Beachbody Talent Team 2014 Audition Camp

Received my photoshoot pictures today, and realized I never finished my blog post about this! So if you care to read a novel or just want a peek into my CRAFFL (crazy ridiculous amazing fun filled life), here it is!

BEFORE
When the application for the Beachbody Talent Team came out, I really did not know what I was doing. All I could think in my head was, "Wow, wouldn't it be CRAZY COOL (as Chalene says in her book PUSH which is how I now word all my goals/dreams/life ambitions) if I got to fly out to LA and try out." It wasn't a matter of  "Can I do this?" but instead, "How can I NOT do this?!" The worst that would happen is I would get a "Thanks, but no thanks" email from Beachbody, but I would be able to say I at least tried.

I dragged my dear friend, Paulina, to the gym at 6am on a Friday morning to help me video tape probably THE cheesiest audition tape to be submitted. I definitely did not look the role of a video star with my slick back messy bun that kept falling out and mascara-less face. Paulina was a trooper, giving me tips and retakes after my hair falling out or bursting out in laughter. She even helped my not so technology-savvy self by putting the video together and uploading it to YouTube. (THANK YOU PAULINA!!)

I submitted my application in October, and did not think much more about it until a cold Saturday in February. Walking upstairs in good ol Alpha Phi, I decided to check my email, and opened my inbox to find out I got the audition....say WHAAAT! Out of nearly 1,000 applicants, this little Indiana gal was chosen in the top 10% of only about 69 people who were asked to LA. My jaw dropped, I jumped, I screamed, I cried and got all emotional, and screamed some more. It was hard to wrap my head around at first, but the more emails that Robin sent, the more details that were released, the more real it became. I practiced by teaching the actual round, video taped myself practicing in the mirror, and reviewed the choreography over and over again. How I still enjoy the song 'Timber' is
beyond me.


DAY 1: SETTLING IN
Before I knew it, I was on a flight to Los Angeles, by myself, still thinking WHAT IS LIFE WHAT HOW AM I DOING THIS?! I arrived, met my roommate, and was lucky enough to tag along with her to Venice Beach. We bonded over fitness, life, and other Beachbody things. We took selfies, bought new shades, and ate some BOMB fish tacos at the same restaurant as in 'I Love You, Man." I then went back to the hotel to soak up some sun by the pool, and nap. I went with Krystal to watch some pro give spray tans, to soon be convinced to get a spray tan of my own (all the cool instructors were doing it!). We ate dinner, and practiced our routines even more. It felt great being able to give and receive feedback from someone who was ultimately competing for the same spot in this audition.

Casual Venice Beach frolicking on a Wednesday what?!

 

Famous 'I Love You Man' fish tacos... so good!

DAY 2: THE BIG DAY
I woke up on Thursday literally singing and dancing. We showered, and got ready while listening to some jams to pump us up. The opening sessions were so exciting, meeting those who work for corporate, and mingling with some of the most talented and dedicated instructors from around the country. I was star struck in my own sort of fitness dream, surrounded by those who I have watched for the past 2 years in Turbo and Insanity videos thinking "wow coolest job ever how do I get that?!" Everyone was just as real and down to earth as I had imagined. Oh, and just as fit as the videos HA!

We broke into our groups to practice before the moment of truth. With my turbo swag on , and E&E running through my veins I was ready to go! #turbomodeON We watched the group before us audition, but not sure if it really calmed my nerves. When it was our turn, we performed the section a few times with a group of 5 people. I channeled my inner cheerleader, smiling til my cheeks hurt, and bringing sass to the judges. The hardest part was keeping eye contact with this camera the entire time, while staying within the tape, while focusing on form and technique, with GIANT range of motion,
while trying not to smile like I was in pain because I was smiling too hard, while making sure my smile didn't turn into a gopher lip, and using my right lead which was really my left leg, trying not to kick my neighbor and yeah aka everything. These experts in the DVDs make it look WAY easier than it is!

Before I knew it, the audition was over. I didn't know what to do with myself, as I was sooo full of adrenaline and on a Turbo Kick high!! It was just THE coolest experience I could not even put it into words. I was probably about as happy as I was when I was paddle boarding with my mates in the Great Barrier Reef. Just one of those indescribable feelings where you just can't believe you are living  your dream, just pure happiness and awe, completely content with your life in that moment. I felt so ALIVE and just wish I could have bottled up that feeling in a jar, it was unreal.

 

Cat, myself, Michelle, and Lauren (Chalene's fab assistant with Team Johnson) posing right after we auditioned

I got to mingle more, gaining some insight to the lives of fitness professionals, like Arnoldo, who teaches 22 classes per week!!!! I will think of him every time I think I am tired after I teach back to back. It is crazy how I instantly felt close and bonded to these people who I had just met. After lunch and a little break, it was time for photo shoots! It was fun to have a little paparazzi action with some serious and action shots...even a little hair flip!

*Attempting* to be a model

My mug shot and action shot...like what do you do when a photographer tells you to do something fun?! # awkward

"Skinny arm?! That should work right...?!"

Lunch break selfie with Arnoldo!

