DeBlair Tate grew up in a small town in Mississippi with a population of 8,000 – 10,000 people. DeBlair's passion for fitness started when she was very young. She loved playing basketball and softball and remembered being very competitive, whether racing or arm wrestling. She was always ready to compete. After high school, DeBlair attended Mississippi State University, an hour from where she grew up.

DeBlair Joins the Military

DeBlair wanted more than just a college degree. She didn't want to attend college and then go home and try to figure out what to do next. She wanted more opportunities and exposure. She wanted to show people that just because you're from a small town, it doesn't mean you have to do what everyone else is doing.

DeBlair had to figure this out on her own. She came from a loving, single-parent home and knew her mom couldn't afford to give her the opportunities and exposure to the world that she desired.

DeBlair decided to use the military as a stepping stone that would allow her to branch out into the world. She is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force.

Fitness Competition

After moving to Atlanta, DeBlair worked as a Loan Officer when she got word of a gym opening up in the area. While working part-time in the gym, a trainer approached her and asked if she competes? DeBlair, not knowing much about the female fitness competition world, said: "man, I am not going to walk around here looking like some dude". Later that day, the trainer had some girls stop by the gym to show DeBlair what they looked like competing onstage. DeBlair was very impressed with what the girls looked like, and because of her competitive spirit, she decided to give it a shot.

DeBlair became a professional fitness competitor in only two short years. She has competed for a total of six years. The experience as a competitor was challenging and not always fun because of the strict diet and training regimen. It also affected DeBlair's social life because of the time it takes to prepare for competition.

Fitness Coaching

DeBlair credits the military for instilling discipline in her life, which she lacked growing up in Mississippi. She also believes that serving in the military has made her a more effective trainer. She credits the military for being able to provide support regardless of what problems she was having. The military provided mentors to help her succeed, and that's what she can provide her clients, support, and mentorship to help them along their fitness journey.

DeBlair uses her "military training in a very intentional way." Before she agrees to take on a client, they must have a consultation with her to see "where the client's head is at," so a plan can be designed to help the client meet his or her fitness goals. DeBlair stated, "that she doesn't give her clients what she thinks they need, but rather what they came to her for."

COVID-19 and Fitness Coaching

The current pandemic has forced DeBlair to go to a more virtual platform. DeBlair shared during the interview that she is a shy person when it comes to getting in front of the camera and filming videos. She could easily do a photoshoot, but a video is something she is now getting used to.

8 Figured Brand

DeBlair has created her fitness apparel brand called 8 Figured, www.8figured.com. DeBlair shared that "if you turn the eight around, it means infinity. It also stands for self-confidence, self-acceptance, the ability to engineer yourself and the body God gave you." The 8 Figured brand has been featured on Good Morning America (GMA). The clothing line caters to everyone of all shapes and sizes. The clothes are created and designed by DeBlair and her designer.

DeBlair envisions her brand being in every store and every mall. She believes that the 8 Figured brand will be in the same lane as Nike and Lulu Lemon one day.

Balancing Business and Personal Life

Balancing business and personal life had been a hurdle for DeBlair. She would spend more time on her business and less time with friends and family. Focusing on business all the time became a problem when she noticed people were not giving her time. DeBlair realized that she had to restructure her life and get her priorities straight. DeBlair stated that "it's still a work in progress, but it's much better than before."

Trapping on Thursday

At 7:30 EST on Thursday nights, DeBlair conducts a 30-minute workout segment on Facebook and Instagram called Trapping on Thursday. Following the workout, there is a 30-minute question and answer segment where you can ask questions directly of DeBlair.

Do you believe that sports can instill confidence, strength, and self-esteem in girls at a young age and that these same attributes can be used on and off the field? Kate T Parker is a mother, wife, professional photographer and New York Times bestselling author of The Heart of a Boy and Strong is the New Pretty; she's an ironman and former collegiate soccer player who has made a living capturing the joy, confidence, focus, and camaraderie that comes from girls playing sports. Her photographs have been praised by Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, David Beckham, and the Spice Girls.

