centered magazine issue 001 august 2009

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August/September 2009 Founder/Creator Of Southern Tide ALLEN STEPHENSON SHARES HIS VISION & PASSIONS [ ] DREAM GIRL 2008 MISS SOUTH CAROLINA ANNA PERRY NO’S & KNOWS collegiate men’s magazine

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Welcome to Centered Magazine the worlds first college mens magazine.

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Page 1: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

August/September 2009

Founder/Creator Of Southern TideALLEN STEPHENSON

SHARES HIS VISION & PASSIONS[ ]DREAM GIRL

2008 MISS SOUTH CAROLINAANNA PERRYNO’S&KNOWS

collegiate men’s magazine

Page 2: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

FITNESS

SPORTS

DREAMS

REVIEWS

RELATIONSHIPS

Ask the Fitness ExpertStrengthening Your AbsEverybody has ‘em, Centered helpsyou uncover ‘em

NCAA or NFLWhere does your loyalty lie?

Centered Dream Vacation spotlight on St TropezLearn why this island is Centered Mag’s dream vacation spot

The Centered staff picks their top 5 Michael Jacksonsongs

FIRST DATE MISTAKES What the top 10 first date mistakes, really are,according to the ladies

CONTENTS

Page 3: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

CENTERED PERSPECTIVENO’S & KNOWSWe’re not saying we’reexperts, but we know

Impress Your DateImpress the ladies with your knowledge of Spanish cuisine

Network Your Way to the Career of Your Dreams Develop networkingstrategies that pay off in thelong run

RENTING VS. BUYING Which one’s for you in thiseconomy?

TIME MANAGEMENT Be a master of your time toget the most out of your life

CONTENTS

FEATURES

55lookslooksTake a seat outside, on any college campus, and watch the people go by. In a very short time, every style you can imagine will have walked by. Some students decorate

their bodies with tattoos and piercings. Others wear baggy clothes and expensive jewelry. Any and all possible combinations will be repre-sented. Now, suppose the

person watching was a professor or job recruiter?

What impression would your style make?

Does Your Style Send the Right Message?by  Dustin Wyatt    photos Brad Forth

CENTERED DREAM GIRLSpend the afternoon with Anna Perry, our Centered Dream Girl

5 LOOKSWhat does your style say to everyone else?

ALLEN STEPHENSON Join us while we find out the secret to his success

Cover Photo by Brad Forth for Centered Magazine

CONTENTS

Page 4: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

AlexSokletter from our founder and CEO

Dear Readers,We are so excited about introducing you to Centered Magazine. I want to personally thank you for taking the time to explore our publication. It’s our hope that you find inspiration and motivation throughout these pages as well as information useful to you. Centered Magazine was founded by a group of people who are passionate about life, success and each other. In our journey we are defining exactly what it means to be Centered. We don’t yet have the definitive answer, but that’s the whole point. We want you to help define it. Our journey has been long and arduous, but one that we’ve enjoyed every step of the way. I remember when we first organized as a company and people told me, “Alex you do understand that this is the worst time ever to start a magazine with the recession we’re in.” My response? “What recession?

We refuse to participate in it.” This has been the underlying attitude of our magazine—no matter when, where, or what—we will make the most of what we have. It isn’t the guy with the most resources, but the guy who is the most resourceful who succeeds. We believe we are called to do this. It is our purpose and our mission. And, that mission is what drives us. It’s what keeps us up late at night, and gets us up early to get back to work. Our mission, as the founder from Southern Tide has elegantly articulated, is to maximize our positive influence in the world. Some build hospitals, some adopt children, some cure diseases, some make our world safer. We are a magazine for the young gentleman who already shares our same values. We just want to help encourage and nurture the development of his character. Can you imagine if

our world was led by honest politicians, great fathers and generous executives? We can. In this issue you’ll find a diverse collection of features intended to inspire and provide you with insight into the everyday issues we all encounter, from networking to relationships. Be sure to read about the creative genius that is Allen Stephenson. He’s simple in his approach, elegant and driven by deep passions. His interview was definitely the piece I enjoyed working on the most. We also had the honor of sitting down with Anna Perry, 2008 Miss South Carolina. I walked into that one-on-one interview pleasantly surprised by her humility and kindness.

As a CEO, who is also a fellow college student, I know the struggles we face. But is there ever sweet success without struggle? I don’t think so. I

commend you for making it this far, but we haven’t yet reached the summit. You know there’s more. You know you have more inside of you. Don’t doubt it, just believe it. Dig deeper and you will find vast reserves of resource, and that resource is called character. Continue to fight the good fight. Take time to enjoy our magazine and share it with your brothers. We know you’ll find we’re more than just another online publication vying for your valuable time. We are a community, a home, a place where you can come, kick back and be yourself. Cheers!

Page 5: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

alex sokCEO and Founder

edie melsonManaging Editor

dwane churchChief Operating Officer

andrew maloneArt Director

seth rubensteinChief Technology Officer

brad forthPhoto Director

natalie hillsVP of Public Relations

doug eaddyAssistant Art Director

credits

Page 6: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

NO’SWe’ve all done it – presented ourselves in a less than flattering way – and lived to regret it. Here at Centered we’ll help you always come out looking good. In each issue we’ll share photos of No’s (what not to do) and Knows (things those in the know will want to do). By presenting common scenarios, along with suggestions, you can handle whatever comes your way with the confidence of a Centered Man..

