to back up the change.  

4. What would you recommend to the bodybuilder from CNP?
It would depend on where the bodybuilder is in his or her training, but to get size I would recommend the Propeptide Mass Building Formula with 42 grams of our special protein blend and 84 grams of carbohydrate, with only 1 gram of sugar. Also enhanced with probiotics and peptide bonded glutamine.  I would also recommend the Pro GF as a pre-workout and during, for an amino acid cocktail.  I would also have he or she take a pre-bedtime ProPeptide shake because of the time release protein you will have the nutrients there when you need it.  Between the two products I can guarantee results. 

5. What would you recommend to the athlete that does more full body workouts?
Full body workouts, like crossfit or a combination of cardio and weight lifting is hard on the body.  I would recommend the ProPeptide at least twice a day. Once right after the workout to start the repair process and one shake before he or she goes to bed to finish of the recovery. 

6. What would you recommend to the average person just trying to maintain or lose weight? I would recommend the ProPeptide and the Pro Dessert.  They both have a great blended protein with little carbohydrates. Most people do not get enough protein in their diet, so this is a easy and healthy way to get a high quality protein with added probiotics and peptide bonded glutamine. The healthier the body is the better your body can cope with everyday stresses.  Get health from the inside out. 

7. How do you utilize the product in your busy lifestyle?
I make sure to have at least two Propeptide shakes per day; one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  On training days, I add in the Pro GF as a pre or during a workout amino acid cocktail. If I change it up, it would be with beta alanine, mixed with either a ProSlam or the ProBeta Alanine. This will give me the extra push I need and it helps me keep my focus. 

8. What is the future for CNP Performance? The future for CNP is to continue to make high quality supplements.  We plan on bring out a couple new supplements so keep your eye out for see new great products.

9. Where can someone buy your products? You can find CNP Products in many different avenues from Nutrition shops to online stores like www.bodybuilding.com to our web site www.cnpperformance.com 

10. List all the social media sites you are on: 
 https://www.facebook.com/CNPPerformance
 http://instagram.com/cnpperformance
 https://twitter.com/CNPPerformance/
 www.cnpperformance.com 

Photographer Spotlight: Gunnar Nettleship

During a promotional gig out on Sunset Blvd, I ran in to a guy whom I feared would be your typical LA photographer wanting to do a “photo shoot” with me. But as our communication grew stronger and his personality became more compatible with mine, I soon realized that he was just a dude with a tremendously huge heart and passion for photography.

Our first encounter for a shoot was as pleasant and professional as I had hoped for. First, I had asked him if I could bring my boyfriend as an escort. He was more than happy that he joined as long as he wasn’t a distraction. Normally I wouldn’t have asked if it was a professional job, but because this was a new experience for both of us, I wanted to have a medium.

Second, he was extremely vocal about what he was looking for in a shoot. Which I find a great quality in photographers. It’s great to be spontaneous and lively, but direction can help flow the ideas between both the model and the photographer.

Third, he gave me direction. Photographers of today (especially young ones) need to understand that modeling isn’t that hard, but knowing what the photographer is looking for is a hidden art form unless the photographer can guide us in to posing, smiling, frowning, pouting, etc. Go ahead and laugh, but put me in front of a camera and don’t say anything… I’ll be making funny faces and fart jokes.

And last, he gave me the photos back at a reasonable time! A quality I REALLY look for in a photographer. There has been MANY photographers in my time of being a model who I have shot with and took over 6weeks to never upon getting the photos. From a professional perspective, as a model, I show up on time. A photographer should return the photos ON TIME.

Either way, here is Gunnar. Someone I would recommend being a client for.

 

1. History of Gunnar's Photography. When did you get the photo bug?

I got into photography pretty early on in life. I took a photo class in 10th grade, after having assisted for a professional photographer, that was a friend of my brothers. Over time, Eric, the photographer, and I became friends. I started helping him with personal projects and eventually he hired me to work as his assistant for paying work. He was a great mentor to me. He believed in me, when I didn’t. This really helped me thru the first few years of shooting and finding what it was that I wanted to shoot.

2. What has been your biggest obstacle in becoming a successful photographer?  

Simple answer to that is, finding new clients. I still fight it today. I went to a college that did not guide me in any real way. I will not mention them, but knowing what I know now, as an adult, for such a well know, accredited, college, I would have expected more from them. I can only hope that they are now guiding their students better than they did with me.

