LAUREN WILLIAMS/Fitness Model/Personal Trainer

Ok silly question right off the bat. When I met you I was totally, 100% star struck - 100%!!! I know I read almost every fitness magazine and pay close to attention to basically any and everything that deals with fitness but please tell me I am not alone with being star struck?

Haha Honestly, that was a rare moment! I was so flattered!!

I met you taking a class at Tone House (who’s house???). There were 10 or so women - all so positive, powerful, fierce and bold (everyone in her own right). We pounded it out as a team and I found the whole experience to be so motivating, uplifting and inspiring. It was really amazing! What fitness figure, model and everyday person motivates uplifts and inspires you? and why?

I loved that TH class too! Being surrounded by a group of kickass women is like nothing else!

I find Misty Copeland very inspiring! Her talent, grace, strength and beauty is astounding. I love following people who have overcome a lot of adversity and who challenge the standard with their work. She has done all of that for sure. Plus, her under armour campaign is dope!! I am also super inspired by athletes like Serena & Venus Williams, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Misty May-Treanor just to name a few.

I am a total model-phile so it’s hard to pick one. I love all of my old school supermodel girls because you can tell that fitness is a very important and natural part of their lives; it shows in their bodies and the images they create. Naomi is an avid yogi; she was even featured in Shape earlier this year showing off her favorite moves.I mean look at those legs! Cindy Crawford started working out with a trainer with she was 22. She even did a couple of fitness/workout videos with her famous trainer Radu in the 90’s (I actually got to do a couple of shoots with Radu for Seventeen magazine. I was totally star struck!) Heidi has her own fitness line in collaboration with New Balance. Christy Turlington is a runner, a New York marathoner at that. Then of course there is the latest Giselle/under armour match up which is fantastic. I love seeing women who exude strength and health in ever image they create.

Additionally, there are all of the fitness models! Truthfully I look up to a lot of the fitness models I get to work with on a regular bases. It’s inspiring to be on set with so many fit, talented, driven women.

I am lucky enough to be surrounded my countless motivating fitness individuals in my day to day life. Alonzo from Tone House is definitely one of them! He is the most focused person I know and he takes his health and fitness very seriously. But the most motivating person for me is my Dad. He has been an fitness enthusiast my whole life. He has gotten up at 5 or 6 in the morning to get in his run or training session for as long as I can remember. If I’m having an off day I always think of that!

What kinds of things do you do to prepare for a photo shoot? Workout wise. food wise, and mentally?

Since my modeling schedule is very unpredictable, it’s very important for me to be prepared all of the time. Sometimes you just have a days notice before you next shoot. For me that means staying consistent with my workouts and always trying to learn new skills or improve on what I already know. That allows me to bring my best to every shoot and it gives me more freedom to create in front of the camera. Food wise is the same thing, consistency is my ongoing goal. Since we are often shooting in sports bras, abs are super important. The night before and the morning of a shoot I often eat smaller portions and monitor my water intake so I am not bloated. That said, I don’t do anything drastic, I aim for consistency and mindfulness with my eating and workouts. In terms of mindset, before big shoots I like to draw on inspiration from all kinds of images. I will buy a couple magazines to look through or refer to my ever growing archive. I use music on set to get me into a particular zone, whether happy or intense. Sometimes I use visualization or acting exercises to help me bring out a certain character in front of the camera.

When not working or training:

sneakers, heels or comfy flats?

boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans or LBD?

makeup or au natural?

When I’m off duty definitely sneakers (or maybe some cute low heeled booties). I am currently on a quest for the perfect boyfriend jeans! So until then my black skinnies or black overalls are perfect. And no makeup, except for mascara and some gloss if I’m feeling festive.

I resolve to move by:

I resolve to move by any means possible; dance, sport, strength training, yoga, capoeira and everything in between.