Letting it all hang out?Please, too much information and toolittle self-respect

Beer Gut:

Stressed out man:

A Centered Man knows he must take care of himself before he can take care of others.

Muscle man on rocks:

A Centered Man isn’t afraidto make choices.

Confused person chooses path:

A Centered Man is a Knightin Shining Armor, withoutall the hard edges.

Armor:

We know the ladies dig them,so the Centered Man digs it too

Puppies:

Page 7: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

KNOWS

Loud and out of control is never the way of a Centered Man

We’ve all done it – presented ourselves in a less than flattering way – and lived to regret it. Here at Centered we’ll help you always come out looking good. In each issue we’ll share photos of No’s (what not to do) and Knows (things those in the know will want to do). By presenting common scenarios, along with suggestions, you can handle whatever comes your way with the confidence of a Centered Man..

Man with beer bottle:

Being prepared is one thing,next time just try to do it with style.

Nerd:

Life is tough,learn to deal

Stressed out man:

A Centered Man knows he must take care of himself before he can take care of others.

We know the ladies dig them,so the Centered Man digs it too

Puppies:

Page 8: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Time Management, that elusive beast we all struggle with when we go to college.

• Whatisit?• WhydoIneedit?• HowdoIgetit?

Time management only comes with careful planning and ex-perience. With being conscious of where you want to be at the end of the day and filling in the blanks with your daily activities.

When it comes to college, time management is something every student must get a grasp on during their first year. Then, once they’ve adjusted to college life, the former student now joins the workforce and has to adjust to yet another group of events. Adding work, and possibly a family, to recreation and new friends increases the stress. So, if you can master the art of time management in your college years the transition to the “real world” will be much easier.

All time management blunders stem from the same factors. These factors can break up into small stones, leading to stress the size of a boulder.

• Acluttereddesk• Procrastination• LackofPreparation

Remember bad time manage-ment leads to a cycle we all want to avoid—lack of concen-tration, which leads to a lack of productivity, which leads to stress. One of the best ways to bring order to your time is to group your daily activities into catego-ries. Use these to keep a daily record for a few weeks and a pattern will emerge, giving

you the information you need to find those non-productive things that eat up your time. Some possible energy vampires include:

• Receivingandreturningphonecalls

• Checkingandansweringemails

• Stacksofpaper,clutteringupyourworkspace

Added together, these distrac-tions can add up to hours sto-len from your day.

Andrew Malone, the Art Director of Centered Magazine states, “You really have a chance to let the creative juices flow, when you get all your ducks in a row.”

So how can we tame the time management mon-ster? Here are some tips I’ve found helpful:

• Trylettingphonecallsgotovoicemail,checkingthemat11and4

• Checkemail’satthesametime

• Whenmakingbusi-nesscalls,workfromawrittenlist,thishelpsavoidreturncallstocoversome-thingyouforgot

Randy Pausch of Carnegie Mellon University states that time management needs a “systemic solution.” Essen-tially, we must change the underlying processes before we can get a lasting effect on how we manage our time ef-fectively.

In the end, the key to ef-fective time management is maximizing your time, and the result is maximizing your

fun time. Ultimately, I believe what we all want is more time to do the things we truly enjoy, and whether that’s your job or spending more time with your significant other, then remem-ber this: • Beingsuccessful

doesn’tmakeyoumanageyourtimewell.Managingyourtimewellmakesyousuccessful.

by Seth Pigate

Page 9: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

“There are two options. You can either do it right or do it wrong.”

ALLEN STEPHENSON

Page 10: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

founder of Southern TideALLEN STEPHENSON

by Alex SokPhotos by Brad Forth

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ASP U R S U I T W I T H O U T P A S S I O N I S P U R S U I T W I T H O U T P U R P O S E

founder of Southern Tide

was able to sit down with Allen Stephenson, Founder/Creator of Southern Tide, for a unique one- on- one interview. There we sat, two young men, both founders of successful companies, creators of our dreams. It proved to be a strong connection of common goals, philosophies, and shared experiences. The mood was light, respectful, polite, and open. Allen Stephenson

unguarded is still all of these things, and I have the utmost respect for him.

The thing that impressed me most about Allen was his vision and meticulous attention to detail. There were no words spoken without reason, nor action without pur-pose. It was pleasantly “different” and very entertain-ing. I walked in assuming I would find someone who’s a typical designer. I walked away with my prejudice shot down. Allen does possess qualities of a successful fashion designer, but there’s something unique in his approach and vision.

Allen is a lover of life, an ardent fan of beautiful shapes and design. He has a keen eye for detail and views the world through eyes of wisdom far beyond his age. There’s no surprise as to why he’s so successful at such a young age. His family is encouraging and supportive. He has a strong work ethic that isn’t found in most guys his age.

We discussed his inspirations and aspirations. How he’s building his brand and the future of Southern Tide, and of course what most guys talk about when they get together, the mysteries of women. Allen struck me as someone who’s prepared for the unexpected, someone who has considered the possibilities and yet still flies by the seat of his pants. It’s a conflict of two ideals, but one that works well for him. I heard somewhere the true test of genius is to hold two conflicting ideas in your head at the same time and still be able to func-tion, that is the essence of Allen Stephenson.

