January / February 2020 InFluential Magazine by InFluential Magazine Family

T HE A RT O F LI V IN G W ELL WWW.INFLUENTIAL-MAGAZINE.COM JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

DAVID TUPAZ

Just Wants to Matter, and He Does!

MAKE 2020 THE YEAR OF YOU: 5 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Health Success

DESIGN YOUR PATH

TO GREATER SUCCESS! PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISABELLE RUEN.

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CONTENTS

FASHION EDITORIAL 74 | DAVID TUPAZ

]

LIFESTYLE

IN FLUENCE BUSINESS

16 | Resolving to Start a Business?

120 | 5 Tips to Refresh Your Home in the New Year 122 | New Year, New ... Tires? 124 | Resolve to Green Your Grocery

Shopping in 2020

Website Trends to Consider for 2020 TRAVEL

FASHION & STYLE

38 | Eco-Conscious Label Pangaia Launches Flower-Filled Puffer Jackets 44 | Clearly, Handbags and Purses Don’t Have to Slow Stadium Security Lines 48 | Fierce + Regal Launches January/February 2020 Line-Up 52 | Gita Omri Helps Women Present Themselves in Their True Form with Pride, Acceptance, and Authenticity 60 | Take on 2020 with Classic Blue Watches from Tockr TM 64 | Ultimate Guide to Women’s Sunglasses in 2020

132 | Apps You’ll App-reciate on Your Next Trip 134 | Let Trends Guide Your 2020 Travel

FEATURE 12 | MAKE 2020 THE YEAR OF YOU: 5 WAYS TO SET YOURSELF UP FOR HEALTH SUCCESS 18 | DON’T FRET OVER A CAREER PATH; TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED 28 | LIFE IS FASHIONATING 126 | MOBILE APP TRENDS IN 2020

INFLUENTIAL SPOTLIGHT FOOD & BEVERAGE

92 | Flying Embers Hard Kombucha

Cocktail Recipes

96 | If Cauliflower Can Do It,

So Can You

HEALTH & WELLNESS

100 | Get Your Family Outside in Cooler Weather: It’s Good for You 102 | Make Your Weight Loss Goals a Reality 104 | Resolve to Be a Healthier You 108 | The Core Institute’s Five Tips for Healthy Heel Wearing This New Year 110 | Young Mom Doesn’t Let MS Get in the Way of Living Her Life

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

24 | FEATURING AWARD-WINNING ACTOR CESAR DI BELLO 86 | FEATURING MUSIC PHENOM ALINA BUKIYA AKA MIILKY BEATZ 114 | FEATURING AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER CARLOS ASSE 138 | FEATURING NATALIA SANCHIDRIÁN, RENOWN AUTHOR AND SPAIN’S NEW VOICE OF MO-TIVATION AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE 70 | DAVID TUPAZ JUST WANTS TO MATTER, AND HE DOES!

EDITORIAL CREDITS

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Marketing & Public Relations W. Jackson & Associates, LLC

CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR / CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree Round Rock, Texas EDITORIAL TEAM Chief Business Officer William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree Editor-in-Chief William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree Chief Creative Director William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree Beauty Editor Kelli Ponce Fashion & Style Editor William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree Health & Wellness Editor Ingrid Garner Technology Editor James Nelson WRITING TEAM Contributing Writer Maria Konstantinova, Founder & CEO | Product Mind, Ellen Mason, Co-Founder of A Fashionating Life, Sandra A. Miller, Deni Sciano, Josh Southwell, Guest Contributing Writer William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree

ART & PRODUCTION Chief Creative Director William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree Beauty Editor Kelli Ponce Creative Services What Taller Gráfico Argenis Gudino, Jose Luis Venegas Quintero Fashion & Style Editor William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree Web Design The MOD Studio Contributing Photographers Donut Hole Universe, Fierce + Regal, Yarden Lior, Gita Omri, Pangaia, Breezy Ritter, Isabelle Ruen, Score! Designs, LLC., SGG Public Relations, Tockr™ Website Administration W. Jackson & Associates, LLC SALES & MARKETING Business Development William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree James Nelson

For advertising inquiries please email ads@influential-magazine.com.

PHOTOGRAPHY ISABELLE RUEN WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/ ISABELLERUEN PRODUCTION 4K FASHION WWW.INSTAGRAM. COM/4KFASHION DESIGNER DAVID TUPAZ WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/ DAVIDTUPAZ RED HAIRED MODEL KELLI KICKHAM WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/ KELLIKICKHAM BRUNETTE MODEL IZZY YOUNG WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/_ IZZYYOUNG MAKE-UP ARTIST / HAIR STYLIST: REYNA KHALIL WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/ REYNAKHALIL

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR shall be signed with a full name; please include a daytime phone number, full mailing address, or e-mail address. Letters shall be no longer than 300 words. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Letters may not be edited, added to, or changed by the sender once we receive them. For Letters to the Editor please email editor@influential-magazine.com. For Beauty inquiries please email our Beauty Editor, Kelli Ponce Kelli@influential-magazine.com. For Fashion & Style inquiries please email our Fashion & Style Editor, William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree William@influenital-magazine.com. For Health & Wellness inquiries please email our Health & Wellness Editor, Ingrid Garner Ingrid@influential-magazine.com. For Technology inquiries please email our Technology Editor, James Nelson James@influential-magazine.com. For public relations inquiries please email pr@influential-magazine.com.

Members of W. Jackson & Associates are BMI affiliates American Graphic Design Award Winning Magazine Recipient of the Lux Life 2018 Entertainment Awards for Best Lifestyle Magazine 2018 – Texas Recipient of the American Graphic Design Award Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Capital of Texas Awards Univision Communication Media Award Finalist

For general information inquiries please email info@influential-magazine.com. Our mailing address InFluential Magazine, P.O. Box 1307, Round Rock, Texas 78680 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Founder & Chief Business Officer. All the rights of the artwork and photography belong to the Founder & Chief Business Officer.

InFluential Magazine is Round Rock, Texas owned and operated.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

FLUENTIAL

WARM WISHES TO OUR READERS

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Greetings InFluential Magazine Family: I’m thrilled to welcome you to 2020! I hope you had the opportunity to enjoy the festive period to its fullest and you relished unforgettable moments with your loved ones. Dwelling on the fact we’ve embarked on the year 2020, I’m mind blown. I’ve heard my parents and grandparents remark the older you are, the faster time flies, and low and behold, I’m here. For so long, 2020 seemed so far off, a time when everyone would be working remotely, driving flying cars, and relying on robots to do most things for them. At least, that’s the vision sci-fi movies painted in my head. Alas, here we are in 2020, and we don’t have a robot to clean our house. Although there’ve been many noteworthy changes, much has remained the same. We thought it would be appropriate to provide the reminder We Can Have It All, If We Want It. It’s the perfect time to take stock of key aspects of our lives to determine where adjustments are necessary. This is toward the goal of ensuring each of us is living our best life. What would a January / February edition be without a focus on health? We’ve collected several tips on how to Get Your Family Outside in Cooler Weather: It’s Good for You. Also, for those on a weight loss journey, we provide healthful tips on how to Make Your Weight Loss Goals a Reality. Of course, we present so many relevant, interesting, and captivating topics to just make us better! As we hit the reset button for a brand-new year, I encourage everyone to Make 2020 the Year of YOU! I, and my entire team around the world, send large wishes and look forward to seeing all the great things to be accomplished in 2020 and beyond! Cheerfully,

William Jackson, MBA, GQ Insider, 2018 Folio: 100 Honoree Founder & Publisher of InFluential Magazine, Spanish InFluential, and Teen InFluential

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FLUENTIAL FLUENTIAL

FEATURE

Adopt a “find solutions” attitude Decide that being active is a “non-negotiable”; be the person who finds a fitness solution for every problem. Traveling? No access to a gym? No problem. You can get a killer workout with only your own body weight. Try a 20 min AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) workout. After a 5-minute warm-up cycle through 15 squats, 15 pushups, 15 lunges, and 15 jumping jacks as many times as possible in 15 minutes. Enjoy solo workouts in your own space? No problem. Use a resistance band at home! Hate formal exercise? No problem. Build motion into your life; walk, garden, and clean your house with gusto.

kWRITTEN BY KATHLEEN TROTTER, MSC

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KATHLEEN TROTTER, MSC.

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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Create “systems” that protect you from your lesser self Know your triggers so you can protect yourself from yourself. When one is motivated, energized, happy, not exhausted, not in a social situation, at the grocery store, etc., it’s easy to say, “I won’t drink at the party” or “I can buy that tub of ice-cream and eat it over the next month.” Now, following through? Not so easy. The solution, create a safety net; don’t give yourself the opportunity to “go there.” Become aware of your habits; you can’t guard against your lesser being if you’re not aware of your triggers. Journal your food intake and take a mindfulness pause before eating. Ask, “Why am I eating? Am I hungry? Tired? Bored?” Maybe you always eat while watching TV. Possible solution? Knit instead; keep your hands busy.

MAKE 2020 THE YEAR OF YOU:

5up for

WAYS TO SET YOURSELF

HEALTH SUCCESS JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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FEATURE

Realistic expectations are the seeds of happiness and success Unhealthy habits were not formed overnight. New healthier habits will not form instantaneously either. Stop setting the bar impossibly high! Give yourself time to establish new patterns. Set the success bar to an appropriate height. Embrace “little wins.” Expect three weekly workouts, not five. Expect less sugar, not no sugar. Expecting the impossible, such as overnight success or perfection, simply sets one up for failure. Often it produces a mentality that justifies

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

“snowballing,” where when we deviate even slightly off our impossible course (which is inevitable), we let one small unhealthy choice snowball into multiple unhealthy choices. One cookie turns into five, which turns into a bottle of wine and no workouts for a week. Why wouldn’t we? We have framed the slip as a “failure” rather than an opportunity to analyze our goals, program, and expectations. Let small victories domino into larger victories until suddenly you have more healthy habits than last month. Trend positive.

Re-frame “failure” as an “opportunity for growth,” BUT don’t mistake “failure” for simply not trying Learn from every experience. Frame experiences as “data” and any “fall” as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth. If you overeat or skip a workout, aim to understand why. Did you get too hungry, then scarf down everything in sight? Did you skip a workout because of a lack of advanced planning? Life is your laboratory. Keep what works. Ditch what doesn’t. The caveat is, failing and growing is not the same thing as being lazy, sloppy, or simply not trying. Don’t justify a “fall” with something akin to, “failure is good.” You must care, to learn, and to be aware.

Set clear, realistic fitness goals versus vague statements of “health hope”: make “fitness goals” not “fitness wishes” Establish two or three realistic goals; write them down. Make sure your goals reflect how much time and energy you have (not how much you want to have), your finances, and your equipment. Figure out in advance the WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and HOW of your workout plan. Establish a detailed plan of action. WHERE and WHEN will you work out? Will you join a gym and go before work, join a running group, set up a home gym, or play a sport? WHAT exercise will you do? Plan to do something you enjoy, or at least something you don’t hate. If you love being outside, research the local ravine system or find a nature walking group. If you love group sports, find a convenient team to join. If you know you need help being accountable, get a fitness buddy. WHEN do you want to accomplish your goal by? Be specific. If you want to lose weight, how much and by when? Break the goal down; how much per week? If you want to get stronger, what exactly does that mean? HOW will you fit in your training? What accommodations do you need to make? Do you need to rearrange who will drive the kids to school? Do you need to block off time during your workday? Do you need to download fitness podcasts so you can train in your living room? Do you need to arrange daycare so you can train after work? l

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About Kathleen Trotter, MSc Kathleen Trotter, MSc, is a fitness expert, media personality, personal trainer, writer, and author of Finding Your Fit. A Compassionate Trainer’s Guide to Making Fitness a Lifelong Habit and Your Fittest Future Self. Making Choices Today for a Happier, Healthier, Fitter Future You. Kathleen has been a personal trainer and fitness expert for almost twenty years. Kathleen currently writes for publications including the Huffington Post, recently filmed an episode of The Zommer Report for Vision Tv, has a regular monthly segment on BT Montreal, makes frequent media appearances on other television shows, including Rogers Ottawa, BT Toronto, and CHCH Hamilton, as well as on podcasts such as The Tonic Show Podcast for Zoomer Radio, 40+ Fitness, Naturally Savvy, Fit Chicks Chat, and The Other F Word Podcast. In addition, Kathleen spent over eight years writing for The Globe and Mail and has written for various other publications including Impact Magazine, ParticipAction, Breathe, Alive, Canadian Running, Today’s Parent, Chatelaine, and Glow, and for six years she was the featured personal trainer in The Globe and Mail’s online Fitness Basics weekly web series and included in the Globe’s weekly newsletter for subscribers. Kathleen holds a master’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Toronto, a nutrition diploma from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, and a nutrition certification through Precision Nutrition. She is a C.H.E.K. Level 3 Trainer, a Level 2 Fascial Stretch Therapist, a Level 1 ELDOA practitioner, and a certified Pilates Equipment Specialist. Kathleen is currently working to become a life coach.

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IN FLUENCE

Business

RESOLVING TO START A BUSINESS?

