15 minute read
FIT TO REIGN
{ SHIFT+CONTROL }{ COACHING WITH KRISTIN{ FIT TO REIGN } } MEET JESSICA FABUS CHENG
Hi ladies! My name is Corrin Stellakis and I am the owner of Fit to Reign. What is Fit to Reign? It is a business that is dedicated to helping women achieve their goals and become the best possible versions of themselves. It is a place where women inspire and empower one another.
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Fit to Reign is about helping women become mentally, intellectually, socially, spiritually, physically, and emotionally fit. Everyone struggles with one, if not all, of these areas, and I am here to help in every aspect. I am a self-development coach, make-up artist, pageant coach, and personal trainer. I work with women on a one-to-one basis. Fit to Reign Studios is dedicated to creating a comfortable atmosphere where women can reach their goals and feel confident with their progress.
I lovingly refer to Fit to Reign as “The Beauty and The Beast.” I believe that women are both strong and beautiful. On one side of Fit to Reign Studios there is “The Beauty.” This is where I help women develop in many different areas.
As a Self-Development Coach, I connect with young women on a personal level to foster a deepened self-awareness and self-understanding. My clients learn tangible tools that
BY CORRIN STELLAKIS
can help them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. They learn to form healthy personal boundaries, constructively make decisions about the future, have an increased awareness of personal responsibility, and improve communication and coping skills. I am there for my clients and together, we
build a unique relationship. I listen, advise, inform, respect, challenge, and support my clients. Through Fit to Reign Self-Development Coaching, they will learn to honor themselves, overcome obstacles, achieve goals, and grow into the successful, happy, and confident young women that they are meant to be.
Do you know of a young lady that struggles with social anxiety, organization, negative feelings about herself, choices around dating/sex/breakups, the formation of healthy personal boundaries, decision-making about the future, setting life goals, communication, coping skills, or a sense of personal responsibility? Do you find that she is over critical of her appearance? Is she struggling with school, friends, and finding a balance in life? Is she concerned about “fitting in?” Does she have a difficult time managing stress or finding joy? Does this young woman need a better understanding of who she is and how valued and loved she is? Does she have leadership potential, but does not know how to utilize and channel her spiritual gifts? I would love to help her develop into a strong, confident, and capable young woman. With degrees in communication, psychology, and counseling, I am well equipped and prepared to help her grow and develop. I enjoy building a bond and relationship with my clients founded on trust and respect. Fit to Reign SelfDevelopment Coaching will be the best decision you have made for her.
Another area of concentration is interview preparation where I teach
women techniques on how to create a lasting impact in any interview and how to communicate their ideas through verbal and nonverbal means. The interview philosophy at Fit to Reign creates focus, helps to increase vocabulary, instills confidence, helps you create a presence, express your personality, connect with the interviewer, and helps you to leave a lasting impression in any interview. You will gain interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills, be able to communicate your ideas more effectively, and increase thoughtprocessing speed.
At Fit to Reign women also learn how to speak in public with confidence. I assist my clients in writing, editing, and performing their speech. How you communicate with the audience is very important, so I will teach you how to create that personal connection with the audience while you are speaking. You will learn techniques on how to ease your nerves, communicate your thoughts thoroughly, inspire and command an audience.
As a professional model, I offer model coaching for young girls and women looking to create a profession in the modeling industry. It is important to learn a model walk, and techniques to get the best angle in front of the camera. During your training, I will work to develop your confidence, a strong walk, striking poses, facial expressions, great posture, and fluid movement patterns.
One of the most popular areas of coaching at Fit to Reign is pageant coaching! Pageants allow women to gain life experience and new skill sets, as well as make lasting friendships,
and professional connections. As a 2-time international, 2-time national, and 4-time state titleholder, I know what it takes to prepare for and win the crown. During the preparation process, I will assist clients with filling out the necessary paperwork, work with clients on interview and public speaking skills, fitness level, walking and posing, image/wardrobe, and platform development!
On the other side of Fit to Reign is “The Beast.” This is where I coach my personal training clients. The “Beast” is where women transform their bodies and become physically Fit to Reign. In the personal training studio (“The Beast”), I assess each client on their current fitness level and then construct a personalized program to help them reach their goals. Each client is different, therefore each client will have a different fitness plan. I work with my clients on endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility training. At Fit to Reign, my main goal is to make you feel confident, healthy, and strong!
