BodyScape Magazine Issue 19 by Advarto

In loving memory of Jojo Jodie Jones.

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RedLilyLife.com

Letter from the

Publisher SARAH LYONS GLABMAN PUBLISHER AND LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

BODYSCAPE MAGAZINE

ow do you react when a situation that was all planned out goes awry? Do you freak out? Panic? Call your bestie and have a meltdown? Or do you take several deep breaths and pray to God that you will find an alternative plan? I chose the latter of these options, and it was all for the better - not just for the photography aspect, but keeping my crew safe too. And naturally, God provided us with the perfect space. The Epic Destination Shoot Miami Version 2.0 this past January was no doubt a huge success, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Case in point, the day we were set to do this incredible cover shoot with Dawn Ballard was recorded as one of the chilliest days on record in Miami. Say what?! I didn’t think the weather even got chilly in Miami! But, Mother Nature makes the rules - not me! So I listen. And dig and dig and dig for other location opportunities appropriate to serve this wonderful woman that is featured on our cover. Side Note: I just want to give a huge shoutout to peerspace.com for providing an awesome resource for finding really cool and unique photo shoot locations! You sure came through for us in a pinch when it was time for Dawn’s shoot; especially since the plan was to photograph her on the beach, capturing some tropical-meets-commercial vibes of her. It didn’t happen this time around due to cold weather and whipping wind, but I certainly hope we have that opportunity next time. In my humbling opinion, Dawn nailed her cover look, and I absolutely love this clean Shape Magazine kind of look that we captured of her. Of course, Epic Destination Shoot personal posing and detail coach Monica Brant was on-set to assist Dawn in her posing perfection and also made sure that no detail was overlooked. Dawn’s story is that of strength and grit…I’m excited for you to read it! On that note, I also want to take a moment and give Kerrie Lee Brown HUGE props for officially joining forces with BodyScape Magazine as our new Editor-in-Chief! Someone pinch me please! Let me just give you a tiny glimpse of this lady’s experience in publishing…she was editor-inchief of Oxygen Women’s Fitness Magazine for a really long time. She has held various senior editorial roles and is published in more than 100 magazines worldwide. Under her consulting company RedLily Media LLC, Kerrie also offers professional services to publishers, executives, and entrepreneurs in the areas of editorial consulting, freelance writing, ghost writing, book strategy, writing and editing and more. Welcome to the team Kerrie, we are so grateful to finally have you on board! So what does it take to get those cover shots? Fitness icon Monica Brant joins us with a special Q & A where she fills you in on her personal bag of tricks on how to nail those cover shots for BodyScape Magazine. After all, your cover is your brand, and we want to make sure that it is conveyed to edify and lift you way up! Thanks again to my readers, for all of your support. Issue #19 is now in the books. But what do we have in store for issue 20? Stay tuned. It just may surprise you.

@Bodyscapemagazine

@PICTUREGROOVE

Bodyscapemag.com

BODYSCAPEMAGAZINE

Letter from the

Editor KERRIE LEE BROWN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BODYSCAPE MAGAZINE

hey say when life throws you curveballs, you’re supposed to throw them back. But, this is not one of those times. No curveballs here—just honest-to-goodness heart and hard work. Isn’t that what makes us happy? I am excited to announce that I am the new editor-in-chief of BodyScape Magazine. This is a true honor and I’m proud to step up to bat. Moving forward, my passion for writing, editing and storytelling will grace this beautiful magazine each issue; and I couldn’t be happier. BodyScape Magazine is like no other publication I’ve ever worked for (and I’ve worked for a lot). For years, I immersed myself in the ever-competitive fitness and bodybuilding industry on the journalism side, and over time, managing top-selling magazines became second nature. Today, through my own passion business RedLily® Media, I am fortunate to work with innovative and inspiring people like Sarah Lyons Glabman—the fearless, female publisher and lead photographer of this cutting-edge magazine.

As the former editor-in-chief of Oxygen Women’s Fitness, founding editor of American Health & Fitness, and a contributing writer to more than 100 magazines worldwide in the health, wellness and sports industry—I have always poured my heart and soul into every project. Hence, why I love helping other entrepreneurs expand their desires into the publishing world. Sarah and her wonderful “lens sense” make the perfect match for me and my pen. Her super power is creating stories with her stunning photography and mine is bringing your story to life through words. With 20 years under my belt in this business, I still get excited about joining a new creative team and contributing to a mission that I believe in. At the end of the day, I love interviewing people and getting to the core of what makes them tick. I’ve conducted hundreds of interviews with fitness models, trainers, medical professionals, nutritionists, athletes, dignitaries and Hollywood celebrities throughout my career. That’s why I’m excited to help further BodyScape’s mandate. As your new editor-in-chief, I hope to inspire you to reach new heights over the coming year. In health, wellness, beauty and through words, I know in my heart of hearts that this beautiful publication has so much more storytelling to get out there. And, I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