WEBSITE TRENDS TO CONSIDER FOR

2020

IS YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION THE BIG STEP OF STARTING A BUSINESS?

ne of the first things you’ll need to do is build a website. Today a website is not only your brand, but it also provides the tools you need to operate your business and is the central point for you to communicate with your customers. Web development platform Wix recently looked at website creation

data for the U.S. in 2019 and found some interesting facts. One significant statistic found is that about 50 percent more websites were built the week after January 1 than the week prior. That means that if you decide to start a business early in 2020, you likely won’t be going it alone. A key

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

website feature to keep in mind when building your site is live chat. Almost half of sites implement a live chat feature to communicate with current customers and attract potential new customers. In any business, it’s important from the beginning to be responsive to customers and doing so can be a key differentiator in growing your business. (StatePoint) l

FEATURE

DON’T FRET A CAREER

TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED “THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED” IS AN ICONIC IDIOM THAT HAS BOUNCED AROUND FOR DECADES, BUT SADLY, NOT ENOUGH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TAKING IT AS THEY HEAD INTO ADULTHOOD.

araphrased from a line in the Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken, the road less traveled conjures the image of a young person acting independently, freeing themselves from conformity and perhaps making bold choices or even ill-advised, risky ones. It sounds exciting and can lead to spectacular successes – or failures. Most, of course, prefer the safer path, with a four-year college degree becoming almost cliché as the most

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

kWRITTEN BY SANDRA A. MILLER secure way to go forward in life. And there are other conventional routes: getting a stable job right out of high school, a training program leading to a career, etc. Look, college is still a great gateway to your future. It’s one I took and recommend. I teach writing in college now. But what I’m saying is, whatever you do, don’t let societal conformity or expectations, peer pressure, know-it-all professors, parental pressure, or your own fears and insecurity prevent you from taking the road – or several side roads – less traveled. There cannot possibly be a better way to learn about yourself. Take the scenic route down the dirt path by the creek. Through the woods, over the mountains. The road less traveled. Follow your heart wherever it leads. Give Yourself a Green Light Allow me to flash a blinking red light on your safe path as an absolute danger to the quality of your life, your development and potential, and not least of all, to the wealth of your memories.

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OVER PATH;

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FEATURE Bejeweled bracelet prize in the Trove Armchair Treasure Hunt. photo by Holloway McCandless Photos cortesy of www.sandraamiller

From the luxury of looking into my own rearview mirror, I can tell you being spontaneous, courageous, and zestful can lead to extraordinary experiences that will make your life far richer than it otherwise would be. Most of us grow up being told what to do by well-meaning parents, or at least guided in some ways. And that’s as it should be, to a degree; on the other end of the spectrum, the overbearing or helicoptering parent snuffs the freedom out of you before it has a chance to breathe once you’re out of the house. You feel obliged to a life of conformity.

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

But as you teeter on the threshold of your adult life, having this golden chance that will never come again, I want to tell you some things. First, use your voice and be big in the world. Be big and loud and bold. After 18 years of being told how to think and what to believe in, this is your chance to show who you are and to decide which direction you want to start in. Don’t feel guilty. Try owning your voice to reject what doesn’t feel true and right, and then consider what you’re passionate about, what enthralls

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stopped me in my tracks when I was in college and really before I embarked on out-of-the-box choices and the road less traveled.

you. Go for it then; don’t wait to have time for it later. Otherwise, that time might not come as life’s conformities start coming at you in waves – the 9 to 5 job, marriage, children – all before you took the grand opportunity to explore and discover more of yourself. Don’t worry about choosing wrong. You can change your mind again, and then again. Live in the Moment – and Live Large That’s the incredible thing you don’t realize yet: Life is more fluid than fixed. You get to jump streams, change paths until you find the one that’s singularly yours.

I was driving home on a dreary December afternoon in the middle of final exams, shortly after getting the call that my father had died. Our relationship had long suffered. I wondered what I could About have done differently before losing him, Sandra A. Miller and I would spend decades trying to heal Sandra A. Miller my broken heart.

(www.SandraAMiller.com), author of Trove: A Woman’s Search for Truth and Buried Treasure, teaches writing at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. She previously worked in the editorial department at NAL/Penguin and later worked as a literary agent. She has written stories, articles and essays that have appeared in hundreds of regional and national publications, including Modern Bride, Glamour, The Boston Globe, The Christian Science Monitor, Yankee, and The Washington Post On Parenting blog. She has facilitated workshops on treasure hunting as a spiritual experience. Miller also has created her own armchair treasure hunt with a custom-made jeweled bracelet worth $2,200 as the prize. The bracelet is hidden somewhere in New England, and she will be providing clues through the blog on her website.

And while you’re looking for your path, you can also stress a little less. Getting A’s in college is commendable, sure, but grades aren’t the real stuff of life. That comes with impromptu adventures and midnight escapades, meeting new people, even messing up a little. These are some of the best years of your hopefully long life, and there’s a lot of fun to be had and things to discover – including yourself. So, with that, you might think about leaving the library now and then and shedding the nickname “bookworm.” Cram less. Live more. Maybe even crawl into the bell tower and drink beer with your friends. You do not want to look back with regrets. I had fun in my younger life as an adventurer, but one major event

From the vantage point of midlife, people who suffered similar losses in their distant past can finally see the truth behind the pain. For me, my difficult relationship with my dad was part of my journey, and looking back now, the perpetual ache I felt to connect with him propelled me, led me around the globe to the most magical places. It led me to Asia to teach. To Europe, where I fell in love with languages. And South America, where I stumbled onto a spiritual path.

Sometimes taking the road less traveled may create the impression you’re running away, but this is all part of your search to find yourself apart from your family. You’re beginning on the edge of adulthood as I did, a shy, 18-year-old worrier, constantly wondering if you are doing the right thing for your future. The right thing is being you, and the journey is about discovering you. Whatever road – or roads – you take, don’t worry about wrong turns, and just keep living forwards, not backwards or sideways. You’ll find your way, in part by stumbling into your truths far down the road. Every step, every mistake, every regret and every moment of incalculable joy is essential to this journey you are on. l JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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INFLUENTIAL SPOTLIGHT

FEATURING AWARD-WINNING ACTOR

Di Bello CESAR

STAY FOCUSED AND TRUST THE PROCESS

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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CESAR DI BELLO IS AN ACTOR ORIGINALLY FROM BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA. WHEN HE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD HE MOVED WITH HIS FAMILY TO MADRID, SPAIN. FROM AN EARLY AGE, CESAR DISCOVERED HIS LOVE FOR STORIES, WHETHER THEY WERE IN BOOKS OR FILMS. AFTER GETTING A DOUBLE DEGREE IN LAW AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, HE WORKED IN THE LEGAL FIELD AS AN EXPERT ON ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING. HIS CURIOSITY ABOUT ACTING TOOK CENTER STAGE AND AFTER FOUR YEARS WORKING AS A LEGAL CONSULTANT, HE QUIT EVERYTHING AND FLEW TO LOS ANGELES TO STUDY AT STELLA ADLER.

kPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF

SGG PUBLIC RELATIONS.

s an actor, Cesar has been in competition at the Cannes Film Festival with the film Manifesto where he played the lead role of Simon. Cesar also won recently the Best Actor Award at the Stella Adler Short and Sweet Festival for the lead role of Enrique in the film Paloma directed by the awarded filmmaker Jean Lee. Cesarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comedy Original Sin, in which he plays the lead role of the distant husband Adrian, won the Best Foreign Film award at the Downtown Los Angeles Film JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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INFLUENTIAL SPOTLIGHT

Festival and the Best Comedy award at Milan International Filmmaker Festival. Also, it has been in competition at the Austin Film Festival, Cinequest, Chicago Latino Film Festival, Cardiff Film Festival, and the Ashland Independent Film Festival. The drama Pasarea, in which he plays the pimp Nikolai, has been in competition in several festivals, like Festival de Cine de Malaga. Cesar lives currently between Los Angeles and Madrid. We were awe-struck to be invited into world of the awardwinning Cesar Di Bello. We learned about how he prepares for a role, who are his favorite actors, and his recommendations for a must-read book and must-see movie. InFluential Magazine: Who is your favorite actor? Cesar Di Bello: I don’t really have one favorite actor. Some of my favorites are Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep. But Marlon Brando might be it for me. What he did with his acting On the Waterfront stills shocks me. InFluential: What kind of roles do you prefer? Cesar: My favorites are those with a huge range and where I can use some of my comedy chops. InFluential: Tell me about an occasion when you had a bad day but had to perform that night. How did you successfully manage through? Cesar: I recall two occasions. One, I had a bike accident as I was traveling to a scene study presentation. Unfortunately, I hurt my left arm and leg, the clothes on that side were shattered, and blood could be seen coming from the injuries. Nevertheless, I continued to the performance. After rehearsing that scene for a few weeks, not performing that night wasn´t an option so I explained the situation to my teacher. Fortunately, he gave me permission to perform and I had a blast on stage that night. On another occasion, I went through a breakup right before opening my first play in my hometown of Madrid.

InFluential: How do you prepare for a role? Cesar: Preparing for a role is one of my favorite parts of the process. I study the script to understand deeply my character and the situation. Also, I research the period and place where the story takes place, my character’s profession, and other important characteristics.

I´m grateful because both times everything worked out great. I just tried to stay focused on the stage and trust the rest of it.

InFluential: Cesar, you´ve played a range of characters. What character has been the most challenging for you to become?

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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“

Preparing for a role is one of my favorite parts of the process. I study the script to understand deeply my character and the situation. Also, I research the period and place where the story takes place, my character’s profession, and other important characteristics.

”

Cesar: Every character is different and brings new challenges but the most challenging has been my role as Adrián from Original Sin because playing a man who just can´t become the man he´s been taught to be was very interesting and challenging for me. I developed a great deal of empathy for people like him. There are many Adriáns out there. InFluential: Adrián seems a bit traumatized and odd. How similar are the two of you?

Cesar: Well, that´s an interesting question.Besides our obvious differences, I’d say both of us have a deep respect for family and are fiercely loyal. InFluential: Tell us about the filming process for Original Sin. Cesar: It was intense, but I loved the entire experience. We were fortunate to have such a great team of talented people on set. And observing Jean Lee, the director, doing her thing was incredible. Seeing the behind the scenes of a feature film really confirmed my desire to be a director. InFluential: What was your first role? When was it? Cesar: If I recall correctly, my first performance as an actor on stage was during March 2014. I played two small roles, a cop and a Puerto Rican concierge, in the play Six Degrees of Separation with the Stella Adler Lab Theater Company. It was very special for me since I was performing with some of my teachers. Also, Mark Ruffalo came to see us. InFluential: Cesar would you recommend please for our readers a book and a movie. Cesar: I enjoy the book Between Riverside and Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis. A great movie to watch is The Great Beauty by Paolo Sorrentino. InFluential: Besides acting, what other passions do you have? Cesar: I enjoy directing. I’ve directed several plays and I´m training to become a film director. Also, I just discovered surfing and it´s my favorite hobby right now. InFluential: Congratulations for your award as best actor at the Stella Adler Festival for your role of Enrique at the movie Paloma. How did you get that role? Cesar: I was called to audition and had a blast in the room. I guess I made a great impression on the minds of the director and the producer because after a few days they offered me the lead role of Enrique.l JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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FEATURE

LIFE IS

Fashionating “DO WOMEN OF AGE BECOME LESS AND LESS OF VALUE? OF COURSE! IF YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT THE MOTION PICTURE BUSINESS, IT’S HARD FOR WOMEN IN EVERY ARENA, IN EVERY PART OF IT. AND IT’S NOT GETTING EXPONENTIALLY BETTER.” SALLY FIELD, MULTI AWARD WINNING ACTRESS.

ow many times do we hear some of the world’s best actresses and most striking models say once they reach a certain age, often their 40’s but sometimes younger, the job offers start to dry up? These women say they begin to feel invisible. Our question is this: If some of the world’s most beautiful and talented women feel invisible when they hit 40, how are the rest of us mere mortals supposed to feel when we reach the same age and the same thing starts happening to us? Over the course of our combined decades in the professional world, we have noticed the lack of middle age women in every industry we worked in, ranging from government to

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kWRITTEN BY ELLEN MASON, CO-FOUNDER

OF A FASHIONATING LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BREEZY RITTER.

music. And most recently, we have been left feeling invisible in the blogsphere where, after endless hours of scrolling, we are left feeling invisible - yet again. The mission of A Fashionating Life is helping women in their 40s feel empowered by fashion in their everyday lives, inspiring women of all ages to take control of their personal style and use clothes as a powerful tool in the story they tell the world. The feeling of invisibility is something shared by all women to some degree: the only woman in the C-suite at work; the mother who is struggling to see herself, let alone her style, as her life twists and turns on the motherhood journey; the woman who is juggling both; and all points in between. Whether you are just starting out or looking to redefine middle age and beyond, we want women to see themselves reflected in this blog regardless of age or station in life. According to recent reports, the influencer space is a billion-dollar plus industry. Yet women of our demographic have a hard time finding themselves in this space. Forty something bloggers are out there, but they are not what permeates our feeds, let alone our Like To Know Its. But why? By this time in our lives, women not only have plenty of style, but we have the means to maintain that style and the confidence to pull off any look with aplomb.

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About Ellen Mason Ellen Mason started her career in fashion after attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising but took a detour through the arts working as a communications director for national non-profits for over 20 years. Having recently changed to the corporate world, she started her blog to not only share her love of designer and vintage fashion, but because she did not see women with her life experiences in the billion dollar plus influencer industry. Believing that women in their 40â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only have plenty of style, but plenty of purchasing power, she wants her blog to help redefine what the typical blogger looks like. She, along with partner, Jennifer Ransom write A Fashionating Life to share the fashion journey of two fashionable working mothers who wear too many hats and own too many pairs of shoes.

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FEATURE

“

We are big believers in mixing modern and vintage pieces to find a style that is uniquely you.

”

Jennifer Ransom and Ellen Mason

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Heather Willison, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Beautycounter and Shelley Mac, international recording artist. And, we look forward in the new year to honoring InFluential Magazine founder, the ever stylish inside and out, Mr. William Jackson.

