Last weekend I took part in a photography project by Wayne Belger, an acclaimed fine arts photographer who designs (and builds) his own intricate pinhole cameras, set with relics which enhance the exploration of his subjects. Wayne is photographing HIV+ people for his "Untouchable" project, designed as a photographic study and exploration of people with HIV/AIDS. His camera pumps HIV+ blood across the pinhole through two thin sheets of acrylic, with the blood acting as a filter.
Welcome to my blog. I’m Sam Page, a 30-something professional fitness trainer in Hollywood. PEACE LOVE LUNGES is syndicated on USA Today, The Chicago Sun-Times and REUTERS, and has appeared in Horizon (U.K, Barcelona). I’ve also written for LIVESTRONG, HIV Plus and PASSPORT. I offer...
In 2009, inspired by Rory Freedman, I started a 30-day exploration of vegetarian eating. One of my favorites on the menu is this chili sin carne (no meat) with mole, a recipe from Vegan with a Vengeance. It's a rich, decadent chili (you won't even miss the meat). Takes about 20 minutes to throw together, ready in an hour.
One of the reasons I love Florence Welch—the fiery ginger lead singer of "Florence and the Machine" — is because she covers songs by African American artists (Beyonce, Rihanna, & Drake) with dutiful precision, still somehow rendering them all her own. Last year she surprised local listeners by performing Beyonce's "Halo" live on the radio, which I blended with Beyonce's original. Here is my latest remix — the bittersweet "Take Care" written & performed by Drake, and joined by Florence and Rihanna.
Nominations for the fourth annual Shorty Awards are underway, and I’ve been nominated for the #SocialFitness Shorty Award, via myTwitter handle: @SamPageLA. The Shorty Awards honor the best people and organizations on Twitter and social media. Winners are announced at a live ceremony...
This Key Lime Pie will become your new favorite summer dessert, and everyone will love you because it has so few carbs!
The best Christmas gift this year (aside from finding this gem of a song attached herein) was getting some clarity about my relationship with my Ex (who relationship experts say I should call "my friend" ). So I'm grateful for this new clarity about my friend. This unexpected gift came by way of a few different people and experiences, one is a wise lady who offered this: "Forgiveness is not about forgiving the other person, rather accepting that the past can not change and allowing yourself to move forward." I sat with that one for three days. Then someone else told me: "Love is an act of endless forgiveness, it's a tender look which becomes a habit." These profound realities haunted me: if all of these statements are true (and they seem true), then I have to forgive myself and him. Otherwise I'd love neither. Having Max home has been good for my spirits, don't be surprised when you see us running through Hollywood. And my life would be empty without the love of those few old—and many new—friends. Thank you for your love and kindness.
I think it’s strange, how you can miss someone you never met.
On my recent trip to Utah, I pulled off into this rest stop and started having a flashback: a vivid memory of my dog Max running through the nearby sand with his (other) dad, at sunset. I had captured it on video, because it was "one of those moments" and the video of the two of them running was spectacular and surreal, like a scene from "Six Feet Under" So I needed to make peace with that memory and reclaim in that space something for myself. Here's the result. “Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke
I trained to be an opera singer in college, even auditioning for the Metropolitan Opera in New York. While I haven't sung much lately, earlier this year I cut a country track, "Soulmate" as a Valentine's Day gift to a friend. Songs are like relationships: they're never perfect or finished, people come into our lives and invariably, they also leave us. What I know for sure is that I'll never find another soul mate. That space in my heart will always belong to my friend. To quote a popular song, "Yes I will learn to love again, though my heart is breaking I will love again / stronger than before." I'm proud of how this beautiful recording turned out. You may be reading this right now and already have a soul mate. Or you may have lost yours to death. Maybe you're holding out hope for a soul mate. So I dedicate this song a "Soulfull Christmas" this song's for you, wherever you are. Peace. Love. Lunges, Sam
Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtue there is, many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe; no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here. And whether or not it's clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive God to be; and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it's still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
"When you feel the world is being harsh to you and it begins to rain, bring an umbrella. Share it with someone without one. When you part, leave the umbrella with them. Walk in the rain."
