Rome Wasn't Built in a Day | The 5 Year Fitness Road to Warrior

This winter marks 5 years since Jimi joined the gym and began going consistently every day. The progress is slow when you're building, but becomes addicting & motivating when you start seeing results.  He envisioned small tweaks to his physique and with hard work, they manifested!  

He got there naturally by lifting every day, following an active & healthy lifestyle, and eating in moderation.  Both friends and fellow gym go-ers have turned to him for advice, strategies, questions on form, and inspiration (myself included!)

Once he decided to document his amazing progress, he really got to grinding & dedicating with a strict meal plan and workout regimen (provided by trainer Christa).  Here are the results of his 5 years - full Spartan!

(Girlfriend edit : Oh my, stud muffin! ;)  As his workout partner for the last year and half, it's easy to see how he keeps me motivated too!)

Umm...Magic Mike?   Sorry ladies, he's taken! ;)

Stick Shift & Stilettos | Alyssa's Turbo

When Alyssa told me she wanted to do a photoshoot with her new Turbocharged car, I was excited for the opportunity for two reasons.

1. One of the coolest parts about being a photographer is bringing people's visions to life and translating their ideas into lasting photographs.  I LOVE when clients have fun & creative projects that they bring to me, and we get to work together on it!  (And I knew it would be FUN!)  

2. There seems to be a theme among some of my female clients... they are BAD-A** and breaking out of typical "gender roles" to pursue their true selves!  From lifting weights to getting dirty under the hood of a car, these girls are a perfect balance of strong, fierce, authentic & feminine!  Keep it up ladies, you're setting great examples!

Here are my favorites from Alyssa's smokin' shoot when we took to the streets of Asbury Park with her Turbo Ford Fiesta.  (She maintains & cleans her car - even mid shoot ;) )

 

Christa Elias | NJ Fitness Competitor & Trainer

A typical morning in the life of Personal Trainer and NJ Fitness Competitor Christa Elias:  Wake up, throw on clothes & get to the gym to do 40 minutes of fasted cardio.  Eat breakfast at the gym before beginning training sessions for the day and then lift weights after the clients.  Eating every 2-3 hours, strategically hitting every macronutrient amount and drinking a gallon of water a day.  

Preparing for a competition is seriously tough work and only the strong willed, determined & disciplined can do it.  Oh, but look at how it pays off!  This session was the day after Christa placed 1st at the NPC NJ State Championships for Fitness!  This bombshell works hard and gives hard work outs, because she knows what bodies are capable of.  Congratulations Christa - you totally deserved that win!  Proud of you girl!

To check out her fitness programs, personal training, and life coaching company, head on over to www.lifewalkercoaching.com.

Jimi D Music | NJ Local Artist Promos

 

In order to tell this story, I have to take you back a little bit... 

When I first met this talented & creative gentleman, he told me about how he plays guitar & sings and has a YouTube channel. He made me promise I would not go on to look until he posted his newest video because he wanted me to see that one first. Well, I was so captivated by his voice that I contributed probably 50+ views to that video!  Shortly after that, he had played for me in person. It was like a really adorable 80s rom com mixed with Bryan Adam's "Summer of 69". He brought his acoustic guitar to the gym and after working out, played for me outside until his fingers bled.  From that day forward, any time I saw his guitar around, I hoped he would play me some songs (which he usually did :) ). And I would try and grab a quick video or photo of him playing. 

Fast forward to present day, and he knows which songs instantly put a smile on my face.  Many of which he played while we captured these images. Being creative together and following your passions... pretty great way to spend the day with your significant other (oh yea, did I mention that this handsome stud is my boyfriend?)

 

These are a collection of my favorite photographs that were taken for the launch of his music Facebook page which can be found here.  "Like" it to stay up to date and come see him play this summer & hangout! (For fans of Reggae, jam rock & good vibes) 

And who knows, maybe there will be some other creative collabs in the future ;)

(Curious to see the video that I fell in love with? It's posted below!)