We do not think there is anything about either of our styles that says “40 something,” but we both feel left out of the conversation when looking to blogs and Instagram for style inspiration. We would like to see more 40 something women at the forefront of the influencer industry, with capsule collections at major retailers and innovative sponsorship deals that appeal to a group of women that embodies a large percentage of buying power – larger than many of our younger peers. We are big believers in mixing modern and vintage pieces to find a style that is uniquely you. From thrifting to designer deals, we put an emphasis on slow fashion to express your personal style in a way that is healthy for your wallet and our planet. And since we understand that not everyone has the time or inclination to shop on the secondary market, we want to make sure whatever you buy is an investment in your personal style. We love showing our fashion loving friends how to find the best deals on the items that best fit whatever your current lifestyle is. And we show you how to navigate those inevitable style changes that happen as your life changes. Between the two of us, we have worn the following hats: single career woman, DINK, single working mom, SAHM, and married career mom. We have the life experience to teach tried-and-true style tricks for all the above. Besides tips on how to take one pair of pants and style them five ways, we will share our decades of experiences in not only dressing for, but how to navigate everything from the boardroom to the classroom. We are especially looking forward to highlighting those in our community and beyond who are living fashionating, even influential lives. Our Fashionator Series celebrates the modern woman or man who embraces life with impeccable style, with events that are both fun and inspirational. A Fashionator is one who lives fashionably through attitude, personal style, health, and beauty, whether they are a trend-setter, style maker, trailblazer, community leader, influencer, or boundary breaker. We have already had two events, one with

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{

}

Fashionator: noun - one who lives fashionably through attitude, personal style, health, and beauty Related: Trend-setter, style maker, trailblazer, community leader, influencer, boundary breaker

The mission of A Fashionating Life is helping women in their 40s feel empowered by fashion in their everyday lives, inspiring women of all ages to take control of their personal style and use clothes as a powerful tool in the story they tell the world.

That is what we want this blog to represent - creating a sense of self through style; nurturing that outward expression of your innermost point of view – regardless of age or stage. We want women to take control of their narrative and wear whatever makes them feel brave, attractive, powerful, and even sexy, despite what society says about how a woman in her 40’s should dress. Rock that mini skirt, buy those black leather thigh-high boots, and remember that every woman’s body is a beach body. We want our blog to be a place where our peers come to see real women with real bodies, real jobs and real budgets. It is about more than providing links to multiple LBDs, it’s about building a community of diverse women united by a desire to support other women at a time when society makes it difficult to feel seen. So please follow along on this journey. We are on Instagram and Facebook at @afashionatinglife and our blog is at www.afashionatinglife.com. Of course, we want the likes and follows and shares that show our blog’s message is resonating with women who are ready to be seen, heard and, most importantly, valued and emboldened to live beautifully, inside and out, building the life they want. More than that, we want to hear from you and what you would like to see on A Fashionating Life. Women in their 40’s, and beyond, have great stories and a wealth of life experiences to share. Let’s live a fashionating life together. #lifeisfashionating #afashionatinglife. l

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FEATURE

We’re especially looking forward to highlighting those in our community and beyond who are living fashionating, even influential lives. Our Fashionator Series celebrates the modern woman or man who embraces life with impeccable style, with events that are both fun and inspirational.

”

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ECO-CONSCIOUS LABEL PANGAIA LAUNCHES FLOWER-FILLED PUFFER JACKETS INTRODUCING FLWRDWN SINCE LAUNCHING GLOBALLY IN DECEMBER 2018, SELF-ELECTED ‘MATERIAL SCIENCE’ BRAND PANGAIA HAS QUICKLY SHOT TO GLOBAL FAME, GAINING A-LIST FAN ALONG THE WAY, ALL THANKS TO ITS SUSTAINABLE, CRUELTY FREE ETHOS AND INNOVATIVE TEXTILE TECHNOLOGIES.

ollowing the success of its’ debut core range and collaborations, the pioneer brand is proud t o announce the launch of its latest range FLWRDWN. Comprising of short and long length oversized puffer jackets in 3 colorways, the new outerwear is filled with flower petals, Pangaia’s patented breakthrough vegan technology Flowerdown, a cruelty-free alternative to goose and duck down.

kPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PANGAIA.

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Fusing fashion, nature and science, Pangaia focuses on basics including a core range of t-shirts, hoodies and track pants. A collective of scientists, technologists, and creatives dedicate their efforts to creating products using recycled materials, providing innovative alternatives resource such as seaweed fibers and peppermint oil treatments.

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A fully bio-degradable material, Flowerdown is created with natural wildflowers, a bio polymer and infused with aerogel for performance and durability. The technology brings together science and nature to achieve a soft microstructure material with extraordinary thermal insulation properties. It is certified hypoallergenic, fully breathable and has great biocompatibility with your skin. Fusing fashion, nature and science, Pangaia focuses on basics including a core range of t-shirts, hoodies and track pants. A collective of scientists, technologists, and creatives dedicate their efforts to creating products using recycled materials, providing innovative alternatives resource such as seaweed fibers and peppermint oil treatments. Pangaia aims to â&#x20AC;&#x153;create a global open source platform for the latest eco innovations and solutions connecting like-minded individuals and organizations who care about the environment.â&#x20AC;? Combining the spirit of Generation Z and Millennial fashion, with the simplicity and design ethos of technology, the brand hopes to help consumers live a more sustainable life and do so by not only providing sustainable wear but insightful perspective into topics such as the fashion industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in global warming and animal cruelty whilst giving back 1% of proceeds to a non-profit against plastic pollution. As the conversation surrounding sustainability becomes ever more resonant, Pangaia also hopes to drive their solutions further by making these technologies and materials available to companies across different industries. FLWRDWN is available now on www.thepangaia.com. l

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CLEARLY, HANDBAGS

AND PURSES

DON’T HAVE TO SLOW STADIUM SECURITY LINES

kWRITTEN BY DENI SCIANO PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SCORE! DESIGNS, LLC.

any of us have endured long lines and waits to enter stadiums and flight departure gates because of the security checkpoints one must go through. These are certainly welcome measures that must be taken, given the dangerous world we live in and the violent attacks that have occurred in public places. And sometimes when we’re getting impatient to pass through security, we need to remember why security officials are sending us through metal detectors and waving a wand up and down our clothes. We should be thankful every precaution is being taken. But as with any major procedural change, it takes time to streamline the process. The main thing I noticed, even years after the increased security processes began, was there wasn’t much streamlining at all when checking women’s handbags and purses at sporting events. There needed to be a quicker process without compromising or jeopardizing safety. Well, necessity is the mother of invention, as they say. I’m a big sports fan, and in 2014 when attending a Dallas Mavericks-San Antonio Spurs game, I was stuck in the long security line and, like many, missed the start

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HEIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES IN THE U.S. HAVE MADE GOING TO SPORTING EVENTS, CONCERTS AND THE AIRPORT A DIFFERENT KIND OF EXPERIENCE THAN 20 YEARS AGO – AND NOT ALWAYS A PLEASANT ONE. of the game and much of the first quarter. Then it hit me: an idea to manufacture clear bags, which could be checked quicker by security officials than traditionalstyle purses or handbags. At the same time, a clear bag could also be a fashion statement and a sign of team loyalty as well as a convenient way to help move along the security line. I designed bags with team colors, which could complete a woman fan’s game-day couture – team T-shirt or jacket and hat, and now the bag. Nobody was making clear bags with all kinds of color options. In recent years, many sports leagues in the professional and college ranks have invoked clear-bag policies. But this aspect of security spans far more than

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About Deni Sciano Deni Sciano (www.ScoreGameDayBag.com) is the founder of Score! Designs, LLC, a women-owned designer handbag company based in San Antonio, Texas. A former teacher and marketing director, Sciano created her company and products with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heightened security issues at sports stadiums and arenas chiefly in mind. Her clear bags are sold in all 50 states.

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just sports. Many high schools require clear bags, as do many workplaces. Overall, these policies easily affect 100 million women in America, and the most visible places are sports venues. The Booming Market of Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Apparel and Accessories Clear bags fit right in with the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sports apparel boom. More female fans than ever are attending professional and college sports events. Studies show that over 40% of the fan base for the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association and NASCAR are female. Reacting to this dynamic and seeking to attract more female fans, the

Photos cortesy of www.ScoreGameDayBag.com 46

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most popular major pro sports leagues started to make more team apparel and related items for women. Fan passion, indeed, is linked to team fashion. Like men, women like to wear their team loyalty on their sleeves. And with women controlling 80 percent of consumer purchases and a growing chunk of the exploding sports apparel market, the surging female sports fan demographic simply cannot be ignored. It’s much more than team jerseys that women are purchasing to show their loyalty and style. Both the NFL and MLB for several years have been engaging the women fan market by fusing fashion with fandom, selling handbags, jewelry, necklaces, footwear and other accessories. Realizing that clear doesn’t need to equal plain and ordinary, I designed purses and handbags offering a female fan’s favorite team colors, appealing to her sense of style and prioritizing quality. Some types of clear plastic tote bags, purses or handbags are made cheaply and come apart easily, but why not get a bag that’s built to last – for season after season? Machine stitching, metal hardware, and polyurethane are key elements of a bag that, like a favorite jersey you wear to games, has staying power.

That Long Security Line: Know Before You Go The stories I’d heard about fans waiting in long security lines begged for a solution. We needed a bag of the size that would fit security specifications at all stadiums, so we made them that way. Typically, many stadiums at the entry point of security will have a paper that shows the allowable size of the bags. You lay the bag down, and if it fits in the framework, you get to take your bag in, just like in the airport. They’re doing that at all the arenas and stadiums now. But sometimes people are unaware of the policy or the exact specifications, and the husband can be left holding the bag, so to speak. For example, on one occasion a lady in front of me laid her bag down and it was too big. She handed the bag to her husband, who started hoofing it back to the car. So, know before you go to concerts, sporting events, and the like, make sure you know the requirements on the purse or handbag sizes, whether they’re clear or solid. It will save the men a lot of aggravation, too. Another thing I’ve seen women do to avoid further delays for themselves and their group is to throw their purses away. They had these huge bins at NFL stadiums where women would remove what they wanted from the purse, then toss the purse and everything else in it away. Thousands of purses were being thrown away. And finally, one couple settled on a unique way to handle the situation when the wife’s purse failed to pass muster at the gate. The intrepid wife and husband dug a hole in the mulch near the stadium, tossed the purse in it, covered the hole back up, and then marched through the gate unencumbered by the non-complying bag. Later, after the game’s final horn sounded, the clever duo successfully retrieved their buried treasure. That would not have been my first choice to sidestep the system, but you have to admire the ingenuity. Clearly; however, a clear bag is a more stylish and sensible solution. l JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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FIERCE +REGAL LAUNCHES JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 LINE-UP

ELEVATED ATHLEISURE BRAND ADDS NEWEST ON-TREND, MULTIFUNCTIONAL PIECES

ierce + Regal, the Boston-based athleisure brand led by CEO Kassia Davis and Founder Margi Gad, is excited to roll out its January/ February 2020 product lineup. Fierce + Regal is known for offering multifunctional elevated athleisure wear made in the USA. By leading with a fashion-first mentality, F+R allows women to seamlessly engage in their diverse range of daily needs and activities.

Fierce + Regal items will be available for purchase from Carbon38, an upscale activewear retailer.

By mixing their best- selling styles with options in brighter colors and bolder patterns, Fierce + Regalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recent collection offers newness and versatility. On-trend animal prints, watercolor florals, and army green and coral colorways provide a powerful and sophisticated palette that appeals to all women. Additionally, beginning February 1, 2020, select

Fierce + Regal products are available for purchase online at FierceAndRegal.com, with select items available at Carbon38.com beginning February 1, 2020, along with 13 retail locations in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Virginia, California, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, and Quebec (Montreal). To find a list of retailers, please visit FierceAndRegal.com. l

The January and February 2020 items include The Shimmer Cami, The Pullover Hoodie, The Shimmer Legging, The Sheer Tank, The Zebra Bustier, The Leopard Bustier, The Zebra Legging, and The Leopard Legging.

k PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FIERCE + REGAL. X

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FIERCE +REGAL

LAUNCHES JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 LINE-UP JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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GITA OMRI HELPS WOMEN PRESENT THEMSELVES IN THEIR TRUE FORM WITH

PRIDE, ACCEPTANCE, AND AUTHENTICITY FOR YEARS, SIZED MATTERED. YOU EITHER FIT INTO “TRADITIONAL” CLOTHING, OR “PLUS-SIZE” CLOTHING. MORE RECENTLY, A SURGE OF FOLKS EMBRACING THEIR FIGURES (LIKE LIZZO, ASHLEY GRAHAM, CHRISSY METZ, AND MORE) HAVE LED TO BODY-POSITIVITY MOVEMENTS AND THE RISE OF MORE PLUS-SIZE DESIGNERS AND MODELS, BUT NOT SOLVING THE BIGGEST DIVIDE IN FASHION BETWEEN THE TWO.

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kPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GITA OMRI. influential-magazine.com

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esigner Gita Omri decided to build a brand around size-inclusivity. Aiming to empower women, Omri recently released her new SS20 collection Resilience, which promotes inclusiveness and authenticity. A highlight of her collection is a Blouse Bar where you can customize each blouse’s sleeves in a way that both works with, and flatters, your figure. Colorful favorites coupled with seasonal core shades come together to create a palette of modern color classics on trend for this Spring/Summer 2020 including the color blue which Pantone recently named as the color of 2020. GITA OMRI is a fashion line leading the charge of body positivity. By offering a line of clothing that is inclusive to all types of women, designer Gita Omri is creating a new narrative of women’s fashion. Gita’s mission was to create styles that work on all body types, diminishing the isolation and beauty standards that exist in the fashion industry today. Shopping is meant to be raw, real, and a positive experience for all, and Gita Omri accomplishes this perfectly while creating high end, unique pieces that are sophisticated, regal, and different than what anyone has seen before. “GITA OMRI is a brand determined to bring together old world elegance with new world values. our mission at GITA OMRI is to reintroduce fashion as a tool to enhance one’s confidence and self-esteem. Our clothes are designed to help women present themselves to the world in their true form with pride, acceptance, and authenticity.” - Gita Omri Gita’s efforts are to present size tags as a tool rather than a reflection of self-worth. It’s a product that women can live their most authentic lives in, full of confidence and love for themselves and other women. Gita Omri is based out of New York City, New York. Learn more about Gita www.gitaomri.com . l JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

Omri

visiting

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GITA OMRI HELPS WOMEN PRESENT THEMSELVES IN THEIR TRUE FORM WITH

PRIDE, ACCEPTANCE, AND AUTHENTICITY JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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TAKE ON 2020 WITH

CLASSIC BLUE WATCHES FROM

TOCKR

WITH CLASSIC BLUE WATCHES FROM TOCKR, IT’S EASY TO INCORPORATE THE TRENDING BLUE HUE INTO ANY WARDROBE. EACH TIMEPIECE COMBINES ELEMENTS OF CLASSIC AVIATION STYLE WITH TRENDING BLUE TONES THAT RECALL PANTONE’S 2020 COLOR OF THE YEAR. kPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TOCKR™.