HEY SAM, I recently started your Zig Zag meal plan. Can you tell me the names of a few low-carb shakes, powders, or bars you recommend? How do you know if they qualify as "low carb?" Roger, Los Angeles
For years I've wanted to own my own gym. Now it seems that the Universe is putting the pieces together, helping this dream to come to fruition. I've identified a location and a great space on Melrose in Hollywood, and I've begun talking with the owner of the space. Here's what I know so far: It's 1,800 square feet, two restrooms, halogen track lighting, polished concrete floors, ceiling fans. So far, seems pretty close to what I would choose. My current locations have been inside the Hollywood Production Centers, in Hollywood and Glendale. These locations have reflected my own personal design, and as I move ahead with a location of my own, no doubt I'm looking for inspiration from other industrial sources on what kind of a space my own gym might turn out to be. I've begun collecting some images of how it might look.
Many people drink alcohol, eat ice cream, and smoke cigarettes. All of these habits affect health negatively by reducing energy levels and taxing the body. What about these bad habits that die hard? One way to rid yourself of a bad habit is by walking through—not away—from it by using a concept I call “Zen Cheating.” A female client once confessed to me that she preferred ice cream over sex. I explained “Zen Cheating” and when I told her she could eat as much ice cream as she wanted, her eyes lit up with excitement! “But” I said, “you have to do it while sitting in front of a full length mirror, watching yourself eat every single bite.” Her eyes glazed over at the enormity of this challenge, but she accepted it. The next week, she reported back that she’d used “Zen Cheating” to drastically reduce her consumption of ice cream and get on the treadmill. And she’d even started thinking about having actual sex! Grab a full length mirror, the ice cream (or do whatever) and watch yourself eat every bite. Really get present and examine your face closely in the mirror as you do this. I promise you an enormously powerful impact.
“Even exercise fanatics have a tough time losing those last 20 pounds,” says Bob Greene, longtime personal trainer to Oprah Winfrey. You already know that it’s absolutely critical to burn more calories than you consume. But that’s not all. In...
KETOSIS (kee • toh • sis) is a metabolic state in the human body made possible by the process of KETOGENESIS, characterized by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood. In layman’s terms, being in a state of ketosis just...
Scaption (SKAP • SHUN) is an abduction (or adduction) movement in the scapular plane. It’s a safe movement direction to choose after trauma and operation of the shoulder joint, helping to regain the normal physiological range of movement.
There are several new hours of great new workout music released by friends this week (click links for free download). The first album from Andrew “Bravehound” McDonald. Another great fitness mix by Kenny Gallagher. And a new 2011 LA Pride Mix...
Many people have experienced the powerful spiritual principles behind the 12 step programs and witnessed dramatic changes as these universal laws began working in their lives. The same 12 truths can also be applied in the realm of physical fitness with great success. It’s what I’ve coined “12 Step Training.”
Make a little more oatmeal than you need for breakfast, and use the leftover oatmeal in these moist, nourishing muffins. 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt...
“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little coarse, and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if...
Music Playlist at MixPod.com
PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON, Jack LaLanne embodies the ideals of a fitness coach. In 2008, I had the opportunity to interview the late 96-year-old legend. Jack’s staggering accomplishments, like his energy, have no end in sight. He started...
by Zack Rosen I have a theory, and many of you will disagree with me. Some may not even know what I’m talking about, but bear with me: Vida Metropole, an ultra high-class gym in the heart of DC’s gayborhood,...
Mother, actress, songwriter & activist Conny Van Dyke allowed me a glimpse into her personal daily world. And shares how her life has been altered by the major stroke she suffered on Mother's Day, 2010.
I CAUGHT AN OLD EPISODE OF OPRAH last night. Her guest was the singer PINK (who I adore) talk about her relationship, and how important it was for her to stay the course in her relationship rather than start over...
“If you can find any way to make it to San Francisco next week, you should! Skip, swim, fly, walk, hitchhike…” ~Matt Mullenweg, Founder of WordPress
