BodyScape Magazine Issue 21 by Advarto

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RedLilyLife.com

Letter from the

Publisher SARAH LYONS GLABMAN PUBLISHER AND LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

BODYSCAPE MAGAZINE

think I am addicted to color. Creating images of these wonderful people I am blessed to work with really makes me want to dive even further in to the spectrums of color. Namely these stunning tones of greens and golds in the Miami palm leaves of Helen Politis’s cover for this edition of BodyScape Magazine. These colors really compliment and enhance Helen’s golden personality…as she is one of the kindest women I have ever photographed. Helen’s story is one of pure love…for her wonderful husband Peter and her beloved children. Family is definitely first in this wonderful woman’s life. Her business acumen is strong and growing stronger, and I mean that in a literal term. If you’re in the Miami area, maybe you’ve trained at one of Helen’s gyms called Elev8tion Fitness. They’re high end, top notch training facilities that are beyond gorgeous. Elev8tion prides itself on the best of the best equipment, trainers, and their overall message…to elevate your game to the next level. Obviously Helen is the perfect face of her own brand, as she trains on a regular basis and maintains this stunning physique of hers year round. When I first met Helen I asked her about her nutrition regimen, and she told me that one of her secrets is that she eats rice every day! I love rice! Miami has always been one of my favorite places in the world to shoot, as there is no shortage of awesome locations, and people for that matter. Helen’s shoot was the last shoot on my schedule, so I was happy to have a full crew there to have all hands on deck! You’ll see in our new “Capturing the Cover” segment who was involved, and HOW these wonderful shoots are captured. Each time I head to Miami, I always call Lisa Opie first, to see if she has any time for me. After all, her hair and makeup skills are some of the BEST I have ever seen in my 15 year photography career! After Lisa, I call Joey Rolon, stylist to the stars. Joey’s talents at putting wardrobe and accessories together for the models is game-changing. He even worked on a shoot for yours truly, but more on that in Issue 25. (Wink wink!) If you are interested in being featured on the pages of BodyScape Magazine, or even on the cover, reach out. We have different photo shoot opportunities for getting you and your images out into the world! If you own a business and would like to advertise in BodyScape Magazine, and reach over 10,000 readers per month, we have options for you too. Email BodyScapeMag@Gmail.com with your inquiries. We would love to ear from you and see you and your business on the beautiful pages of BodyScape Magazine! On this shoot:

Photography and retouching Sarah Lyons Glabman, BodyScape Magazine publisher and lead photographer BodyScapeMag.com | BodyScapeMag@Gmail.com  @BodyScapeMagazine |  @PictureGroove |  EpicDestinationShoot

@picturegroove

@Bodyscapemagazine

BodyscapeMagazine

Bodyscapemag.com

Letter from the

Editor KERRIE LEE BROWN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BODYSCAPE MAGAZINE

irst and foremost, I want to give a huge shout out to Sarah Lyons Glabman for her trust in me to bring these issues to life alongside her wonderful photography. I couldn’t work with a more thoughtful, kindhearted and inspiring woman to help her vision jump off these pages. Ever since I came onboard to write the cover stories for BodyScape Magazine, and now her second magazine, Epic Fit, I have interviewed so many amazing cover models. As a journalist who loves to learn about what makes people tick—my role here is more than just my profession; it’s also my passion. On that note, this month I had the pleasure of interviewing Helen Politis. As you will see, Helen and I actually have a lot in common. She is not only absolutely breathtaking, but she is a mom of two boys, a successful entrepreneur and also hails from Canada. Like me! When we spoke, I couldn’t believe how much our stories aligned—we instantly clicked! (Now, if only I could get in shape like her too… LOL) Helen is one impressive woman with beauty on the inside and out. Which brings me to something else that means a lot to me—sharing women’s stories. After a health scare that rocked my world almost ten years ago, I wrote a book called “My Heart, My Self” with practical tips to take better care of your physical and mental health (by the way, Helen is also a huge self-care advocate and talks about mental health awareness). In my book and on my website, RedLilyLife.com, I share my personal story of struggle to strength in the hopes of encouraging others to do the same. This is one of the biggest reasons why I created a place for women to share, heal and grow. Having worked in media my entire career, I know how intimidating it is to be vulnerable “out there” so I wanted to help real women who have also gone from pain to purpose. To date, I have almost 200 contributors worldwide. It’s what I call my “positivity portal” and you’re free to submit your own story if you’d like. And, please tell your friends to check it out. In health & happiness,

Kerrie Lee Brown Editor-in-Chief BodyScape Magazine

@KerrieLeeBrown KerrieLeeBrown.com | Redlilymedia.com | Redlilylife.com

Lead Publisher and Photographer Sarah Lyons Glabman

Editor-in-Chief KERRIE LEE BROWN

Art director & BodyScape Designer RAJPOOT TALIB

Posing and Detail Coach MONICA BRANT

Contributing writers KAREN MULLARKEY KAREN MASTERSON KOCH

@BODYSCAPEMAGAZINE BODYSCAPEMAGAZINE BODYSCAPEMAG.COM

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

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

Page 15-16: “Self Motivation from Within”

