TAMILY TALES: Issue No. 14
I write this as I am about to take off, yet again, on my favorite airline, Delta (I didn’t get paid to say that by the way!). After what feels like endless travel in recent weeks, I honestly feel like their fleet is more familiar to me than my own cars, but I am super stoked to have a spare moment to bring back my weekly Tamily Tales.
I had to take a little breather from the newsletter because sometimes life is bigger than its functions. I am fully committed to my Tamily and, while I didn’t take a vacation, one of my team members who is key to my newsletter and its functioning suffered a loss in her family.
Many people may not realize this, but I have a small team of incredibly hard-working, full-hearted people who care deeply and who go above and beyond for their work. It wasn’t just about the days needed to honor a life that has moved on; it was about allowing her the time to catch up without a pressing “boss” freaking out over your head. Some things are bigger than contracts and bigger than just pushing something out. The Tamily Tales mean something timeless to me.
Relationships that are meaningful shouldn’t feel the pressure of threats or disappointments. If someone actually does something malicious to a person they call a friend or a family member, that in and of itself is an act worth the loss of that friendship. But allowing for compassion and understanding from someone who consistently shows up for us is quite a different story. We have to be allowed to pause, and we have to be supportive of one another. When someone has consistently proven to be a good friend, but has taken a break or fallen by the wayside for whatever reason, allow them the grace of being your good friend again, with the understanding that time and acceptance is what we all need most.
Mary Alice has shown all of us that for her, taking the time to be a friend and inspiration in the Tamily breaks all distances, time zones, and altitude barriers. Following her Instagram is an incredible way to see how and where she gets her workouts in. Not only that, but she knows the way to my heart through love, humor, and chocolate from Japan, no less! I am so happy to be back on my Tamily Tales grind, and so honored to be returning with the opportunity to share Mary Alice’s dedication and light with all of you.
Love to all of my Tamily!
Hi there, I’m Mary, but many know me as Mae Mae or Mae. I am a fun loving emotional artist who adores her husband, loves her cats, and is learning to love herself, and therefore those in her life more and more everyday. No one would notice this side of me at work. They would notice a calm faced woman wearing a gentlemen’s pilot uniform that makes her intimating as they walk onto my airplane. Then I smile at them and say, “you made it, and the hardest part is done!”. Working in my industry requires I have a few sets of personalities available to me. I’ve learned how to separate my emotional self from what is required of me, when it’s required of me …
My Job? I fly planes. I have been trained, tested and stretched so you can excitedly step across a threshold, find a spot for your carry-on, locate your seat, and decompress from the TSA grilling you got about your TA weights. Just sit back relax and enjoy the ride to your final destination. Nerves may hit you of the unknown. Trust does not come naturally to an adult. It’s like pulling a raw piece of meat from a cat’s mouth. They want to see what’s in front of them and they want to be at the helm…. And yet, you choose to trust my crew and me.
I have been flying airplanes since I was 16 years old. My father, a former air force T-38 instructor and until this May, a Captain for Delta Air Lines, initially taught me and then sent me to Sanford Orlando, Florida for the rest of my training. After this I was a flight instructor for quite a few years building experience and flight time while instructing Pilot hopefuls such as myself. At 22 I was hired by Continental Express Airlines and continued my journey towards my career goal of working at my dad’s airline, Delta Air Lines. In November of 2014 my goal became a reality and I joined the Delta Team … My loving husband and I now reside in North County San Diego with our 3 large rescue cats that like their bellies rubbed and always want to play fetch. As of now, they are our kids.
Sounds amazing right? It is, but it wasn’t easy to get here and this life is by no means an everyday glamorous buffet of sunshine and rainbows. My life leading up to now has contained mass levels of roadblocks, no’s and nay-sayers. Once I decided accept myself and stop being my own bully, I found the criticism from others only encourage me to work harder and live in the moment.
You want more? Please enjoy the questionnaire below. You want to get deep? Then lets have lunch…
SOME #TAMILY MEMBERS WORKOUT IN THEIR LIVING ROOMS IN IOWA, OTHERS ON THEIR BALCONIES IN ITALY. WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU START #TAREALTIME?
In 2012 due to some ill-fitting motocross boors and a table top, I found myself with a broken ankle. Prior to the accident I had completed continuity and in 2014 after a long sketchy recovery I decided to give streaming a go…. Tracy’s #tarealtime was the perfect setup for me. I’ve done streaming from home in my little woman cave (heat and steam!). I’ve temporarily re-organized hotel room furniture and used some of my towels for knee support. I’ve sought out corners of hotel gyms to do arms and dance and occasionally, a yoga studio right in the hotel! Score! I used to be shy about it, but lets face it, we’re all doing something different but with a similar goal in mind. We’re working towards “our best selves”. Then, when I stopped being so self-conscious, I noticed people staring and then complimenting with curiosity. I also just recently began to reward myself with group classes at Tracy’s Studio City location but more on that later.