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he Tockr SkyTrain in sunburst blue is the watch for those who appreciate fine detail and a minimalistic take on a classic pilot’s watch. Named after the iconic World War 2 era U.S. Army warbird known as the SkyTrain, this new bronze model weaves aviationinspiration throughout its streamlined dial, from the crosshairs to the luminous airplane-tipped second hand. The 42mm cushion-shaped stainless-steel case is waterresistant up to 50 meters and contains an ETA-2834-A6 movement that offers a hearty 42-hour power reserve. The Classic Blue theme continues through to its blue calfskin strap. The Skytrain with sunburst blue dial and stainless-steel finish retails for $1,200. The Tockr Air Defender chronograph unites longrunning performance with style and presence in a 45-millimeter stainless steel case. The Air Defender chronograph takes visual cues from classic 1970s era pilot watches while adhering to strict NATO specifications, with water-resistance up to 100 meters, vivid luminescence, and a 42-hour power reserve thanks to its top-grade Valjoux 7750 Swiss-made automatic movement. The Air Defender’s many colorful options include a Classic Blue model in with a blue dial and a coordinated blue calf leather strap. The Tockr Air Defender Chronograph with Stainless Steel Finish, Blue Dial, and Calf Leather Strap retails for $1,800.

The Tockr SkyTrain in sunburst blue is the watch for those who appreciate fine detail and a minimalistic take on a classic pilot’s watch.

The HydroDipped Tockr Air Defender takes on Classic Blue with a daring hydrographic printed carbon blue design. Tockr is one of the only watchmakers in the world to adopt hydrographic printing to adorn its watch cases, a fascinating immersion printed technique long associated with motorsports and industrial design, but a renegade choice for the world of watchmaking. The blue carbon print is just one trending option out of Tockr’s extensive library of custom patterns. Complete the Classic Blue look with hydrodipped carbon blue dial elements and a coordinated, hand-stitched calfskin “Stealth” strap created in partnership with the HIX Design studio. The HydroDipped Tockr Air Defender Blue Carbon with HIX Strap retails for $2,850. l

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The HydroDipped Tockr Air Defender takes on Classic Blue with a daring hydrographic printed carbon blue design.

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About Tockr™ Tockr™ is an American watch brand with a Swissmade heart, founded in Austin, Texas in 2017 by Austin Ivey and co-founded by Sophy Rindler.

The Tockr Air Defender chronograph unites long-running performance with style and presence in a 45-millimeter stainless steel case.

Inspired by his own experience as a pilot and the legacy of his grandfather, a U.S. Army pilot who flew C-47 aircraft during World War II, Founder Austin Ivey set out to combine his lifelong passions of watches and aviation in an accessible collection of aviationinspired watches. In a short time, Tockr’s iconic C47 and Air Defender watch collections have already captured the imagination of watch enthusiasts around the world. Discover the universe of Tockr at www.tockr.com.

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ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SUNGLASSES IN 2020

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here are so many options, it can be challenging to choose just one pair. However, in 2020, there are numerous innovations that can make shopping for sunglasses online easy breezy. Online shopping platforms are now a lot easier to navigate. You just need some top tips and tricks to live by and you can get started ASAP. In this article, we give you a run-through of the different shopping guidelines you can live by for a super convenient and efficient shopping experience. Read on and see which tips you can incorporate into your shopping plans this year. Prepare before you log on One of the things that makes online shopping overwhelming is a lot of people go into it without a concrete list of what they want. This makes every design seem better than the last and makes every option a tempting one. When you don’t have a plan, it takes away from your focus.

SHOPPING FOR WOMEN’S SUNGLASSES ONLINE IS A LOT SIMPLER THAN IT SEEMS. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK BUYING WOMEN’S SUNGLASSES ONLINE IS COMPLICATED AND CONFUSING BECAUSE OF THE VARIETY OF STYLES THAT ARE AVAILABLE ON THE ONLINE MARKET.

To help avoid this, make a list of all the things you need in the pair of sunglasses you’re wearing. What style? What shape? What color? How big do they need to be? Most importantly, write down your budget. This will help you not to overspend. It’s also important to come up with a list of things you don’t want. Determining your non-negotiables will come in handy in the long run. Make a mood board You don’t have to be a graphic artist by profession to make your own mood board. This will help you determine the less tangible aspects of the shopping

kWRITTEN BY JOSH SOUTHWELL

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experience. You can log onto websites like Instagram, Pinterest, and Canva to build your own mood boards. From here, you can decide which vibes you want these sunglasses to add to your outfits, where you want to wear them, and ultimately, what you really want. If you’re looking to buy more than one pair, you can create a mood board for each one. This will help you get the most wear out of your newly purchased sunnies. Decide on a specific shape that suits your face shape Choosing a good shape for sunglasses doesn’t have a rigid formula or criteria. Everyone’s face is different, so it really comes down to the dimensions of your face and what you think you look good in. Sometimes, it boils down to more than just face shape -- sometimes

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it’s also about personality. After all, sunglasses as a premiere product happened because of stars of iconic films and TV shows. Where would the aviators be without Tom Cruise or James Dean? What would the cat-eye sunnies be without Audrey Hepburn or Jackie O? Below are some great shapes that you might want to consider. Aviators Even if they only became fashionable or popular in the 70s, with a resurgence of popularity in current times, these shades are becoming more and more “in” as women’s wear. The frames are big and curved, their silhouette lending a strong statement to every outfit. They also have colored, protective lenses whose original purpose was to block out the sun for pilots

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Cat Eye True to its namesake, these sunglasses take feline energy and pour it into fashion. This classic style was popularized by Audrey Hepburn via Breakfast at Tiffany’s. These are perfect for those Butterfly Shades whose style is elegant but understated. They These shades are feminine, fun, and can bring work at a party, at the beach, or just strolling out the alpha woman in anyone, it doesn’t matter down your city’s main avenue. If you want to if you want to channel Jackie O, Marilyn Monroe, channel a look that’s mysterious, alluring, and Elizabeth Taylor, or Twiggy, the moment you slip About Josh Southwell sophisticated then these are the shades for you. these on you’ll feel like a million bucks. Josh Southwell has a Factor in UV Protection passion for fashion with a love for sunglasses. He lives These sunglasses come in classic, neutral shades A lot of people tend to view UV protection as for speed and extreme like black, gray, and tortoiseshell which are perfect a cure for those with eye sensitivity conditions, sports and in his free time for pairing with any outfit, formal, casual, or you’ll find him either on for those who have a case of pinkeye or for those somewhere in between. These are great sunglasses the snow or in the water. suffering from skin cancer but really, it’s a preventive to take with you, no matter where you’re headed. measure. With the advent of global warming, UV rays are getting stronger and stronger, with a bigger number of them piercing through our atmosphere. flying planes but which today, double as protection from the sun’s UVA/UVB rays. If you’re looking for something that says fun and adventure, then ray ban sunglasses are for you.

In our daily lives, we’re exposed to both UVA and UVB rays that damage our skin, cause premature aging, and make us more likely to develop cancer of the skin. Most diagnoses for cancer are diagnosed through inflammation of the eyelids. Make sure you get a pair of glasses that will protect you from the harsh elements and keep you looking stylish, for longer. A lot of people think either UVA or UVB protection will do, the truth is you need both. UVA and UVB rays are both equally harmful to your skin. They might do damage to different areas, but the seriousness of the damage is the same, nonetheless. Do yourself a favor and get protected when you buy a stylish pair to carry into the new decade. Shopping online for women’s sunglasses will be super easy this 2020. Once you’ve come up with your smart battle plan, there’s nothing that can shake you. Maneuver your way through online stores like a pro when you take our top tips in mind. Marry form and function, stay beautiful while you go through 2020’s ups and downs. Keep our tips in mind when you buy your sunglasses.l JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

DAVID

TUPAZ

JUST WANTS TO MATTER, AND HE DOES!

kWRITTEN AND CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM JACKSON, MBA, GQ INSIDER, 2018 FOLIO: 100 HONOREE, FOUNDER & PUBLISHER OF INFLUENTIAL MAGAZINE, SPANISH INFLUENTIAL, AND TEEN INFLUENTIAL

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“

The creative endeavor with the passion and intent of making people beautiful is a gift. I thank the universe for giving me the gift of creativity as it’s not bestowed unto to everyone.

”

Photo cortesy of www.facebook.com/DavidTupaz

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DAVID TUPAZ MOVED TO NEVADA IN 2010 AND HAS MADE LAS VEGAS HIS BASE. HE’S THE ONLY ESTABLISHED “INDUSTRY AND COUTURE” DESIGNER IN NEVADA. REPRESENTING LAS VEGAS IN EVERY MAJOR FASHION INDUSTRY EVENT IN THE COUNTRY SUCH AS NEW YORK FASHION WEEK, LOS ANGELES FASHION WEEK, AND PALM SPRINGS FASHION WEEK.

avid founded, the Las Vegas Fashion Design Council in 2011, a non-profit organization helping develop a local fashion industry as well as assisting young designers in their creative growth thru workshops, educational programs, and the likes. David was appointed in 2014 by Las Vegas Mayor, Carolyn Goodman, to sit on the board of the Arts Commission for the City of Las Vegas. He also is the creative director/partner for Vegas Life TV, a television network in Las Vegas and a sister company of VAsian TV and ACTV (Asian Culture TV). David serves on the board of trustees for the Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization and is also an advisory board member for the Las Vegas Arts Institute. David’s story is fascinating, and I was eager to learn more about his journey to success. I find David to be humble yet resolute, kind, and extremely generous. I’m honored to share his story. William Jackson: David, would you please define fashion for us? David Tupaz: Fashion reflects one’s presentation and the ability to convey respect and importance. Humans are visual creatures and fashion is how we see things initially to which we respond. In a historical sense, fashion is a visual factor which identifies every period in human history. Fashion was there during the earliest part of man’s history. The moment Adam and Eve realized they were naked in paradise, fashion was born.

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William: Describe your first fashion memory? David: I was eight years old when I saw the movie My Fair Lady starring Audrey Hepburn. The moment I saw her descend the staircase all dressed up for the ball in that white Cecil Beaton gown, I knew one day I’d create beautiful dresses. William: Why did you choose fashion design as a career? David: Fashion was always around me growing up. My paternal grandmother is a stylish woman. She’d say simplicity with quality is the best style. Two of my father’s sisters were models in their younger years. So, I’ve been conscious about style at an early age. I understood colors, proportion, and lines. I can visually see in my head what’ll look good on someone. William: What is the most exciting aspect of being a fashion designer? David:The creative endeavor with the passion and intent of making people beautiful is a gift. I thank the universe for giving me the gift of creativity as it’s not bestowed unto everyone. I’m honored I was chosen to have this gift. But this gift comes with a responsibility. When one is creative, one is like a light. Where do you put a light? You don’t keep in a box or hide it under the table, you put it above in the center of the room, so everything around it shines. William: How do you keep up to date on trends in fashion & style? David:I don’t really follow trends. I suggest what I think is good for my clients based on who they are. I don’t

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William: What do women and their bodies represent to you? David: Bodies are molds; the greatest sculpture God ever designed and breathed life into. It represents a symbol of mothering, of consoling comfort, devotion to life, and love.

make clothes for show. I make real clothes people can wear; making them timeless. Chanel said, “Fashion changes, but style remains”. William: How do you describe your personal style? David: There’s always a touch of old Hollywood in my design aesthetics. My muse is Audrey Hepburn, as she’s the classic example of timeless style. I’ve always believed old Hollywood was the time women were respected, adored, and appreciated. You never see a bad picture of Audrey or Grace Kelly. Hollywood made sure of this and the studios nurtured their stars and gave them a sense of dignified grace. William: When starting a new collection, where do you begin? David: An inspiration. Whether it’s a new film, a book, an event, history or art. Sometimes when I see new fabrics presented to me I can already picture in my head what I can do with it based on its texture and flow. Also, I note what’s happening in the world with current events. I apply style to everyday life; how our surroundings impact our way of life. William: How would you describe your brand aesthetic? David: Elegance, understated sophistication, and a sense of dignified grace.

“

William: What aspects of the fashion industry, if any, would you like to change? David: Manufacturing. You hardly see anything made in USA. I wish the government would give tax incentives to manufacturers in the USA as the cost of labor is often challenging to change. With tax initiatives it would be possible for manufacturers to do things here in the USA with a reasonable profit and keep business and jobs within the country.

There’s always a touch of old Hollywood in my design aesthetics. My muse is Audrey Hepburn, as she’s the classic example of timeless style.

William: Tell us about your latest collection. David: My Spring 2020 collection shown in New York was inspired from two things: the resort life in Deauville, France during the 30’s and then down to Out of Africa in my leopard, animal prints on jersey’s and silk chiffons. William: As a fashion designer, how do you define your role in society? David: The ability to create something beautiful for a person and contribute to enhancing the beauty they already have is a unique role. The ultimate quest in life is “beauty”, because beauty and love are God made.