Our editor-in-chief shares 3 ways to start your self-love journey and how to stay motivated from the inside out. BY KERRIE LEE BROWN

Page 17-18: “Pretty Powerhouse”

Introducing our stunning cover model! Helen Politis talks about life in Miami, working out with a group of fierce females and what it means to be a hardworking business owner and Canadian living in the United States. BY KERRIE LEE BROWN

Page 19-60: “Cover Model Q &A”

From running a successful business alongside her husband to exercising and eating right, to being a dedicated mom of two, everything Helen Politis touches turns to gold and more. BY KERRIE LEE BROWN

Page 61-65: “Capturing the Cover!”

This beautiful cover took a lot of hard work. Learn how BodyScape Magazine publisher and lead photographer Sarah Lyons Glabman and her talented crew made this entire issue come to life in Miami.

Page 67-68: “The Benefits of Sunlight Therapy”

Find out how sunlight can elevate your “feel good” endorphins and why BodyScape Magazine’s publisher moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. BY SARAH LYONS GLABMAN

Page 69-70: “Bulking up to Gain Muscle”

Learn how to build muscle and look lean without getting too bulky. BY KAREN MULLARKEY

Page 71-73: “Aloe and Greens”

Expert advice on the benefits of superfoods in your diet and in your life. BY KAREN MASTERSON KOCH

Kerrie’s Corner

SELF MOTIVATION START S ON T H E I N S I D E Here are 3 ways to start your self-love journey and stay motivated.

By Kerrie Lee Brown

BodyScape Magazine Editor-in-Chief Do you want to know what’s really liberating? When you can motivate yourself to reach a personal or professional goal and not depend on someone else to do the motivating for you. After all, it’s YOUR goal and you know YOURSELF better than anyone. All you need is inside of you! Let me explain. The truth is that it’s human nature to seek validation and accolades from other people for our work, our looks, or our accomplishments. Believe me, I’m guilty of needing this too. But, what I’ve learned over the years is that this natural “need” isn’t necessarily a result of insecurities—it’s just that most of us don’t realize that WE are all we need to begin with. That’s why, in my humble opinion, it’s better to be your own inspiration. Not to sound like a Debbie downer, trust me, no matter who you are or what you do for a living—there are always going to be people who want something from you. That’s why if you can motivate yourself to do something on your own, you will reap an even bigger reward in the end. This is a good thing! Here’s why it’s more advantageous (and fulfilling) to depend on you…

You Know Yourself Better Than Anyone This is so true. I know it is sometimes hard to believe that your spouse, best friend, sibling or even your kids don’t know every little thing about you. However, it’s simply impossible. Every single thought or idea or feeling that pops into your head is unique

16 to you. You know your insecurities better than anyone else—you know your history and you know your dreams. Sure, you can share these experiences and memories with loved ones or a confidante, but you’d have to do this 24 hours a day for them to stay on top of it all. And, they have their own ideas to deal with! Remember, YOU are the keeper of all that can motivate you from the inside-out and push you to do better than you did the day before. So, trust in yourself and dig a little deeper to understand yourself better so you can do the hard work to move forward.

Healing Starts From the Inside When I had my heart attack at age 39, my body was literally telling me to slow down. This was an obvious physical issue because my body was shutting down, however, I soon figured out that a lot of my troubles stemmed from the inside. After seeing my cardiologist and a naturopath regularly, I found out that I was born with a congenital heart defect right before I turned forty, which was a huge shock. But, what I didn’t realize at the time was that what was happening on the inside (my emotional and mental stress) also impacted my outside—the two go hand-in-hand. So, when I learned that I needed heart surgery to fix my physical problem, I also took the next step to focus on my “internal” healing, which eventually helped motivate me to make the necessary changes in my way of thinking and living. This is how my healing process started. Now, I’m no doctor and this is not meant to be a diagnosis, but if you are going through something physically challenging—take some time to think about your stress levels and state of mind. I firmly believe that looking inward can help.

Staying Positive Will Inspire Others As we get older, we realize that our life experiences are what ultimately help us grow and heal. They’re what make you -YOU! And, there’s no one better to bring the light out in yourself and in those around you. Remaining positive when times are tough is often a hard pill to swallow, but it’s what turns certain situations into teaching tools. In other words, if you go through life with blinders on—you will start to see that you are only cheating your own growth. In order to establish the self-love process, you have to know how to transform the way you think about yourself. Thinking positively about yourself—even if you don’t believe it at the time—is the only way you’re going to get through your struggles and more on. This light inside of you will MOTIVATE you (as well as others around you) to grow, heal and transform.

For more information on how to stay motivated and how to acknowledge the self-love process, visit RedLilyLife.com for hundreds of personal “pain to purpose” stories from around the world. Stay positive. Stay motivated. Stay true to you!

Kerrie-Lee Brown

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.

