Read the OCT ISSUE #106 of Athleisure Mag and see ROCK THIS WHEN HEADING TO A PUMPKIN PATCH in the issue.
Read the APR ISSUE #100 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Suni Lee in mag.
Read the SEP ISSUE #93 of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Ubah Hassan in mag.
Read the April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Emily Skye in mag.
Read more from the Oct Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 5 Pieces to Run in for the TCS NYC Marathon in mag.
When you're selecting a workout studio or method, it's about finding a class that fits what you're interested in targeting as well as what fits your mood at the moment. A few weeks ago, we took our first Yoga Unwined class, which is founded by Morgan Perry and yes this combines yoga and wine together in a responsible and fit way!
Yoga Unwined is a yoga and wine education company. The classes weave together vinyasa-based yoga and fun wine facts through creative yoga poses. Each hour long educational class
ends with a meditative wine tasting, inviting you to mindfully taste what's in your glass while applying what you learned through the poses.
Morgan worked in wine marketing for a decade and fell in love with wine when she had the chance to visit wineries and vineyards in Chile on a press trip. She came back to New York and
started taking wine classes to learn more, and has been hooked ever since. She had practiced yoga for the past seven years. When she left her job in 2016, she immediately enrolled in an immersive yoga teacher training program. It was during this time that she created a yoga class that included wine education.
Each class focuses on one grape varietal (like Pinot Noir or Chardonnay) or category (like rosé or sparkling wine), so you will get a chance to learn about 20 facts about that particular wine. Instructors discuss some basic, but fun facts, which can include winemaking information, tasting notes, food pairings and more. These facts are woven seamlessly into the yoga flow, which is about 45 minutes long. After a five minute savasana or breathing meditation, you have the chance to comparatively taste two different expressions of the wine you just learned about and are able to see, smell and taste firsthand what is learned on the mat.
In New York City, they have partnered with The Arlo Hotel for their series - Bubbles & Brunch (look for these monthly classes in 2018). Students can book a package that includes a Yoga
Unwined class (focusing on sparkling wine), followed by bottomless brunch at Arlo Nomad's restaurant, Massoni. Recently, they concluded a series with Outdoor Voices and have partnerships with several yoga studios, such as Yoga Vida, with bi-monthly workshops. In January, classes will be held at Lululemon and SOLACE.
Expansion for Yoga Unwined will take place in Austin, TX due to the founder being from Texas. After the success of an event held in Austin this past summer, she will be offering a course this
Feb at Austin Winery. YOGA UNWINED Visit the website to find out more about Yoga Unwined series in NYC and additional cities. For those that are members of private clubs or luxury
buildings, you can find out when they are coming to these locations as well.
There are bonafide BRAVO Real Housewives fans at Athleisure Mag. We love the franchise as a whole and of course, we have certain cities that are favorites, but within each one there is always a few characters that we love! When Real Housewives of Dallas joined the franchise, Cary Deuber was an instant favorite and we took some time to find out more about this mom who works with her husband, enjoys her friends and gives back to others.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We have enjoyed seeing you on Real Housewives of Dallas, how did you get on the show and which of the girls from the first season were you already friends with?
CARY DEUBER: I am thrilled to be an official cast member of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Dallas, which premiered on Monday, April 11th, 2016. I can’t believe we’ve come so far! I was found for the show through a friend online through social media.
I knew Stephanie Hollman before the show, but I’m so glad to have become closer to her and the other ladies. Season 2 also brought some familiar faces with both Kameron Westcott and D’Andra Simmons who I had known for several years before Housewives.
AM: Prior to joining the show, what did you think it would be like?
CD: I had no idea what to expect! :) Honestly, I think that one really can’t KNOW what to expect until they end up in this situation, but it’s certainly been UNIQUE. I thought that it would be a great way to share my story and what I do in business with my husband as a partner. Being in the public eye as a cast member brings a lot of pressure and scrutiny, but we’ve had to learn to keep a thick skin and stay positive. I think that’s what this is all about!
AM: What is it like filming the confessionals and the Reunions?