IPhotos by Brad Forth

Page 12: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Alex: What drives Allen Stephen-son?Allen: Just my duty to use my skills and gifts to positively influence the world. It’s about my partners and our associates, it’s about the customers, it’s lastly about meI even make my size last when get-ting samples of designs.Allen: I feel that if you do a good job in business good things will happen. I fully expect to have more money than I need so I can give most of it away. To really excel, surround yourself with the best people, people you can trust, people who see what you can see

and especially people who can see what you can’t see, so you can learn from them, ‘cause you gotta keep learning. I don’t have a fraction of the knowledge I need to reach my full potential.

Alex: So, what’s next?Allen: We’re introducing Southern Tide woven shirts, similar to the one you’re wearing, with the high technology of the stretch and breathability. And khaki’s – with technology that’s different. Very cool features. Really cool t-shirts and boxers. Right now we’re work-ing on an amazing jacket and some

new pants. I’ll say this about the jacket – you can shoot a shotgun and sip champagne in the same jacket. It’s versatile, a great jacket. That’s something we do with our designs – there’s nothing on them that doesn’t serve a purpose. If there’s something that could serve a useful purpose, you better believe we’re going to try to incorporate it – even if it costs us a little more money.Allen: In order for me to keep doing good and positive things I’ve got to have a good reputation, no compromise, no excuses. You’ve got to please others.

Alex: Sometimes you can’t please everybody.Allen: No, you can’t please every-body, but what we say is, “No, we’re not going to save a couple of dollars a unit by changing this, even if it is something no one will notice. We’ll notice” it! It’s got to be right. Allen: At first it’s actually a lot harder to make money, because products are more expensive to make when you don’t cut corners. But you develop fans and customers who trust you. And that’s important because our job is to provide them with great clothing. They need to know that the next thing they buy

from Southern Tide will be right. This is how we win fans.

Allen: You and I are just two young businessmen going about some of what we do in a nonconventional way, trying to do our very best to get it right. We make mistakes all the time, but we’re working hard. It’s not comfortable, it’s just not easy. Business consumes my life and my thoughts most of the time.

Allen: But the company can work without me being there. We have assembled a great team at Southern Tide and have added people with

skills that are not my strengths. This frees me up to do what I love to do – work on the design side of the busi-ness. Our entire team at Southern Tide has a vision of what we want to company to be. We collaborate to decide what to make, and then we make it. We work together to figure it out in a very tactical way and then we design it. I like doing that. When I was on vacation, I wore out several pencils and a sketch pad drawing designs. I just like to take pencil and paper to do the designs and later use the computer, which, by the way, is not as much fun.

I feel that if you do a good job in business good things will happen.

Page 13: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

ASI feel that if you do a good job in business good things will happen.

Page 14: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Alex: You brought up vacation, what about hobbies?Allen: I went on vacation this year to France and every other thought I had was related to business. Like, ‘look at that fabric, how would that relate to what I’m doing?’ Look at that ribbon, look how they sewed that button on, that’s interesting, I’ve never seen a button made out of that material. So I bought this shirt so I could cut the button off and study it. This is the fun part of the business!

Alex: So what do you like to do in your free time?Allen: Probably going four wheeling is my favorite thing to do. You know, Jeeps or safari type vehicles, crossing rocks and rivers, getting through the mud. I think it’s quite fun as long as I don’t tear up the en-vironment. It’s like a hike, but you’re in a car or an off road vehicle. It’s sometimes quite risky because if you don’t do it right you can tear the machine up. I get quite a thrill out of it. Some people like to go 100mph on the road. I get a thrill out of going 5mph over a waterfall.

Allen: In four wheeling it’s about using your intu-ition and available information when you do not know what’s ahead. And using just what you’ve got and getting through it. It’s like a little microcosm for how we approach certain parts of our business. You’ve got to make it through this trail. You know what you’ve got, maybe some extra tools or you can go around something here, avoid an obstacle over there. Did you prepare? It’s just satisfying. I also like shooting and fishing. I like shooting targets more than hunting. I enjoy the beach, being in the mountains, hiking, swimming, any outdoor things.But at this point, work is the main thing I do for fun because truly I enjoy it.

Page 15: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Just my duty to use my skills & gifts to positively influence the world.AS

Page 16: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

He is the face, the voice and model for new young entrepreneurs.

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ASAlex: Let’s say you got dropped off on a deserted island what 3 things would you bring?Allen: Helicopter, an entou-rage, full bar and catering, and a GPS. That’s a cheat answer, here’s my real one – an axe, a piece of flint and a toothbrush.Allen: What about you?Alex: A guitar, pen and paper…can you group that together?Allen: Draw in the sand with your finger.Alex: Yeah, but I like to write.Allen: We could get a little pointed stick, sharpen it with our axe. Then find some fruit or something

that’s got a lot of color. We split a log with our axe and you’ve got a panel. Now you can write. And all you needed was the axe. Allen: It’s like we’ve been talking about, you don’t always have the right tools.Jim, our CEO at Southern Tide always taught me that life is unfinishedness. I always knew that, but I like the word. Yeah, it is unfinished, so you use what you got to get to the next step. You don’t always know how you’re gonna get there, maybe throw some rope around something, climb over something, build a bridge. You just gotta do it.