Cover Model Helen Politis

By Kerrie Lee Brown Bodyscape Magazine Editor-in-Chief Helen Politis talks about life in Miami, working out with a group of fierce females and what it means to be a busy mom. There are some people who top my bucket list to interview because they are moguls in their own right and inspire everyone they come in contact with—and then there are those who exude authenticity and positivity all day long and leave a genuine mark on you forever. Helen Politis does both. This month’s breathtaking cover model is one of those women who shines just as bright on the inside as she does on the outside. She’s got style. She’s got passion. She’s got business savvy. And, there’s no denying she’s got a heart of gold. (All you have to do is ask her about her two boys; she’s a real softy.)

Oh, and then there’s the fact that we have similar stories about moving to the United States. Helen was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She moved to Florida with her husband and two sons almost ten years ago to pursue business opportunities. From business owner to wife to gym owner—Helen is a force to be reckoned with. That’s why I couldn’t wait to get to know her better. Thank you to our fierce and fabulous publisher and lead photographer Sarah Lyons-Glabman for introducing us and pulling this entire issue together. Needless to say, Helen’s journey has touched my heart in more ways than one—and I hope it touches yours too.

As you read her inspiring story about how she started looking after her health and wellness— to eventually opening gyms in Miami (and soon to be Las Vegas) and running other successful businesses—you can’t help but think there’s nothing this lady can’t do.

Now, here’s your chance to get to know our Helen Politis a little more.

All you have to do is flip through these spectacular pages and you will have no problem understanding where I am coming from. Helen is more than a beautiful bombshell and super kind human, she’s also a trailblazing entrepreneur and Greek Goddess who hails from up North!

Kerrie Lee Brown Editor-in-Chief

Q&A CANADIAN ROOTS KB: I heard we have a lot in common! Where are you from originally? HP: “I was born and raised in Montreal, Canada— along with my husband and two boys. We moved to Florida ten years ago for business and never looked back.”

KB: That’s amazing! How long have you been married to your sweetheart? HP: “I’ve been married to Peter for 25 wonderful years. We have two amazing boys, George who is 23 years old and Michael who is 18 years old.”

KB: Wow! You look amazing, fit mama! How old are you if you don’t mind me asking? HP: “I’m 51 and never felt better!”

KB: Do you miss Montreal? HP: “Yes, I miss Montreal. My family and friends most. I try to visit as often as I can but Miami holds a special place in my heart.”

We love to host our Canadian families. Both sets of our parents are best friends. Peter’s parents and mine are in Greece right now together—all four of them. They love to spend time together!

FAMILY KB: I heard you have a very close family back in Canada. HP: “You are right! We are very close. My parents are from Greece, but we grew up in Montreal. It was very important for my parents to uphold our culture and values. Therefore, we spent much of our time with family. We took many trips and celebrated almost every occasion together.”

KB: Tell us a little more about your boys. I know it’s a lot of work! HP: “My children are my greatest accomplishment and joy. They have always made me proud and have worked hard to accomplish their goals. George graduated from the University of Miami with honors and is now working for an investment bank in Atlanta. Michael is starting Boston College and will be studying Business. They are both avid golfers and enjoy spending their time together.”

KB: Why is family so important to you? HP: “Family to me is one of the most important things. We are always there to support and love each other, in good times and in bad. Peter and I have instilled core values and beliefs in our children. Having a strong family unit has helped shape us into the people that we are today.”

KB: What are some of your family traditions? HP: “Christmas is one of our favorite holidays. My family from Canada loves to escape the cold every winter and come to Miami to spend the holidays with us. We maintain our traditional values and go to church on Christmas Eve and cook up a feast! During the summer we often try to plan a family trip to Greece. We get to see our extended family and connect back to our roots.”

INSPIRATION KB: Who is your biggest inspiration? HP: “I find inspiration in many different forms of people, places and things. The person that has inspired me the most has been my husband Peter. He has helped me find the motivation and courage needed to accomplish my goals. Having someone next to you that has faith in you promotes self-confidence.”

KB: How exactly has he supported you to follow your dreams? HP: “I was always the quiet one. I wasn’t very expressive. Peter brought out a side of me that I never knew was there. He would encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and experience things that he knew I was capable of.”

KB: What are some of the things he does for you? HP: “Peter always makes sure that I am well taken care of. We have travelled, and experienced lots of wonderful places in the world. He has held my hand and guided me in every way possible. I will be forever grateful for his love, support and dedication that he’s given me throughout our 25 years of marriage.”

When we first moved to Florida, I didn’t know anyone. It was easy to meet other parents through the kids’ involvement in sports. Everyone was very, very welcoming.

FIT LIFE KB: You obviously love working out. When did you start going to the gym on a regular basis? HP: “Many, many years ago, I started training with personal trainers on a regular basis. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago when I met Omar at Elev8tion that I began to train more frequently. My nutrition changed along with my workout routine. You can say I upped my game after I met Omar.”