Lead Publisher and Photographer Sarah Lyons Glabman

Editor-in-Chief KERRIE LEE BROWN

Art director & BodyScape Designer RAJPOOT TALIB

Contributing Writer & Posing Coach MONICA BRANT

Contributing writers KAREN MULLARKEY

Yours in health, Kerrie Lee Brown Editor-in-Chief BodyScape Magazine

DR. SEAN DRAKE

@BODYSCAPEMAGAZINE

@KerrieLeeBrown

BODYSCAPEMAGAZINE

KerrieLeeBrown.com | Redlilymedia.com | Redlilylife.com

BODYSCAPEMAG.COM

Table of Contents Page 9: “Publisher’s Letter” by Sarah Lyons Glabman

Page 10: “Editor’s Letter” by Kerrie Lee Brown

Page 15: “The Fab Five Spotlight -”

We highlight five amazing ladies who are spreading light and inspiration every day.

Page 25: “Kerrie’s Corner”

Our editor-in-chief talks about the importance of sharing your story and why messaging is key to building your personal brand.

Page 27: “Dawn Ballard”

Introducing our Cover Model Dawn Ballard!

Page 28: “Our “Epic” Cover Model Feature”

Get the inside scoop on Dawn’s life and loves by Kerrie Lee Brown

Page 64: “All About the Shoot”

Posing expert Monica Brant shares tips & tricks behind-the-scenes of our cover shoot.

Page 67: “To Vax or Not to Vax?”

BodyScape Magazine contributing writer Karen Mullarkey shares her thoughts on this important (but controversial) topic.

Kerrie’s Corner

WHY MESSAGING IS KEY TO BUILDING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND By Kerrie Lee Brown BodyScape Magazine Editor-in-Chief Do you want to get noticed by the media or publishers? Are you looking for someone to help spruce up your brand’s story? Have you ever wanted to write a book but didn’t know where to start? Well, I can help you with these goals. If you’ve ever wanted to take your business or brand to the next level, I know exactly what you’re going through. After an unexpected heart health issue left me stunned and not knowing what to do with my life, I decided to turn my real-life experience into a self-help book for women. In doing so, I was able to get it up on Amazon. Sure, I have been a journalist and writer/editor my entire adult life, but I realized through my health event that my personal story needed to be shared with others. As a result, I wrote and self-published my book “My Heart. My Self: A Heartfelt Guide for Women Who Do Too Much” on Amazon—and ever since it has been my mission to spread awareness about heart health and encourage women to share their struggle to strength stories on my platform RedLilyLife.com.

I can help you… -

Define your audience Finesse your brand message Re-write your corporate story Develop website & display copy Get noticed by media and publishers Describe what you do in a professional and authentic way

With 20+ years of experience as a professional journalist and magazine editor, I have helped individuals, entrepreneurs, and executives shape their brand and personal messaging through expert writing and storytelling.

**Note: Watch out for my next column in BodyScape Magazine where I talk about the importance of AMAZING PHOTOS for personal branding. Hint, hint… THIS MAGAZINE is the best place to start! Until next time,

Kerrie-Lee bodyscapeeditor@gmail.com

About the author: Kerrie Lee Brown is the founder of RedLily® lifestyle brand which inspires women to share their stories of struggle to strength. Connect on social media @kerrieleebrown and @redlilylife and email info@kerrieleebrown.com. Also, find out more about her book “My Heart, My Self” and RedLily’s Heart Health Support Supplement at www.amazon.co/redlily. RedLily® is a registered trademark. All Rights. Est. 2019.

