Celeb interviews

Q.Cherie, you're blowing up on the music scene! How do you balance your time between fitness and performing on stage?
A.
Fitness is an integral part of my life and mission. I want to inspire the world to move through my music, which is why I created HOUSEROBICS. When I’m touring and on the road, I may not be able to teach my regular schedule of classes in NYC, but I drop in at gyms around the world and teach special classes.

Q.Can you give us the “Houserobics for Dummies” breakdown?
A.
Houserobics is a genre to describe the music I create, which blends together my two greatest passions, fitness and music! Houserobics is hot, original dance music, created to inspire people around the world to move their bodies and get sweaty!

Q.Sounds like a workout to me...
A.
Each one of my songs IS a workout. There’s a movement, an attitude, and feeling that comes out of each song that hopefully encourages people around the world to release their inhibitions and move!

Q.Your...

Q.Amanda, how did you become a fitness entrepreneur? Obviously there's no set path but how did you start down yours?
A.
My career has been an evolution that has lead me to the fitness world. It was during my career as a trendforecaster that I identified the rise of wellconsciousness among women my age and in particular, my own interest in the area. I left that job to start Vital Juice, the wellness focused daily email (like DailyCandy without the cavities) that I ran until last month*. And it was frequent trips to LA throughout my career that lead me to finding SLT and SLT Yoga.

*Vital Juice has shifted gears and is now Tasting Table's Good Taste

Q.What are you most proud of when you think about Vital Juice and STL, as I'm sure they were both labors of love.
A.
I love that Vital Juice inspired people to make healthier choices…and we’d get amazing reader feedback on its impact.

I love my interactions with our SLT clients…I love seeing results the workout...

So here's what went down...

I saw a picture of Norma Kamali sporting a fitness getup from her collection for Opening Ceremony that I wasn't digging.

I made a comment about it on the MizzFIT Facebook page. Lo and behold, the next day there's an email from her in my inbox. Ahhh, F*@K me! It took me a solid hour to bolster up the courage to open up it. Was she pissed? Would she blackball me from all her stores? Would she summon her fashionista squad to stone me to death...or worse, ban me from wearing her clothes?

I finally opened it (with my eyes closed).

In her email, Norma acknowledged my comments about the functionality of her garb, but backed it up by saying that she designs for the modern woman who likes to express herself in creative, comfortable and cost effective ways. She said she's proud of her designs and wanted me to look at her transitional fitness apparel in a different way...keeping in mind her mission.

Norma had me at "hello, I'm taking the...

Q.Everyone in fashion knows you are a wellness advocate and innovator. How does it feel to represent more than just fashion?
A.
Fashion has a powerful effect on the way someone feels and performs. Fitness and health builds self esteem and supports a strong image. There is no way you can separate the two. I believe fashion always looks better on someone who feels good about themselves.

Q.At what point in your life did you become interested and seriously committed to fitness?
A.
1980...I was thirty-five and wanting to go out less especially every night dancing, which was typical of the 70's. So working out was my next choice. I did all types of activities including running and fast walking.

Q.You design clothes that can be worn fashionably for fitness. What do you consider the most important elements of sportswear?
A.
Modern fabrics that move with the body and that are easy to care for.  

Q.If you could only work out in 1 thing from one of your collections, what...

Today, at the NYC screening of the film People Like Us in which she stars, Elizabeth Banks answered my question about how fitness "fits" into her life. This was her response...

I always feel better after I work out. It takes my brain to a very clear place. Also, my husband and I do it together...its great for our relationship. I have a very beautiful, hot trainer. She comes to my house and trains me and my husband, and when I'm not there he still gets to have her come over. He's just winning winning winning!

Sounds like Mr. Banks has it pretty good sweating it up with Elizabeth AND their hottie trainer!!!

This screening was hosted by TheMoms, 2 of my gorge friends and mommy-media stars. It was very cool to get to hear Elizabeth speak about the film and her real life role as a mom.

Here's some great insight into Elizabeth Banks and why she's so f-ing cool (based on what I heard and witnessed today):

She married her highschool sweetheart.

She...

Change up your solo workout routine this summer by getting involved with a great fitness charity. That's what I did by heading to Santa Monica with Lady Foot Locker for Pedal On The Pier. Watch the video above to see how one charity event can bring together and move so many people, including a bunch of fitness-loving celebrities.

Hilary and Haylie Duff who are Soul Cycle spinning fanatics wasted no time getting on their bikes, and Evander Holyfield rode the full 4-hours like a champ ('cause he is one). Gotta admit, I was so nervous to meet him! But he's a soft spoken, almost bashful kind of guy who seems to put family first. When he told me that his kids and mother inspire him, well, that just made my heart melt. I was very honored to meet him. And I must encourage you to check out Haylie's food blog called Real Girl's Kitchen--she's quite the gourmet health nut!

Cool, Caring and Outgoing people give their time to fitness charities! That's something I...