KB: Have you always been an active person? HP: “As a child, I was always active in sports. I played basketball, soccer, and tennis. Being a part of a team even from a young age gives you a feeling of belonging. I made and still continue to make the greatest connections with wonderful women by playing different sports.”

KB: And now you and your husband own your own gyms. Wow! How did that happen? HP: “We both love being in the gym. We enjoy the workouts, the socializing, everything about the environment. We wanted to incorporate our passion with work so we made the decision to get into the gym industry.”

KB: When did you start to work with your trainer Omar? HP: “I started to train with Omar 3 years ago. I began training with him one on one until I got introduced to his team of wonderful women who all train together. Training alongside these women has enabled me to reach a whole new level.”

KB: Is your husband into working out as much as you are? HP: “He is! Peter and I train on the weekends together. He is very much into weight training and cardio.”

MIND, BODY & SOUL KB: What do you say to your mom friends who are having a hard time? HP: “Every mom has their story—nobody’s life is perfect. We all need to find the strength within ourselves to deal with our everyday life, whether it concerns family, work, or our health. What helped me most was finding different outlets to better cope with stress and decision making. It’s important to take care of yourself first. Find what works for you, whether it be meditating or exercising.”

KB: Why is it important to be a support for other women? HP: “Women supporting women is vital in today’s world. Whether it be during a hardship or a positive time in your life, having other women surround you is very encouraging.”

KB: Why is being a mom important? HP: “Being a mom is the most important, and difficult, job we will ever have. Sharing our stories and reaching out to other moms allows us to gain knowledge and experience from each other. Moms share a certain kind of understanding.”

We’ve raised our kids to be good kids, grateful. Maybe that’s the Canadian in us. My son’s third grade teacher once said to him, ‘Please remain the polite Canadian boy’ and this has stayed with me ever since.

KB: You are passionate about mental health. How do you think society’s perception of mental health has changed over the years? HP: “Mental health is a priority in today’s world. Life has changed so much. Society is becoming more accepting of people expressing their issues with mental health. Whether it be anxiety, depression or PTSD, people need to know that there is help out there and that things can get better. Growing up, everything was swept under the rug. I really make an extra effort to speak my mind and to share my feelings with others. After we moved from Canada to the U.S., I talked to my boys every night before bed and asked them, ‘I want you to tell me how your day was’ and ‘I need you to tell me what makes you happy/unhappy.’ I wanted to encourage them to communicate with others. This is a topic that needs to continue to be addressed and discussed.”

WORK LIFE KB: Tell us about your fascinating business. HP: “I am the founder of Fresko Foods in Miami. I’ve been running it for the past seven years. There are 30 to 40 employees. It’s a cut shop and specializes in delivering cut produce in Florida. We also export fruits and vegetables to South America.”

KB: What exactly does a cut shop do? HP: “In a nutshell, we save prep time in the kitchen. We supply restaurants, hotels, schools and markets. The fruits and vegetables are cleaned and cut in our facility. They are packaged and ready to be delivered daily.”

KB: Do you get really hands on? HP: “Yes, I do! I even have my cold gear, hair net and construction boots in my car next to my gym attire. I’m always ready to go in and supervise what’s going on. It’s an incredible operation that’s becoming more and more in demand.”

KB: How did you come up with this unique business idea? HP: “It started from my love for cooking. I’m Greek so I love to cook! I know that cooking preparation takes time, and with our lives being so hectic, I wanted to come up with a business idea in order to save time in the kitchen.”

KB: Sounds like you have a lot of helpers. HP: “We have amazing employees that are always ready to work and make Fresko what it is. We are an exceptional team that always comes together and gets the job done.”

KB: How did your love of training and your business tie together? HP: “It kind of goes hand in hand. Training and eating well are a necessary combination. You learn the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. Sometimes people blame their busy lifestyles as a reason not to eat healthy. This is how I came up with the idea of a cut shop. It saves people the time and effort needed to cook.”

KB: Who else do you work with? HP: “We also work with meal prep companies. They incorporate our fruits and vegetables into their meal plans.”

KB: Do you have a big operation? HP: “We are open seven days a week. We are fortunate that the facility next door is a fruit and vegetables company which is open 24 hours a day. We have such beautiful people working for us. They are AMAZING. They pay extra attention to detail. You can tell they love what they do from the quality of their work. As the demand is continuing to increase, so is our company.”

KB: Do you do anything special to thank them? HP: “Absolutely. We believe that it is imperative to give back to the people who make all this possible. On Fridays, we organize a special lunch for them where we can all gather and appreciate one and other.”

Now that we are opening up a gym in Las Vegas, we have one more excuse to go and see Lisa (our partner) and of course Sarah.

BEHIND SARAH’S LENS KB: How did you meet Sarah LyonsGlabman? HP: “I met her through Solomon from Surraca Photography. Solomon is a professional and accomplished photographer who I’ve worked with multiple times. He introduced me to Sarah and the rest is history! I did the BodyScape photo shoot this past February, in Miami of course! The weather is always perfect that time of year.”

