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FITNESSthe many faces ofDiverse and unique. Celebratring our differences and

our dedication to a healthy lifestyle!

Elena

GydaShandi

By Danny-J Photos by James Patrick, jamespatrick.com

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Weve come a long Wayas a nation in 235 years: rom slavery,womens surage, civil rights, women inpolitics and now our frst president o color.One thing our country prides itsel on todayis our diversity, our multi-cultural cities and ourability to just get along. Diversity is basically,dierences. Dierent cultures, ideas, colors,backgrounds, looks, thoughts, belies and

more. Diversity is being unique and celebratingthose things that make us unique.

Sometimes, when looking at all thosenewsstand magazines and giant billboards, itmay seem that there is a certain same lookthat pertains to beauty. But in partnership withphotographer James Patrick, who shot thismonth's cover o MS&F and the images you seein this article (and who helped create what hasbeen dubbed the "ftness diversity project"), wewant to help shit away rom the stereotypes.

There are some great examples in the ftnessindustry o models and pro athletes with dierent

body types and cultural backgrounds to look upto. A ew athletes you may recognize: Venusand Serena Williams: two athletic, powerul,black, tennis-player sisters who have been ontop o the scene or years. Michelle Kwan, afve-time Olympian Chinese-American Figureskater, has showed her strength and agility onice. And with the 2012 Olympics coming up,you may see more nationalities represented inAmericans than any other country!

As readers o this magazine striving towardsour physical goals to look better, eel betterand be better we need to embrace the act

that ftness is or everyone. As ftness model,Gyda Loveres, said regarding ftness diversity,Fitness is or every color and every race, richor poor. There are no limitations in living ahealthy and happy lie.

Elena RassolovaAge: 30Birthplace: Moscow, Russia

What does diversity mean to you?

Diversity, to me, means uniquenessand sharing ones beauty both inside

and out, something that cant be lost in

translation, especially when experiencing

a dierent culture. I eel that we

learn more about each other through

acceptance, tolerance and realizing we

are all similar in more ways than we can

visibly see or even experience.

What got you into the ftness industry?I was ed up with being out o shape

and insecure about my body. I vowed

to mysel to get ft and healthy. I had

the help o a personal trainer and chose

to reshape my liestyle by learning how

to treat my body right through proper

nutrition and exercise. Persistence,

dedication, discipline and hard work ledto a brand new healthy body, high sel-

esteem and careers as both a ftness and

ashion model and a personal trainer.

What is your biggest goal in the industry?The goal that I am working towards is to

not only be published through the written

word and photographs, but to share my

experiences and passion or healthy

living with others as a lie coach.

Why did you choose to be a part o the

ftness diversity project?I selected this project because I am

proud o who I am, my culture and my

journey to becoming who I am today.

I would have not made the strides I

have, had I not embraced diversity andchange. I want this project to bring

cultural awareness as it becomes

central when we have to interact with

people rom other cultures. Working

together helps us to learn rom

one another and to dispel negative

stereotypes about each other.

I want others to know that no matter

what their background is, to not view it

as a limitation, only as an opportunity to

grow and become the person you were

meant to be!

Gyda LoveresAge: 28Birthplace:Manila, Philippines

What does diversity mean to you?By defnition, diversity means

unlikeness, but or me it means

uniqueness. Being dierent is never

a bad thing. This is what sets us

apart rom everybody else.

What got you into the ftness industry?When I was younger, I admired

models and actresses who were in

great shape. I thought back then

that or someone to look that good,

you have to be wealthy or just be

genetically gited. Ten years ago, I

came across the Arnold Classic on

TV. I remember eeling really excited

and immediately bought my frst

ftness DVD. I saw a quick change in

my body, and I was thrilled!

I then started setting new goals,

changing my diet and searching

or new challenges. Three years

ago, I decided to do my frst ftness

competition and with the help and

support o my husband, Bobby, I

won frst place or both Ms. Figure

and Ms. Physique. It was one o the

happiest days o my lie.

This journey helped me realized

that being ft is not a git, its an

accomplishment. Now that Im

a personal trainer, I will continuethis journey by inspiring everyone

around me.

What is your biggest goal in theindustry?My biggest goal in the industry

is or my name to be a brand

someday. And most importantly

to help inspire women o dierent

races that anything is possible.

Dreams can come true even ater

you step away rom your comort

zone; like learning how to speak a

new language and starting a new

lie in another country. I did it, so

can you!

Why did you choose to be a part o theftness diversity project?I chose to be a part o this amazing

project because not only did I get to

work with one o the most talented

people in the industry (photographer

James Patrick) but also I got to

show the world that ftness is orevery color and every race, rich or

poor. There are no limitations in

living a healthy and happy lie.

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Felicia RomeroAge: 29Current Location: Chandler, Arizona

What got you into ftness modeling?I was approached by Muscle & Fitness Hers at a ftness event

and have been modeling ever since. So I was just in the right

place at the right time.

What does diversity mean to you?Diversity has so many meanings to me but the one that has the

most meaning to me is the act that at the time I came into the

industry, I was not your normal blonde hair, blue eyed model. I

was dierent and I think having diversity, especially in the ftness

industry, is a great thing to have. Its good because not everyone

is the same or have the same body parts. We are all diverse in

dierent ways.

Felicia

Shandi HudsonAge: 34Birthplace:Syracuse, New York

What does diversity mean to you?Diversity is beautiul!!! No one is the same and every

person here is destined or something great and

something dierent. There is room or more than just a

ew, thats why this project was so important. People

need to be able to see themselves when they look at

their role models in the ftness industry. Being able to be

an expression o that diversity was an honor.

What got you into the ftness industry?I decided to change my way o lie a ew years back.

Ater wanting to challenge mysel, I decided to enter

a ftness competition on a dare!!!! Ater such a huge

accomplishment, I decided to keep going with it to see

how ar I could go. On my journey, I ound that I had

inspired a ew people along the way and that was the

turning point o it all. I decided that I wanted to be a

motivator so I went back to school to fnish my degree in

holistic nutrition and I havent looked back since.

What is your biggest goal in the industry?I love what I do and my goal is to be able to continue to

inspire on a larger scale. Helping others to understand

the importance o taking care o themselves physically,

mentally and spiritually are all so important to me, so my

goals expand way beyond just the ftness industry.

Why did you choose to be a part o the ftness diversity project?I wanted to be an example and show that the realm o

the industry is wide in range with many dierent aces.

What was also important to me was to show that you

can still be ft and healthy ater motherhood another

huge platorm o mine. I I inspire one person to change

his/her liestyle, then I am happy!