CD: The confessionals are actually pretty bittersweet for me because on one hand, you get to crack jokes and revisit funny moments throughout the season and really narrate what was going on in your head at the time. On the other hand, you occasionally have to re-live some not so pleasant moments and talk about them all over again whether you’ve gotten past it or not. This is especially challenging when you have a disagreement with a friend or loved one, but in the same way- it is also a bit therapeutic!
You also have to look at the Reunions as a “glass half full” situation as well. It’s great to set the story straight for things that may have been misconstrued, but it can also open wounds if you let it. With both confessionals and Reunions, the most exciting part is dressing up and speaking your truth! I will always be excited to do that. Unfortunately, at Reunions, however, you cannot wear your sweatpants underneath your ballgown like we do in confessionals! Haha!
AM: Was it a no-brainer for you to return for the second season and what do you like about being in the cast?
CD: I think that coming back for a season 2 was a great opportunity: Another chance to grow our business and also relate to others with our personal lives. What I love about being involved with Housewives is how it allows each of us to connect with other people out in the world that we would have never known otherwise. You just never know who you will cross paths with! It’s like having another job - you make connections and friends and stories that will last a lifetime.
AM: You're a working mom with a number of responsibilities in the home and you work with your husband. How are you navigating these realities?
CD: I think that it’s safe to say that I’ll be navigating these different realities for years! It’s honestly different everyday, but I love being able to wear all the different hats. I’m a wife, mom to a 5 year old, stepmom to a teenager and a 20 year old, nurse, and now, I guess a TV personality!
There are so many other multi-tasking moms out there that can relate, and I’ve had some great mom advice and work tips from fellow nurses and health professionals that have really helped! Everyone has a special story, but we can also find ways to relate. This is why I think it’s so key to have such different personalities within the group - to reach the masses and help others feel less alone in their issues (whether they be very serious problems or 1st world problems!).
AM: How long have you been a yogi and is there a specific type of yoga you do?
CD: I have been practicing yoga for over 15 years, and I truly love it. I personally like to think of yoga as "my church" because it represents a safe place that I often retreat to for true self-reflection and soul balance. For me - yoga is just a way of life, release, and a great type of exercise! It is all about moving your body, finding a way to connect, identifying peace, and taking a little time for yourself to refresh your mind & body at the same time.
I typically gravitate towards vinyasa flow power yoga.
AM: You're very stylish - what's your personal style at the office, when you're out and about and for charity events?
CD: What style at the office?? Haha! For work, I generally wear black scrubs, which totally save me during the day because they look neat and feel like pajamas! They also work for running quick errands during the day, as I don't really make time to change before going out.
When I’m not at the office, though, you can typically find me in some sort of yoga gear or workout athleisure look that can transition well from the grocery store or carpool lane to the yoga studio. Lines like F.WORDS, K-DEER, Alo Yoga, and Spiritual Gangster are some of my top favorites.
Now, when it comes to charity, my husband and I typically prefer to support anonymously, but on the occasion that we attend an event, I defer to my personal stylist (my husband!) to help me out! I’m more of an everyday shopper, and he is great with special occasions. I usually gravitate toward something from Cavalli, Marc Bouwer, Herve Leger, or even a local designer here in Dallas that I love, Mackenzie Brittingham.
AM: What is your style secret weapon?
CD: My plastic surgeon and husband Dr. Mark Deuber is totally my style secret weapon! As an expert in the aesthetic field with European taste, Mark’s eye for detail and style has totally gotten me through several events when I had no clue what to wear. He will sometimes surprise me with a new dress or pair of boots without me even trying anything on!
AM: What charities are you involved in?
CD: ConnectMed International is a group that I travel with and assist with cleft lips and palate surgeries as well as other congenital deformities or injuries.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization near and dear to our hearts. I personally have a "little sister", named Leslie. She is in third grade and has a younger brother who is 4. I have a school placement which means I go to her school to meet with her. Generally, I go every other week. We play games, draw, make each other cards or just chat. My dream for her is that she is able to achieve her goal of becoming a dentist.
After serving as a Big for 2 years, I can wholeheartedly say that my Little Sister has changed my life just as much as I have changed hers. Supporting this BBBS in makes matches like ours possible.
AM: In Dallas where should we eat, shop and get a cocktail?