”

William: Tell us what you enjoy most about living in Las Vegas? David:Life is affordable. LOL! You can be a big fish in a small pond. Being the only established designer in the whole state of Nevada and representing Las Vegas in every major Fashion Week in the country, I’ve learned there are no rules. You can create your own rules; Vegas is the last frontier; the last glamorous city in America where one can be somebody, without judgement. New York, New York and Los Angeles, California are too saturated.

William: Has the energy of life in Las Vegas found its way into your design aesthetic? David: Yes, as Las Vegas also represents old Hollywood. Elvis, the Rat Pack, and today’s major stars take up residency here. William: Tell us more about the Las Vegas Fashion Design Council. David: I founded the LVFDC in 2011. I realized there are so many creative people in the city, yet there’s no support or programs they can benefit or learn from to help them in their creative growth. The organization is supported by the Mayor’s office as well as the City Council. Little by little we’re creating an industry. Our organization helps those JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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with talent through workshops and educational programs. Approximately 85% of USA made apparel is done in California. The proximity to Nevada is so close the industry has no reason not to branch out here as Nevada has tax incentives and real estate is still affordable. An additional incentive is the biggest fashion trade show convention is held here in Vegas every February and August. William: Why is being philanthropic important to you? David: I’ve always believed “if it doesn’t exist but there’s a need to it, then create it”. Why wait for somebody else when you can do it yourself. There’s a reason we were created with two hands…one to help ourselves…and the other to help others. William: Whom do you aspire to be? David: I just want to matter. I have no illusions of becoming a hero or attaining notoriety to the degree of Coco Chanel. If my work brings me to that level, then it’s because of quality of my work not because of who I made myself to be. I want my product to speak for itself. My grandfather always told me to be the best of what I can be. For some time, I thought it was just his term of endearment. Until I confronted him as I was about to enter college, he reminded me again and again. He spoke with me about many great people whose legacies have remained for centuries, William Shakespeare; Amadeus Mozart; Coco Chanel. He helped me to understand clearly, these were ordinary people but what they did was become the best of who they could be and what they contributed mattered. He assured me one day I’d be great. William: How do you continue to live your best life? David: Eventually I want to open a design school in the Philippines where I was born and raised. I want to establish it with an affiliation with an American institution like FIT or Parsons. There are so many talents around the world waiting for a chance. I want to be an instrument where I can contribute in making their dreams come true. “It is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned…and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life” – St. Francis of Assisi. l

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FASHIO EDITORIAL

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

kPHOTOGRAPHY

ISABELLE RUEN www.instagram.com/isabelleruen PRODUCTION 4K FASHION www.instagram.com/4kfashion DESIGNER DAVID TUPAZ www.instagram.com/davidtupaz RED HAIRED MODEL KELLI KICKHAM www.instagram.com/kellikickham BRUNETTE MODEL IZZY YOUNG www.instagram.com/_izzyyoung MAKE-UP ARTIST / HAIR STYLIST REYNA KHALIL www.instagram.com/reynakhalil

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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

“

How would you describe your brand aesthetic? Elegance, understated sophistication, and a sense of dignified grace.

”

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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

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“

I don’t really follow trends. I suggest what I think is good for my clients based on who they are. I don’t make clothes for show. I make real clothes people can wear; making them timeless. Chanel said, “Fashion changes, but style remains”.

”

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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

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DAVID

TUPAZ

JUST WANTS TO MATTER, AND HE DOES!

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INFLUENTIAL SPOTLIGHT

Bukiya

FEATURING MUSIC PHENOM

ALINA

AKA MIILKY BEATZ

er latest production on the single 10/10 by Hozay Suave and The Connect from Profits Music, was performed at the biggest Latino concert of the year at the famous Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, the venue that has hosted artists like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Madonna, U2, and Britney Spears. She was the producer behind KooKoo Bakalavasi, a single by Asker that has gotten major attention in her home country. Alina started her career as a musician at the age of 16. Born with undeniable talent, she soon became a part of one of the first successful hip hop groups in her city, called C.L.P. It was with them Alina started recording, producing, collaborating, and performing their first singles God Give Me Power and Babylon. On April 2008, her dreams began to come true, she was only 17 years of age when she performed for the first time in front of an audience of 50,000 people at the Grand Park Arena in the city of Hod Hasharon.

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SGG PUBLIC RELATIONS.

from being a dreamer in Israel to becoming one of the top and most respected female producers in Los Angeles.

“

Hip hop and music are not Alina’s sole passion. She had a bigger purpose in life and that was to one day bring people together through music. Ever since, she’s been teaching and learning from fellow producers, collaborating with artists she believes in, and adding her unique musical touch to every project she takes on board.

I used to breakdance, rap, sing, and paint. Also, I really love animals.

While Alina was attending high school, she became a part of the first female breakdance group and competed at the finals of the national breakdance championship “Battle of the year” in Israel. Alina has always been an empowering woman in her community. Being one of the first female producers in her country, she grew

kPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF

”

Follow Alina miilkybeatz.

Bukiya

Instagram @

Travel with us as Alina takes us on her musical journey.

InFluential Magazine: What inspired you to be a music producer? Alina Bukiya: I fell in love with the process, of building a song from scratch, and being able to help the artist build their personal vision. Music production was also my main escape from reality. At first, I started as an artist, and then I thought of producing my own music. At some point in my artistic career, things

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ALINA BUKIYA (AKA MIILKY BEATZ) IS A MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST MUSIC PRODUCER, SONGWRITER, AND ENGINEER WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE STREETS OF HOD HASHARON IN ISRAEL. WITH A BACKGROUND IN HIP HOP, RAPPING, AND BREAKDANCING, ALINA OFFERS A VERSATILE AND UNIQUE SOUND RECOGNIZED AND ACCLAIMED BY AUDIENCES ACROSS THE GLOBE. JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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INFLUENTIAL SPOTLIGHT

did not go well, and I decided to take a break from music. For the first time, I decided to travel to Toronto, Canada, and live there for a year. I obtained my first intership at G Spot Studies which is where I met many producers and artists. Toronto’s music scene brought me back. Watching other producers and artists working together just amazed me. The combination of Toronto’s unique sound and nature made me fall in love with music again. InFluential: What are your future projects? Alina: I’m working on a few singles. One of the singles, features a very special singer / songwriter from Argentina, her name is Michelle Leclercq. Our single called Small Doses and will be released on all platforms by the end of January. Working with her has brought many positive outcomes. I’m proud of how the single is sounding and I love the honesty and feeling Michelle puts into her work. I believe we make a good team and can’t wait for the world to listen to this song, because it’s fire! The second single, How does it Feel, is a very special collaboration between singer / songwriter Sandyjoe and Shai B. Both singers born and raised in Jamaica are ready to show the world their music. I wanted to work with these two very special artists, not just because of the talent they bring, but to start the year by bringing women together and to show the industry that when women work together magic can happen. InFluential: Tell us about your last single. Alina: My last single is called 10/10 by Hozay Suave and The Connect from Profits Music. It’s out on all platforms and our music video is streaming on Youtube. The song, originally in Spanish, is dedicated to all the 10/10 amazing women in the world. We released it specially on Valentine’s day. InFluential: For whom would you like to produce a song? Alina: I’d like to produce for Young Money OvO, YSL, XO, and for many more Reggaeton artists. In general,

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I’d love to work with any artist from all the world, especially women rappers too. InFluential: What’s your 10-year goal? Alina: My goal is to bring people together through my music and create peaceful energies in the world by collaborating with different cultures. InFluential: What’s the most challenging part of breaking into this industry? Alina: I think the most challenging part is keeping up with pressure, and to trying to never lose control, and faith. I make it a goal to keep thinking positively, being patient, and enjoying the journey.

“

My goal is to bring people together through my music and create peaceful energies in the world by collaborating with different cultures.

InFluential: Tell us something not everyone knows about you. Alina: I used to breakdance, rap, sing, and paint. Also, I really love animals. InFluential: How is a day in your life? Alina: I try my best to exercise almost every day it helps me feel more energetic and well. The rest of the day I produce and making sure that every day I am doing something towards my goals

InFluential: You’ve produced songs in Spanish. How did a woman from Israel decide to produce in Spanish? Alina: It may seem interesting, but most people in Israel know to speak Spanish as well, having learned it by watching many Telenovelas.

”

I used to enjoy watching Spanish television shows like Rebelde Way Chiquititas. They were so interesting, super adventurous, and emotional. Also, we enjoy Spanish music in Israel. I grew up listening to lots of Reggaeton music like Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, J Balvin, and Ozuna. l JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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IN FLUENCE

Food & Beverage

FLYING EMBERS HARD

Emberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mule

Kombucha Paloma

1.5 oz Vodka 2 dashes Angostura Bitters .5 oz Fresh Lime Juice & Lime Wheel Flying Embers Ginger & Oak Kombucha Cinnamon & Mint Sprig

1.5 oz Tequila or Mezcal 2 dashes Grapefruit Bitters Flying Embers Grapefruit Thyme Kombuch Thyme Sprig Salt

Combine all ingredients except Hard Kombucha in a shaker tin, add ice, shake vigorously. Float 3oz Ginger & Oak Kombucha and garnish with pinch of cinnamon, dehydrated lime wheel, and mint sprig.

Rim glass with slat and pour all ingredients except Hard Kombucha into low ball glass filled with ice. Float 2oz Grapefruit Thyme Kombucha. Garnish with thyme sprig.

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KOMBUCHA COCKTAIL RECIPES

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1.5 oz London Dry Gin .5 oz Lemon Juice .5 oz Earl Grey Tea Syrup 2 oz Lemon Orchard Flying Embers Kombucha 1 oz Champagne Lemon Twist Combine all ingredients in a champagne flute and garnish with a lemon twist.

Ancient Berry Gin Smash

6 Red Raspberries 4 Blackberries 1.5 oz Simple Syrup 4 oz Gin 2 oz Flying Embers Ancient Berry Kombucha Thoroughly muddle berries and simple syrup. Add 4oz gin and shake over ice. Strain into highball glass full of crushed ice and float 2oz Ancient Berry Kombucha. Garnish with a skewer of berries.

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FLYING EMBERS HARD

Dark nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Stormy

1.5 oz Dark Rum 1 Lime 6 oz Flying Embers Ginger & Oak Kombucha Combine 6oz of Ginger & Oak Kombucha with 2oz dark rum, juice from half a lime and stir until combined. Cut remaining lime into wedges and serve in a pint glass over ice.

FLUENTIAL JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

Booch Bramble

1.5 oz Bourbon/Rye .5 oz Lemon Juice .75 oz Simple Syrup 2 oz Ancient Berry Flying Embers Kombucha Raspberry/lemon garnish option Combine all ingredients in old fashion glass filled with ice. Float 2 oz Ancient Berry Kombucha on top. Garnish with lemon wedge and raspberries.

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KOMBUCHA COCKTAIL RECIPES

Bee’s Blossom

1.5 oz Ocho Plata Silver Tequila ½ oz 1:1 Honey Syrup (equal parts honey & water) ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice ¼ oz Aperol 2-3 oz Flying Embers Lemon Orchard Kombucha Combine all ingredients except Hard Kombucha in a shaker tin, add ice, shake vigorously and strain into an ice filled pint glass. Top with Lemon Orchard Kombucha and garnish with an orange twist.

Flying Mai Tai

1.5 oz Silver Rum 1 oz Orange Juice .5 oz Grenadine into bottom of glass 2 oz Pineapple Chili Flying Embers Hard Kombucha .5 oz Amaretto .5 oz Dark Rum Combine silver rum, orange juice and grenadine, add ice and shake. Float the Pineapple Chili Kombucha, amaretto and dark rum. Garish with Pineapple Slice & Luxardo Cherry with stem.

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Food & Beverage

IF CAULIFLOWER Mediterranean Pasta Salad

2020 IS THE YEAR OF THE GLOW UP, ESPECIALLY FOR CAULIFLOWER. CAULIFLOWER ISN’T THE SAME CONFUSING VEGETABLE YOU GREW TO KNOW AND SNUB, IT’S THE SMART SWAP SNEAKING INTO YOUR DIET AS YOUR FAVORITE ITALIAN DISH. 96

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eggiecraft Farms, the protein-rich plant-based pasta alternative, helps make your healthy New Year’s resolution easier to stick to than ever before. In fact, it’s their resolution to bring simple, three-ingredient, madein-Italy pasta to your dinner plate;

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CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU Pasta with White Beans, Kale Tomatoes Ricotta

no spiraling required. Available now at 2.8K+ stores nationwide, including Albertsons Companies grocers, Sprouts, Wegmans, and Hy-Vee stores, as well as online at veggiecraftfarms.com and Amazon. Veggiecraft plant-based pastas are:

l Master-crafted in Italy

Made with three simple ingredients: cauliflower flour, lentil flour, and pea flour l Packed with 14g of protein and 0g of total fat per serving l Vegan, kosher, certified glutenfree and non-GMO verified

l Penne & Spaghetti, Kids Cups, Rice

Keep your resolutions. Make 2020 the year of your glow up. If cauliflower can do it, so can you. l

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Health & Wellness

GET YOUR FAMILY OUTSIDE IN COOLER WEATHER:

IT’S GOOD FOR YOU PARENTS AND GUARDIANS MAY BE TEMPTED TO DIAL BACK OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WHEN COLD TEMPERATURES ARRIVE BUT GETTING OUTSIDE IS GOOD FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, EVEN IN THE WINTERTIME.

he TurfMutt environmental education and stewardship program encourages families to appreciate and use the outdoors and offers the following tips: Do outdoor activities that are fun. Weather that adults consider to be “messy” can be a huge canvas for children and their imaginations. Fall leaf piles, snowball fights, and snow forts offer a wealth of opportunities for parents to play with

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their children and to explore and experiment in our living landscapes.

about clouds, rainfall, temperature changes and the earth.