INTRODUCING OUR COVER MODEL

Dawn Ballard Is Happy, Healthy and Hot! As a native Floridian, Dawn Ballard may look like a beautiful model you’d see on a beach, but after our interview about her life, her passions, and her family, it became very apparent that she is just as intelligent and passionate about her craft as she is drop-dead gorgeous. At 52 years young, Dawn is living her best life with her loving husband Tom and helping raise five beautiful children. Currently living in Delray Beach, Florida, Dawn and her hubby are building their forever home in Palm Beach. Their family is extremely close, and even though four of their five children are out of the house, they always make time for each other. Family is her number one priority—and between the two of them, they have Justin (31), Devin (30), Kaelin (27), Jack (21), and 11-year-old Pierce who is still at home. “We have a very big blended family. I have four beautiful red-headed step children and one with my husband Tom.” Dawn’s love of nutrition and natural medicine started at a young age. Her brother had an immune disease as a baby that required immunoglobulin therapy. At the end of the day, it saved his life but he suffered from chronic issues his whole life—ADHD, depression, anxiety etc. After Western medicine doctors put him on Adderall, it became a huge problem. After a lot of research and perseverance, their mom took things into her own hands and took him off all prescriptions. “My mom read a nutrition book that changed our life trajectory. It was on the evils of sugar, artificial coloring and artificial flavoring,” Dawn explains. “Then, she threw everything out in our kitchen that wasn’t natural. That was a huge turning point for me.” That was the start of Dawn’s life path. During our interview, she reminisced about her beautiful, intelligent mom whom she misses dearly. When Dawn was a child, her mom’s nickname in the house was “Sugar Nazi” because she wasn’t able to drink soda and was allowed very little sugar. However, these strict rules are what have ultimately made a big difference in her and her brother’s lives for the better. “Mom made it a way of life for the whole family—not just my ADHD brother. I am so grateful for her and what she taught us. My mom was desperate at the time and the only therapy or option were prescriptions to help my brother. Diet also made a big difference in our lives and is one of

the reasons why I am so passionate about watching what we put in our bodies.” On the flipside, Dawn’s father instilled other important values in her as a child—such as honor, honesty and integrity. “He taught us to take responsibility for our actions and to always be honest. He had a rule, which was as long as we told the truth, even if we did something wrong, we would not get in trouble.” Dawn’s personal journey from grief to acceptance after losing her mom is one most of us can relate to in some form or another. She adored her mom and learned so much from her growing up—particularly regarding her brother’s health issues and how her family felt his doctors were not addressing the real problem during his treatment. Dawn’s memories of her strong bond with her mother will live on forever. Hence, she wants to continue her mom’s work in this area. Today, Dawn does a lot of research on the topic of natural medicine and the reasons why pharmaceuticals are so harmful to people. She says she’s on a mission to spread her story with as many people as possible in the hopes of making an impact in the best way she knows how. “We all go through good and bad times in our lives—and yet the good times are what stay with us forever.” As a result, Dawn has made it her life-long goal to continue her mom’s legacy and share the truth about how “real food” is ultimately our best medicine. This is what makes our cover model a force to be reckoned with—on and off these pages. These amazing photos of Dawn were taken by publisher and lead photographer of BodyScape Magazine Sarah Lyons Glabman. Miami, Florida was the perfect setting to get to know our cover girl a little better and showcase her beauty inside and out.

Now, here’s YOUR chance to get to know our cover model a little more… Enjoy!

Kerrie Lee Brown Editor-in-Chief

D A W N

ON BECOMING A BODYSCAPE COVER MODEL!

Q&A Her passions KB: What makes you get up in the morning? DB: “My son Pierce and Tom. I believe in making your health a personal commitment like a job. In life, you can’t miss work nor can you skip your workouts and health.”

KB: What are you passionate about? DB: “My family is the center of my universe first and foremost; I am also very passionate about health and nutrition. I am anti-Big Pharma to the core. Big Pharma has a place in saving lives but not in preventative medicine. For example, when the therapy that is supposed to benefit you is extremely toxic and causes chronic illnesses— then there is something wrong. It’s something I will talk to anyone about because it’s what fuels my entire being.”

KB: What is your mission? DB: “My goal is to keep my family healthy and away from toxic food and drugs that are pushed on us by Big Food, Big Agriculture and Big Pharma. I preach longevity and quality of life in our family. Also, I believe wholeheartedly that the secret to health is moderation in life.”

KB: Who do you discuss these topics with the most? DB: “I try to educate as many moms as I can because I’m a mom—and especially those who have injured children from vaccines. It’s something very close to my heart and personal story.”

Home life KB: What are you currently working on that you’d like to share? DB: “My significant other Tom suggested I learn finance and accounting. I have a Bachelor’s in Science from Georgia State and went back for a finance degree more to cherry pick and take all the finance courses that I could. Tom wants to teach me to learn about his business but I take the summers off. But then I realized I was losing a lot of time with my youngest Pierce so now I’m taking only 1 to 2 courses a semester at Florida Atlantic University.”

KB: Sounds like you have a wonderful relationship. How does your significant other support you? DB: “Tom really pushes me. He is so flipping smart and driven. He doesn’t have any off days with work. He’s very motivating which pushes me to be better. He’s Catholic and just a great guy who always wants to help everyone. He is happy to help people financially who want to improve their lives. For example, he’s helped people with college, private school, etc.”