CD: I love Nonna for great food and cocktails. It’s one of our family go-tos and not too far from home! Stanley Korshak, Neiman’s, and Lululemon are probably my most visited shopping spots in town. As a mom on the go, I’m usually on a tight schedule and need a place with a good variety to pick up everything I need!
Bistro 31 always has a great cocktail menu upstairs, but I have to be completely honest… I’m really partial to Mark’s world-famous Deuber-Ritas! He should bottle that recipe and sell it!
AM: For the holidays, what are you looking forward to and how does the Deuber family celebrate?
CD: We are all looking forward to things slowing down a bit. Our family just likes to get together and really spend time with those that matter the most. I miss my stepson so much during the year, as he’s away at college, so we all look forward to having him home with the rest of the Deuber bunch. I can’t wait for cold weather, tree decorating, and holiday SALES!
A typical Deuber family holiday includes Mark and I actually cooking together for once, everyone around the table, and lots of thankful hearts. It’s a great opportunity to teach our little one about sharing and helping others, so we always find a special way to involve the family in giving back to those in need.
Read more from the Oct Issue and see The Texas Star Shines on Cary Deuber in mag.
Our cover girl is one busy lady as Sara Eisen is the Co-Anchor of not one, but two of CNBC's shows - Worldwide Exchange and Squawk on the Street! Sara joined the network in December 2013, as a correspondent focusing on the global consumer. You can see her each day as the Co-Anchor of "Squawk on the Street" at 10AM EST, which airs from Post 9 at the New York Stock Exchange. In January of last year, she was named Co-Anchor of the network's "Worldwide Exchange," which also airs daily from 5-6AM EST from CNBC's Global Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Around Athleisure Mag, we have CNBC on throughout the day at the office and loved learning more about this financial powerhouse who brings us what's going on across verticals in such an inspired way.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us your background and how you got into broadcasting and ultimately to CNBC?
SARA EISEN: After college at NYU, I went to journalism school at Northwestern's Medill School. While most students do a semester in DC, I went a different direction and spent the time in Hong Kong. I got an internship at Bloomberg TV in Asia and have been doing business news ever since. Initially, I worked as a production assistant, but kept raising my hand for on-air opportunities in my spare time on TV and radio. I went on to anchor the morning show in New York, Bloomberg Surveillance, before moving over to CNBC. But truth be told, I've wanted to be on TV ever since I grew up watching Oprah and taped a mock talk show at a local public access channel studio for a school project in high school.
AM: We know that you enjoy talking about finance, what is it about this industry that makes you so passionate about it and do you have a specific topic within it that you really enjoy focusing on?
SE: My favorite topic within finance is the currency market, because it's the largest, most important market in the world. It reflects economics, politics, deal transactions, geopolitics and more. It was actually my excitement around learning about currencies during a college internship at Forextv.com that led me to pursue financial journalism. My other area of focus is global consumer companies, with a particular interest in sports apparel and shoes: Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Lululemon. I love how they touch pop culture, fashion, sports and consumer economics simultaneously.
AM: We love that when we're watching CNBC, you really are talking about a number of industries from fashion, tech, agriculture, etc. - and you have a fresh and fun way to present it to those of varying levels of understanding - how important is it to make these topics relatable to a wide, as well as a niche audience?
SE: It's very important! Ultimately, financial markets are just a reflection of all the real life things happening around us: whether it's shifting consumption from diet soda to healthier beverages, what trends work in online retail or just the styles of leggings that resonate with consumers each season. Those stories don't just matter to CNBC, but they're the everyday trends we all live each day. Investing and finance can be much more accessible if you focus on the areas you're interested in and understand.
AM: What would you tell young women to encourage them to get into the world of finance and specifically finance broadcasting?
SE: My number one tip: become an expert, whether that's in the world of finance or journalism... or any other discipline for that matter. Having a niche is very valuable. For instance, during the financial crisis, when I was an intern at Bloomberg, I raised my hand to tell stories about the foreign exchange market at a time when currencies were fluctuating wildly. I knew that subject well and eventually, my editors and others in the newsroom turned to me when currencies were the big market story of the moment, and they still do! Be the smartest person in the room about something, no matter how small the niche.