KB: What was it like at your BodyScape photo shoot? Looks like you had a blast! HP: “We did! I’m very grateful for Solomon for making the introduction with Sarah. We had the best connection from the moment we met. Sarah is wonderful and very professional. Our day ran on schedule from hair, makeup and getting all of our looks ready for the shoot. Sarah captured every moment with grace and expertise. Working alongside her was such a great experience. She gave me the confidence to feel comfortable in front of her lens with her great sense of humor.”

I love fashion. I love to shop. I love when I’m contacted by a store or boutique and they say they’ve got a new collection coming in. I love to be up-to-date. We love to go out and support local shop owners.

KB: Have you got the modeling bug? HP: “Ha ha, yes! I love doing photo shoots. It’s become my passion—besides having my company.”

KB: I heard you brought all of your own clothes to the photo shoot. How did this happen? HP: “It was so exciting. I sent a video to Sarah asking her if I could bring my clothes, my shoes, my outfits. I showed her everything. I asked her, ‘Can I bring whatever I think looks good?’ and she was great, she said yes!”

KB: You have a stunning look and must love fashion. Tell us about your personal style? HP: “My looks vary from day-to-day and I can easily adjust to any situation. I love my fabulous designer wear, shoes and beautiful handbags. I don’t need an excuse to go shopping, especially living in Miami where you can enjoy dressing up every day. I love my different lines of gym wear— who knew that it would be taking up a lot of my closet space.”

Growing up, our summers were spent in Greece and winters in St. Maarten for 3 to 4 weeks. We always rang in New Year’s there. They were the best times spent with our families!

PERSONAL PASSIONS KB: Besides everything you’ve mentioned, what are you most passionate about? HP: “I have been journaling for many years. It’s therapeutic and helps me reflect on my day-today life. Also, my love for my Belgian Malinois named Ice. Taking him on long walks is one of my favorite pastimes.”

KB: What is your favorite quote? HP: “My favorite quote is ‘Take a breath and never forget who you are.’ No matter what life throws at you, remembering this quote can prepare you for anything coming your way. Feeling self-confident is the best feeling. We feel like we can accomplish anything.”

We love getting dressed up and going to lots of dinners at the most beautiful restaurants in Miami. We’ve met a lot of great friends through our businesses.

FINAL THOUGHTS KB: What would you like to tell the women who see your beautiful photos and want to be like you? HP: “I’d like to tell women everywhere to pursue anything they put their minds to and not to quit even when things get tough. If I can do it, so can you! It took me many years to become the woman I am today. We all have the strength and courage—we just need to find it in ourselves. A strong partner and the right people around you can help you, but it’s up to you to do it yourself. Love yourself first; it’s the greatest feeling.”

KB: What is one of the most important things you’ve learned about healthy living? HP: “I would tell them exactly what Omar said to me three years ago, ‘It’s a mindset’. Especially today, I want women to look at themselves with confidence. To love yourself and figure out your passions. Once you do, wake up every morning and go out there and do what you want to do—how you want to do it. My advice is to listen to your heart and be comfortable in your skin. It’s so liberating! No matter how much money you have. You’re not going to find happiness if you’re not happy with yourself.”

KB: What does happiness mean to you? HP: “I’m an easy-going person who finds happiness in the simplest things. Having my coffee in the morning, taking my evening walks with Ice or simply watching my favorite TV show. Having my health and love from my family brings me the most happiness.”

KB: Who do you like to call and talk to the most? HP: “I would have to say my mom! We have the best conversations and I can always rely on her to be there for me. We never run out of things to talk about!”

Contact information: To learn more about Helen’s story and to contact her directly, helenpolitis2@gmail.com



@helen30211

Helen’s coach:



@omareduardo1402

Follow Elev8tion Fitness™ Gyms:



@elev8tionfitness

Gym Locations:  Downtown Miami, Miami Shores, South Beach and North Miami

Las Vegas - COMING SOON!! About the Author: Kerrie Lee Brown is a recognized journalist, author, speaker and women’s health advocate. She is the former editor-inchief of Oxygen Women’s Fitness and American Health & Fitness—and has written articles for over 100 magazines worldwide. Today, Kerrie is the CEO of RedLily Media LLC and founder of RedLily® lifestyle brand and storytelling platform. She is also the editor-in-chief of BodyScape Magazine and Epic Fit Magazine.

To share your story in your own words and to join her global community, visit

www.redlilylife.com

follow  @KerrieLeeBrown  @redlilylife

THE COVER Scout. Style. Glam. Pose. Smile! Repeat! We go behind-the-scenes in Miami and take a look at the making of this month’s stunning cover featuring Helen Politis.