My time with Allen was filled with warmth, humility and kindness. He was articulate and genuine. I have believed for a long time that great things were destined to come from colleges all over the US. I’ve been around long enough to recognize that great talent is abundant at every cam-pus. I envisioned record labels, clothing lines, media companies, tech start-ups and more spring-ing up everywhere. Allen, is one

of the leaders of new young en-trepreneurs taking the business world by storm. Allen exudes great confidence, but with kind humility. He is driven, articulate and highly intelligent. He is the face, the voice and model for new young entrepreneurs. He is a deep thinker, with simple phi-losophies—the embodiment of the Centered Man.

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Page 19: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

A L L E N S T E P H E N S O Nt he r e i s s ome th ing un ique i n h i s app roach and v i s i on .

Page 20: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Impress Your DateYou’ve made it this far and it’s time to impress her by cooking dinner – now what? She loves Mexican, but it’s all been done. Being experts on the burrito or fajitas gets us nowhere. A Margarita and Mexican beer are predictable. Take the time to step outside the box and explore one of the traditional Spanish meals paired with homemade Sangria. With their Flamenco dancers, romance and, of course, fantastic food, it’s the cuisine to choose. Ditch the fast-food taco and impress her with your knowledge of Mediterranean cooking. Let Semi-Homemade chef Sandra Lee help you prepare the fool-proof paella..

A shortcut to a stress-free dinner and to preparing my Easiest Ever Paella is to let your slow cooker do all the work for you. Let your slow cooker simmer all day while you’re away and when you return home, you will be able to serve a delicious meal for your sweetie in half the time. Served as a snack, light lunch or side dish, whatever the occasion, the building blocks for a wonderful meal are right on your own pantry shelves. As the Spanish say to wish everyone a good meal, ‘Buen provecho!’”

Warning – History Lesson (Don’t panic, this will only impress her more). Throughout the centuries, Spain has been occupied and thus influenced by various cultures like the Romans, Arabs and the Moors. As such, Spanish cuisine incorporates plenty of hearty ingredients and, due to such a large coastline, an abundance of seafood. ingredients and due

Always perusing the quest to offer our readers chance to become more centered individuals, we caught up with celebrity chef Sanda Lee of the Emmy-Nominated Food Network TV series Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee and asked her to provide us with some thoughts and more importantly ideas on how to prepare an easy authentic Spanish meal. “In Spain, dishes are prepared with unrestrained passion and a lust for living-and cooking. When cooking the Semi-Homemade way, it is super simple to duplicate the flavors of the region, without spending days in the kitchen. Paella, a free-style combination of meat, seafood, vegetables and sometimes beans is one of the most popular Spanish dishes.

As in most of the Old Country, everyday life in Spain is centered around meals, a far cry from the United States, where we try to fit in a quick meal into our busy schedules.

History Sidepoint

by Micah Vickery

Page 21: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Prep 15 minutes Cook 2 hours plus 20 minutes (High)

Makes 6 servings

8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasthalves, cut into 1-inch pieces

8 ounces fully cooked andouille sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces, Aidell’s® 2 cans (14 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth, Swanson®

1 can (14.5-ounce) no-salt-added diced tomatoes

2 packages (5.6 ounces each) Spanish rice mix

1 cup frozen loose-pack petite peas,C&W®

½ cup frozen chopped onion, Ore-Ida®

1 cup frozen cooked shrimp, thawed

1. In a 4-quart slow cooker, stir together chicken, sausage, chicken broth, undrained tomatoes, Spanish rice mix, peas, and onion until thoroughly combined. Cover and cook on high heat setting for 2 hours. Stir in shrimp. Cover; cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until shrimp is heated through.

Makes 1 Pitcher

1 bottle red wine (No, you can’t use cheap, boxed wine. You don’t need to break the bank but something decent, a $10 bottle will work fine) 

1 cup Brandy   1 cup orange juice (Try and get fresh squeezed if possible, if not any brand will work, just not the frozen concentrate kind!)

1 lemon (Just the juice, no seeds guys) 

1/4 cup sugar (just the regular, white kind AKA Granulated White Sugar)

1 orange (sliced, don’t peel it)

2 apples (cored and cut into cubes) 

1 container blackberries or raspberries (optional)

Add all the liquids and sugar to pitcher and stir until sugar is dissolved. Then add all the fruit and chill, overnight if possible, so the fruit can soak up all the flavor of the alcohol. Add ice to the pitcher before serving. If my boyfriend made this for me I’d be a very happy girlfriend, as in “watch whatever game you want on T.V. this month and I won’t complain” kind of happy. Buena suerte! (Good luck!).

Easiest-Ever PaellaImpress the Lady Sangria

Sandra Lee has a passion for simple solutions that create dramatic results in all areas of home life.  She is editor-in-chief of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine, a popular television host and internationally-ac-claimed home and food expert who has revolutionized the way people think about homemade. With her trademark 70/30 Semi-Homemade® philosophy, which combines 70% ready-made products with 30% fresh and creative touches, Sandra is recognized as the foremost advocate to over-extended people. She created the plat-form to continually supply sa-vory tactics that allows anyone to take 100% of the credit for something that looks, feels and tastes as if it were completely made from scratch. 

This recipe is excerpted from Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Fast-Fix Family Favorites.For more information please visit www.semihomemade.com and www.semihomemademag.com.