Although I have a physical location in North Syracuse for Fit to Reign, I also know that sometimes it is not convenient for many women to come to my location due to proximity, or simply time restraints. For this reason, I offer video chat sessions all over the country! My clients are in all different states, of all different ages, and all have a unique personal goal. I love seeing each of my clients meet their goals and achieve their dreams by helping them become Fit to Reign.
YOU ARE ENOUGH. DIANA MEYER
BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO PHOTOS BY SLZ PHOTOGRAPHY & EASTWAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Tell us about yourself, and your background.
I am a 25 year old newly-wed to my husband Sergeant First Class Joshua Meyer. Although I’m a COVID bride, we couldn’t wait to get married in October 2020! After nine months of marriage, I was honored to win Mrs. New York American. I’m also a Talent Manager at Robert Half, helping people find employment opportunities in accounting and finance. I quickly realized that women often feel incapable of finding a job and this is why I became a Dress for Success Career Coach. When women are empowered and supported on their journey to find employment, the circle of impact expands. In my free time, I love to run my daily 5k, work on my lifestyle blog www.dialoguebydiana. com, bake my grandma’s Italian pizzelle cookies and make my mouth watering homemade pizza.
What makes you hustle?
My goals make me hustle. been in awe of the pageant our New York State Director Diane Hardgrove produces. Although winning isn’t always everything, doors seem to open when you win a pageant. Because of pageantry, my career flourished, I met lifelong friends, I became a better woman and I have made an even greater impact in my community. Being Mrs. New York American brought those blessings into my life and I am so thankful for that. mom and I loved to play Christmas flute duets for my grandma and when she heard Jingle Bells, she would start to remember the lyrics and she even used to dance with my grandpa! By sharing the gift of music through live flute performances or portable radio donations, I accomplish my goal of enhancing senior’s lives. I am proud to say that I have performed my flute countless times and donated over 400 radios to memory care homes across New York.
What does the word empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means feeling worthy and capable of anything because you believe in yourself and better yet, someone else believes in you too. It’s knowing that you can accomplish anything because you have the skills and support system to do so. I recently interviewed a candidate at work who started crying because she was overwhelmed about her job search. Several women often feel similar emotions and I am honored to be the person who brightens their lives every single day.
It’s important for me to deliver my best self or work in everything I do. My high expectations keep me on track because I know so many people are counting on me.
Tell us about what made you decide to run for the MRS NY America pageant.
The opportunities in pageantry are endless and Mrs. America is the longest standing pageant for married women. Its prestige is unmatched and I have always
What made you decide to start your own non-profit organization? What is its mission? Why did you pick this for your platform?
I created my initiative “Unlocking Memories Through Music” 14 years ago in honor of my grandmother’s eight year Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The disease eventually consumed my grandma in every way possible. She was comatose most days and as a professional musician, I knew I had to use music to bring out her caring and vivacious personality. My
According to you, what are the skills that are necessary for becoming a successful female entrepreneur?
Just like the great state of New York, you must have grit! Everything in life requires hard work and sacrifice. Believe in yourself and let your passions fuel your motivation.
What do you feel are your greatest strengths? What about some of your weaknesses?
I’m proud of my gregarious personality. Not only does it help me thrive in my job and role as Mrs. New York American but I can easily create relationships with people from all different walks of life. On the contrary, I’m a people pleaser and I’m often hard on myself. As a former competitive gymnast always striving for a perfect ten, this is no surprise. But, I learned to give myself grace and live in the moment.
How would you define your personality? In short, I have a Type A personality. I know what I want and I’m not afraid to do whatever it takes to make it happen! I’m also sincere, inquisitive, fun and adventurous. If I’m not making someone else feel valued, I’m probably asking them a question about anything that comes across my mind! I also like to let loose and try new things like hiking a mountain or scuba diving in Hawaii!
What did you take away from your pageant experience?
Pageants can be intimidating and it’s often thought that you need to look, walk, talk and act a certain way. Instead, you need to be the best version of yourself. It’s hard not to compare yourself to other people, especially in pageants. You will find joy and peace when you learn to stop worrying about the things you can’t control. Although I knew this prior to the pageant, it became more apparent afterwards.