Capturing the Cover By Bodyscape Magazine publisher and lead photographer

Sarah Lyons Glabman BodyScapeMag.com

BodyScapeMag@Gmail.com Ahhhh Miami. There’s something VERY special about doing the Epic Destination photo shoots in Miami. The weather, the environments, the crew that I work with there all make the Miami shoots totally top notch, but at the end of the day, the clients are what really make the shoots so special. On this shoot in particular, we were working with a well-known fitness photographer, Salomon Urraca. (Check out his work @Surraca) Salomon was doing videography work on this shoot, and he is long-time associates with our stunner of a cover model, Helen Politis. Salomon introduced me to Helen as soon as I arrived in Miami, and she and I hit it off immediately! Helen is a very sweet and kind person.

As soon as she sat down with me at our intro meeting, I felt like I was sitting down with a sister. Her polite demeanor is extremely comforting and nurturing. The best part is that she was ready to DIVE IN and go for it! Her attitude was super positive, and that is what makes these shoots so much fun! She had no doubts of the direction she wanted to go, and I am just grateful that we could all be there for her. Helen’s cover shoot was not on my schedule until I arrived in Miami, and I am so happy that the time was made to do her shoot. It was literally the last shoot on the schedule for the week!

We began in the weeeee hours of the morning (Yes- 3:30 AM) reviewing Helen’s very special wardrobe selections. She has some of the most beautiful shoes and handbags I have ever seen in person, and some strong wardrobe pieces to boot. We were fortunate to have celebrity stylist Joey Rolon (@JoeyRolon) on-set to dress her to the 9’s. Lisa Opie (@Lisaopie) glammed Helen to perfection for the duration of her photo shoot, and really brought out the Greek goddess in her, creating a very sexy look.

Monica Brant (@Officialmonicabrant) was on set as Helen’s personal posing coach, working with Helen on how to pose her body correctly for this shoot in particular, and also as Helen’s detail coach, looking after every little detail from my perspective. We began the shoot in the beautiful early morning sunrise glow of South Beach, on the street. We wound up at a really amazing studio that’s meant just for photo shoots and video production. HUGE shout out to peerspace.com for such an amazing platform for creatives like myself because it’s just like an Airbnb but for photo shoot locations. This studio “house” had kind of a Cape Cod feel to it, but when you walk out to the back yard, it’s all white sand and tropical foliage! It was stunning! The location provided everything we needed and more to capture Helen’s cover look, and her stunning internal feature. We literally used every single moment wisely, as we only had a few hours to use the studio, but I must say that it was one of my favorite photo shoots to date! Thanks again Helen, for joining us and landing such an incredible cover of BodyScape Magazine!

T H E

B E N E F I T S

O F

SUNLIGHT THERAPY By BodyScape Magazine publisher and lead photographer Sarah Lyons Glabman BodyScapeMag@Gmail.com

BodyScapeMag.com

I’m originally from Seattle, Washington, and one of the main reasons that I moved from Seattle to Scottsdale is because I was beginning to suffer badly from seasonal depression disorder. It’s a real condition with real effects on people. A Seattle winter day means that the “sun”, or lack thereof, is all the way down by 3:30 PM. It’s dark, gloomy, and you guessed it…rainy! I was depressed, I felt unmotivated, and just generally sad. I know people that had the seasonal blues far worse than I did, and once I moved to Scottsdale in 2003, I was shouting from the rooftops that everyone needed to get out of the rain hole and move to Scottsdale! My friends didn’t exactly take my advice, but I have had several visitors to see me, and most of them come back every year. I absolutely love living in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, where it seems there is never a shortage of sunshine. As I write this article, it is currently mid-July, and to be honest, being outdoors is the last place I want to be right now, due to the relentless summertime heat. However, this too, shall pass. When it DOES pass, leading into beautiful October and the temperature is around 80-85 degrees in the daytime, you see an abundance of eager outdoorsy-types and sun junkies that head for the trails for some world-class hiking and biking, pool parties, golf outings, outdoor parties and so much more. It’s like an addiction being outdoors when the weather is perfect, and I am a fan. I support the addiction!

Recently, I found out that natural sunlight on your skin is actually great for your hormones. Knowing this, I increased my morning outdoor walks. After all, what would you rather do? Go indoors and pound away on a treadmill? Or use nature’s treadmill to be outdoors and get some fresh air and, you guessed it; sunshine?! I choose the latter. Sunlight elevates your natural “feel good” endorphins, it helps with depression, and it is also very beneficial for certain skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, in controlled situations of course. It’s God’s natural cure for so many ailments, and sometimes it gets ignored or simply written off because it’s “bad for us.” Well, don’t believe everything you read, because there are more sunny benefits to sunlight exposure than there are bad ones. I agree wholeheartedly, that no one should spend excessive hours in the sun without being prepared. (wear your hats, use sunshades, and definitely keep yourself hydrated!) Being here in Arizona, I do not condone spending much time outdoors at all once it creeps above 90 degrees. There is a time and a place for everything. In fact, I do everything I can to avoid doing photo shoots outdoors in Arizona between June 1 to August 31. I can’t always avoid it, so in these instances, I make certain that any outdoor photo shoots are taking place right at sunrise, and that they are completed by 9 a.m.. So, if you’re considering doing an outdoor shoot with me here, just know that we can dive right back in to all of God’s glory and splendor in the beautiful desert landscape of Scottsdale, Arizona once September rolls around. Until then, sunlight is awesome! And just remember, like anything in life, use your best judgement with the sun, and always be prepared. See you in sunny Scottsdale!

