Call Me Gangnam! And my fitness idols!

Call Me Gangnam! And my fitness idols!

WORKOUT DETAILS

So I ended up doing it! The Gangnam Style Call Me Maybe mashup workout! It’s only about 4 min long but killer, just like the original Call Me Maybe Mighty Squat Challenge…but with pelvic thrusting and horse riding 🙂

Also! Today I threw together a cool workout OOTD (outfit of the day) comprised of Lorna Jane and Body Language Sportswear. (The specific pieces are mentioned at the end of the post.) I am loving loving loving neons for summer but looks like it’s also carrying through fall, so I am super excited about that. But honestly though…not sure if there are really “seasons” in the gym. I’ll wear whatever I want as long as it makes me look good and feel good!

The outfit got me thinking something…

I am fortunate enough to know the designers of the clothes I am wearing!

Matt and Erica are the dynamo power model couple that run BL and I love em to death! Here’s an older article I did on them a while back when we first met in real life. Now, we meet up frequently when I am down in LA . They are so down to earth and funny. I also love everything that they produce, especially their scrunchy pants and capris! Their clothing is constantly seen on those “celebs leaving the gym” pics in the mags. Hahaha.

Just recently, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my female entrepreneur idols, Lorna Jane – the ceo, founder, and head designer of the Australian-based activewear brand Lorna Jane!

Isn’t she lovely?

Two women that I really look up to in the fitness world are Lorna Jane and Tosca Reno. I talk about Tosca’s “eat clean” diet and philosophy all the time. I have many of her cookbooks. It’s how I eat and live now. She basically runs a whole empire and is the brains behind OXYGEN magazine as well. I am totally subscribed and get uber excited everytime my monthly issue comes in the mail 🙂

Lorna on the other hand dominates fitness fashion and creates gorgeous pieces that give Lululemon some serious competition! LJ is my go-to brand for sports bras. These just fit the best for me and the padding gives me lots of support and extra oomph if you know what I mean.

I feel like I have a very special connection with Lorna though…I don’t remember if I ever talked about this but oh well whatever, if I did, I’ll just repeat it!

It was probably about 9 or 10 months ago when I decided that Lorna was going to be one of the inspirational women I look up to. When I read her story, it resonated with me so much it was insane. We have such VERY similar beginnings. Yes I know I am only 25 and have got a long way to go…but really, the journey so far is so similar it’s almost freaky.

Lorna was a group fitness instructor and started out making fashionable workout clothes for herself. Then her students started to ask if she could make pieces for them so the orders began to roll in. At the time she was working full time as a dental therapist. When orders got crazy, she quit, started her own store, faced many challenges, but kept moving forward because she believed in her dreams and surrounded herself with positive people who believed in her too. Today, Lorna’s brand isn’t the only thing that’s famous…Lorna Jane is a healthy living role model for a lot of women. To me though, she is an example of drive, passion, and overall – an outstanding businesswoman.

The parallels?

Well, I am a group fitness instructor! Started teaching back in college when I was majoring in Biology. (See we have that science background in common!) I was supposed to go into medicine. When I was teaching, I couldn’t find a yoga bag that was fashionable or functional enough to carry my mat – so I made one. Then students started asking where I got it and one by one small orders piled up. That’s how oGorgeous got started. Eventually I quit my first corporate job out of college after just 9 months and decided to give oGorgeous 100% of my heart and dedication. I just didn’t think it’d be fair to myself to not give my dreams a fighting chance. It was at some point between developing my bags and having extra time with no “real job” that Blogilates blossomed into something I never had EVER EVER planned for. I always thought oGorgeous was gonna be my “main thing” but now – I get to design and teach every day. The two things I love to do most!!!! It truly is a blessing.

Lorna herself still sketches and designs many of the pieces that debut every month. I majorly respect that. As oGorgeous begins to grow, I don’t think I could ever give up design either. I grew up drawing! I don’t know if you know this…but you know how when you’re in school every kid has a title attached to them? Like John the basketball player. Mary the singer girl. Philip the trouble maker. Felix the smart kid. Guess what mine was?

Cassey the artist.

I have many many many sketches of evening gowns, wedding dresses, and all sorts of pictures I drew. It was my ULTIMATE dream to be a fashion designer when I grew up. But when the discussion of college majors came around…my parents weren’t too stoked about me attending a school just for design. So I locked my passion up in a secluded box somewhere at the back of my heart and tried to forget about it for 4 years.

Luckily it didn’t stay there that long. THANK GOODNESS I followed my heart, my passion, and my gut. It wasn’t wrong. I am sooooooooooo happy and in love with what I do daily that – well – that I don’t sleep. Haha. Maybe too in love. Still need to find balance. That is something I hope to learn from Lorna and Tosca. These two ladies have built up magnificent empires around them but find time to spend with family and lead healthy, happy lives.

So yeah, anyway, there is my little spiel!!! I am so happy I got to meet Lorna when I was down in LA for Livstrongwoman Pilates Bootcamp filming a few months ago. She is wonderful and just brimming with good energy. LJ is opening up new stores in CA – all are southern right now. Can’t wait til they get an SF location. They are gonna take over!!! Hahaha. So cool. And so wonderful to see growth.

Who are your idols?

Oh wow, I just had a wave of de ja vu flood through my veins. I think I asked you this before already….

Oh well!

So tell me, who are your idols and have you met them? And in school, what was your “title”?

Hope you’re having a SPECTACULAR DAY and don’t forget to enter the #Trainlikeabeastlooklikeabeauty giveaway! Details here.

<3 Cassey

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FIT OOTD: Zeta Top sports bra from Body Language Sportswear (now $46, was $58), Divine short from Lorna Jane in Shocking Pink ($62.99) and Divine Excel Tank from Lorna Jane  in Peacock Merl ($62.99).