A powerful collection of color and black-and-white photographs, her newest book PLAY LIKE A GIRL captures girls just learning to kick the ball alongside players from the 2019 Women’s World Cup championship team such as Megan Rapinoe, Carly Lloyd, and Jessica McDonald. A celebration of the tenacious spirit of female soccer players of all ages, it reveals how sports, and soccer in particular, challenge girls and women to become their best selves, allowing them to test their limits, find power in friendship, appreciate their body’s strength, and learn how to pick themselves up when they’ve been knocked down. 

Kate T. Parker, the Early Years

Kate has played soccer ever since her early years growing up in New Jersey.  She continued playing soccer on the collegiate level for Wake Forest University in North Carolina.  After leaving college, she worked at CNN and then crossed over into advertising, which Kate believes helped her to "make something compelling on the screen." After getting married and having kids, Kate decided to use this skill to take pictures of her kids. 

The Important Role of Confidence and Empowerment in Young Children

As a mom, Kate believes that children should have confidence and self-esteem.  She wants this for her kids and thinks these are qualities all kids should have. Kate wants kids to know who they are should be celebrated and embraced.  Kate found confidence and empowerment while playing soccer.  She remembers being called "loud," "bossy," and “aggressive," all characteristics that made her a good soccer player.  Her coaches encouraged this behavior, and it is these qualities that enabled Kate to pursue a successful career as a photographer. 

Kate believes it's okay for girls to voice their opinion, get dirty, or even angry at times.  Kate believes that it is "more important what you do and who you are than what you look like."  Kate thinks that social media does not portray “girls actively doing things.”  Her book shows girls and women moving and taking action.

The book captures every expression and emotion the girls go through on and off the field, and they have the chance to tell their own story.  “Sometimes their words are funny, but they can also be silly, thoughtful and smart,” according to Kate.

Soccer and Everyday Life

Kate believes you can learn life’s lessons on the soccer field.  “In soccer, you cannot hang your head; you must keep looking forward regardless of what has happened in the past. You must keep moving.  Kate believes it's the same in real life, “if you mess up in life, don't hang your head, if you do that, you will miss the next play or the next opportunity.”

Kate believes that “all girls should find something that they are passionate about; it doesn't have to be soccer or any particular sport.  It could be music or even art, find something you are passionate about, and then your sense of self-worth will come from that passion instead of from any outside forces that are trying to tear you down.”

The importance of role models

Kate believes that all girls should have role models in their lives.  The 2019 Women’s World Cup championship team with women such as Megan Rapinoe, Carly Lloyd, and Jessica McDonald, are role models to young girls and women.  Young girls need to see women who look like them to achieve success; it improves their self-worth.

Kate T. Parker – Charity Work

Kate believes that anyone with a platform should use it for the benefit of others.  Her charities of choice include the Boys & Girls Club of America, the Bully Project, and the Girls on the Run.

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ on your body and what you put on your skin can significantly affect your health? Heather Marianna is the creator of Beauty Kitchen, a plant-based at-home spa and skincare line with clean ingredients free of chemicals, sulfates, and harsh parabens. Beauty Kitchen started in 2012 as a YouTube channel where Heather would demonstrate DIY beauty treatments using simple, all-natural ingredients found in most kitchens to educate the masses about the importance of knowing what you are putting on your skin.  

The Early Years

Heather grew up in beautiful San Diego, California.  Her grandmother raised her until she was old enough to go to college.  She attended the University of Indianapolis in Indiana.  After graduating from college, she worked in a few businesses until she was offered a job as a Vice President of Marketing for a consulting firm in Las Vegas. 

After quitting her corporate job as VP of Marketing, Heather was out of work for six months, not sure what she was going to do next.  She then called some of her friends seeking guidance.  Her friends told her she needs to make that “skincare stuff.”  Heather then shared how while on vacation in Africa, she noticed one of her friends had a serious acne problem.  Heather told her friend that she could “fix it if you let me”.  The friend agreed, so Heather went down to the kitchen, gathered up all the stuff she was interested in for natural and spiritual healing, applied it to her friends face, and her friend’s face cleared up in 2 days.  Her friends then encouraged her to pursue this line of work professionally.  It was after this encouragement that Heather created the Beauty Kitchen YouTube channel.