Encourage exploration. Ask your child to look at how the landscape changes with the seasons. Talk about what happens after leaves fall, when snow arrives, when it’s windy, and more, linking these seasonable changes with basic science

Try something new. Try your hands at cross-country skiing, igloo-building, fall or winter hiking, ice fishing, ice skating, snow sculpting, snowshoeing, or something else that your children want to try to give them an appreciation of the outdoors in all seasons.

Do yardwork as a family. Involve everyone in seasonal yard chores to make the work go faster. Children can help put outdoor toys into storage and help tidy the yard. Just remember that if using outdoor power equipment like a lawn mower or leaf blower for your cleanup, children should be indoors and supervised, and they should not be near equipment when it’s operating. Mention how getting outside helps our happiness. Even winter sunshine can make kids happy— literally. Sunlight boosts Vitamin D, which helps regulate emotional and mental moods by increasing serotonin in the brain. Even exposure to weaker sunlight in the winter can cause this joy boost. Tolerate some mess. It’s a given that kids going outside in all sorts of weather will often return wet, muddy and messy. Be prepared for wet and cold kids and get them warmed up when they return from playing outside. Process what they did. Ask kids to share about what they did outdoors or ask them to write or draw out their activities and observations. Did they see something new? Did something surprise them? What was fun? Learn more about the TurfMutt program at www.TurfMutt.com and more about our living landscapes in all seasons at www.SaveLivingLandscapes.com. l

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Health & Wellness

MAKE YOUR WEIGHT LOSS GOALS A REALITY

here’s no one approach to weight loss; rather, the best approach is the one that fits your life and body best. Get motivated to reach your weight loss goals with these expert tips. Set realistic goals. Most experts agree you shouldn’t lose more than 1-2 pounds per week. More rapid loss may shock your system, and chances are you’re depriving your body of important nutrients. More aggressive loss is also less likely to be permanent or sustainable; longterm results generally come with steady loss over a period of time.

may be a good solution. For example, RiduZone is a patented supplement that gives your body more of a substance it already creates called Oleoylethanolamide (OEA). In essence, OEA tells your brain you are full and it’s time to stop eating. Developed and endorsed by Dr. Jay Yepuri, a board-certified gastroenterologist, the supplement is a non-stimulant that may help you feel full faster to reduce caloric intake and boost metabolism to burn stored fat. Get active. Creating a calorie deficit is necessary to lose weight, and increasing your physical activity

Eat well. Regardless what eating plan you choose, recognize the importance of nutrition in your weight loss program. Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you consume, so build your menu around nutrient-rich foods that fill you up. Strive for a well-balanced diet that encompasses all the food groups and, if necessary, discuss your goals with a doctor or nutritionist who can help you identify the best foods to enjoy and those to avoid. Consider a supplement. If managing cravings or your appetite hinders your weight loss, a supplement

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LOSING WEIGHT IS A HIGHLY PERSONAL JOURNEY AS A WIDE RANGE OF FACTORS CAN AFFECT A PERSON’S ABILITY TO DO SO. helps ensure you’re burning calories. However, getting active isn’t just about playing the numbers game. Physical activity also promotes overall wellness with numerous physical and mental health benefits, including improving circulation and stimulating feel-good endorphins. Stay committed. It’s easy to fall off your weight loss plan when unexpected circumstances arise. Give yourself a little grace and permission for occasional misses so you stay motivated to get back to your program. That may mean waiting for a cold to pass and doing less strenuous workouts at home or making extra healthy choices at mealtime in advance of an indulgent event. To help make keeping your commitments easier, consider an option like RiduZone to boost your body’s natural appetite-curbing power.

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Find more information to help jump-start your weight management program at TryRiduZone.com. What is OEA? Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a metabolite of oleic acid, a naturally produced substance that interacts with appetite-controlling receptors in the small intestine to signal the brain you are full. It also helps boost metabolism. However, as a result of food choices and excess body fat, naturally produced OEA may require supplementation to achieve the desired effect on appetite or body fat. Created to mimic this naturally occurring metabolite, RiduZone is the only weight management supplement that contains OEA as an ingredient. Its production has been reviewed and is accepted as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. Less fat A clinical study published in the “Journal of Lipid Research” shows higher blood levels of OEA, which is derived from oleic acid-rich olive oil, correlate to lower amounts of body fat. This means weight loss results may be more visible. Fewer calories A prominent research study published in the journal “Food & Function” shows higher circulating levels of OEA can result in a significant reduction in calorie intake. Over time, OEA users become satisfied with smaller, healthier-sized portions. (Family Features) l JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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RESOLVE TO BE A

HEALTHIER YOU WHILE TRAVELING MORE, LOSING WEIGHT AND QUITTING BAD HABITS ARE ANNUALLY AMONG SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, THE TURN OF THE CALENDAR DOES REPRESENT A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER YOURSELF IN MULTIPLE WAYS.

he impact of taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle – from committing to eating well, sleeping better, drinking cleaner water or boosting your nutrient intake – can be far-reaching, but also overwhelming. Gradually incorporating the health-focused habits you hope to make permanent fixtures in your life can help ensure the process isn’t overly taxing, and some products can help ease the transition as well.

to drinking cleaner water. The easyto-install PUR Advanced Faucet Filtration System makes it simple to wash fruits and vegetables, fill reusable water bottles before work or a fitness class and meal-prep with healthier and great-tasting water. The filtration system is certified to reduce more than 70 contaminants, including 99% of lead – more than any other brand, according to NSF. Learn more at PUR.com.

Find more tips to help keep you on the right path toward reaching your wellness goals at eLivingtoday.com. New Year, Cleaner Water When adopting health-focused resolutions like staying hydrated, it’s also an opportunity to commit

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Simply dissolve one drink stick in water to get 100% of your daily essential vitamins along with 610 mg of electrolytes. Containing real fruit juice and only 15 calories per serving, this vitamin-dense drink is ideal for the whole family and is available in single-serve lemonlime flavor sticks for an on-the-go boost. Find more information at drinknutrient.com.

A Healthy Snacking Resolution Strive to snack better in the new year with an option like Stryve Sliced Beef Biltong, which is a tasty meat snack with zero sugar and no artificial ingredients. Packed with protein, it is made with only air-dried beef and spices, meaning you don’t have to give up goodness to stick to your clean eating resolutions. Paleo and keto-friendly, the beef biltong is available in seven flavors and comes in resealable packs so you can satisfy cravings wherever they strike. Learn more at Styrve.com.

levels or reducing wrinkles with 74 fruits and vegetables. By selecting a concern or desired outcome, the app, which is available on iOS and Android devices, generates a selection of produce that can aid in reaching those goals. For more information, visit limoneira.com. A Simple Vitamin Solution If you’re tired of swallowing multivitamins, consider an option like Vitamin Booster+ to help make your morning ritual more enjoyable.

Download Wellness this Year To help achieve your health goals in the new year, consider downloading the free Nature’s Pharmacy app. It cross-tabulates 57 health priorities, such as increasing good cholesterol, preventing cardiovascular disease and easing insomnia, along with desired outcomes like improving energy

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A Sleep Apnea Solution For those who suffer from sleep apnea, one of the best ways to get the sleep you need is the DreamPort Sleep Solution, which is small, lightweight, headgearfree and easy-to-use. You can say goodbye to bulky headgear and uncomfortable straps as nothing constricts your movement or gets in the way. Plus, it fits the shape of your nose for zero leaks to provide a better night’s sleep and more energetic days. Visit bleepsleep.com for more details. (Family Features) l

WHY MOTORCYCLING MAY BE THE ANSWER TO LOWERING STRESS LEVELS Turns out motorcyclists may get more than a glorious sense of freedom from riding. A pioneering new study conducted by researchers at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior found that motorcycling can also provide several mental and physical benefits. Stress-related hormonal biomarkers decreased by 28 percent among participating riders, to name one thing. And motoring along on the open road for just 20 minutes increased their heart rates an average of 11 percent and their adrenaline levels by 27 percent - like light exercise, though a lot more fun - to name another. Come to think of it, with stress levels on the rise - especially among young adults - anyone looking for that same “glorious sense of freedom” might want to check out the New Rider Course offered at select Harley-Davidson dealers. (NewsUSA) See full-sized image here.

IN FLUENCE

Health & Wellness

THE CORE INSTITUTE’S FIVE TIPS FOR HEALTHY

HEEL WEARING THIS NEW YEAR

KICK IN THE NEW YEAR WITH HEALTHY, HAPPY FEET

shown to increase pressures in the knee, one factor known to contribute to knee arthritis.” Galli explains, a heeled foot throws the body’s center of mass

he CORE Institute, (CORE), Arizona’s largest and most respected orthopedic practice, wants everyone to have a safe and happy new year, and that means keeping the body healthy while showing off those fancy heels. As a rule, the higher the heel the greater the risk the shoe poses. But hazards of wearing heels begin at a person’s foundation, the foot and ankle, then proceeds through the lower back. “Foot fashion alters body position and stresses not only your foundation but also joints in the lower extremity and spine,” says Dr. Melissa Galli, a foot and ankle surgeon at The CORE Institute. “High heels have been

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forward. To prevent a fall and injury, the body’s posture compensates, throwing joint and the spine out of alignment. With the front of the foot downward, the strong tendon behind the ankle, the Achilles,

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shortens and tightens in direct relation to the height of the heel. This causes inflammation known as Achilles tendonitis, which can make walking barefoot, exercising in sneakers, and wearing flats painful. Below are five ways to strike a balance between fashion and foot health: l Before buying a pair of heels, try bending the shoe side to side and folding it in half; forego the shoe that gives too much and opt for a sturdy style. Platforms are a more favorable party strategy as they minimize the stresses seen in a steep-angled shoe. To minimize heel hazards, choose a sturdy, nicely padded

style with a wide toe box and a heel height of 2 inches or less.

next few days, wear supportive, comfortable shoes.

Prior to wearing heels to a party, break them in by putting on thick socks and wearing them around the house for 2-3 hours a day for a few days before the event. This will break them in and help prevent blisters.

Dr. Galli adds, â&#x20AC;&#x153;While heightened dress shoes may make that dress a bit more attractive, the risk of injury this puts on your body is much less attractive.â&#x20AC;?

l During the party, sit down often

to relieve pressure on the toes and the balls of the feet. Also, bring a pair of ballet flats just in case the pain is too much.

If there is still pain or numbness a few days later, call a foot and ankle provider or make an appointment at The Core Institute to get a professional examination to ensure there is no serious damage. l

l After the party, do arch stretches

by pointing and flexing the toes towards and away from the body, for a few seconds at a time. For the

About Dra. Melissa Galli The CORE Institute The CORE Institute was founded to fulfill a vision of excellence in patient care encompassing the entire spectrum of orthopaedic and neurosciences care. The CORE Institute delivers integrated, comprehensive musculoskeletal and neurological care. It is built upon a foundation of pioneering research, academics, community service, and a passion for excellence in patient care. The organization continues to be a leader in payor-reform initiatives, and it is at the forefront of systems-based quality programs which drive value and improve the quality of patient care.

Photo cortesy of www.facebook.com/thecoreinstituteusa/

Connect with The CORE Institute at www.thecoreinstitute.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

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IN FLUENCE

Health & Wellness

YOUNG MOM DOESN’T LET MS GET IN THE WAY OF LIVING HER LIFE

AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 24, SAVANA SADLER RECEIVED BOTH THE MOST EXCITING AND TERRIFYING NEWS OF HER LIFE. WITHIN JUST WEEKS OF EACH OTHER, SHE LEARNED SHE WAS ABOUT TO BECOME A MOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME, BUT SHE WAS ALSO GOING TO BE EMBARKING ON THIS EXCITING JOURNEY WHILE LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS), A CHRONIC DISEASE OF THE BRAIN AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM THAT LEADS TO SOME LEVEL OF DISABILITY IN MOST PEOPLE.

ue to complications with her condition, Sadler spent most of her pregnancy in doctors’ offices and hospitals, constantly worrying about the wellbeing of her unborn child. Bringing this new life into the world became her top priority, so she decided to put her disease on the back

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burner and did not start treatment. However, once she successfully delivered a healthy baby girl, Sadler came to realize it was time to be more proactive in her MS care. With the support of her doctor, Sadler started on an MS treatment, but she continued to

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have relapses throughout the year that impacted her ability to do everyday activities. Sadler knew she needed to try something different to reduce the frequency of her relapses and hopefully delay disability progression. Her doctor explained that a disease-modifying therapy may offer greater impact in delaying disability progression. While working closely with her doctor, she determined a treatment option that fit her needs and lifestyle. “When my neurologist noticed I wasn’t responding to my previous treatment as well as we had hoped, we reassessed my priorities. He presented me with all the treatment options available. We decided on the best path forward for my needs, and I’m so thrilled that we did.” Sadler recommends that all people living with MS research their treatment options and work with their doctor to make an informed treatment decision that fits their needs and lifestyle.

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Sadler is one of an estimated one million U.S. adults living with MS, which often strikes in the prime of life when people are just starting careers and families. The average age of onset for MS is 34, and over the next 10 to 15 years, most newlydiagnosed people with MS will be in the millennial age range. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can negatively impact people living with MS, in terms of their physical, mental and emotional health. Luckily for Sadler, she has found a medicine that works for her.

If you’ve been recently diagnosed with MS, it is important to be proactive in your care and speak with your doctor about treatment options. Below are a few questions to ask your doctor. l How soon can I begin treatment?

What’s the process? What treatment options may slow disability progression and reduce the frequency of relapses?

l What are the possible side effects

associated with the treatment options? “I’m extremely appreciative of the supportive system I’ve had since my diagnosis, including my family, friends and the MS community,” said Sadler.

l How

often will I need to receive treatment?