3. What has helped you in your continued success?  

Persistence is my best asset. I don’t ever give up on something that I really want. I know that I can give any client the images they want, so I just keep chasing the dream.

4. What qualities and characteristics do you look for in a model? 

Oh man! That is a tough one. Looks-wise that is going to very depending on the project, but as for the rest… It is not what I look for, so much as what I expect from a model. You and I, Evina, are professionals. We show up on time, and ready to do what the client wants us to do. I expect nothing less of ANY model I work with. So, I guess I look for people that are really ready to do this. Make it happen and give it 100% of their focus, because I do. 

5. Describe your experience with our last photo shoot (please be honest: good, bad, ugly): 

Evina, my dear, you are so wonderful to work with. I say that with all honesty. The good: You are on time, ready for anything I throw at you, and prepared to shoot in a timely manner. The Bad: There was no bad. There has never been a bad time with you. Maybe the first time I met your boyfriend. I don’t like boyfriends. They can often change the vibe of a shoot. Now with that said, I did not get a bad vibe from him, and he was super cool when we got to chat towards the end of the shoot. So, yeah, no bad.

6. Most embarrassing photography story... :)  (keep it PG)

Most embarrassing? OK. I have a PG story that I can tell. So I was in Hawaii shooting a wedding for a friend. She and her husband-to-be had rented a house on a peninsula. The view was amazing. After finishing their nuptials, I escorted them away from the guests and did some shots of them with the sunset behind them, then I let them go, but asked them to walk away from me holding hands. I proceeded to take shots of them, lit with this amazing sunset light, walking away from me. The whole time, I keep walking a bit further backwards to get more and more of the party in the image. Well, as my luck would have it, I stepped one step too far and fell off the edge of the property and into the ocean. Fortunately for me, I was able to toss my camera at my assistant (my wife), so that I was the only thing that got wet. That was really, really embarrassing. I had to borrow clothes from the groom to get my by for the majority of the evening. Thankfully my wife caught the camera, thus allowing me to continue shooting into the night…The End ;)

To book or contact Gunnar: http://www.gunnar.org/contact.html

 

 

Smart: The new Sexy - - - Model Approved

I have to be painfully honest…

Not too long ago, I asked a young woman what her goal was. She replied that she wanted to be “fit and hot” like me. Not only did I take a step back in shock, but I also remembered that it was not the first time I had heard someone tell me that was their goal in life.

Majoring in Sociology, I have learned a lot about how human interactions affect our decisions as a whole populace. I have seen demographics and cultures separate people because of their comfort zone and familiarity. I have studied the difference between men and women, specifically how both men and women react differently to situations.

In modeling, I have learned to do something similar. I have learned to adapt my look according to the casting call. I have been Caucasian, Brazilian, Latina, Spaniard, but never just myself, just Evina. I have dyed my hair blonde, gotten bigger boobs, and worked out endlessly at the gym over a period of years. I have learned to act like a Chicana with my Latin rooted family, but when I am around my boyfriend's family, I am no different than your pure bread Northridge Valley-Girl. As a model I have learned how to mimic my surroundings to be more approachable and accepted in either a current gig or future events. I probably wouldn’t know how to do that just being “fit and hot”… at least I wouldn’t still have a career in modeling if I lived off my looks alone - without understanding how to adapt.

I responded to this young teenager very simply, “From what I understand, being ‘fit and hot’ are temporary fixes to an inner problem. What about getting an education? I hear that being smart is the new Sexy. To be honest, when a woman’s looks fade, all she has is her brain.”

Check out, Joan Rivers… she has had more plastic surgery than would be thought possible, but she is a smart and witty character. And you know what, she still has a job.

Many people will argue that people like Bill Gates didn’t go to school. Yup, your right, that guy dropped out of college. BUT He was a supercalifragilisticexpialidociously genius. And that doesn’t give you the ok to miss out on some pretty rad experiences in college.

Quick Backstory:  My experience has been that I started my education late because I honestly I made the decision to be hot rather than finish my education. Now don’t get me wrong, my experience lead me to be where I am today, but if I had the chance to do it all over again I would have finished my schooling prior to my irrational teenage thinking.