Beauty Kitchen YouTube Channel

The channel quickly garnered millions of views, and soon after, the actual product line was born. Heather has appeared on over 85+ national TV news segments demonstrating her all-natural and easy-to-do at-home beauty treatments. She was just recently named “the Nevada Female Leader Making Moves in The West” by The Ladders.com, and she was also named an “Inspirational Female Executive to Follow” by The LuxurySpot.com magazine.

Heather believes her products are better than other so-called “natural” products because she owns the manufacturing of the products and oversees the ingredients that are put into it. Heather has been approached by Target, Wholefoods, and other significant retailers but refused to send her products to a warehouse, where in her words, “they would be sitting for months” at a time. The only way her products could stay on the shelves for that amount of time is to have preservatives in it. Heather refuses to compromise her products or her reputation.

Private Labeling

Heather also shared that her company does private labeling.  You can sell hand sanitizer and other products from the Beauty Kitchen, with your brand’s name attached to it.  

Giving Back

Heather Marianna is very involved in giving back to her community and abroad. She distributes hand sanitizers and other products to the kids in the local schools. She has also traveled to Africa on several occasions for a month to volunteer with the local communities in Kenya and Tanzania. Heather plans on spending more time volunteering in Africa and speaks highly of the experience.

COVID-19 

Long before COVID-19 hit, Heather had been selling natural hand sanitizers. She has donated tons of hand sanitizers. She recently donated 250 essential worker boxes worth at least $200 each with a $100.00 gift card.

Fitness

Heather believes that exercise and eating healthy are also good for your skin, and that’s why she exercises at least five days per week.  She recently placed a kettlebell in her room so she can squat while watching television. Heather wants to put on more weight, so her plan is to take in more healthy calories

If you’re looking for truly safe and natural products that are good for your skin and your health, look no further than Heather Marianna’s Beauty Kitchen.

What if you found out that you’ve been exercising and dieting wrong all these years? Phil Catudal, believes that 70% of Americans are exercising and dieting the wrong way.  According to Phil, we should exercise and diet based on the needs of our specific body types.  Phil Catudal is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer.  He is also a Nutrition expert, and celebrity fitness instructor based in Los Angeles, California. He recently celebrated the launch of his first book, JUST YOUR TYPE: The Ultimate Guide to Eating and Training Right for Your Body, a comprehensive and essential plan for matching diet and fitness regimens to different body types to achieve physical wellness. 

Celebrity clients he has worked with include Alan Ruck, Emily Deschanel, Sarah Shahi, Van Jones, and Steve Howey.  In addition, Phil also trains a variety of other professionals, which accounts for about 50% of his business.  Although Phil likes training celebrities, the downside is “once they book a role, you lose them for a few months.” Phil believes that it is always good to have regular clients in addition to the celebrity clientele.

Phil Catudal, the early years

Phil grew up in Montreal, Canada.  As a child, Phil had Leukemia from age three to eight, for a total of 5 years.  He is the youngest of 4 siblings.  Phil’s father was a marathoner and bodybuilder.  He passed away at the age of 45 because of a rare lung cancer.  This tragedy instilled in Phil and his siblings the desire to focus more on their health.  It was fitness that Phil and his family through the pain of dealing with the loss of their father.

During the interview, Phil will discuss the impetus for his book.  He also lists and explains the three body types: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorphs. 

Ectomorphs are long and lean, with little body fat, and little muscle. They have a hard time gaining weight. Fashion models and basketball players fit this category. While most of us love to hate these genetically-blessed individuals, some male ectomorphs may not be thrilled with their narrow-chested frames, and some female ectomorphs long for more womanly curves.