WE ALL FACE CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO BEING OUR HEALTHIEST SELVES—INSIDE AND OUT. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF YOUR JOURNEY?
Consistency… Oh! And food…. Fooooooooood…. Yes, we have a relationship. I love to taste food, but I crave savory. Ribs, Corn, Steak, potatoes… maybe I should mention the food I don’t enjoy… nothing. My husband calls me “Food Centric”.
Candidly, this is a tough subject for me. I grew up in a very physically active household, yet there was always fast food (breakfast, lunch and dinner). To this day I can sniff out any chain of fast food, and Chanel Perfume, but that’s another story. I was also very familiar with various diet programs through out my childhood and this caused me to look at food as a strict diet with cheat foods. It was not a healthy outlook.
The biggest challenge I struggle with to this day is comparing myself to others and therefore becoming my own worst bully. I have two older sisters, one is 5’4” and in impeccable shape while the other is 5’8” and built like a model. I have always been the bigger girl. Before my growth spurt to 5’9” I carried excess weight, awaiting my new height. Again, fast food did not help. I was so obsessed with getting down to a size that would take away my “Big Girl” label, I began to do whatever it would take. I worked out everyday (good start), started my day with a smoothie and ended it with steamed kale and grilled Salmon (great!). The lack of food ruined my digestion and the scale didn’t move. I had good intentions, but my goals were all wrong. I also unfortunately had a specific person in my life that kept telling me I could stand to lose a few more pounds even when I was a size 2. I still can’t remember what broke me of this lifestyle, maybe it was breaking away from the toxic person and discovering Tracy Anderson’s story in FitnessRX back in 2008! I still have the tear out pages from the magazine.
HAS BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY OF #TAMILY WOMEN HELPED YOU TO OVERCOME THIS? HOW SO?
These women have been instrumental in helping me embrace who I am as a woman. They love me just as I am while encouraging me to seek my “best self”. Lauren (@laurenwaskewicz) has helped me structure a food plan for my busy lifestyle with travel as well as a menu to utilize while I’m home. Maria is there with me every time I attend Studio City. Kia is so grounding and recently bought me a book that has grown as a daily assist to keep me focused and centered. Amy is this ball of positive energy. Have you seen her during this 33day challenge? Her commitment is epic. She never lets a day go by with out making me check in on getting my TArealtime in. Then there is Roz… Roz is like a sister to me. We have similar lifestyles for our careers and very similar personalities that make us wonder how we hadn’t met each other sooner. Outside of my immediate friendships and support group, I have @Tiffaney_ann, @Melissarigdon, @emery5, @Fitshasha, @EAT.MOVE.LIVE.REPEAT (Gabrielle) all encouraging me daily along with the rest of the #TAMily. I could go on forever. Being introduced to Paige, Katie, Shanee, Ashanti and the rest of the Tracy Anderson Method Studio City crew has really been amazing as well. the Studio really is like family when you walk in, Open arms.
ONE OF THE COOL THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE #TAMILY IS HOW IT CONNECTS WOMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD. HOW ARE YOU INSPIRED BY OTHER WOMEN? WHO IN THE #TAMILY INSPIRES YOU?
I’ve never been known as a “girl’s girl”. Through out my life I’ve been pen-pointed as the girl to hate, in order to be accepted by the cool girls. The first time I’ve hung out with any women since I was 17 was this last November. and they were #TAMily.
I can honestly say, every person I follow in the #TAMily inspires me. They all have a uniqueness in them that encourages me daily. Mothers, Grandmothers, scientists, business owners, chefs, travelers, professional dancers, teachers, etc. We all encourage each other daily.
There is one very specific woman who has inspired me lately… @fitshasha (Alexandra)… She went through an epic recovery from a severe injury. I will not take from her story with my own explanation. It is posted in her history. She is truly a fighter. There are many with similar ongoing victories. @Emery5, @DiscoDivaaa to name a few.
HOW DO YOU CONNECT WITH OTHER WOMEN IN THE #TAMILY BOTH ON INSTAGRAM AND IN REAL LIFE?
I love checking in with the women on Istagram. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world or what schedule you’re on, there is always someone checking in. I’ve begun further conversation via Instagram DM and text with some of the women who I’ve gotten to know further… Then there’s that classic fun loving #westcoasttamily here in California.
Maria, Roz, Kia, Amy,and Lauren reached out to me and we all connected in November and attended Attain and Cardio at Tracy’s Brentwood Studio then went to dinner. We’ve been inseparable ever since. I have gotten so accustomed to having them in my life. I’ve even face timed with them from my hotel room in Osaka, Japan. We will be meeting again soon and I am so excited to see some new faces from the #TAMily join us!