Page 22: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

aCENTERED’S DREAM GIRLWe had the recent privilege of meeting

Anna Perry, former Miss South Carolina, and spending the afternoon with her. She is ev-erything you would expect – and much, much more. Of course she is beautiful, how else could she win a beauty pageant. But her personality and her heart are what truly captivate those around her.

During our interview, I realized she has stun-ning eyes – eyes that change from green to blue, depending on her mood and surround-ings. They say eyes are the windows to the soul and hers give us a clue to the depth that is Anna. So many people would view Anna as unapproachable, but she is warm and full of grace. So join us as we get to know Centered’s first Dream Girl.

by Edie Melson

perryannaa n n a

Photos by Brad Forth

Page 23: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

a“I think that if [a man] owns their style, that’s what makes it work.”

perry

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Page 24: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

“He has a very different style from me, very dry. But I liked that.”

aa n n a -

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CENTERED: WE KNOW FROM THE INTERNET THAT YOU’RE 23 AND GRADU-ATED COLLEGE FROM WIL-LIAM AND MARY WITH A DOUBLE MAJOR, CHEM-ISTRY AND MUSIC, SPE-CIFICALLY PERFORMANCE PIANO. YOU GREW UP IN FLORENCE, SC. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?Anna: From the time I was little, I wanted to be a doctor. That has only just recently changed. Now I’m still in the process of decid-ing where to go from here.

CENTERED: WELL, LET’S BACK UP AND TALK ABOUT YOUR YEAR AS MISS SOUTH CAROLINA. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS DUR-ING YOUR REIGN?Anna: There were many highlights, but two come immediate-ly to mind. You may know my platform is St Jude Children’s Re-search Hospital and Cancer Research. I actually got a chance to meet Rick Shadyac, CEO of St Jude.

CENTERED: WOW, HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?Anna: I was speaking somewhere and men-tioned my platform and it turned out someone there was a friend of

Mr. Shadyac’s. He gave me his cell number and I called him. I still can’t believe I got the nerve to do it. I left a mes-sage and he called me back the next day. He was very gracious and arranged for me to visit the hospital.

CENTERED: HOW WAS YOUR VISIT?Anna: It was amazing! I got the VIP tour and got to actually see what they do there. I even got to meet some of the patients. One little girl asked me for an autograph and I gave it to her and we had our picture made to-gether. Then, a couple of months later, I got a package in the mail. It was a copy of the picture and she had autographed it for me!

CENTERED: WHAT WAS THE OTHER THING THAT STOOD OUT AS A HIGH-LIGHT?

Anna: It was getting to know the other Miss America girls. We got to spend a lot of time together before the ac-tual contest and I loved every minute of it.

CENTERED: LET’S CHANGE THE FOCUS A LITTLE BIT. TELL ME WHAT YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY.

Anna: Well, I’ve been with my ‘significant other’ for three years and one of the first things that drew me to him was his sense of humor. He has a very different style from me, very dry. But I liked that. Our differences made me want to get to know Mike more.

CENTERED: WHAT ABOUT STYLE FOR GUYS? DO YOU HAVE ANY MAJOR LIKES OR DISLIKES?Anna: My style has certainly evolved as I’ve grown. Back in high school I really liked the punk rocker style. You know; studded belts and everything.

CENTERED: AND NOW?Anna: I don’t think I have one favorite look for a man. I think that if somebody owns their style, that’s what makes it work. Of course, nothing can beat a crisp, long-sleeved, button down shirt.

CENTERED: WHAT IS YOUR FA-VORITE WEEKEND GETAWAY?Anna: Would that be a date weekend or one on my own?

CENTERED: LET’S START WITH THE DATE WEEKEND.Anna: That’s easy – Charles-ton, SC. I love that town, the history, the beach, the night life, and of course – the food.

“He has a very different style from me, very dry. But I liked that.”

a

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CENTERED: WHAT ABOUT A WEEKEND ON YOUR OWN?Anna: I love white water kayaking.

CENTERED: THAT’S ONE I DIDN’T SEE COMING. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH KAYAKING?Anna: Growing up, I attended the same summer camp every year. It is Camp Greystone in NC. It’s an all girls Christian camp, started in 1920. They had a real hand in contributing to who I am today.

CENTERED: WHAT AGE DID YOU START KAYAKING?Anna: I began in my early teens. They had a program then to teach girls how to kayak. They’ve since discontinued it. But I love to kayak. I have a rack on top of my car and sometimes I’ll throw my boat up there and take off.

CENTERED: WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE?Anna: With a major in music, my IPod is jammed with all kinds of music. But I love top 20 rock, current, not classic. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate classic rock, too.

CENTERED: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BAND?Anna: Several, actually. I love the band Hinder. I also listen to quite a bit of Christian rock and I like Toby Mac, Switch Foot, and Cast-ing Crowns.

CENTERED: WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO ON A DATE? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE? Anna: I really enjoy going out to eat. My favorite area is the East Bay in Charleston, SC. I love the restaurant Cyprus. CENTERED: ANYTHING ELSE?

Anna: I love a surprise! Any kind of a date with movement is great; putt putt, laser tag, whatever. I just like to move. CENTERED: DO YOU HAVE A MOVIE THAT YOU MOST ANTICIPATED SEEING THIS YEAR?Anna: I think that would have to be Terminator. It was great.

