Philosophitness with Isamar Gonzalez

Meet Isamar Gonzalez - Dreamer, Artist, Instructor, Mama, Model, Leader. We met several years ago now on set for a crazy job. We were part of a cast of models and actors who were bounding around a mansion in New York creating a party story for the brand. It was quite a lively crew with lots of synergy. I remember Isamar standing out as the warm-hearted, hula hooping goddess captivating us all during our down time. Since then I still have a fantasy of becoming a hula hoop queen. That dream is still in progress.

In this interview, Isamar shares a glimpse into her life passions and her philosophy on health. I am particularly excited to feature her at this very moment in time because of the ways she is using her gifts to lift the world. I highly recommend following her on IG and watching her stories, as she is sharing her experiences exploring and creating dream catchers in the rain forests.

Make sure you watch this video of her doing thing! And enjoy her interview.

1. What is your philosophy around life and health?

Do what you love! I believe the fulfillment of your dreams has a direct effect on your health. My art and movement  rituals have allowed me to find my true authentic self and smove through my fears, pain, insecurities, which brought joy and new found passions. For me, art and movement is medicine. In the process we should be able to heal ourselves and find enlightenment.

2. Tell us the story of how you got into hula hooping. What sparked the formation of hula nation?

It wasn’t until I gave birth, to my now 14 year old daughter, that the hoop entered my life to help me stay tone and fit. All while becoming my healing companion through my postpartum depression. Little did I know it was going to become a portal for me to return to myself and see my visions clearer.  

I later became a certified HoopYogini™ Instructor (@hoopyogini_worldwide) integrating hula hooping, hatha yoga and meditation. I spent over 6 years facilitating events, teaching classes at various studios under the name Hula Nation. I spent time collaborating with different artists, creating pop-ups and events to raise money and awareness through art in the community. Everything I love under one platform, living and creating a lifestyle to share with others. ⠀

From then the circle became another way to express my passion. Weaving interactive dreamcatcher installations for schools to empower and uplift scholars. Later adding detachable jewelry and smudge feathers. Adorning them with found objects and gemstones from my travels. My goal became more focused: continue doing what I love, while aspiring to make a positive impact through my business.

3. What is your current formula for staying fit and strong?

 My formula has always been to take care of my mental health through activities that make me feel childlike. Hula hooping and roller skating are my go to. Hula hooping assists in toning the core and massaging the internal organs through the rotation of the hoop around the body. It lowers anxiety, improves mood, reduces stress and releases feel good hormones. It helps you focus on what you want to be, do and create. Roller Skating provides a complete aerobic workout and involves all of the body's muscles, especially the heart. 

4. What has been your biggest revelation during the current global situation?

The Wear Your Dreams campaign was born from my experience in Uganda and my mission to provide more communities, with the audacity of their dreams through art & movement workshops! Hula Nation’s mission was to help facilitate a creative, physical and therapeutic experience for rural communities in East Africa through hula hooping, and dreamcatcher creation. In my wanting to help create a sustainability project where they can eventually gain financially to support their families, I didn’t think about the extreme conditions they were living in.

My first thought was, how can I teach workshops when what these people really need first is proper shelter and clean running water. Witnessing the harsh conditions and the true reality of how they live put everything in perspective. It made me realize there’s a process to create shifting change. With this Batwa community, we first have to put a strong and healthy system in play.

Then take the time to allow the people to develop the fullness of their potential in a clean and healthy environment. I reminded myself to stay present and open to the experience. That I may be here for more reasons than one and that not all things go as planned, but exactly as they should. 

5. How has your motherhood journey shaped you? Has it changed your approach to diet, fitness or well being?

Motherhood continues to sculpt me and has been the reason I’ve transformed in many ways. After her arrival I realized things had to change completely.

6. What are your wellness essentials?

 Making love, staying away from negative people and thoughts. And of course, sleep and lots of water.  

7.  Who/what is inspiring you right now?

I left Uganda invigorated, inspired, driven and ready to do more for a community that could benefit from art, movement, and love from their sisters and brothers in the Diaspora. Uganda is a beautiful country, but for the youth in remote villages, there is little opportunity to dream, create or see outside of the mundane happenings of their everyday lives.

Follow:

@ilovehulanation

@isamardesigns

Website: www.ilovehulanation.co-

Philosophitness with Tina Tang

Meet Tina Tang - Jewelry Designer, Trainer, Instructor, Business Woman, Problem Solver, Friend. This woman can kick your butt in the gym and then design you some fabulous jewelry to commemorate the occasion. She is a woman of many talents and so much wisdom. I am happy that our paths crossed in New York and that we have become good friends.

I have personally worked with Tina as a trainer, taken her group fitness class AND done her remote training challenge. All of which have helped me achieve different goals at different times in my life. I appreciate her coaching, her knowledge and her life wisdom.

Lucky for everyone, she is sharing a bit of that wisdom and life experience in this interview. Enjoy!

• What is your philosophy around health and wellness? 

  No extremes.  As overly used as it sounds, I believe in moderation and "do-ability".  If you can't do it forever, it won't work.

• How has your workout routine evolved over the years?

