Last week, I had the absolute pleasure to be one of the guests of the premiere online show, "THE GUEST LIST", hosted by one of my favorite girls and make-up artist, Lani Cortes. On the all-female panel of guests included self-starters from the Bay Area. San Jose, to be exact. The lovely women of Lotus Premium Denim who are the masterminds of creating the PERFECT jean to fit any body type and specifically with girls "like me" in mind (under 5'4"). During my interview segment, I got a chance to meet Nicki Sun, an amazing hostess with the mostest who has had the opportunity to interview Bay Area 'legends' like Martin Yan of "Yan Can Cook" and current sensation, Jeremy Lin.
GROUP SHOT: The women of Lotus Premium Denim, hostess of 'The Guest List' -Lani Cortes, "One Woman Show"- Nicki Sun and resident DJ - Thuy Vu
During our Q&A session.
I love being a part of something during its infancy stages. You get to watch it grow and become something bigger and better with time. But to be able to say, "I was there when they first started.." to me, means so much more. I had a chance to be around other strong, ambitious and goal-oriented women who don't just conform to the status quo. Its about emerging and breaking through the barriers of complacency. And I left that stage feeling even more inspired and MO'tivated to not just keep doing what I'm doing, but doing it MO'better. :)
Check out our candid interview..
And then... we lost internet connection and so here's PART 2 and the conclusion of our interview. I still can't believe they put me on the spot and got me to act a fool and sing "Butse Kik" a comedy song by Yoyoy Villame.
Just a few weeks ago, I was given a wonderful opportunity to be a guest on a local community TV show called, High Five Fitness. Initially, I was scheduled to be a guest for approximately 8 minutes for a workout demonstration. Weeks leading closer to the show, my 8 minutes increased to 15 minutes. From 15 to 28 minutes and 30 seconds. To say the least, I had the ENTIRE show to myself! Of course, I was going to take advantage of it afterall, this was my one step CLOSER to being the next Richard Simmons :)
We filmed the entire show in one straight shot. NO editing. NO outtakes. And I must say, I'm truly proud of the overall outcome. Sure, there were a couple of "bloopers" but that's what makes the episode fun. I want the viewer to feel the vibe that is GO TEAM MO: we put in work, but yes we can be very goofy and I do have my 'airhead' moments. (i.e. confusing countries and their accents)
It was amazing experience that I am thankful to have shared with my GO TEAM MO family. A year ago, they would've never believed me if I told them that they'd be "fitness models" or that they would be on a Fitness TV Show demonstrating exercises. But here weare and WE DID IT!
Group shot at the Go Team Mo studio before heading to TV station
Group shot with High Five Fitness host: Denet Lewis
"Hanging loose" with Denet
The lenses behind the scenes: Photographer - Jric Reyes &
Cinematographer/Photographer - Mark J Sebastian
Super Legs demonstrated by Vince & Dana Ancheta
SPECIAL THANKS to my clients/GO TEAM MO Family who were also my fitness models for the day:
-Rosemarie & Matt Torio
-Dana & Vince Ancheta
-JP Nebres & Michelle Mendoza
-Maria Santos & Ronald Paranada
-Annie & Brian Conrad
BEHIND THE SCENES:
Workout Music produced by Paolo DJ CUTSO Bello of the Bangerz Joysco Studio - James Mak: High Five Fitness Logo Design
Cinematography: Mark J Sebastian
Photography: Jric Reyes
As promised, here is the entire Episode #2 of High Five Fitness featuring GO TEAM MO, hosted by Denet Lewis
For those of you in the broadcast area (Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Menlo Park and Atherton), you can see the episode on television Comcast/U-Verse Channel 28 and 30!!!!
Airs On Channel Program - HIGH FIVE EPISODE 2
Thu, Feb 16th 12:30pm 28
Thu, Feb 16th 7:00pm 28
Fri, Feb 17th 8:00pm 30
Sun, Feb 19th 1:30pm 28
Mon, Feb 20th 10:30am 28
Mon, Feb 20th 11:30pm 30
Tue, Feb 21st 5:00pm 30
Wed, Feb 22nd 2:30pm 28
Thu, Feb 23rd 12:30pm 28
Thu, Feb 23rd 7:00pm 28
Fri, Feb 24th 8:00pm 30
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to be a guest on a new local fitness TV show called High Five. I was originally asked to appear on a short 8 minute segment, demonstrating several exercises that the average person, without a gym membership can do at home. As the weeks and days came closer to "showtime" my 8 minute segment slowly extended itself into a 28 minute 30 second segment!
Thankfully, since I'm being brought on as a guest who is PASSIONATE about the topic of leading a healthy & fit lifestyle.. filling airtime with 20 MO'minutes wasn't a problem for me. I won't front on the fact that I was giddy with excitement because I feel that this is just one step closer to fulfilling my personal dream of being the NEXT Richard Simmons.
Even though this show is to air on local Comcast stations in the Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos - CA area, I viewed this opportunity as inspire & MOtivate others who I don't come in direct contact with, like my clients. My hope is to channel whatever energy I give my clients in person, through the airwaves and reach into the homes of whomever would watch it. Today, Go Team Mo is local.. but tomorrow, we will be global. :)
Once the video is uploaded on YouTube I'll be sharing it here. I am thankful for the continuous support and positive energy.