CENTERED: WHAT ABOUT HOBBIES? DO YOU DO ANYTHING BESIDES WHITE WATER RAFTING?Anna: Camping is fun, and some-day I want to hike the Appalachian Trail. I’ve also been skydiving twice and really liked that.

CENTERED: ANYTHING INSIDE APPEAL TO YOU AT ALL?Anna: Lots! I read quite a bit, although at the moment it’s main-ly non-fiction, self-improvement books. I also listen to a lot of those on audio since I’m in the car so much. I enjoy 1000 piece, flat, jigsaw puzzles. And, I knit.

CENTERED: WHERE DID YOU LEARN TO KNIT?Anna: Summer camp. We had to pick classes and one time I chose knitting. A friend asked me why I would choose that, nobody ever chose knitting. I told her thatwas the reason – because it was something no one else would do.

That pretty much sums up Anna. Expect the unexpected. She delivers it every time; with all the energy and enthusiasm you can imagine. She is a superstar at living life full out, generous, loving – a dream girl to spend the afternoon with.a

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“I love a surprise!Any kind of a date with move-ment is great; putt putt, laser tag, whatever. I just like to move.”

see more Anna Perry on centeredonline.com

Page 28: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Global Pebble Project is a Water of Life initiative to help raise awareness and support for building wells and bringing fresh water to people in places around the globe. Through your support, we have helped deliver fresh water to thousands of people and offer them hope of a better future. Through Global Pebble Project, Water of Life is able to fund the building of well systems in places like Liberia and Honduras.

Water of Life | P.O. Box 24151 | Greenville, SC 29616 | 864.241.6222

Page 29: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Internationally acclaimed St. Tropez beckons the world’s most celebrated, rich, and beautiful people to the French Riviera.         Between centuries of history and luxurious travel lies the small French port town of St. Tropez, where sophisticated travelers enjoy exclusive resorts and amenities in the same style as celebrities. The French daily, Figaro notes that sum-mer in St. Tropez presents “the greatest number of famous faces per square meter.” On any given day, A-listers from Beyonce to the Beckhams can be spotted on its beaches.

For visitors, a perfect day consists of lounging at beach clubs like the famous Nikki or Pampelonne. Nikki is the ultimate ‘see and be seen’ party place for guests and VIPs alike. Waiters in white tend to their guests’ every need, of-fering flowing champagne in the early afternoon hours. By evening, however, more champagne is sprayed in celebra-tion than consumed. 

The party scene in St. Tropez typically cranks up around 11 p.m. The legendary La Voile Rouge on Moorea beach is famous for its exclusive parties, which feature a makeshift catwalk for beautiful people in beach wear. Les Caves du Roy is one of the most popular nightclubs in St. Tropez. It was in Les Caves’ VIP Room (Residences du Nouveau Port) where Eva Longoria and Tony Parker recently hosted a party before their Paris wedding. 

If you’re wondering how a sleepy French fishing village turned into a glamorous international travel destination, it all began when sexy Hollywood icon Bridgette Bardot played the amorous Juliette Hardy in the 1956 film And God Made Woman. After the release, Bardot attended the premier opening of the now renowned Hotel Byblos and put the destination on the world map. The French com-edy series Le gendarme de Saint Tropez in the 60s and 70s furthered the island’s popularity and solidified the glamor-ous reputation still alive today.     

Historic facts: St. Tropez got its name from the Roman soldier Saint Torpes, who in 1055 refused to give up his religion. Be-headed, his body was cast adrift and, as the story goes, ended up at the town now known as St. Tropez. It was also a site of the Allied Landings in World War II in 1944.

Besides the exquisite beaches, water sports and nightclubs, there is still much to take in during a vacation.  

france st.tropez DREAM VACATION SPOTLIGHT ON

by Renee Cassidy

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Wine lovers must visit the Provence area’s 354 vineyards offering the country’s fabulous French wines. Maison Des Vins in Les Arcs is recommended as the place for the experts to teach appreciation for the country’s wines. A must see for art lovers include the Annonciade Museums featuring work from some of the greatest modern artists including Bonnard and Braque.

Unique to St. Tropez are seven miles of coastal hiking trails between Pampeone Beach and the Portalet tower for the hiker. Popular outdoor sports include golf, tennis and cycling.

france st.tropez

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Just north of St. Tropez is Grimaud with a magnificent castle with harbor views. Port Grimaud is also called “Little Venice”, an intricate fishing village with bridges, nar-row streets, canals, and luxury homes.

Travelers should also checkout the heartbeat of St. Tropez, the downtown. Tour the 16th century Citadel, home of the Naval Museum as well as Guillaume (Suffren tower), the Portalet Tower and the Jarlier Tower. Visitors mustn’t miss local places such as Place aux Herbes that offers a market where you can buy fresh fish, meat, vegetables, fruits and flowers. Place des Lices is the centre of the town’s scenes

to listen to street entertainment, casual dining as well as watch the old timers play petanque where they have for over a century.

Don’t forget to consider the town’s annual festivals for travel dates. Each May, Les Bravades honors the town’s patron saint Tropez with a 3 day festival and parades. June brings Bravade des Espagnols a festival to honor the town’s military past with more street parades and celebrations that go until early morning hours. Every October, there is a world renowned regatta featuring some of the largest yachts in the world. Also in October, a Jazz Festival in

nearby Ramatuelle runs for several days and features some of the best interna-tional jazz bands. In mid June, a three day Giraglia Rolex cup has open water sports’ racing that concludes with a yacht race to Genoa, Italy.