  I was a treadmill and elliptical junkie.  I would spend an hour on the dreadmill in my 20's thinking that was the way to stay healthy.  It was also the only way I knew because I never had any education in how to use dumbbells, kettlebells nor even any of the machines in the gym.  When I was married, I turned to my husband, whom I figured just knew more than me.  He made me a routine that I printed out and did every day at the gym.  This included 30 minutes on the elliptical, 30 reps on the various nautilus machines; overhead press, chest press, thigh master, lat pull down.  I did that same routine for likely 3 years.

  When I started taking gym classes is when I started asking questions about what and why.  Only after taking a personal training course, simply for personal development, did I learn about the ranges of movement, how to use tools and why we use them. 

• I love your athleisure style! You used to train me in the best outfits - tennis skirts + adidas track tops, etc. Have you always had a strong sense of style? Where does it spring from?

  My sense of style comes my eccentric momma.  To give you a sense, her favorite store for years, was Forever 21.  She was shopping there in her 70's. Of course she wasn't wearing the hoochie momma crop tops, but she layers pieces that no one ever thinks of.  The pieces are always full body so no one would even imagine it came from Forever 21.

• I’m always interested in the relationship between culture and health. How has your upbringing influenced your perspective and habits around health?

  Chinese food is very balanced.  There are always vegetables and meat.  There is always fruit for dessert.  The way I was brought up was that a little of everything was ok.  In terms of exercise, I think the activity is very American.  Other cultures have exercise as fun or as a means to get somewhere.  It's only in the US where we "exercise" for the sake of exercise.  My mom swims and does tai chi.  She turns to those for health to keep her body moving.  She would never approach it the way we do at a HIIT or CrossFit gym. 

• Do you think your parents would understand you better if they worked out with you? 

  This is unimagineable!  I cannot see my Chinese parents working out with me!  HAHA!  It's two circles that will never overlap in a venn diagram.

• Outside of fitness, what other things do you do to manage stress?

  Fitness isn't so much an outlet for me for stress as it is a health necessity like brushing my teeth.  My partner is my stress manager simply for the fact that he is the opposite temperament.  I am high strung - no one would ever mistake me for a pothead.  He is so laid back that if I told you he was a pot-head you would nod and say "of course he is".  His comments when I stress out, puts things in perspective.  Such as, "nothing you do will matter once you're dead." Haha, he is quite blunt.

• What are your wellness essentials? 

  Recently, since reading the book, Why We sleep, I've been prioritizing sleep.  I used to think I could catch up or that it would be merely a day of tiredness.  When reading this book that scientifically explains the life long physical effects of lack of sleep, I have re-adjusted my prioritization of sleep.  I'm going to be 50 next year and I don't want to create more opportunity for Alzheimer's.  Lack of sleep effects on the brain is a common factor found in Alzheimer's patients.  Get sleep kids!

Instagram: @ironstrongfit

Website: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net

Philosophitness with Novi Brown

Meet Novi Brown - Actress, Model, Hair Goddess, Creator, Dreamer, Doer. I actually can not remember the exact moment I met this vibrant beauty. It was probably waiting at a packed casting at One on One or Aqua Studios in New York City … While I don’t remember the exact moment we met, she is impossible to forget.

If you just tap into her social media you will see she is a determined force of positive thinking. Also, very exciting, her career is taking off in new ways. She recently landed a starring role in Tyler Perry’s new show on BET, Sistas.

Her glow up is real. I hope you enjoy this interview.

1. What is your philosophy around health and wellness? 

   Listen to your body. LISTEN TO YOUR MIND, YOUR SOUL! Health and wellness is an ever-expanding practice with many different ways to execute. Just be mindful and see what there is to learn.

2. How has this philosophy evolved over the years? Are there things you do now that would surprise your younger self?

   I've freed myself even more. I allow myself to feel all of my emotions and honor them. That is a gift. Being fully immersed in my own life and not looking to fill in any one else's, is a great way to live. My philosophy is a constant evolution of breaking down and away limitations. 

3. Has life changed dramatically since landing your new show? How are you approaching the balance of work, life and staying healthy?

   It has and it has not. It has because now I am beginning my career as a true working creative, which allows me to move about the world with even more purpose and intention than before. I am humbled and grateful to be aligned in my purpose. I'm excited! It has not because I am the one that does the work day in and day out. That's the best part of the purpose, it's YOURS to fulfill.   

4. You have a powerful way of communicating through social media. You positivity shines through loud and clear. How did you get to this place? How do you reset when you’re struggling with your mindset? 

   It's a daily practice to stay motivated to ignore the bullshit and noise of the world.  Egos are extremely loud.  Through many life experiences in friendships, family and love, I've learned that too many people do not honor themselves and that is where the discourse lies.  Once I leaned in more into my own voice and the way that I see the world, the more I an open to learning and with learning - well, it never ends! I am always listening to motivational, inspirational, soul-searching content to remind me that I am here for a much larger purpose than being tight because someone didn't text me back. Now, don't get me wrong, I still slip up sometimes, however, I cannot and will not let my small ego delay my purpose. Remember, quality over quantity.

5. Also, you are a hair goddess. Do you have any tips for black girls when it comes to taking care of their hair when you workout and sweat a lot?

   Protective styles are my favorite of alllllll time! If not, a sweat head band or go natural. Sweat is necessary to keep your skin glowing too!

6. What are your wellness essentials?

   Water, minding my business, sleep, walking outside, skin care line, etc. 

7. What has been your biggest revelation in the past year?

   I can and will do ANYTHING!

Instagram: @iamnovibrown

Website: https://www.novibrown.com