KB: That’s great that he supports you in your endeavors as well. DB: “Tom is just so generous. He has a hard time saying no. He makes me want to be a better person—and I think I do the same for him. I motivate him and he motivates me. It’s a wonderful yin and yang scenario. We’ve been together for 13 years.”

Our quality of life is everything.

On the business front KB: What did you do before you had your son Pierce? DB: “Before Pierce was born, I was a medical rep in the neuroscience industry. I mainly focused on brain trauma, brain tumors, surgical devices and implants. [My husband and I] also started a hemp company and set up a production in Colorado where we entered the USDA Organic Medicinal Grade hemp market—which has been a life changing experience.”

KB: Can you tell us more about your hemp business? DB: “The full spectrum hemp business called Synchronicity by Functional Remedies is very competitive and although we invested a ton of money into the business, there were certain areas we just couldn’t get traction with the general public. We controlled the process from the organic grow, hand pick, and processed by us with extreme quality control. Most companies use third party vendors to extract and bottle their product. No one ever touched our product outside of us.”

Moderation is key. Not many people know the ramifications of overconsumption.

KB: What made your hemp business different?

KB: Can you elaborate a little more on this?

DB: “We concentrated on high-quality medicinal hemp, whereas, our competitors did not. And that made for a difficult time since the general public didn’t see the importance of quality and purity. They looked at what was cool on social media— not the best for your health. Not that we weren’t doing well—quite the opposite. We just didn’t want to continue in an industry that didn’t value the highest quality product out there. Quality comes with a higher price tag, which many are not willing to pay for.”

DB: “Humans are the ones who have made these plants so deadly toxic. What we do to it is deadly. I am referring to Big Pharma, prescription drugs etc. Big Pharma can’t patent a plant so their Achilles heel is they have to isolate one compound to patent it, which never has the full benefits and safety like whole plant does.”

KB: Where’s your operation? DB: “Our farm is in Colorado.”

KB: Are you still in the medicinal hemp business? DB: “No, not really. Right now we are trying to downsize the company to a manageable size. We still have our own production processes. It’s big business. We even started getting bigger contracts to sell in larger stores, but we’ve decided to not put any more money into it. We have to downsize to make it more financially manageable.”

KB: Why do you feel hemp is beneficial for medicinal purposes? DB: “Personally, I love it! It’s been a huge game changer for my precious sleep time, periodic anxiousness, and muscle aches and pains rather than toxic anti-inflammatory OTC medications. Even the lotion helps with muscle pain—it goes along with the whole natural, plant basis of what I believe in, which is that God put everything on earth that we need.”

KB: In your opinion, where is this all leading? DB: “Ever since my mom died, I have learned a lot about the pharmaceutical industry and the harm it’s doing to people; and I feel really charged by the topic. In fact, currently 60 percent of our younger population have chronic diseases from toxic environments. ‘Big Pharma’ is also pushing the insane vaccine schedule on our kids. ‘Big food’ is being allowed to sell fake food and ‘Big Agriculture’ is poisoning us all. This is unconscionable.”

My vice? I love a glass of red wine once in a while.

Inspiration

Dealing with grief

KB: What do you hope to do with this article?

KB: Tell us about your mom.

DB: “I just want to help people understand that there are companies and businesses that are out to convince us of things that aren’t true— especially when it comes to our overall health and happiness.”

KB: What made you decide to shoot for BodyScape Magazine? DB: “I was approached by Min Renda to do a photo shoot with Sarah and Monica. I was apprehensive at first, considering I was turning 52. However, Tom said I should go for it since I love goals and challenges, so I did. I also thought it would be great for my kids to see that you can achieve your goals at any age.”

I’m really proud of myself and would recommend doing a photo shoot at any age. Just go for it!

DB: “My mom passed away unexpectedly from Pulmonary Fibrosis. Pierce was only 2 years old at the time. (A side note: I found out later from my cardiologist that statins cause Pulmonary Fibrosis in some patients.) Anyways, I decided to enter a fitness competition to keep my head together and help me get back in shape; Really lean. My mom was there with me the entire time I know it. She was a very strong woman. Smart. And I was heartbroken when she passed.”

KB: What did your mom teach you? DB: “She read every label and we had no sodas in the house growing up. I’m like her but 100 times worse. All the research I’ve done over the years takes it to another level. My mom read a lot of books on the health industry and how we can create our own destinies by being smart about our choices. I continued the learning and now pass along to my kids and anyone who asks me about the harm the food industry is doing to our bodies as a whole.”

KB: What will you always remember? DB: “My mom was a forever optimist. She could always take a bad situation and find the positive in it. I try to do that too. I teach my youngest Pierce to change his negative thoughts when they enter his head.”