How to get around in style? Kathryn Tomasetti recommends renting the classic mini moke; a fun vehicle where a mini meets the dune buggy.

Check out additional information from the St. Tropez tourist office at www.ot.saint-tropez.com

Centered suggests -- Restaurants: Senequier cafe, La Table du Marché, Chez Fuchs, Le Café, Bistrot des Lices, and Les Mouscardins(some require reservations a month in advance). Centered suggests -- Hotels: Hotel Byblos, Chateau De La Messardiere, La Residence De La Pinede, Hotel La Tartane, and Hotel Hodeo

Page 32: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

RENTINGBUYINGvs.

Rent an uptown loft?

Or buy a house in the suburbs?

Hart Davidson

We’ve compiled the pros and cons of renting and buying in the current economic climate.

Page 33: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

BUYING

It’s your senior year at college and you’re contemplating buying a house. Maybe you only have one semester left and signing a one year rental lease doesn’t suit your fancy. At times like this, the

question arises—should I buy or rent?

Home Buying Pros & Cons Although statistics vary by state, most research shows it’s cheaper to buy a typical starter home than to rent one. One of the biggest downsides to renting is the expense required upfront. Most of the time a renter must dig deep into their pockets to come up with funds for security deposits and move in fees. Your hard-earned money goes out of your pocket and into your landlords to pay their mortgage, not yours, leaving you with nothing to show for your cash. While most landlords will offer some type of renewal, there is no guarantee that you will be able to stay in the property when your one year tenancy runs out. Often times you won’t even receive your security deposit back since it’s left up to the owner’s discretion. In the worst case scenario, you could find yourself homeless if your property owner fails to keep up with their mortgage, leaving you with all the annoyance and cost of having to find somewhere else to live. Another drawback to renting is that most of the time you cannot decorate as you see fit. Making a home your own can be tough if you’re permitted to acces-sorize your home with your unique style. Some landlords will let you paint rooms, while others prohibit you from even hanging new pic-tures on the walls.

Interest rates have been slashed to a record low, making mortgage payments more reason-able than they have been for years. However, there is one thing you can be sure about; rates will be on their way back up at some point in the future. Knowing this, it may be worth your time to take out a fixed rate mortgage in order to ensure your payments do not rise. If you do buy your own home, the money you invest in housing goes towards paying off your own mortgage. This is an asset in your future. In the current real estate market, some sellers are primed to accept large discounts on their ask-ing prices. This is especially true if they believe the price of their home is falling daily. Obviously, once the market stabilizes, sellers will be less likely to do this. The Govern-ment has pioneered a first time home buyer credit of $8,000. As a homeowner your credit rating will begin to build, as you can exhibit to probable lenders that you are able to keep up with your monthly debt obligation. If you happen to be a single college graduate and have an extra room, you can rent it out to help pay your monthly payments.

Renting Pros & Cons It’s often hard to sell prop-erties in the current real estate market. If you’re just graduating from college and decide to buy a home, there are some things to think about.

What if, all of a sudden, your dream job becomes available and you need to move quickly? This could be very tricky if you can’t find someone to rent your current home. This might require you to turn down that job offer, because you could not afford to pay for two places to live. It’s also harder to take a job Sabbatical break if you own a property, since you’re tied down to a mortgage. Renting might be a better alternative for anyone concerned about job security. Most rental contracts last one year and some-times offer relocating clauses. This can be a great thing if you have to relocate quickly. If you need to relocate to a new area, renting a place gives you a chance to become familiar with the location without long-term commitment.

The Bottom Line Even though owning your own home might make better financial common sense in the long run, it’s a big obligation. If you rent and decide to take a career break to travel the world, there’s nothing to stop you. In the current real estate market, it’s imperative to try to separate yourself from the obsession of home ownership. In its place, center your attention on whether now is the right time for you to buy a home. You may find you would be better off renting for a while longer.

We’ve compiled the pros and cons of renting and buying in the current economic climate.

Page 34: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

N etworking is a business term that has been overplayed

and under worked.  If utilized well, it’s a skill that can make a career. If disregarded, it can just as easily break a career. Effective networking takes time and energy.  You must develop your own strategy and choose avenues that will pay off five years down the road. Veteran business professionals will agree that more often than not, it really is ‘who you know,’ not ‘what you know.’      

On college campuses and in the business community there are plenty of opportunities for networking, but no one has time to try them all.  Don’t hesitate to join multiple groups. Visit different opportunities until you find a few right for you. Select those that pertain exclusively to your field, but don’t limit yourself. Expand your field.        

The key is to find groups with the right mix of professionals.  Look for those with established members and several newcomers mixed in. This offers you the opportunity to interact with people at different stages in their career. Too many networking events attract only new professionals.  While this gives you the opportunity to share experiences, it doesn’t help advance your career.        

Brian Smith, president of Southeastern Financial Services in Greenville, South Carolina, suggests, “The key to effective networking

is to find the people who are making a difference in your industry and see what they’re doing. Hang out with them, learn from them and whenever possible, join them.”  Smith said his early networking experience involved “taking advantage of every opportunity.”  It was after gaining some experience that he learned to be more discriminating with his time.       