I'd also say: don't let traditionally male-led industries dissuade you. Sometimes, there's an instinct to compete with the women around you, but being supportive, finding female mentors and passing it forward can all be empowering and rewarding.
AM: Walk us through what it is like to prepare as a Co-Anchor for Squawk on the Street and Worldwide Exchange.
SE: I have a ton of support on both shows. We have a team of producers who work with me and my co-anchors to book guests and put together a plan for the next day's shows. By the time I'm off air one day, I have to start focusing on what we're doing tomorrow: planning the questions I want to ask guests, reading about the latest stories in finance, and politics we might want to include, and always talking to my producers about what we can be doing to fine tune the show before it starts. The hardest thing about prep: as much as you can be ready for everything planned, you also have to be ready to pivot on a dime to breaking news and the unexpected.
AM: As you do two shows every day, what is your day like?
SE: Well, my alarm goes off every day at 3:30am. I'm in the car on the way to CNBC HQ soon after, before getting my hair and makeup done ahead of the 5am start to my first show, “Worldwide Exchange.” In the car and the makeup chair, I'm reading the morning's news and emailing with my producers on the show lineup, the guests we have, the stories we're covering. I get off set at 6am and then travel from CNBC in New Jersey to the New York Stock Exchange ahead of my 10am show, “Squawk on the Street.” The hardest thing is maintaining a good eating schedule. I make sure to have cereal and coffee before the 5am show and then whole wheat toast with almond butter and bananas when I get down to the NYSE. At noon, I'm off air for the day. I fill my afternoons with networking meetings. It can be hard on my schedule to make evening plans during the week. Typically, my husband and I stay home to make dinner together and watch a little TV: no financial news, more like “The Bachelor.”
AM: What's your hectic time of year in terms of covering the world of finance?
SE: The financial news calendar can be similar to the school year: quiet during the winter holidays, quiet over the summer, busy all the other times. But particularly these days, with Britain leaving the EU and the excitement around the Trump presidency, there's never a slow day. I never take more than a week off for that reason. When my husband and I got married, he had to beg me to take off more time for our honeymoon.
AM: How do you maintain balance between such a hectic schedule, being a wife and taking personal time for yourself?
SE: Multi-tasking. 24 hours just aren't enough. I'll be making dinner plans during the commercial breaks of my shows. I'll be trying to book interviews in between exercises at the gym. It helps that my husband also works in the same industry. We don't get to talk about what we're each working on, but we're understanding of the pace and scheduling challenges of each other's jobs.
AM: What has been your favorite story to cover to date?
SE: When Japan suffered the devastation of the 2011 earthquake and ensuing tsunami, I traveled there to cover the aftermath of the disaster. Very quickly, the focus turned to the developing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant. I would spend the days reporting and the nights doing live segments for daytime programs in the U.S. It was scary, exhausting, but also an amazing opportunity to be part of an unfolding, uncertain story that the world was watching.
AM: Who have been some of your favorite guests that you chatted with on air?
SE: Steph Curry, for sure. I've spent a lot of time with him, talking about the brand he's helping to build at UnderArmour. He's incredibly thoughtful and down-to-earth for someone living an insane level of success and fame. I also love interviewing Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of the IMF. She's smart, poised and an incredible example for women everywhere.
AM: When you're not on air, what can we find you doing?
SE: New York City will always be my favorite activity. I love to explore the city's restaurants, bars, shops and walk the streets as much as I can.
AM: What's your personal style on air and how does that differ when you're out and about with girlfriends or date night with your husband?
SE: Early on, I found it was easier for me to stick with dresses rather than piecing together shirts, tops and pants. I like bright colors, interesting necklines, usually knee length... and always pair them with (very) high heels. There's a great wardrobe team at CNBC that helps me pull it together.
Outside of work, I'm much more laid-back. Leggings and t-shirts on the weekends, with my favorite Yeezy sneakers. My husband is a bit of a sneakerhead, so he makes sure I'm always current on the latest trends. For going out on weekends to dinner with friends, I still try to keep it pretty casual: usually Rag & Bone jeans and Rebecca Taylor tops are my go-tos.