I spent the rest of the day catching up on emails and doing homework by the pool. That's what you get when you try to pretend like you are a celeb for the week while in college, but by the pool in my favorite city so couldn't complain! I was still on an adrenaline rush (still am, considering I've been in bed for an hour and have to be up in 6 hours to teach EEK!), so I decided to explore the gym and did a total body strength workout. I was fortunate enough to meet up with Craig's sisters for a lovely night out in Santa Monica before hitting the hay for the next day!

DAY 3: TRAININGS & TALKS
Friday, we had breakfast followed by media training and presentations from the fabulous Tony Horton and my fav, Chalene Johnson. Tony was absolutely hilarious and gave some great tips that were applicable to all aspects of life. Chalene spoke how being in an instructor video is one of the hardest things you will ever do. She also told us that regardless of what that email says, we are granted with an OPPORTUNITY. Both talks will receive their own blog post because they were full of so many golden nuggets of information. Some people received call backs to audition again in front of Chalene (this was neither good nor bad, so people did not really know what to think)! We took a group picture and before I knew it, the morning was done.

I spent the rest of the day at Manhattan Beach with new fit friends Mandy and Megan. We talked about our experience, shared stories, shopped, and ate some much needed gelato. It was hard to relax as we had to wait over a week to find out our results. I headed to the airport, and in what seemed like the blink of an eye, I was back in Fort Wayne.

TAKEAWAY!!!
"Do scary things that don't kill you." People may say it's my generation, filled with big ideas, and crazy thoughts, but at the end of the day, what you tell yourself becomes your reality. There is nothing that separates you from those in the top of your industry. If someone else has done it, so can you! I have to borrow Chalene's feelings when I say this, but it is because she has become my greatest mentor for not only business, fitness, but LIFE, and my life is just getting started! I believe in waking up with butterflies on a regular basis. Life should be EXCITING. Walk to the edge of that cliff, and just JUMP. I promise you, whatever it is that seems so freakin crazy cool but ridiculous at the same time will not kill you. While I didn't get the role, I gained an opportunity to become better. Chalene herself auditioned for hundreds of things she didn't get, and look at her now! I do not believe in failure, but instead the opportunity to grow, learn, and improve. I know what to work on, and you better believe I will be back for the 2015 auditions!! :)

5 Reasons Why Personal Training is OUT & Small Group Training is IN!

Yesterday, I took a survey for American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) regarding what is HOT and NOT as far as fitness trends for 2014-2015. I have read articles and witnessed first hand that small group training is the next big thing! Here's why...

[before you read you might want to know...]
---> What's the difference? Personal training is one on one, one client to one trainer. Very individualized based on the individuals goals/wants/needs. Small group training is usually a group of ten or less people all being trained by one individual, working towards a common goal. 

1. MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! Personal training can be expensive, ranging anywhere from $20/session to $60-75/hour depending where you go. As a trainer, would I rather charge $50 for one hour with one client, or $20 for an hour with 6 clients? It is a win win for both the trainer and client from a financial stand point. If you are a fellow college student (even if you aren't) I'm sure you feel me when I say I'm tryin to be ballin on a budget! So much more affordable, while still retaining a high quality of training.

2. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS! Think of small group training like a stepping stone between personal training and group fitness. It is the best of both worlds, aka my FAVORITE! I am both a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, and often get asked which I like better, but they do not even compare! I love working one on one with a client, getting to connect with them and develop a relationship, but there's something about the energy that comes from a group atmosphere that you just can't explain. As a trainer, I get to know every single person in my class (name, goals, favorite color, personality), AND I get to yell like a mad woman and bounce around the room like in my Turbo classes! As a client, you are still getting personal attention on proper form and technique, but you benefit from the energy and happy sweaty vibes that come from a group setting.

3. FRIENDLY (?) COMPETITION - I don't know about you, but I'm sorry if you hop on the treadmill next to me, we are in the Hunger Games: Cardio Version whether you know it or not! I wish I were kidding, but seriously who doesn't love a little friendly competition?! If we are both next to each other holding a plank in my head I am like "there's no way I'm dropping down first!" There's just something about having someone next to you that pushes you to work harder whether you know it or not. It keeps things fresh and FUN!

4. LESS INTIMIDATING - I think it is a BIG deal to take that step and commit to a personal trainer. You basically have to swallow your pride and go to a complete stranger to say hi, this is where I am at, this is where I want to be, and I need HELP. It's not easy! As humans, we want to do it all on our own, we think we know it all and if we don't you better believe we can figure it out on our own. It is not just a physical investment, but you must invest mentally, emotionally, and financially to your health and fitness journey. With all this being said, it is a heck of a lot easier when you have one or more friends by your side! It's not so scary when you know you are not alone :) (although a good trainer should make you feel comfortable and confident regardless of the situation!)