Not sorry kids, but getting your education and reading a book is far hotter than taking half naked selfies saying you’re a model with your duck lips.

Rant Over.

 

Received my A.A. from Pierce College in 2012

 

"I was gonna call you but...'

There has been more than one time where I have heard this in the last week.

My best friend and his girlfriend, before they had their baby, had to go to the hospital to deliver. I only knew that because her Facebook posted how depressed she was being alone. I called him to see what was up and if there was anything I could do…

“I was gonna call you, but I forgot.”

Another incident happened when I had enough texting a friend and decided to call him. He picked up and said, “I was gonna call you last week! But I got caught up in family.” Finally we continued a conversation that needed to happen, because of big details that needed to be discussed.

Last one…

A photographer friend of mine and I have been discussing plans for a while, and finally we want to make it happen. When I called to talk shop, he answered, “I was gonna call you but,…” I don’t even remember the reason, but only realized that I had heard it 3 times in the last week.

Not to mention the countless family members that barely keep in touch, or I hear about family death through text message. Whatever happened to just calling someone and talking their ear off for 10-15 or even an hour?

We are all a suspect of it. The advancement of technology is giving us a reason to be too busy, or act as if we are. I have been that person too. However…

Let us make a pact together, and call each other when we think about each other. When you think of your loved one or friend, that thought is put there for a reason. Follow that thought and pick up the phone and just have a chat. Allow yourself to get caught up in someone else’s life and stop doing it via Facebook… CALL THEM and stop trolling on their page or Instagram.

Opportunities to either be a better friend, loved one, or even a better employee involves getting personal in each other’s space. Don’t be afraid to call and break down that wall of fear or procrastination.

Be a better friend, a better worker, a better you.

We Care Fitness: Performance by Wil

Wil Del Pizzo and Evina Luna

                As both Wil and I sit around pondering ideas for new business ventures, we are trying to figure out new and better ways to keep ourselves busy and also motivate others.

“We Care Fitness?”

And there it was. It was almost silly how quickly it natural it came. The combination of both our names showed who and what we are and how we work. We were looking for something that showed our passion and love for another human being. We Care… because we do.

Our motto: Performance by Discipline, Performance by Desire, Performance by Wil.

The mission statement says it all: We Care Fitness is the functional training program with a friendly competitive group atmosphere designed to help you live longer and feel better by pushing through the “No Quit” Zone.

Saturday mornings with We Care!

 

Who are we? Wil and I have been together a little over four years. Our business, We Care Fitness, is only about a year and a half old. Wil has an extensive background in the training field. He is labeled as a performance enhancement specialist, strength and conditioning coach, muay thai practitioner, and a CNP Performance sponsored trainer. He also specialized in athletic sports training. His goal with We Care Fitness is to help his clients reach their maximum potential without extreme fad dieting or excessive working out.  However, if the client is looking for something more extreme in a work out, he does have the versatility to help empower his clients to reach their ultimate goal. Recently Wil has also opened himself up to online coaching. Helping people all over reach their fitness goals. Everything from kettlebells, powerlifting, battleropes to crossfit style workouts designed to maximize and maintain results. Athletes and bikini competitors alike ask for his help to achieve the fitness goals that they are looking for. He is currently training for a marathon so in the future he can coach future endurance athletes.

 

As for my position, I clearly don’t have the qualifications to be a personal trainer, but I have been working out long enough to know what bad form looks like. I may not be a dietitian, but I know what foods to eat. I am a sponsored athlete with CNP Performance and offer supplements for our clients to try.  I occasionally make appearances to our Saturday boot camps to help in any way I can. I focus on our marketing and reach out to people who are interested in a lifestyle change. With a background as a fashion and commercial model I know and understand little insecurities which bother us in our daily appearances. With my back ground both in Hawaiian Tropic Pageants and NPC bikini competitor, I can assist Wil with his coaching those who desire to compete as well. I use my sociology degree to help people think outside of themselves and push through that wall of insecurity.

We Care fitness is available for private training, group training, and online coaching. For group training We Care meets at Chatsworth Park North every Saturdays at 8:30am-9:30am (summer hours) at $10 per person. The last Sunday of the month we will offer free group training for anyone interested.

 

For Private training or online coaching please contact Wil Del Pizzo at 818-445-5986 or email at trainerwil@live.com.