AM: What fitness studios do you enjoy going to?
SE: I belong to Equinox and try to get in to see my trainer as many times each week as I can. It can be hard to squeeze into my schedule. But the good news about waking up at 3:30am each day is that Equinox is relatively quiet at 2pm!
AM: What are three must-have beauty products that you swear by that keep your skin looking so great?
SE: Because I use so many products for my job on-air, I've recently been transitioning to more natural and chemical-free cosmetics. My favorite facial moisturizer is Belif Moisturizing Bomb. After scrubbing off a day's worth of camera makeup, this product leaves my skin feeling refreshed and moisturized, but not greasy. Speaking of scrubbing off a day's worth of camera makeup, Tarte Fresh Eyes makeup remover wipes are invaluable. Anyone who knows me knows my favorite beauty product is bronzer. Jane Iredale bronzing powder gives me a natural look.
AM: What's currently on your playlist for your summer soundtrack?
SE: I'm constantly listening to the new Kendrick Lamar album... especially some of the slower songs like “Love and Loyalty.” Then again, my summer playlist features many of my favorites from recent years like Robyn, Charli XCX and Kesha.
AM: Do you have charities or organizations that you support that you would like for us to know more about?
SE: Yes, I support the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an incredible organization that teaches the lessons of the Holocaust and confronts both anti-semitism and hate of all kinds. I have a personal connection as my grandparents were survivors of the Holocaust.
I also am involved with Room to Read, a remarkable charity that promotes girls' education and children's literacy in underserved communities in the developing world.
AM: If you weren't working in your current field, what occupation would you consider working in?
SE: If I wasn't covering finance and economics, I'd want to be working in finance and economics They're what I love. My ultimate dream would be to serve as a central banker. They're the most powerful people in the world!
Our shoot of Sara Eisen took place at 1185 Park Ave at Penthouse A. Currently on the market, we sat down with Louise Phillips Forbes to find out more about this property!
ATHLEISURE MAG: There are so many great aspects to this apartment from its layout to the INCREDIBLE views from the penthouse – what can you tell us about this property?
LOUISE PHILLIPS FORBES: What’s not to envy in this exceptional home?! Breathtaking panoramic skyline views as far south as the Empire State Building and the Freedom Tower, and stunning sunsets over Central Park, provide the backdrop to this expansive penthouse with 4-bedrooms, 1-staff room, and 4.5-bathrooms, plus a beautifully landscaped, private wrap-around terrace and large picture windows providing terrace views from every room. With more than 1,700 square feet of outdoor space alone, it's simply paradise. Sun-drenched, bright and cheerful, this one-of-a-kind home has an extensive floor plan with grand, open rooms for entertaining complemented by ceiling heights over 11-feet.
The bedroom wing offers a private escape with very spacious rooms. I’m especially enamored with the master bedroom suite! It’s really rare to find one as big as this one. The peaceful retreat in the corner of the home provides double exposures and is lined with elegant Venetian plastered walls. It contains two substantial walk-in closets and a private entrance to the terrace. The luxurious spa-like en-suite bathroom features gorgeous natural stone tiles, a custom vanity, free-standing deep soaking tub with Jacuzzi jets, and a glass rain shower. It’s what I call heaven on earth and the perfect escape!
AM: What amenities are offered in this building for residents (common areas, services, etc.)?
LPF: Located in a prestigious residential area, 1185 Park Avenue was designed in 1929 by the renowned architectural firm of Schwartz & Gross, boasting an impressive Gothic triple-arch entrance with a circular driveway. Today, this New York treasure is recognized as one of the few grand courtyard buildings left in Manhattan. The friendly and professional full-time staff provide an unparalleled level of white-glove service and the amenities, include 24-hour doormen and staff, concierge, state-of-the-art fitness center, children's playroom, courtyard garden, bike room, private storage, and a pet-friendly attitude.
AM: Tell us about the neighborhood that is directly around this building (Whole Foods, workout studios, eateries, etc.) and what neighborhood is this considered?