“I’m also thankful that my doctor worked with me to find an effective medicine that will potentially help delay my disability progression.” (BPT ) l

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INFLUENTIAL SPOTLIGHT

Asse

FEATURING AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER

CARLOS W

CARLOS ASSE IS AN AWARD-WINNING MEXICAN FILMMAKER BASED IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. HIS WORK IS SHAPED BY A PASSION FOR STORYTELLING AND BLENDS SURREALISM INTO THE MOST HONEST AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING ELEMENTS OF LIFE ITSELF. ATTRACTED TO THE HUMAN CONDITION, HE STRIVES TO EVOKE AN EMOTION IN THE VIEWER WITH EVERY FRAME.

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e’re grateful Carlos shares his fascinating story of determination and commitment with us. We hope you’ll enjoy our dialogue as much as we did.

InFluential Magazine: Carlos, would you take us briefly through your fascinating story? Carlos Asse: I was born and raised in Mexico City in 1995 and moved to Los Angeles in December 2015 to start my studies in screenwriting and directing. My commitment, devotion, and work ethic were shaped from a young age during the 13 years I practiced gymnastics in Mexico, achieving the 2nd place in the 2006 Nationals. Gymnastics was the only thing that could drain all my energy and my parents loved it.

Another very important chapter of my life involves the non-profit for which I volunteered for over six years. Its mission was to educate kids between five and 15 years of age through the promotion of values, the arts, culture, history, and the environment. There, I discovered how much I enjoyed working with kids and people in general. High school was another fundamental phase prior to my artistic career. I was fortunate to have amazing teachers who inspired me to learn about film history, literature, and storytelling. After high school, I was invited to a one-year leadership program around the world which gave me the opportunity to meet people from varied cultures and unique backgrounds and reminded me of the importance storytelling plays in one’s identity and how universal it is.

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INFLUENTIAL SPOTLIGHT

“

Feeling fulfilled with the projects I do and the people I meet along the way is the biggest reward anyone in this industry can have

”

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InFluential: When and how did you discover you wanted to be a filmmaker? Carlos: There have been several things which helped me discover this passion and ultimately inspired me to pursue it. My family has always been very supportive. My dad loves the arts and always encouraged me to get involved with it. I also acted for theatre when I was younger and that obviously impacted me in a positive way. In high school, I got really immersed in the arts, film, and literature. There, I discovered my true passion: storytelling. So, I asked myself: what discipline involves most of the things I like doing? Filmmaking was the answer after months of doubt and fear. The first time I was on a professional set was maybe at the age of 17. I called a friend who worked at a production company in Mexico and asked him to let me volunteer as a PA for their next project. He called me an hour later telling me I had to be on set the next morning at 5 AM. It was an honest introduction to this crazy but beautiful industry. InFluential: What has been your biggest achievement to date? Carlos: Well, objectively my biggest achievements are having a project air on national television and winning awards for best short film and best director in multiple festivals. But I tend to tell myself my biggest achievement is I’m still doing what I love regardless of the multiple obstacles and hard times I’ve faced. I’m directing better and bigger projects, opening a clearer path to my future, and that’s all I could really ask for. Feeling fulfilled with the projects I do and the people I meet along the way is the biggest reward anyone in this industry can have. InFluential: How would you describe your style? What types of projects do you enjoy making? Carlos: My work is always shaped by storytelling and blends surrealism into honest and thoughtprovoking elements of daily life. I’m interested in

exploring overlooked stories, stories that study or comment on the human condition. I enjoy evoking raw emotions in the viewer and exploring daily issues we face in our everyday lives through intricate and intense characters and plots. InFluential: Who are your most common collaborators and what have you created with them? Carlos: I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with extremely talented and kind people. Yarden Lior is someone I collaborate a lot with. We’ve worked together on several projects ever since we met during our second week of film school. We’ve grown together as people and filmmakers. Paul Theodoroff shot my short film Dark at Sea. Carlo Mendoza was the DP of Contracorriente, my most successful short film to this day. He is now short listed for an Academy nomination for his film The Chef. Matiz Creative is an agency with whom I was fortunate to collaborate on the project I volunteered to direct recently in Arizona. The project, which aired on television, is a PSA about a non-profit that heals trauma and nurtures leaders through the arts. InFluential: What’s next for Carlos Asse? On what projects are your focused now? Carlos: The new short film I’m working on right now follows a teenage boy who goes adrift in open ocean in his attempt to save his mother. I’m also collaborating with a co-writer to lock my feature film script and shoot a proof of concept sometime in 2020 to get funding for the feature length film. I’ve a relationship with a few production houses in Los Angeles, New York, and Detroit and will hopefully be working with them in 2020. InFluential: How can our readers connect with you to follow closely your journey? Carlos: I share my projects on my website www.carlosasse.com. I’m on Instagram as @carlos.asse. I invite fans to drop a line if they want to get in touch or talk with me about collaboration opportunities. l JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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“

...I’m interested in exploring overlooked stories, stories that study or comment on the human condition

”

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IN FLUENCE

Lifestyle

TIPS TO REFRESH YOUR HOME IN

THE NEW YEAR

EACH NEW YEAR GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO RESET AND START NEW ROUTINES. WHEN YOU’RE CONSIDERING NEW APPROACHES TO HEALTHY LIVING – WHETHER ELIMINATING OR ADDING HABITS TO IMPROVE YOUR DAILY LIFE – BEGINNING WITH YOUR HOME IS AN OPTIMAL CHOICE. 120

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our living environment has a strong influence on your life, and it’s worth evaluating how you can make updates that create a positive space for you and all that the new year will bring. Consider these ideas to refresh your home and simplify your housecleaning routine so you can spend more time focusing on your goals this year.

different benefits and contain single doses of detergent that release while inside your machine, so you can simply toss one in and start the load. If you have sensitive skin, try all Free Clear, the No. 1 recommended detergent brand by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin. It’s gentle and works through tough stains fast.

Start by Decluttering It’s practically impossible to get excited about a fresh start when you’re surrounding by last year’s junk. Make decluttering and purging unnecessary items a top priority for your refresh. Clear counters and tables to create more inviting surfaces and force yourself to assess which items are worth keeping. Get rid of items you don’t need by donating, selling or disposing them. Tackle piles of things you’ve carelessly tossed aside and find (or create) purposeful places for them to belong.

Create a Fitness Space One way to stay committed to a new workout regimen is to create a place where you enjoy spending time. Even if you don’t have a room to dedicate to fitness, you can make a fitness corner feel more intentional and less like an afterthought with some simple changes. If possible, locate your fitness area near a window so you can soak up the energy of natural light. Clear away unnecessary items and make room for the equipment or floor space you need. Add inspiring posters or make frames to hold your current workout guide. Add storage for hand weights, resistance bands and other small equipment to create your own home gym.

2 Simplify Your Laundry Routine Whether it’s the frustration of having no clean laundry or neverending baskets filled with clothes that need folding, laundry is an area where nearly every home can use a refresh. Start with the basics to make laundry easy and quick. A streamlined laundry system starts with the right tools for the job, such as all Mighty Pacs, which are available in several varieties with

4 Reconfigure Your Furniture A full-fledged renovation may not be in the cards (or budget), but you can give your living space a quick facelift by simply rearranging the furniture. Beyond simple aesthetic changes, think about how you can make better use of natural light and improve traffic patterns. You might also eliminate extra pieces if the space feels overcrowded or consider borrowing functional items that add storage or seating from other rooms in the house.

5 Add Greenery The middle of winter may not seem like an ideal time to hone your green thumb, but adding a few plants can make your home feel more inviting and chase away the cold weather blues. Plants can also help serve as a natural air purifying system; they absorb carbon dioxide to help stimulate their growth and are believed to absorb a host of other airborne pollutants. For more ideas to simplify your routine this year, visit all-laundry.com. (Family Features) l

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Lifestyle

NEW YEAR,

NEW... TIRES?

nd there’s no better time, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that tires be replaced every six years regardless of the number of miles driven. Research shows that improperly maintained tires are one of the leading causes of vehicle accidents in the U.S., particularly among teenage drivers. So, for this resolution, there’s no gym membership required. No dietary changes. No dusting off the bookshelf or hours of self-taught YouTube classes. Just in time for 2020, global tire brand Michelin provided key insights to kick start your shopping experience. The company shared that it starts with asking yourself a set of three brief questions before stepping into your local car or tire dealership:

How many? Are you looking at replacing one, two or all four tires? l

l What’s my make & model? Is this

for the family crossover SUV or for the personal sports car? l What kind of driver am I? Arguably

the most important of the three. Are you more focused on reducing

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AS YOU GEAR UP FOR A NEW YEAR WITH NEW GOALS, NOW IS THE TIME TO ASK YOURSELF IF YOUR WHEELS NEED A REFRESH. noise, enhancing performance, or somewhere in between? What is important to you? As the ‘20s come roaring in, here are some considerations to help you find the right fit for your new tires in 2020: For the performance-seekers Fall in love with your car’s untapped potential with a performance tire throughout the whole tire life; one that delivers excellent targeted features and benefits, such as dry and wet braking with no compromise in other areas. For the wannabe track star Looking to take your sports car’s performance up a level in 2020? Duly noted. Be on the hunt for a performance tire that allows you to make the most out of your time on the track - wet or dry!

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For drivers in wintry conditions For those harsh climates, you want a tire that provides ultimate winter confidence - which means not just snow, but ice and below freezing conditions that cover many miles, enabling you and your loved ones to fully embrace winter even in the harshest conditions. For that ultimate tread life If you’re on the hunt for a tire that will get you from Point A to B time and time again, look for a tire that combines proven tread design and a reliable compound to provide durable tread life, no matter the season. The Michelin Defender is an all-season tire suitable for all types of cars with a warranty up to 90,000 miles.

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For the expecting Anticipating a new addition to the family in 2020? What’s more important than what’s covering your four wheels on baby’s first drive home? Look for a dependable tire that maintains its performance as it wears.

An important shopping tip The industry standard is to test wetbraking performance of new tires; not used. Worn tires should deliver good wet-braking performance versus new tires, and you should have access to worn-tire test results before you buy new tires.

Once you’ve decided what makes most sense for you, head into your dealership (or visit MichelinMan.com for more information on the right fit) to make that drive into the New Year a safe and fulfilling one. (BPT) l

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Lifestyle

RESOLVE TO GREEN YOUR

GROCERY SHOPPING IN 2020

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ut as more supermarkets worldwide adopt smart strategies for reducing singleuse plastic packaging, experts say that these same changes are possible here in the U.S., so long as retailers, companies and individuals commit to making them a reality. “It’s time to build smarter supermarkets,” says Kate Melges, plastics campaigner, Greenpeace. “We’re starting to see examples of retailers moving away from throwaway packaging, but not at the urgency and scale needed to address this crisis.” A new report from Greenpeace, “The Smart Supermarket,” travels through a hypothetical grocery store to explore how single-use packaging-free initiatives can be implemented in every aisle, as well as details the benefits each change would have on consumers and retailers. As you head into a new year and possibly resolve to reduce your environmental impact, consider these report insights: “Nude” food: Plastic-wrapped produce creates needless packaging waste and potentially leads to wasted food, as consumers are required to buy portion sizes they may not need. “Nude” food lets you buy exactly what you need. For those products that do require packaging, stores and consumers should consider natural alternatives,

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IN OUR GRAB-ANDGO CULTURE, PLASTIC IS PERVASIVE AT THE GROCERY STORE.

rewards when they return reusable cups and containers. This is great for stores who want to establish brand loyalty, and great for customers who want kickbacks and to reduce their plastic use. Sustainable checkout: Five trillion single-use plastic bags will be used this year alone -- that is 160,000 bags per second. Providing durable, reusable bags at checkout through a rent-a-bag scheme is an easy way for stores to reverse this trend. l

such as banana leaves tied with bamboo twine. Bulk staples: Smart dispensing systems for such shelf-stable foods as rice, beans and lentils, allow customers to buy the quantities they need and can afford. And when customers dispense products into reusable containers they’ve brought from home or are supplied by the store, the system can eliminate single-use packaging. l

Refillable personal and home products: While the public is becoming aware of the need for reusable shopping bags and coffee cups, there’s less awareness about alternatives to single-use plastics for beauty and cleaning supplies. Refill stations on favorite shampoos, dish soaps and more can substantially reduce plastic waste.

Smarter takeout: Many grocery stores have to-go options like salad bars and hot food counters. At a smart supermarket, takeout will not mean throwaway. Technology is at the heart of the concept, with customers using an app to collect l

Mindful online shopping: Buy your groceries online? A number of online retailers are already dropping off and collecting reusable containers via more sustainable transport. A smart supermarket can follow the same model.

For more information on how to help build a smarter supermarket, visit: greenpeace.org/usa/research/ report-the-smart-supermarket. Without decisive action, plastic production is set to quadruple by 2050. This new year, advocates say that everyone can resolve to do their part to stem the tide, with retailers and consumer goods companies cooperating to create ecofriendly solutions, and consumers demanding these alternatives and opting for them when they become available. (StatePoint) l

kPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF (C) MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS.

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2019 SURPRISED US WITH LOTS OF INTERESTING DISCOVERIES AND NEWS. BIG NAMES LIKE LYFT, PINTEREST, AND UBER WENT PUBLIC EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHILE SLACK WENT AN IPO MVP SORT OF ROUTE WHEN THEY BYPASSED THE WALL STREET MIDDLEMEN AND DID A DIRECT-MARKET LISTING IN JUNE. AIRBNB IS EXPECTED TO JOIN THE CROWD LATER, BUT, AS ALWAYS, TAKES ITS TIME, WHICH IS A SMART MOVE.

nstagram went unconventional and decided to remove “likes” from the app, a decision that shook the “influencer” industry to its core. The news was met with mixed feelings. Despite lots of worry and outrage, most people tend to agree that, by removing the feature, Instagram will de-pressurize most users who have been competing for approval instead of focusing on content they are truly passionate about. I’m very curious about the outcome of this experiment.

kWRITTEN BY MARIA KONSTANTINOVA, FOUNDER & CEO | PRODUCT MIND

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MOBILE APP TRENDS IN 2020

FEATURE

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Photo cortesy of pixabay.com

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FEATURE

we have now become the experts on how to build quality products. That includes intuitive and more engaging user interaction with apps. There will be more apps that provide that seamless user experience in 2020.