What was your first job and how old were you?
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! I was 16 when I started my first job at Yolickity Frozen Dessert Zone. I met so many great people and I learned a lot of great lessons too!
Who are some of the people that empower and inspire you and why?
I am in awe of my mom’s strength to raise my sister and me as a single mom. She supported me as a competitive gymnast, flautist, scholar, pageant contestant and wife. She never missed an important milestone in my life and she continues to support me. I’m blessed to have a strong female figure in my life that showed me the importance of women needing a successful career, having a strong value system and what it means to put family first. My husband Josh is also one of my greatest blessings. I’m inspired by his confidence and ability to stay calm in life’s most stressful moments. He motivates me to be a better person and he is my perfect counterpart.
If you had to start over from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
I was a perfectionist growing up. I was focused on getting good grades and working hard because I wanted to set myself up for future success. However, I often missed out on life’s sweetest moments and didn’t enjoy my teenage years. I wish I had more grace growing up so I could balance life better.
“What is your ‘why? ‘”
Life is beautiful and since I know it’s fleeting, I don’t want to waste any moment of it. I want to leave a big impact and take advantage of what life has to offer. Whether that’s through my career, family, pageantry or volunteering, I hope to look back on life and feel fulfilled.
How did working through the pandemic change you for the better or worse? How did you get creative?
Working through the pandemic taught me how to slow down. I’m always on the go and life instantly stopped because of COVID-19. I have no doubt that having a healthy work life balance is here to stay. Additionally, I planned a wedding in 2020! Every day was unpredictable and since I like to have a plan, I had to be flexible when planning our special day.
What role do you think social media plays for you personally and professionally and what is your favorite platform?
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication from St. John Fisher College. Being media literate is important because you’re now expected to have an in-person and online brand. You must be active on social media to establish your place personally or professionally. For example, I post on LinkedIn weekly about topics related to my job at Robert Half. I also like to use Instagram to post life updates and share engaging content. As Mrs. New York American, it’s crucial to stay relevant on Facebook and Instagram because I’m an ambassador for the pageant! Before you post anything, you must consider the medium and your audience.
Name one special moment during your career that has stood out to you. I help dozens of people every day find a job and I often wonder if I’m making an impact. Out of the hundreds I recruited, two women continue to update me about their job. I receive a weekly email with a life update from one and a daily phone
call from the other. This reminds me that I have the power to permanently change someone’s life and these moments are life changing for me as well!
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
I never gave up on myself and I have a great support system. I’m only hurting myself if I decide to slack off. The world is my oyster and I know that if I work hard and surround myself with good people, opportunity will come knocking!
What was your favorite moment of the 2021 Mrs NY America pageant and why?
I competed in pageantry for ten years and I never thought I would participate as a married woman. When I was practicing for the pageant, I felt a lot of pride and joy. Those moments were my favorite because they reminded me of why I decided to compete in a pageant and I felt worthy and ready for whatever opportunity awaited me.
What do you have planned for the next year? What about five years from now?
Right now I am practicing for the Mrs. American Pageant in November 2021! If given the honor of Mrs. American, I will spend the next year preparing for the Mrs. World Pageant. I will also use this opportunity to create a nationwide circle of impact for women seeking employment by expanding my efforts as a Dress for Success Career Coach. Since my husband and I didn’t have a honeymoon because of COVID, I also want to plan a special trip in the
What’s the most important discovery you’ve made about yourself in the past year during your pageant journey?
As a former competitive gymnast, I always sought the approval of others. But this pageant journey taught me that it’s okay to not be perfect and do what makes you happy. I now make decisions that I feel confident with, instead of seeking the approval of others.
Where will we see you next?
You can keep in touch with me and stay up-to-date with my volunteer work and journey to Mrs. American on Instagram at @dianammeyer and @2021mrsnyamerican.
next five years. It’s our goal to also invest in property!
What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?
I’m not sure I can pick one decision as the most difficult because I have been fortunate. But with any big life decision (buying a house, getting married, changing jobs), you question if you’re making the right choice. Regardless of the choice made, I’m happy with my life’s direction.