Endomorphs, on the other hand, have lots of body fat, lots of muscle, and gain weight easily. Football lineman tends to be endomorphs -- they're heavier and rounder individuals. And they don't have to necessarily be overweight. Both Oprah Winfrey and Marilyn Monroe are classic examples of endomorphs.

Mesomorphs are athletic, solid, and strong. They're not overweight and not underweight, and they can eat what they want without worrying too much about it. They both gain and lose weight without too much effort.

Phil believes that once you begin training and eating according to your body type, you will achieve your fitness goals much faster.  He has real case studies to back up his claims.

I am offering a free copy of Phil’s book to the first 4 people, who after listening to the podcast; share their thoughts about Phil’s message.  Training according to your body type may be just what you need to lose weight, build muscle, and get into the best shape of your life.  You don’t want to miss this interview.

Have you gained a few extra pounds over the past few months? How would you like to lose those extra pounds quickly in the shortest amount of time?  In this interview, Dr. Len Kravitz will tell you how.  Dr. Kravitz is the author of HIIT YOUR LIMIT: High-Intensity Interval Training for Fat Loss, Cardio, and Full Body Health.  Dr. Len Kravitz has thirty-seven years of experience as a researcher, writer, and speaker on fitness.  He is the Coordinator of Exercise Science at the University of New Mexico. He has published more than 300 articles in dozens of health and fitness publications and regularly travels the country as a speaker on fitness and health.

During the interview, Dr. Kravitz will discuss the reasons why so many Americans are overweight and out of shape.  He will share how and why HIIT is so effective in stimulating fat loss, building muscle, and improving overall health quickly and efficiently.

Why Are Americans Obese and Unhealthy?

Dr. Kravitz believes the reasons why so many Americans are obese, overweight, and out of shape is multi-factorial.  One of the reasons is that technology has taken charge.  Many of the things we use to do physically are being done by technology, even something as simple as washing dishes.  Another reason is highly processed foods with their excessive amounts of sugar and fat.  Dr. Kravitz believes that portion control is one of the best techniques to curb obesity.  Unfortunately, food scientists have made it hard for anyone to stick to small portions.

Dr. Kravitz also believes that inactivity is a major problem today. He would like to see research done on the correlation between inactivity and COVID-19.

Every 30 Get Your 3

Dr. Kravitz believes that every 30 minutes you should try and get 3 minutes of movement.  According to his research, if you have a predisposition to cardiac disease, this will minimize the risk.  It would also minimize the risk to insulin resistance.  Every 30 get your 3.

What is High Intensity Interval Training?

HIIT alternates movements that are challenging followed by movements that are less challenging at different intervals.  Research shows that when you alternate challenging with less challenging movements the change in intensity is beneficial to the heart.  There are also several studies that show this increase in movement affects the hormones that stimulate the breakdown of fat.  In addition, research has also shown that HIIT also improves your cognitive thinking skills.

HIIT can be done at home, in a gym, or even outdoors.  Dr. Kravitz gave an example of a very effective HIIT program.  Walk for 30 seconds briskly and then walk comfortably for 60 seconds.  You can do that 5 to 10 times.  His book has 50 different HIIT workouts.

How to ease back into an Exercise Program

According to Dr. Kravitz's research, if you miss 5 days of cardiovascular training, your cardiovascular system starts to become less efficient.  If you haven’t done any resistance training (weight training) in 3 weeks, you start to get physically weaker.  Unfortunately, most people will think they can perform the activity at the same level, but the research shows that is not the case.  Dr. Kravitz recommends that when going back to the gym or wherever you exercise, to start back at 50% capacity and slowly build back up.

I can personally see how this would be the case.  I recently went out to the park to do some pull-ups.  I thought I could knock out 15 or more like I use to do prior to the pandemic.  To my disappointment, I could only do about 10 and that was laborious. I will definitely take Dr. Kravitz's advice and work at 50% until I feel strong enough to increase the activity.

If you want to quickly lose fat, build muscle and get healthy, HIIT just might be the answer.  The book is available on Amazon and I highly recommend it.