I’ve also met some amazing women from my Studio City visits. The trainers and fellow clients are all there for the same purpose. It doesn’t matter who they are, how famous their name or face is, how outgoing or shy they’re feeling, when the music starts, the cares of the day melt away and the arms start pumping.
I look forward to meeting some of the girls in the near future during their visits to the LA area. I also have a goal to begin reaching out to some of the women in the cities that I visit regularly and see if they want to meet up for lunch and of course a little #TAStreaming. Not to mention my fingers being crossed for another Vitality Crash Course in Studio City… Pretty please!!!!
LIKE MOST WOMEN I KNOW, YOU ARE BUSY! WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR FITTING WORKOUTS INTO A HECTIC LIFESTYLE?
Make it happen. I jump the date line regularly and spend at least 12 days out of the month in foreign hotels. Tracy has given us every tool and tip necessary to do this for ourselves. When I travel I always have both sets of my TA ankle weights with me. Any time I go through foreign TSA, they look up at me wide eyed and every time I lift my leg high and wrap my hands around my ankles say, “ankle weights” and then somehow flail my hands with a little hop saying, “for working out!” They laugh every time. I make it happen when I can. This is not saying I skip a day because I can’t find time, I mean I make it happen at some point during the day. Then if I need a rest day, I take a rest day. Whether in a high rise in Tokyo, a beach town in Guam, or deep in the rain forest of Guatemala or Costa Rica, I just have to make it happen. I’d rather feel a high all day from completing my workout, then beating myself up and trying to find the time to squeeze it in. I actually have a known “rule of thumb” to anyone I fly with, we can go out and have dinner and wine, but first, I have to work out. I frequently fly with men and those who have gotten to know me are always stunned and then start asking questions about the theory and of course Tracy. Yes, there may be some gawking going on.
There are also times when I get into LAX early in the day or during rush hour traffic, so I decide to go to the studio and buy classes that are available at that time. This way, when I get home, I can concentrate on giving my husband the biggest hug and squeezing all three of my cats. My first visit to the Studio City location was after working a red-eye from Hawaii. Maria (@birmi2) made it her mission to meet me there and introduce me to the trainers and show me the ropes.
ONE THING THE #TAMILY HAS IS STYLE. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE OUTFIT TO EXERCISE IN?
Um… good question. Look at my Instagram account and you will see. I wear a men’s uniform for my career, the same uniform everyday. I still have 25lbs to lose to fit back into my long time collection of regular clothes from before I broke my leg, I love fashion, so I have been concentrating on my style during my workouts. It’s another way I encourage and reward myself. I am all about Sam Anderson, Good hYOUman, Liquido, Fit Mamma, sweat pants and a good hoodie afterwards. I’m a shoe fanatic. For my shoes I circulate my NYC Asics, my Nike flyknit, and of course my personalized Nike Shox. I’ve got to take care of my ankles and my feet!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TA MOMENT?
I have an endless list of TA moments, but there is an epic moment I will never forget. Tracy completely surprised me when she ran over and hugged me during her Studio City Master Class workout last month. But what was even better was the moment that wasn’t caught on camera, Tracy asked me, “did you fly me here?” In pure childlike excitement, I pointed directly at Maria and Kia and said, “It’s their fault!”, typical youngest child blaming the older siblings.
IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRE-WORKOUT MEAL? FAVORITE INDULGENCE?
Smoothie, otherwise I get nauseous. I’ve been experimenting with protein powders. Vega one, Super Elixir Nourishing Protein, Designs for health PurePea, Tracy Anderson Start Ignition Protein+Energy Shake and recently I picked up her Revitalize Shake Protein+Detox. You may wonder why someone would be trying so many proteins powders? There is nowhere in the world that won’t allow me to bring it with. It’s my go to.
Then after, I tend to drink a gallon of water and some lean protein and veggies; otherwise I will go through my husband’s stash of salty goodness.
Favorite Indulgence… Just one? No fare!!! Royce Dark Chocolate, hard cheese and a dry full bodied red wine.
HOW ELSE DO YOU FIND BALANCE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?
A pilot’s life is full of extremes. Schedule, pressurization changes, time zones, food, the driest air and that random cold or flu brewing in what ever country you find yourself. It’s pure levels of extreme on your body, psyche and emotions. We actually have to go through a personal checklist before each flight and sign on the dotted line… IMSAFE
I-Illness
M-Medication
S-Stress
A-alcohol
F-fatigue
E-eating
Some of the things on the list are obvious, others not so much. Stress and fatigue are a daily check one must do and one must work on everyday. Getting good food, good sleep, and a good workout regime set into my life is obvious.