Sarah Lyons Glabman

BULKING UP TO GAIN MUSCLE

IT’S A BUNCH OF MULLARKEY BodyScape Magazine Contributing writer Karen Mullarkey

KarenMullarkey.com

Time and time again in this industry I see folks diet down to competition weight, look and feel amazing and then right after the show begin packing on the pounds in order to “Gain Muscle”! I don’t know about you, but I enjoy being lean year round and prefer not to bulk up. I also know, after prepping for over 25 competitions throughout my amateur and pro careers that I prefer, as a woman, to fit in my jeans year round. I have had no problems over the years adding and maintaining my muscle while staying only 5-8 pounds off my competition weight. With that said, I honestly think the whole theory on you have to gain weight in order to gain muscle is a Bunch of Mullarkey! Speaking for myself and I am sure for most of the female competitors out there, we would prefer to enjoy our hard work year round and not have to own two different wardrobes. I also know as an IFBB/WBFF Pro and owner of “No Mullarkey” Personal Training that it is very hard, not only on the body but also mentally, for a client to do the roller coaster ride with weight gain and loss. I encourage my clients to maintain their weight year round so when they are ready to get back on stage they don’t have to drop 20-30 pounds. It not only cuts your competition prep time in half, but it also makes the dieting process so much easier. Once I earned my pro card, it only took me roughly 6-8 weeks to get stage ready. Plus, if I had a photo shoot pop up I knew I didn’t need much notification to be shoot ready. If you have done any fitness modeling or aspire to be a fitness model, they sometimes only give you a day or two notice. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to miss out on an opportunity to get published. Not only can this be hard on the client, but also think about what this roller coaster can do on someone’s adrenals. I have seen too many of my fellow competitors ending up having adrenal fatigue because of constant weight gain and loss, not to mention “Supplement” use. “Supplement” use will make a great topic for a future blog:) As a fitness professional, it really upsets me to see trainers put their clients through this. Especially when the trainer has no idea what competition prep is like because they have never competed themselves. I know I would never take advice from someone who has never walked the walk. Moral of the story……..Keep the Weight Under Control People!!!!! Stay consistent year round with your weight training and cardio and you will continue to build muscle. You don’t have to eat your strict competition diet year round, but make sure you are eating clean Monday-Friday and then have a little fun on the weekend. What’s the point of looking great if you can’t get out there and have a little fun? If you are looking to compete or want to get into fitness modeling, I would highly recommend you hire a fitness professional like myself to guide you. It took me many years to get the process down and I know I could show you the shortcuts. Contact me now for the perfect customized training and nutrition package to fit your needs.

Karen Mullarkey

Owner “No Mullarkey” Personal Training www.karenmullarkey.com |

karen@karenmullarkey.com

Aloe and Greens: SUPERFOOD By Karen Masterson Koch, CN President of Aloe Life Health in the body doesn’t just happen. Building vibrant and lasting health demands regular foundational nutrition, a strong metabolism, and good digestion.1 Experts agree that making healthier food choices – such as including superfoods in your diet – can have a big impact on preventing and even reversing the rising tide of conditions like cancer, diabetes, allergies, and more. Today, aloe and greens are coming to light as a true superfood combination.

How Does a Quality Aloe Vera Support Health? In his book, Aloe Vera – A Scientific Approach, Robert Davis, PhD explains how powerful the plant’s action is as a catalyst to safely support overall optimum health. Aloe has the ability to increase nutrient bioavailability. When taken with food, nutritional supplements, or even pain relievers, the body utilizes them more effectively. Several studies revealed specifics. Two of these studies with vitamins C and E showed that aloe vera increased absorption into the cells by as much as 300%.5 Another study showed improved efficiency and timed release action with B12. A study involving protein, revealed absorption improved by 50% with a quality whole leaf aloe vera juice taken before meals.6 A popular litmus test for consumers is experiencing more energy, faster hair and nail growth, and just feeling better quickly.

What are Superfoods? Superfoods contain the health-building extras known as phytonutrients. The phytonutrient category includes antioxidants, amino acids, and other actives that are naturally found in herbs, fruits, vegetables, and some proteins.2 Each phytonutrient contributes to healthy metabolic function including: immunity, detoxification, energy, weight maintenance, bone density, cardiovascular and breathing function, skin health, and even mental wellness. According to recent sales in U.S. health food stores, both aloe vera and greens supplements top the list of herbal superfoods. This is because they offer so much and work so fast, especially if quality products are chosen.3 Inflammation in the body is a major factor in over 80 diseases including the ones mentioned and more like arthritis and skin conditions. It is not by accident that each of the top 5 herbal superfoods have pathways of action to squelch inflammation.