5.  ACCOUNTABILITY & PEER SUPPORT - it's easy to snooze your alarm when you would rather just sleep an extra hour, but you know Kettlebell Katie and Burpee Bob (other members in your small group of course) will not let you hear the end of it if you skip class!! You have others to turn to as you bond over the burn of holding a 3 minute wall sit or doing what feels like never ending burpees. You can motivate each other, high five, grunt, whatever. Unlike a large group fitness class, you are likely to get to know others in your group and develop HEALTHY & POSTITIVE relationships as you strive to reach your fitness goals. It's like a cute little fit family!





http://www.acefitness.org/blog/2395/small-group-training-the-future-of-the-workout

http://ensemblefitness.com/2012/01/22/top-10-benefits-of-small-group-training/

5 Steps to Becoming a Supplement SUPERSTAR!

SO often people tell me about the latest and greatest supplement they are taking or the best new energy drink they are consuming, and it got me to thinking...the majority of people do not even know exactly WHY they are taking something, let alone WHAT it is! 9 times out of 10 people are taking a supplement because they had a friend who took it, their favorite celeb is drinking it, or they found it in a magazine.

I decided to create 5 Simple Step to Becoming a Supplement SUPERSTAR! Follow these to save you time, SSS, and your HEALTH!

1. WHAT'S YOUR GOAL? Are you looking to bulk up, lean out, or maybe you just want silkier hair and stronger nails? Increase your calcium consumption, but you hate milk? Whatever it is, identify your main goal or reasoning for wanting/needing a supplement. Does the supplement claims match up with what you are looking to achieve? For example, I'm looking for something that is quick and easy to take before my workouts to give me more energy without feeling jittery.

2. SCAN THE SUPPLEMENT FACTS LABEL - Do you know what each of these ingredients are and/or how much is safe? Identify which ingredients are questionable or seem too good to be true. Example: When looking at the supplements facts for E&E, it contains 200 mcg of Vitamin B12 (333% of the % Daily Value). At first glance, I thought WOAH! So much B12!! How much is too much? What if I am already consuming a large amount of B12 in my diet? If you do not know what an ingredient is, LOOK IT UP! According to NIH.gov (http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/), those over the age of 14 years old only need 2.4 mcg of B12! However, while it may interact with some medications, no upper limit has been set because there is no evidence that excess consumption of B12 produces adverse side effects.

3. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! After you have scanned the label, pull out your iPhone or tablet and get to work! Use credible resources to look up the ingredients/vitamins/minerals you do not know about. I hate to burst your bubble, but you are not going to get the best advice from bodybuilding.com or bloggers who claim you can loose 15 lbs by Friday. Websites ending in -.gov or -.org are going to be more reliable than -.com sites in general. My favorite website is National Institute of Health which provides a list of supplements and all sorts of info including what it is claimed to do vs. what there is actually scientific evidence for.

4. CAN YOU GET IT FROM FOOD FIRST? So maybe you hate milk, but you could possibly still be obtaining enough calcium from other areas of your diet such as cheese or yogurt. A supplement should be a SUPPLEMENT to your diet, NOT a replacement! Usually, nutrients are better absorbed through food form anyways vs. a pill or powder. Some individuals may have deficiencies due to their diet or other genetic factors, in which case a dietitian may recommend a supplement. Example, yes, I can get the same effects of a preworkout from a cup of coffee, but sometimes I am in a rush in the morning before workouts, literally ROLL out of bed and to the gym! In this case, I personally can benefit from a powder form mixed-in-water pick-me-up.

5. COMPARE BRANDS - To save you money, compare brands! We will stick with the calcium example...calcium is calcium, so why not get the generic target brand calcium chews to save some money compared to the fancy girly pink skinny girl calcium chews? Why splurge on an expensive post workout shake when chocolate milk delivers the perfect protein to carbohydrate ratio (true fact!) ?! HOWEVER, do not just assume all supplements are the same, especially with BLENDS! For example, one preworkout may contain 10 mg of caffeine, while another may contain 100 mg of caffeine. BIG difference which could have a BIG impact on your health depending what it is.

*Always consult your doctor before taking any new supplement!

 SAFETY FIRST! :)

BONUS TIPS

• Do your research. This could end up saving you BIG money by just taking a few minutes to compare brands, or figure out if you even need a supplement (ex: not getting enough in your diet). More importantly, it could interfere with other medications you are taking, and cause serious complications. Always consult your doctor before taking anything!
• Look for third party certification. These are non-biased, outside companies, who conduct research and give their stamp of approval. Companies usually have to pay to get this seal of approval, so it may not be on all supplements, but it is a good thing to look out for. NSF and Consumer Lab are some examples.
• Use credible sources. Websites like NIH.gov (National Institute of Health) and Consumer Lab are great places to start.  NIH lists many supplements with information on each. Consumer Lab does AWESOME reviews on all things we use as consumers. Here you can find reliable studies on different supplements, energy drinks, protein drinks, and more. It does require a subscription to full access, or you can pay to look at just one review in particular.
• E&E works for me! It is easy to digest and quicker to drink (especially for my early morning workouts) compared to drinking a cup of coffee. It gives me that extra OOMPH to get me through higher intensity workouts like Insanity, Turbo, or even PiYo, and definitely longer distance runs. You probably won't see me drinking this before restorative yoga or anything where I need to relax! It's reasonably priced (especially with my Beachbody coach discount) for this super senior ballin on a budget.
•  Click here to order your own! --> then go to shop, nutrition, E&E