LFP: A premier residence nestled in the heart of Carnegie Hill, this elegant gem is conveniently located near Central Park and Museum Mile with easy access to world-class exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, and the Jewish Museum, among others. Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue beckon with high-end boutique shopping and fine art galleries, plus there is an abundance of distinguished restaurants, charming cafes, gourmet grocers, supermarkets, Equinox Fitness Club, the 92nd Street Y, and many popular retail destinations.
AM: For those that are interested in purchasing this unit, how can they find out more information?
LFP: It would be very easy to call this stunning apartment home given the grandeur of the rooms, an abundance of private outdoor space, and views throughout. To schedule an appointment, people can contact me directly and I will be happy to give them a private tour and discuss the purchasing details. I can be reached via email at lphillips@halstead.com or at 212-381-3329.
AM: Where can readers find out about additional properties that you represent?
LFP: Visit my website at and click on the tab for “My Listings”. You can view pictures, 3D floor plans, and videos along with detailed descriptions of each property I’m working with from downtown to uptown.
Read more from the July Issue and see Market Maker | Sara Eisen in mag.
PHOTOGRAPHY Brandon Showers | STYLIST Natalie Saidi | MUA Chantal Lewis | HAIR J Zilken | CELEBRITY CHOREOGRAPHER/DANCER Lindsay Arnold |
The Spring issue is here, and with that comes the Spring Equinox, warmer temperatures and the next season of ABC's Dancing With the Stars! This star studded show includes our cover girl dancer/choreographer Lindsay Arnold who is paired with 2 time World Series winner, MLB Cubs' catcher - David Ross! Of course, we talked with her in the days leading up to season 24 to talk about what we can expect, her background as a dancer and how she keeps it all balanced!
ATHLEISURE MAG: We have seen you on DWTS and are excited to see you on the upcoming season this month! Tell us about your journey in dance and how it led to being on DWTS?
LINDSAY ARNOLD: My mom put me in dance class when I was 5 years old and I immediately fell in love! I started competing when I was about 8 years old and that's when my parents and my coaches realized that this was something I should really pursue.
Ever since I can remember, dance has been a part of my life and it has been such a family building activity! I am the oldest of 4 girls and we all dance. My parents who are not dancers opened a dance studio for us to train at, so that we could have a very family inclusive environment. Right after I graduated high school I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance and made it to the top 20. Competing on that show and making it to the top 8 really boosted my confidence as a dancer and made me realize that I could truly do anything I set my mind to! Not long after I finished SYTYCD I got a call from DWTS asking to be a professional on their show which was an easy yes for me!! I had watched DWTS since season 1 and had always dreamed to be on the show so I was extremely grateful and felt so blessed to have been given the opportunity.
AM: Last year, we interviewed fellow DWTS dancer, Kym Johnson, about how she stays in great shape. What are your workouts like outside of dancing and what dances do you do to stay in shape? How is this different when you're working on DWTS?
LA: My favorite workout to do outside of dance is pilates. I have been doing pilates since high school and have found that it helps so much with not just strengthening muscles, but lengthening them as well, which is important as a dancer! The best dances to stay in shape are the faster paced upbeat ones. Jive is always a dance that gets me sweating and my heart rate pumping!
AM: Who have been some of your favorite partners that you have danced with on the show?
LA: I honestly do not have a favorite partner because each one of them has been a completely different and amazing experience. Alek Skarlatos had zero dance experience and also had zero experience in the celebrity world. He was someone who was basically thrown into the spotlight and had a lot of things happening around him that he was not used to! It was a great learning experience for me to not only teach him how to dance, but help him cope with and learn how to handle the different social and business situations that would come his way. Wanyá Morris was one of my faves because he was so much fun and was an extremely great dancer! When I danced with him there were times when I felt like I was dancing with another professional dancer, which is exciting as a pro because it means you have done a great job at teaching. Calvin Johnson was my favorite because it was so rewarding as a teacher to watch him progress every single time and see the hard work pay off. Not only did he improve and become a great dancer, but he truly is one of the nicest, most humble, and all around incredible people I have ever met.
AM: What is currently on your playlist when you're hitting the studio to dance?
LA: I love country music and find myself rocking out to Maren Morris lately. She has such a sass to her and I love listening to her lyrics, they have such a good story to them.
AM: What athleisure wear brands do you enjoy wearing?