While the many active constituents in aloe balance and support immunity, allergies, energy, circulation, and wellbeing, optimizing digestion is the most critical step. As an herbal bitter, aloe contains anthraquinones. This element supports the proper flow of hydrochloric acid, bile, and other gastric juices. It is especially concentrated in whole leaf aloe vera juice concentrate and tablet products. Also, the 4.5 pH is acidic and encourages balance in the GI tract; reducing bloating, gas, constipation, and heartburn tendencies.6 Taken before meals is best. As the saying goes, a bitter on the tongue is sweet on the stomach!

Eating the recommended daily allowance of 4 cups or more of quality vegetables is not always an easy task. Fortunately, supplements often cost even less than purchasing a nutritionally equivalent amount of vegetables, and many are certified organic. Another benefit of tablet or powder greens formulas are how quick and easy they are to take. A supplement also comes in handy between shopping trips, for picky eaters, or when traveling. The beauty of the body’s ability to return to a state of health shows when you begin to eat the superfoods, improve your digestion, and detoxify from wastes. What are you searching for: youthful skin, daily energy, healthier body and mind, or just want to turn back the aging clock a bit? Perhaps you’re a natural athlete who scouts out foods to get a better edge on performance and recovery? Try greens and use a quality aloe vera for 3 months. The fact is that health works at any age for everyone that is willing to experiment. Enjoy!

The Synergy of Aloe and Greens Take advantage of aloe’s ability to enhance nutrient bioavailability by combining it with inflammation-fighting green superfoods. Start in the kitchen. Do your daily best to fix a variety of delicious greens like broccoli, chard, kale, cucumbers, parsley, and other dark greens. Before consuming, take a serving of whole leaf aloe.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products and suggestions are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. *Caution: If you are on a blood thinner medication, AVOID greens formulas. Just focus on all the other great vegetables and superfoods as tolerated.

Top 5 Herbal Superfoods Aloe Vera Turmeric Greens

Curcumin

Fish or Flax Oil

Other superfoods include squash, carrots, berries, papaya, green and red apples, and avocados. Proteins that are highlighted include: fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, etc.), beans, eggs, almonds, chia, coconut, and pumpkin seeds. Even yummy dark chocolate makes the list!

Certified Nutritionist and Aloe Life President Karen Masterson Koch is a health researcher, educator, and author with over 25 years’ experience counseling individuals back to health from every type of health challenge imaginable. Her book Beyond Gluten Intolerance has opened the door for many to health discoveries including weight loss, reversing failing health which often includes digestive challenges, mood disorders, allergies, and skin conditions.

Science supports Aloe Vera’s Action in over 3500 publications: 4 Anti-Inflammatory Auto Immune/Immunity Detoxification/Cholesterol All Digestion

Blood Sugar/Energy Anti-Bacterial Anti-Viral Skin Renewal

Top 10 Greens in Supplements Sprouted Wheat Dandelion Barley Grass Chlorella Spirulina

Alfalfa Watercress Parsley

Moringa Broccoli

Daily Greens by Aloe Life (Certified Organic) contains 21 ingredients including the Top 10 Greens and Top 5 Superfoods – both Aloe and Nopal Cactus! Formula contains an amazing variety of vitamins, minerals, protein and vegetable fibers (gluten free), with over 60 powerful phytonutrients available for health support; chlorophyll, carotenoids, sulforaphane, polyphenols, gibberellins, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, sterols and saponins for antiseptic action. Daily Greens is great to partner with 1-2 oz. of Aloe Gold juice concentrate or tablets to better absorb other supplements plus a healthy diet to optimize a Whole Body Organic Lifestyle!

1-800-414-ALOE

References: Evans, William, PhD, Rosenberg, Irwin, M.D, 1991. BIOMARKERS, Tuft’s Professors of Nutrition and Medicine 10 year account of now ongoing 30 year study, pg. 246-253, Fireside, 1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY, 10020. 2. H. Donald, M.D, Endocrinologist, 2009. “Food Sources the Best Choice for Antioxidants”, Medical Edge Newspaper Column, Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical -edge newspaper-2009/Jun05b.html. 3. Blumenthal, Mark, HerbalGram editor and American Botanical Council (ABC), 2014; Top 5 Herbs in the natural channel, flax oil, grasses, turmeric, curcumin, aloe vera and spirulina/algae from 2012 and recent reviews of sales. Article by Virgo Publishing. 4. K.A. Masterson, Gift of Nature – Whole Leaf Aloe Vera, page 19, 2011, Total Science Press, Santee, CA. 92072. 5. Devaraj, S., Patel, S., Jialal, R., Jialal, I., 2007, Aloe Supplement Enhances Vitamin C, E and B12. JASEB Journal: Experimental Biology Abstracts 8:1 – 701.35, Univ. CA, Davis. 6. Bland, Jeffrey, 1985, Linus Pauling Inst., Effect of Orally Consumed WL Aloe Vera Juice on Gastrointestinal Function in Normal Humans, Preventative Medicine, March / April periodical. 1.

www.aloelife.com

info@aloelife.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.