But what about mobile apps in particular? As the industry keeps growing and doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon, let’s look at the possible trends we should expect in year 2020. Lots of New Faces and New Ideas Building a mobile app used to be a venture only those versed in coding or connected to the Silicon Valley could embark on. As more resources become available to the public, the easier–and cheaper–it becomes for those who have always wanted to join the tech moguls, but felt too intimidated to join the pros. People from all different backgrounds will be entering the pool in 2020, bringing different experiences and perspectives. This will eventually rejuvenate and improve the mobile apps we will see in the future.

About Maria Konstantinova Maria Konstantinova is a serial tech entrepreneur and a founder of Product Mind (productmind.tech), a mobile app development company. Born in Siberia, she moved to the United States 20 years ago and got her undergraduate degrees in business law and product development. Despite not having a tech degree, she has been an outlier in the tech industry for 11 years, teaching herself to code and founding her first startup in 2012.

Users will Demand Quality Because of the abundance of new products coming into the app stores every day, users become not only savvy, but also demanding. If, She and her team merge in the past, we were ok with a mobile app that AI with human emotions in the was glitchy and rather confusing because we products they build, producing delight with technological were still fascinated by the technology, now advancements and the way users will raise their standards. Amateur mistakes, they engage users to connect. overlooked bugs, and features impossible to Product Mind applies a unique methodology that lets every use will be met with negative feedback and, if entrepreneur create a prototype not dealt with in a timely way, even a product of an app in 30 days for demise. The app stores will tighten up their app a flat rate price. acceptance criteria even further. Mobile Apps Will be Easier to Use The app industry has been establishing itself for over ten years now. According to the rule of 10,000 hours,

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AI and AR Will Take Over the World Artificial Intelligence and machine learning will be the new norm of any successful mobile products. New algorithms will be learning users’ habits and adjust to customers’ needs accordingly. Collecting data will be even easier. Augmented Reality (AR) has been gradually taking over not only game apps, but e-commerce as well. Thanks to AR, we can try a new couch in our living room before buying it and “put on” a new lipstick to see if the color suits our skin tone. We will be seeing a lot more of that in e-commerce apps, which brings us to the next point… E-commerce Boom We’ll be seeing more established retailers and newcomers looking to build mobile apps for their stores. Equipped with the convenience of smartphone platforms and more advanced camera lenses, mobile apps will give users a more hands-on experience and instant onthe-go gratification, plus that sweet AR option that gives the user a real-life interaction with the products without wasting time in traffic.

Whether it worries or excites us, the technological progress is here to stay. We just need to make sure we don’t lose our humanity in the process of adjusting to these rapid changes.l

MILLENNIALS SEEK MINDFULNESS AS A FIX FOR THEIR HIGH STRESS LEVELS Each year millions of Americans make eliminating stress a top priority - it’s especially important to Millennials. Nearly half of them say they’re stressed all the time over everything from money to work, according to a recent survey, and even spending time around “anxious” people can set them off. That same survey also found that Millennials are overwhelmingly looking for an easy solution. One possible answer? Incorporating Japanese Green Tea into one’s daily routine, since it naturally contains the amino acid L-theanine that can help elevate moods and calm worried minds. (Hey, it’s steeped in Zen tradition.) See the full-sized image here to also learn which hours stress Millennials out most.

IN FLUENCE

Travel

APPS YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL APP-RECIATE ON

YOUR NEXT TRIP

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FROM PLANNING YOUR NEXT GETAWAY TO MANAGING YOUR VACATION BUDGET, THERE ARE MYRIAD APPS YOU CAN USE TO MAKE YOUR TRIP A SEAMLESS, MORE ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE.

efore planning your next trip, make sure you visit your preferred app store to download tools like these that can help with everything from planning to staying on track during the trip to looking back on your experiences when you return home. Map tools: While the most basic function of these apps is obvious, map apps are also useful tools to research the area you’re visiting, plan your routes ahead of time and find nearby essentials like gas stations and restaurants during your trip. Some apps also allow you to download offline maps so you don’t find yourself stranded

if you’re going someplace where you’re likely to encounter poor signal strength. Discount rate finders: These apps make it simple to research and compare the best rates and deals for multiple aspects of your trip, often packaged for maximum cost-savings. For example, the Expedia app can be used to research and book everything from airfare and hotels to car rentals and activities. Once you’ve booked, these app makes it easy to keep track of your reservations and itineraries. Airline resources: Even if you book your ticket through a third party, you can benefit from downloading the app for the airline you’ll be using. Nearly all airline apps include features that make it easier to make changes to your booking, check in, get a digital boarding pass, check your flight status and more. Additionally, most apps will alert you to any changes via push notifications. Vacation rental bookings: Many travelers are opting for vacation rentals over traditional hotels, in part because of the convenience and personal experience you can create. For example, the Vrbo app provides everything you need to book a vacation rental. As an added bonus, Trip Boards allow you to save, organize and compare your favorite properties. You can invite friends and family who will be traveling with you to discuss

the trip using the new group chat feature and add and vote on their favorite properties to help narrow down the choices. Unit converters: Handy for international travel, these apps make it easy to compute and convert common units of measurement, such as currency and distance, and many even convert time zones for you. Having a unit converter app is especially important if you may not have reliable access to Wi-Fi or data during your trip. Budget trackers: Travel expenses can pile up fast, but you can keep tabs on your expenses along the way with an app that tracks the details. Most options allow you to categorize expenses by type and date, and some offer additional features such as splitting balances between friends and families or allowing you to set warning thresholds so you know when you’re getting close to exceeding your budget. Payment solutions: Fees and structures may vary from one app to the next, but all are designed to make sending and receiving money more convenient. When it comes to travel, you can use an app like Venmo to easily split costs and share payments between family and friends during and after the trip. Find more resources for your next getaway at Vrbo.com. (Family Features) l

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Travel

LET TRENDS GUIDE

YOUR 2020 TRAVEL WHILE THEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PLENTY TO BE SAID FOR TAKING THE PROVERBIAL ROAD LESS TRAVELED, FELLOW TOURISTS CAN PROVIDE A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE TO HELP SHAPE A VACATION FILLED WITH LIFELONG MEMORIES.

hether you expect your travel plans for 2020 to take you near or far, having a pulse on how and where others enjoy spending their travel time may help narrow down your options. Start planning your next getaway armed with the findings of a trend report compiled by vacation rental app and website Vrbo, especially when it comes to selecting a destination and your accommodations.

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Unique Accommodations Traditional vacation home favorites like beach houses, cabins and condos still reign supreme, but adventurous American travelers are staying in some unusual options. In fact, 71% of millennial travelers said they would consider staying

at a non-traditional vacation rental. In addition to barns, castles and treehouses, properties on wheels and properties that float join the ranks of unusual accommodations travelers are booking. Travel demand for houseboats, yachts, RVs and travel trailers is up 30% year-over-year. Surf’s Up Portugal’s reputation for affordability, primo surfing and sunshine-filled climate make the country a desirable place to explore. That may explain why seaside locales in Portugal took three of the top five spots on the list of hottest international beach destinations for American travelers. Chania, Greece, took the top spot, followed by three Portuguese destinations: Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto and Lisbon. Catania, Italy, rounded out the top five. For those seeking to stay stateside, four of Vrbo’s top five United States destinations this year are beaches, including: Gulf Shores, Alabama; Miramar and Rosemary Beach, Florida; Panama City Beach, Florida; and Maui, Hawaii. Same-City Stays Rental demand data in Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta and a number of other urban destinations showed the single largest traveler origin market for each city was that same city. “‘Cele-cations,’ when people seek accommodations to host and spend time with groups of family and friends for milestone events like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, may be fueling the trend

of people booking vacation homes in the same cities where they live,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo travel expert. Also high on the trend list: short-stay, drivable destinations located within 300 miles of home. Up-and-Coming Destinations Their names may not be familiar to the masses, but each of the top emerging domestic vacation destinations shares one thing in common: outdoor appeal. Places that appeal to families and other groups of travelers looking to explore the great outdoors are seeing a major surge over the past three years. If an outdoor getaway is your ideal trip, consider destinations like Terlingua, Texas, located just a short distance from Big Bend National Park; Bella Vista, Arkansas, situated in the Ozarks near majestic lakes; Westport, Washington, surrounded by a bay to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west; Cherry Log, Georgia, which sits in the heart of Chattahoochee National Forest; and Edisto Island, South Carolina, a charming beachside retreat 1 hour from Charleston. “This is the third year in a row travelers’ desire to be outdoors has filled the up-and-coming destinations list,” Fish said. “Clearly, people want the comforts of a home away from home while soaking in scenery.” Find the trends and accommodations that match your 2020 travel dreams at vrbo.com. (Family Features) l

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Sanchidrián, FEATURING

NATALIA

RENOWN AUTHOR AND SPAIN’S NEW VOICE ON MOTIVATION AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT NATALIA SANCHIDRIÁN IS SPAIN’S NEW VOICE ON MOTIVATION AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT. SHE’S BEEN ACCLAIMED BY THOUSANDS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNICATION SPECIALISTS.

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kPHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF

DONUT HOLE UNIVERSE. PR AGENCY SGG PUBLIC RELATIONS.

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aving lived her life under the yoke of trauma that gave rise to PTSD, depression, bulimia, and ADHD, she resolved to take back control of her life, seek help, and improve herself. Although she gave up on school at 16, Natalia’s desire for self-understanding drew her to learn more, focusing on human psychology and behavior. Her new focus led her to attend hundreds of seminars, lectures, and courses given by doctors, researchers, and renowned experts in the field, leading her to discover Emotional Freedom. Having found what she was looking for, she studied to become a Coach & EFT Trainer, taking courses in several countries and starting a psychology degree in Spain. Founder of Flying High & The Company Code, today Natalia is an expert in Emotional Freedom Techniques and helps thousands of people across the globe through her programs, consultancy services, motivational talks, lectures, and events. She’s worked with institutions like Fundación Ana Bella, the Chanel Academy, the Spanish Rugby Federation and its women’s team, ACEPA, Ibercaja, Empresarias Galicia, Mujeres que Marcan, the University of Burgos’s Faculty of Medicine, and Madrid’s Hospital La Princesa. Natalia is also the author of the Flying High Trilogy (Flying High, Happy to Be Me and Test of Faith) published by Editorial Planeta. Natalia’s motto is: Transform your life: Know Yourself, Accept Yourself, and Improve Yourself. Natalia has used her history of challenges as a sounding board and support to help others achieve their best life. Her story is riveting, powerful, and one of hope. We honored she’s felt comfortable to share her story with our InFluential Magazine family. InFluential Magazine: Natalia, you are the author about topics related to and expert in Emotional Intelligence, but how have you become a reference for thousands of people and even for mental health professionals? JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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I help them connect with an inner strength, I serve as a mirror, I REMEMIND THEM THE GREAT POTENTIAL THAT THEY HAVE WITHIN and thus transform lives.

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Natalia Sanchidrián: I’m a writer by “chance”, because I’ve been writing diaries since I was nine years old using it as form of therapy, without being aware of it. Considering the chronic post-traumatic stress that has accompanied me since I was four years old, ADHD, and dyslexia, it’s mindboggling to see my story of overcoming all these challenges is beginning to go around the world. Suffering abuse in childhood can make one fall into a very deep background. That was the case for me for years, before I entered the Psychiatry Unit after suffering bulimia. It was there where I learned the greatest fears can diminish our forces and deceive us in such a way, we come to think we are small. None of that could be further from the truth. We don’t know how strong we can be, until we must be. All of us have a story of overcoming a problem inside of us. No one is braver than anyone, what happens is some people learn to identify their fears before others do, so they can face them. I help them connect with an inner strength, I serve as a mirror, I REMEMIND THEM THE GREAT POTENTIAL THAT THEY HAVE WITHIN and thus transform lives. There are mental health professionals who not only recommend my books, but also work with them, as many teachers do, and this is wonderful, because there’s nothing more inspiring than the example of other people who have overcome difficult situations. InFluential: What motivated you to want to share your experiences with others? Natalia: I remember one night when I couldn’t sleep between the doubts of “publishing my books or not”, I thought, what if my books can help people who, like me, are still lost among their fears? Natalia, I thought, you must be brave, because if you could only help one girl, who like you wanted to die, it would be worth it. In my second book Happy to Be Me, I talk about this. JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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Sometimes we do not find the strength for ourselves, but we do find it from the love of other people. This gives the necessary courage and pushes us to react. InFluential: How can we teach others to face successfully difficult times? Natalia: With proper emotional education and large doses of trust, and I’m an example of this. In my childhood and my youth, I suffered from TDH, bullying, bulimia, and anorexia. This history has not prevented me from becoming a successful writer. Thanks to selfknowledge, children learn to recognize their emotions and thanks to trust they find the courage to face them. For me that is key. InFluential: For many, challenges arise from beliefs accumulated during childhood and mostly caused by societal pressures. Do you believe today’s society pressures us in such a way we’re never satisfied with ourselves? Natalia: I believe society and the environment condition us. They educate us from a sense of competition and not from love. As such, many important values are not taught, such as how to manage our emotions or how to react to frustration. Don’t misunderstand me, surpassing oneself is great; however, we’re always taught to win; however nobody teaches us to lose and how to manage it. I believe until we modify education, teaching our children to manage their emotions and have compassion for others, we can’t experience significant change. We talk about economic crisis when an immediate crisis focuses on self-esteem. Self-esteem doesn’t depend on our abilities, but our level of demand. If our level of demand is not balanced, all our achievements will be the same because we’ll only see ourselves “worse than someone”, and we’ll want more. Our self-esteem will always be damaged until we begin to work on it. l

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Sometimes we do not find the strength for ourselves, but we do find it from the love of other people. This gives the necessary courage and pushes us to react.

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