Stay Blessed,
MO
Getting hair & make up done at my Go Team Mo studio. MUA: Lani Cortes
On the set at: Media Center - Palo Alto, CA (photo: Mark Sebastian)
My GO TEAM MO clients/family who did excellent during the exercise demos.
Along with host of High Five Fitness: Denet Lewis
I read an article last week, shared by a good friend who is a DJ.
It was written for artists and musicians, but I could totally relate and was inspired to write.
The jist of the article was to encourage artists and musicians to know their worth and although they are passionate and LOVE what they do. Talented musicians and DJs are what make an event a memorable one. The right music, the right vibe results in a good time for everyone. It's what defines people from waiting in line for over an hour, just to get inside the venue. Simply put: it's because the service provided is all WORTH it.
I absolutely LOVE what I do: Helping guide people into living a healthier, balance lifestyle. The fact that it doesn't feel like "work", almost makes me feel guilty for charging people. But a promise I made to myself when I took the leap from working the stable 9-5 to working for myself is that I WILL NOT discount my worth. Sure I'll cut a break for my loyal clients, but I refuse to "groupon" myself. I've paid my dues from my days of competing in 2003-2008 and everything I've experienced and learned and I'm STILL paying dues.
This applies not just on a professional, but personal-level too. Know that not giving yourself enough credit or placing high value on yourself, allows others to do the same. There's nothing wrong with knowing your worth. Bottom line is, if you don't give yourself enough credit, no one else will either.
For as long as I can remember, I've always felt a need to constantly be productive. For the last 3 years, I've been waking up at 5am, Monday through Saturday and Sundays at 7am. To me "sleeping in" would be waking up at 730am. This past Christmas I was given a gift of RELAXATION. Not just a certificate to a full body massage, but an entire weekend in Wine Country at the sleepy town of Sonoma. This past weekend, I finally had the chance to redeem this gift. To say the least it was one of the most relaxing and recharging weekend I had in a very, long time.
I turned off my phone, took off my watch and only looked at the clock when it was time to check-in at the spa. NO texts, NO emails. The only agenda was to relax. After my massage, I was so relaxed I cancelled dinner reservations and ate dinner in my bathrobe instead. Ahhhh.. nothing beats the feeling of eating a juicy steak dinner with a glass of wine, then rolling over to fall asleep due to the "itis". Hahahaha
This is obviously something I don't do on a regular basis, but I almost had to keep reminding myself that I needed to relax and deserved to just be lazy. I actually slept in and woke up just an hour before check-out, 11am. And I won't lie, it felt so good to wake up when I was done sleeping. My body definitely thanked me for taking those days off to recharge. I felt more energized and uplifted coming back home. More excited starting a brand new season of boot camps and welcoming new students to my Go Team Mo family.
I guess in some kind of way, I was being productive by NOT doing anything. I realized that mini-vacations like this are necessary, not just for the body, but for the mind and spirit as well. I am thankful for the thoughtful gift that actually forced me to relax, but now that I've experienced it I plan to make time TO make time for myself. Without any apologies or reason for explanation, for all of us who work tirelessly, "You Deserve A Break."
The 4-0-8, The ZAE, "San Jo.... You Know", The South Bay.... However you refer to San Jose, California - the city where I grew up in, was raised in and LIVE in was just voted:
As a fitness professional who trains, works and represents San Jose this truly makes me proud. I currently train 50 clients, through my boot camps and private one on one's. I've done my best to help guide my clients with the foundation of mindful eating choices, setting goals & achieving them while STILL maintaining a balanced lifestyle that isn't reliant on just training and dieting.
And with each client, they too have inspired and MO'tivated those around them to adopt a healthier lifestyle as well. Every little bit helps: no more visits to the drive-thru window, quitting smoking/drinking, registering for a local race (and actually training for it) choosing to walk/run to your destination instead of driving.. whatever it may be, there's always room for change.
We ALL have the ability to inspire and MO'tivate others not by "talking" it, but simply DOING it. I'd like to believe in my own little world, through my guidance they have all paid it forward and shared what they've learned from me, with others. And from those 50 under my care, the numbers could have possibly tripled or even quadrupled!
As most of us are on a "be healthier" kick for the New Year, my wish is that you maintain that same enthusiasm & excitement throughout the year. Living a healthier lifestyle goes well beyond aesthetics. Find your MO'tivation to stay healthy because you want to live a life of quality and be around to live longer for your kids, your parents and all your loved ones. I'd love for San Jose to be #1 city again next year, but if another city wins the title.. at least we know as a country we're getting healthier.
With the start of the New Year, many of us have created resolutions, in hopes of a better life. Many of us have chosen to cut out bad habits and replace with good ones. Some are cutting out drinking or smoking...but what if the toxicity in your life are PEOPLE? I try to live my life in a positive manner. In fact, a few of my close friends would say I live in a bubble because I only choose to see the GOOD vs. the BAD in situations and in people. But the truth is, negative people are exhausting to be around and can drain your energy.
I recently read an article on "Dealing with Difficult People" and I just had to share it with those of you who have that irritating co-worker, the self-deficating friend or most common, the family member that seems like they walk around with boxing gloves on, on the defense, ready to fight. Of the 15 tips given, the following were the top 4 on my list. So the next time you react and allow their negative attitudes bring poison into you life, reflect on these tips BEFORE you let them get the best of you.