Love for fitness KB: How did you start in fitness? DB: “This was the beginning of 2013 after my mom had passed. I wanted to do something healthy rather than destructive behaviors. After giving birth to Pierce at 40 years old, I knew I wanted to do something for me—and participating in fitness shows and photo shoots was a viable option. I was working out really hard back then to stay focused and keep my mind off my mother’s passing, so it just made sense to keep going.”

KB: How many fitness competitions have you done? DB: “I ended up doing two shows in 2013, which was a great deterrent from the emotional rollercoaster of going through the stages of grief. Then, in 2017, I got talked into entering another show that ended up being a great way to get myself focused again.”

KB: Well, your BodyScape Magazine shoot certainly looks like it was a success. These beautiful photos definitely prove you are meant to be on this cover! DB: “I also met a lot of wonderful like-minded ladies during the process and accomplished a great goal at age 52 that most 20-year-olds would never be able to do. I’m proud of myself and would recommend doing a shoot like this to anyone at any age! Just go for it!”

KB: What about your husband. Did he encourage you to go for it as well? DB: “Absolutely! My significant other Tom said, ‘You should do it, honey. You love a good goal and getting really focused.’ So, I finally said what the hell. I am very grateful to both of them for encouraging me to follow my heart.”

KB: Who helped you prepare for the shoot with BodyScape Magazine? DB: “Recently, I met Min Renda at my son’s gymnastics facility and she kept encouraging me to do a photo shoot. But I kept thinking, ‘I am coming up on 52 and I’m too old!’ She kept pushing and eventually I did it and so glad I did.”

KB: Have you been with your trainer for long? DB: “I’ve been with the same personal trainer since 2013, Madeline Burger-Sperber. She has prepped me for most of my goals to date, including my fitness shows and now this photo shoot for BodyScape Magazine. She started training me for my second competition after my mom passed.”

I did this photo shoot for my 52nd birthday. It was a personal goal of mine and I’m so glad I did.

Athletic background KB: Tell us about your background. Have you always been athletic? DB: “I am an ex gymnast so was very into competing in my younger years. I was supposed to continue gymnastics in college but my coach left and I couldn’t get it together. I could have gone on full scholarships but I couldn’t get my mojo back.”

KB: How did you compete? DB: “I was a high-level, Class 1 gymnast. I also competed one year in elite and was a competitive gymnast my whole younger life. From five years old to 17. I loved it.”

KB: Does your youngest do any sports? DB: “I have Pierce in gymnastics, MMA, piano and guitar now. I just think being into something— whether it’s sports or music or whatever is good for kids to learn discipline and tenacity. It sets you up for the struggles of life. You want to be able to handle the tough times with grace so you can appreciate the good times that much more.”

KB: What are some of the things you remember about your gymnastics days? DB: “It made me very emotionally strong and I don’t crumble under pressure. Pierce needs this kind of discipline too. He’s a big kid and it’s helped him with overall body awareness and flexibility that will carry on to everything else he does in the future.”

KB: Is he competing? DB: “Yes, my youngest is competing in gymnastics and I’m so proud of him. It’s his third year. He’s a great competitor—smart as a whip! He does 12 hours of gymnastics a week as well as MMA training on Tuesdays and Saturdays. He’s a busy kid! He has also kept straight A’s since kindergarten, plus perfect behavior grades. If the grades were to fall, I would re-evaluate his hours in sports.”

KB: Did you do any other sports or activities as a child? DB: “I did ballet and gymnastics. Ballet ended up becoming secondary to gymnastics. I was very serious for a while. But, I kept doing ballet to keep me graceful.”

Age shouldn’t hold you back from achieving your goals or your dreams.

Personal triumphs KB: What is something you truly believe in? DB: “I really believe in natural medicine, which I get from my mom and good friend Elizabeth Tringali who is a Functional Medicine Practitioner.”

KB: How did your belief in natural medicine start? DB: “To make a long story short, it all started with my brother’s illness when he was younger. He basically had no immune system and my mom was trying everything with his doctors. He eventually got a therapy that saved him but is still dealing with chronic issues such as ADHD, depression, etc. After his first experience with Adderall, my mom became very thorough and researched everything she could about the negatives of bad sugar and that’s how I started to learn about it too.”

KB: Who else has been there for you? DB: “I met Functional Medicine Practitioner Elizabeth Tringali right after my mother passed. We did a fitness show together. I felt like my mom brought her to me to continue my path of Natural Medicine.”

KB: How does your science background come into play with your beliefs? DB: “We are a faith-based family. I tell Pierce all the time and there’s no way that God or someone bigger didn’t create our bodies to work efficiently—the human body is the most intricate machine on Earth. When you study science you realize there is a higher power involved. Everything on Earth is connected and that isn’t by chance. Your brain tells you something and there is no doubt in my mind that God did that after you start studying the science.”