When I’m home, I check out of the aviation life. I have my husband, my cats and my home. We are still renovating our home and concentrating on creating a full fledge garden and orchard in our back yard. I listen to music and have a love of sports that some would consider extreme. Motocross, Surfing and Skiing.
CAN YOU SHARE YOUR FAVORITE POST-WORKOUT RECIPE FOR THE REST OF THE #TAMILY TO ENJOY?
Until lately I haven’t been huge in the culinary department. My husband on the other hand is the Wizard and can make the most amazing crawfish etouffee.
Lauren Waskewicz has helped me with this through her meal planning.
I absolutely love this recipe! I go overboard on the red pepper flakes because I love spicy food. I eat fresh Jalapeño’s on their own. (RECIPE BELOW)
ALL RIGHT, HERE’S A FREE PASS TO BRAG: IN ADDITION TO THE SUCCESS OF STICKING WITH IT, WHAT PROGRESS HAVE YOU MADE SINCE YOU STARTED #TAREALTIME AND BECAME PART OF THE #TAMILY, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY?
I’m finally escaping my own bully and am beginning to smile at myself. I’ve lost 20lbs and have no intention of settling half way through the journey. I still have about 25lbs to get back to my ideal weight and enjoy the long-term relationship with my body.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR BODY? WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR INTERNAL SELF?
I have always liked my shoulders and the dimples in them. Lately I am liking my booty! Thank you Tracy!!!
Internally, I’m able to look myself in the eye and not feel disdain for the person looking back. I remember in Tracy’s 30-day Method, Page 50, I struggled with “Your Daily Connection Exercise”. I now look myself in the eye during my workout and feel strength. When I start to feel the burn and my arms begin to buckle, I look myself in the eye and find the strong woman inside. I will not give up, whether I’m home, in a hotel or in the Studio.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR WOMEN WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR HEALTH AND BODY IMAGE?
Stop bullying yourself. I constantly hear women tear themselves down, and it’s not only poisoning themselves but those impressionable, younger people in their life. It’s toxic.
ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MARY ALICE. FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM @maebella23.
LOADED TURKEY MEAT BALLS WITH ZOODLES
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. organic extra lean ground turkey
1/4 small onion, finely chopped
1-cup handful of frozen spinach (defrosted,
Drained, squeezed to remove excess water)
1 egg
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (more if you like a little
Kick!)
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Himalayan sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Line a baking sheet and grease lightly
3. In a bowl combine all ingredients and mix well
4. Roll into balls and bake on 350 for about 15-20
minutes, or until fully cooked through
5. Serve with sauce of choice and Zoodles- take 5
zucchini’s and spiralize them into noodles.
Note: You can also sub ground chicken!
I don’t eat these meatballs as intended. I prep them the weekend before and then eat them cold with some type of raw veggies or over salad with red wine vinegar. Or if I’m really on the run I just take it with me and eat it, as is! I know… so glamorous!
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FAVORITE CURRENT QUOTE:
“THERE’S NO ELEVATOR TO SUCCESS,
YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE STAIRS…”
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FAVORITE ALL-TIME QUOTE:
“ILLEGITIMIS NON CARBORUNDUM…”
(LATIN: DON’T LET THE BASTARDS GRIND YOU DOWN)
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CURRENT FAVORITE BOOK:
I can’t think of a favorite. Books… that would require time for me to read… The only book outside of work I’ve been reading is “The Wealthy Spirit”. Daily affirmations for financial stress reduction. It was a gift from Kia.
Other than that, it’s been books for work and training to my specific aircraft… We’re trained heavily in our specific equipment so it becomes an extension of our bodies…
ALL-TIME FAVORITE MUSIC:
However…. Music has spoken to my soul since I was young… Nothing like a beet to match the blood pumping through my veins to back to voice that strums my to strings of my very soul…Used to drive my mother nuts while doing my home schooling… but that’s how my overly active mind was made to focus. Rock, Classical, techno, dance…. PSL shirt
All time favorites:
Queen’s Innuendo album and Satisfaction Guaranteed by The FIRM
CURRENT FAVORITE MOVIES:
Kill Bill 1 and 2…
ALL-TIME FAVORITE MOVIE:
LEGEND… The one in 1985 with Tom Cruise
ADVICE MARY ALICE WOULD PASS ONTO YOUNG WOMEN THAT SHE WISH SHE HAD KNOWN EARLIER ON IN LIFE:
You may will look back on certain moments and want to judge. It’s so easy to correct based on one’s own 20/20 hind sight… but when a person concentrates solely on the roadblock to avoid and what not to do, they’re just like a person fighting not to drown… I tell you now…Swim. Dive down deep and choose a different path. Once you stop fighting the roadblock to surface, you’ll find just how strong and driven you are towards your dreams and goals…
You have the potential to be your own problem, and you have everything required to be your own solution. So do it….