LA: Lululemon, Body Love Athletica and Fabletics
AM: What style of dance would you say is your favorite?
LA: This answer changes daily.. honestly depends on my mood! If I am feeling happy and energetic, then jive or cha cha. If I am feeling a little feisty or upset paso doble or tango. That's the best thing about dance, it is that you truly can express your feelings through movement and it's such a great release!
AM: Tell us about this season's DWTS' partner - David Ross - what's he like to work with and how is he different from other partners that you had on the show?
LA: David and I have only been working together for a couple weeks now, but it's crazy how quickly we established such an amazing friendship. He is such a down to earth and genuine guy and we get along so well! He works so hard and truly wants to do well in this competition, which is all I could ask for as a teacher. It's funny and I tell him this all the time, but he reminds me of my dad in so many ways they have very similar personalities and I love that about him makes me feel like I'm with family.
AM: If you could choose your next DWTS partner, who would you like to be paired with?
LA: I have always wanted Channing Tatum to be on the show. Step Up was one of my favorite dance movies growing up and he has some serious moves in that movie! Not to mention that he is extremely attractive, that always helps ;)
AM: What's an average week like when you're on DWTS as there is so much going on with choreography, dancing, planning costumes and more!
LA: The weeks can get pretty crazy as there is so much going on and so many things that need to get done! I'm gonna give you a little schedule of what a week looks like starting with Tuesday because that's the first day of rehearsal for the week.
Tuesday: I will get my music and dance style for the week and start to choreograph the routine on my own. David and I will rehearse 4-6 hours and I will teach him most of the choreography (typically 75 percent of routine).
Wednesday: I will continue to finish choreographing dance on my time and also talk to our wardrobe department and production designer to discuss costuming and also staging (props, lighting, stage orientation, etc). David and I will rehearse 4-6 hours and I will try to finish teaching him the rest of the choreography.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: David will do rehearsal 4-6 hours on each of these days working on finishing up any choreography, and then perfecting the dance and working on details.
Sunday: David and I will go to the set at CBS studios and have our camera blocking. This is the time where they will work out all of the camera angles that will be used to shoot our performance and also give David and I time on stage to practice. Each couple usually gets 25 minutes on stage for camera blocking and then we will have a wardrobe fitting. We will rehearse 3-4 hours after camera blocking then go to bed to get ready for show day!
Monday: SHOW DAY. Call time is 7 am and i go straight to hair and makeup for about 3 hours then I have a short 15 minute practice on stage with David then we have a full dress rehearsal 1:30-3:30 and live show 5-7.
AM: What are your power foods when you need a lot of energy?
LA: I try to always have healthy snacks with me during rehearsal because I definitely need to be eating throughout or else I lose energy. I love bananas, almonds, avocados, and if I have time to prepare before I leave for work, grilled chicken is always something that will give me some energy.
AM: What's next for you or where should we keep our eyes out for you?
LA: I am enjoying my time on DWTS right now but I am extremely excited to see what the future holds for me. I have danced my entire life and absolutely love it, but am definitely interested in venturing out to other areas of the entertainment industry. Modeling, acting, singing are all areas I am interested in and hopefully you will see me involved in those things very soon.
AM: What are you excited about for this season of DWTS?
LA: I am so excited to see the improvement in my partner David. He definitely came in to this competition with no dance experience It's only been a couple of weeks and I have already seen him improve so much. My favorite part about this job is watching someone step out of their comfort zone and succeed in something they never thought they could do! I don't care if they are the best dancer in the world I just want to see them gaining confidence in themselves and trying something new.
AM: When you're in the midst of the madness of DWTS, how do you take some downtime to check in with yourself and after the season has ended, what do you do for me time?
LA: The biggest support in my life that helps me stay grounded and stay true to who I am is my husband Sam. He is the best remedy for a stressful day and always knows how to help me relax. Family time is truly the best thing in my life and is something that I am so grateful for. After the season has ended I love to go back to my hometown, Provo Utah, and get up into the mountains somewhere where it's quiet and peaceful and spend time with my husband. We love camping, hiking, fishing, anything outdoors.
Read more from the March Issue and see When Stars Align in mag.