KB: How can we heal ourselves? DB: “Everything put on Earth has healing capabilities that can be used as medicine. Food is medicine and we can heal ourselves naturally. I try to explain to my family in simple terms that toxins cause inflammation—and inflammation causes disease. So, why would you take a drug that is toxic? It seems pretty basic. Why do we allow companies to saturate our food with toxic poisons, pesticides and herbicides? Why do we continue to protect these companies? Follow the money. You want to cure cancer and all disease? It starts with Big Agriculture, Big Food and Big Pharma. They are the cause of all disease.”

Here I am at 52 and hopefully it makes others believe in themselves, too.

Diet & exercise KB: Tell us about your training. DB: “I always work out but last October we ramped it up to get ready for the shoot. I did my arms and legs up to an hour and a half every Tuesday and Thursday—and HIIT cardio training 5 days a week. However, I quit using heavy weights. It was causing more pain than good. I mostly use rubber bands and very light weights now. Plus, I started doing yoga a few times a week for the past few years, which has helped my aches and pains astronomically.”

KB: When did you start your diet and how did it change for your BodyScape photo shoot? DB: “I started back on my macros in October. I knew it was going to be a challenge through Christmas which I gave myself a little bit of a break—counting macros, etc. When we went to Disney I brought protein powders in Ziplocs and put it in water bottles I bought at the park and stuck to my 5 meals a day the best I could. In January, right after the holidays, I counted my proteins and watched macros. I went to only asparagus, chicken and rice with only sea salt on my meals the last 2 weeks to really get all the excess water weight off me. Wow, that worked really fast.”

KB: What is something that can hurt your preparation? DB: “Not having a supportive environment, partner. Going out to eat is a killer since the quality of food is bad and hidden fake ingredients that your body doesn’t recognize of food. There are a lot of things, but it all comes down to diet. The slightest thing can swell you, hidden chemicals in even hot sauce and Dijon mustard that’s why I cut all hot sauces and mustard the last two weeks.”

KB: Where do you primarily work out? DB: “I work out at my private club gym (where my trainer is the director) and at home. I also practice yoga on a regular basis for flexibility and to stay lean. It really helps.”

KB: Will you compete again in the future? DB: “Probably not. But I will definitely do some more photo shoots.”

KB: What is your favorite body part to train and why? DB: “I love cardio since it is such a great mind clearing time. It gives you such an emotional boost and clarity. Yoga has also helped me slow down the thoughts and improved my form in the gym.”

KB: Why is mental preparation just as important as the physical? DB: “Mental preparation is #1 or the physical never happens. You have to have the personal commitment state of mind or you fail to launch. I believe in personal mental correction constantly without beating yourself up. It’s really hard to stay focused. I use mental visualizations of remembering how good I feel when I am eating clean and committed to my health.”

KB: How do you stay on track? DB “I visualize myself when I was not at my best weight and health. That is very effective to stop you from making bad choices. It is really easy to get off track. It’s part of life. Just get back on track and don’t beat yourself up.”

There are absolutely NO EXCUSES for going after what you want in life.

GETTING READY FOR

HER BODYSCAPE MAGAZINE PHOTO SHOOT

Dawn’s Sample Diet (Weekly Meal Plan) *Cardio - Empty stomach/before breakfast (you burn fat reserves) 2 cups - Fresh celery juice on empty stomach 30 minutes after juice 1 tbsp coconut butter, almond milk latte Meal 1 - egg & 1/2 cup egg whites, 1/4 cup berries 1/3 cup oats mix w/ water, stevia & top w/ almond milk or water Meal 2 (after training) Or Green juice w/ protein powder GHI Or 8 oz water & protein powder Meal 3 - 4 oz sweet potato or brown rice, protein powder & water 1 cup of veggies of choice Or 4 oz Chx w/ salad With 4 oz of one of the starches above (if you can’t handle meat; protein powder in 8oz of water) Meal 4 - 2 tbsp of natural peanut butter, 2 rice cakes Or 20 1 oz raw almonds/cashews with 1/2 cup of berries or apple or pear Or 2 boiled eggs & apple Or Green juice w/ protein powder Meal 5 - 4 oz Chx, turkey or 8 oz fish 4 oz grass fed filet Or protein powder & water Large salad, 1/2 avocado and veggies of choice and homemade dressing w/ no more than tbsp olive oil (Dawn does 3 tbsp dressing) Meal 6 - 1 scoop protein shake...ONLY if hungry Or Egg white omelette w/ veggies Himalayan Salt, NO sugar, NO dairy Only spray pan w/ olive oil (no added oil ) Green Veggies are unlimited! NO alcohol 1 gallon of water per day 1 cheat meal per week (food & wine) Yeah!!

Dawn’s Sample Workout Plan Cardio five days a week. “I quit running since I didn’t want joint problems later in life. So, I rotate intervals on the Stairmaster and Treadmill.” Stairmaster: 30 minutes with 2 minute intervals at level 19, then slow down for 30 seconds at level 7 and back to 19 for 2 minutes. Treadmill: Full 30 minutes of intervals. 2 minutes at 15 incline level 3.8 mph walking pace, rest at incline of 8, level 3.6, back to 15 incline at 3.8 mph Tuesday - Arms & Abs Thursday - Legs, Glutes & Abs

Dawn’s message to readers KB: What message do you want to tell other women reading this magazine?

KB: What do you say if someone is being negative about life?

DB: “Never compare yourself to anyone else. It is very destructive and self-defeating.”

DB: “Negative thoughts and words become your reality. I always tell my son to fix the negative thoughts when they enter your mind because your thoughts become your reality.”

KB: Why is it important for women to be self-confident? DB: “It’s important to love yourself with all of your flaws since we all are humans and have them. Confidence comes from believing and loving yourself. Everyone has struggles and moments of doubt or betrayal. You can either dust yourself off and choose to be happy or you can stay in the victim mode. It’s a choice not easy but staying miserable is worse.”

KB: What is the one thing you want readers to take away from this interview? DB: “Don’t be afraid to speak your truth with compassion. Speak and think kindly about yourself.”

God put everything we need on Earth so we could heal naturally.

Dawn Ballard’s tips for women - Get off social media. It will destroy your self-confidence. - Make personal attainable fitness goals. - Eat real food. Stay away from fake food it’s addictive and the #1 cause of all disease. - Don’t take pharmaceutical drugs. It’s a slippery slope into a miserable life of chronic illness. - Learn to cook and learn to love cooking. - Be your own advocate in life. - Never trust anyone with your health blindly. - Always do your research first before taking any medication or injection.

*To contact Dawn Ballard, connect with her on social media

 @realfood_lady_d

Kerrie Lee Brown is a recognized global journalist and women’s health advocate. She is the former editor-in-chief of Oxygen Women’s Fitness and American Health & Fitness—and has written articles for 150 magazines worldwide. Today, Kerrie is the editor-in-chief of BodyScape Magazine and Epic Fit Magazine; as well as the founder of RedLily® lifestyle brand.

To get published or join her community, www.RedLilyLife.com info@kerrieleebrown.com

Connect on social

 @KerrieLeeBrown  @redlilylife

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

All about

the Shoot By now, word has circulated that the Epic Destination Shoot in Miami was a huge success. With Sarah Lyons Glabman the founder and creative force behind these shoots, and fitness icon Monica Brant on set as the model’s one-onone personal posing and detail coach, you have a formula for a unique and super successful photo shoot experience. It takes a creative team to build the shoots. So let’s dig in a bit behind the lens, and get the 411 from Monica on how she puts her part of the shoot together from her perspective.

Q&A

with Monica Brant 1. What was your favorite part about Dawn Ballard’s photo shoot in Miami? Dawn came ready with her a Game, complete with a rockin physique that you could tell she put time in preparing. She had a variety of great outfits and Shoes (which sometimes get forgotten by clients). Plus, I truly enjoyed the time after our shoot when we had the opportunity to head out for a handful of hours and have meaningful conversations with Dawn and her fun friend! I am a relationship person.. so these times are always treasured.

2. How do you determine which types of poses will be best for the models that are on-set? All poses must flow in the moment and cannot be forced or figured out too far out in advance. Since we are shooting ‘AS IS’ once I see the outfit and location, then the poses appear! It is so fun to work with clients that are eager for the help too. Some poses are determined by physique as well as what point are we trying to make. I really enjoy the creativity allowed. Probably mostly I envision what would I want for myself if it were me in front of the camera. I would want my limbs placed correctly to flatter my curves, I would want my abs tight .. etc.

3. How much do you draw from your own experience on these photo shoots? Having been in front of a camera starting at age 15, I draw from my own experiences all the time. I think I actually live vicariously through all the EPIC clients too! It’s so fun!!!

EpicDestinationShoot.com

Vax

Vax?

To or Not to That is the Question

BodyScape Magazine Contributing writer Karen Mullarkey

KarenMullarkey.com

We have been living in an upside down world the past couple of years. Between the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, masks and now the push to get vaccinated. In the past 2 years I have been kicked out of my gym during lockdowns, been asked to mask up while working out when we were allowed to return to the gym and now they are asking me to get vaccinated. What is a gal to do? When the gyms opened back up in May of 2020, I got Covid and had to take 14 days off of work. For me, I had flu like symptoms: migraine headache, mild fever, body aches and was extremely fatigued. I listened to my body and got plenty of couch time. I made sure I ate foods high in antioxidants and stuck to my daily supplement regimen. I have to be extremely sick to lose my appetite so I kept up my regular eating schedule. Around day seven I lost my sense of taste and smell, which was really bizarre. I finally had the energy to get back on my feet and start easing back into my regular workout routine. Moral of that story is listen to your body. Once I got passed being infected with Covid-19, I was told to get vaccinated. After doing my research and knowing that I had already had the virus I decided to not get vaccinated. Being involved in the fitness industry for the past 15 years I am very cautious about what I put into my body. I very rarely even take Advil when I need it, fortunately I don’t take any medications on a regular basis. Having a full schedule of clients a day, we naturally talked about the vaccine. I would say half of my 30+ clients got vaccinated and half chose not too. During those conversations we discussed the side effects that my vaccinated clients were having. I just wanted to list out some of those side effects so you can decide whether or not the vaccine is right for you. Getting vaccinated is a personal decision and it is solely up to you if you chose to get it or not. Your decision is the right decision for you. You should never feel pressured into putting something in your body that you are not comfortable with. If you are still deciding, here are some to the side effects my own personal clients were/are having: -Migraine type headaches. -Increased heart rate and palpitations. -Several female clients had irregular bleeding during their monthly cycles. -Gastrointestinal issues including upset stomach, daily diarrhea and loss of appetite. -Myocarditis. -Anxiety.

I would like to share my clients myocarditis experience. She is 36 years young and decided to get the Moderna vaccine, which was a series of 2 injections. After the first injection she noticed a much higher resting heart rate than normal. She worked out on a regular basis, so her cardiovascular condition was above normal. She noticed that when she was resting her heart rate would spike for no reason at all. At one point this spike happened while she was driving her son to school and she had to pull over because she thought she was having a panic attack. It got so bad that she drove herself to the emergency room. The doctors could not find anything wrong with her and sent her home. After her third trip to the ER, the doctor finally came clean and told her that numerous people had been coming in for the same symptoms and the common denominator between all of the patients was they had all been vaccinated. This made sense why an extremely fit woman who had a resting heart rate of 60 would get spikes to 160 while taking a leisurely walk. Her next step was to wear a heart monitor for a month. She logged any foods, medications and activities that would have caused an increased heart rate and anxiety. After she completed her 30 days, they finally diagnosed her with myocarditis. This was a very shocking diagnosis for a healthy mother in her mid 30’s. She later confessed that she regretted getting vaccinated, especially since heart problems run in her family. Fast forward a year and a half, she is doing much better but is still not 100%. She is doing her best to work around the side effects and to keep up a healthy and active lifestyle. I just wanted to take the time to share some stories of real people and their adverse reactions to the Covid-19 vaccination. I hope that you do your research and do what you feel is right for you. We are all doing our best to navigate through these crazy times. To Vax or Not to Vax? That is the question!

Remember………No Excuses and that’s No Mullarkey!

Karen Mullarkey w w w.karen m ul l ark e y. com

www.BodyscapeMag.com BodyScape Magazine is for everyone who is in to a “health conscious lifestyle.” Founded by Sarah Lyons Glabman of PictureGroove Photography, the magazine showcases her work and her extremely flexible style of shooting. In each issue we feature everything from how to monetize your brand in the fitness and other industries, to beauty tips from the pros. Our issues are geared towards everyone who wants to better themselves and live their best life, showcasing it all through Sarah’s lens.

Ordering copies - If you would like to order either a high end print copy, or a digital downloadable version of BodyScape Magazine, you may do so at www.BodyScapeMag.com Being published in BodyScape Magazine - Sarah is currently building her shoot schedule for 2022/2023 for BodyScape Magazine. Please email PictureGrovePhotography@Gmail.com if you are interested in setting up a shoot, and possibly being featured in BodyScape Magazine. Editorial Features - If you are a business owner and wish to promote something, we would love to feature it in an article or advertisement in BodyScape Magazine. Please email us at BodyScapeMag@gmail.com on how to get started. FaceBook and Instagram Ads - We will promote your business online at our BodyScape Magazine FaceBook and Instagram pages to all of our fans. Splash pages - A full size ad on BodyScapeMag.com to advertise your business. Email blasts - Send your ads out to our readers with a growing list of subscribers.