In times of recession and cutbacks, employers are looking for personal references. Personal contact gives you the opportunity to showcase your strengths and

learn the wants and needs of prospective employers.  Interacting with others in your field can also open new possibilities in the direction of your career.   

Quite often the contacts we make in college are beneficial years later. Don’t always look for the quick return; be willing to invest in long-term relationships.  Remember, you’re planting seeds for your future. Every introduction, every interaction and every good deed is an opportunity.       

Keep in mind there are certain personality types that will conquer

networking with ease. For them, talking to strangers and senior members of their profession is no problem.  For others, the social aspect of networking may be a struggle. Don’t be misled; even those who are not naturally ‘people persons’ can network effectively. Doing your homework and investigating every opportunity is more important than a smooth-talking schmoozer.  

netw  rkyour way to the career of your dreams

by Edie Melson

Page 35: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

How to get started:

5. Look at the people around you with new eyes.  Many of us already have a strong network in place through friends and family, we just don’t realize it.  The majority of people around you are willing to help advance your career. All you have to do is ask.

2. Find a mentor.  Mentors can help avoid mistakes inexperienced professionals often make.  Many of them have already made those mistakes. Don’t pass up the opportunity to learn from someone more experienced.

3. Volunteer in your chosen field.  As the economy tightens, fewer internships may be available. Volunteers often learn just as much as those on the payroll. This also provides you the opportunity to change directions without a black mark on your resume.

6. Evaluate your social networking contacts.  Hordes of up-and-coming professionals have grown up with Facebook and MySpace.  Don’t underestimate the value of those contacts.  Your profile within those sites can be tweaked to advance your career.  List professional accomplishments and awards related to your field of interest. Don’t hesitate to enter the conversation in online forums related to your profession.

1. Get to know/reconnect with college professors.  Most academic professionals know who is on the cutting edge in their industry and often times have contact information and may offer referrals.

4. Join professional organizations.  Even if you’re still in college, most professional organizations have student groups.  Take advantage of these opportunities.

netw  rkyour way to the career of your dreams

Page 36: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

or

R UDOWN?R UDOWN?

Technically  it’s  the  same sport. But football fans across the country have developed a clear  allegiance  to  either  the NF L   or  NCA A .

by Bristow Marchant

Page 37: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

or

R UDOWN?R UDOWN?

Technically  it’s  the  same sport. But football fans across the country have developed a clear  allegiance  to  either  the NF L   or  NCA A .

by Bristow Marchant

It’s been said that in the South there are three major sports – football, spring

football and recruiting. This passion can be, well, a little disturbing to uninitiated visitors upon first encounter. No other sport in America matches the level of devotion afforded to college football in the South, even among people who didn’t attend the school they cheer for. The longer someone stays in the area, the more football draws them into its orbit.

Joanna Despain experienced this phenomenon firsthand. She grew up in Connecticut among a race of Giants fans. The NFL team long remained her first love. She paid little attention to the college game until her brothers started playing—one at Marist and the other at Davidson. Despain finally embraced the sport after she moved to Athens, GA., and sent a son to Davidson and a daughter to the University of South Carolina.

“There’s a big difference,” said Despain on the sidelines of a Gamecock scrimmage in March. “I couldn’t understand how obsessed people were and the amount of revenue they

get from selling red and black everything. In Connecticut or New York, you just don’t see people walking around in Rutgers or UConn shirts. In Pennsylvania people are not wearing (Penn State) white and blue all the time. They’d be wearing Pittsburgh (Steelers) shirts, Giants shirts, or some other NFL team.”

Growing up on their side of the Mason-Dixon Line, some Southerners can’t imagine it any other way. “As soon as I was born, my late father brought me to the games,” said John Holladay, a West Columbia native and former University of South Carolina student. “That’s just southern football. I was born this way.” Holladay says he has trouble working up the same kind of passion when he watches the NFL. “I watch to an extent, but I don’t like seeing 32 teams reading from the same playbook every week. Except for the playoffs and the Super Bowl, there’s not much excitement in the NFL.”

Centered wanted your opinion. Is this view common to the South or are we all in love with college football? Here’s what you had to say.

"Well I would say that my loyalty lies with UCF and college football but my dream is to play in the NFL.  The answer will be slightly different from my perspective I think because I play college football.  From a fans perspective I would say college football will always be where my loyalty is at because there is much more heart and passion in the game of college football.  The business aspect is out of the game so I believe there is much more passion towards the game and excitement."  

Cory Hogue, University of Central Florida "The NCAA is defiantly where my loyalty lies.  There is

something special about each school’s tradition and style of play that the NFL will never be able to match." Mac Gillan, Hamilton College 

"My loyalty would lie with college. In the pros, it's your true job, it's more about money. But in college, you're representing your school. You socialize with the people who come to watch you. You're able to build bonds with your fans." Jonathan May, Brown University 

"When it comes to loyalty I'd have to say without a doubt that NCAA wins. College football...at any level...is made up of athletes who are truly passionate about THE GAME OF FOOTBALL. There are no contracts to be signed or bonuses that are sought after...the players in college are there for love of the game...This can be seen on the field...There is much more passion in college football...fans are more into the game...players actually look like they want to be out there...there's no game in the NFL that can compare to a Ohio State Michigan game...or a Florida, Florida State game...not in my mind...that is why college football is numero uno in my opinion!!!!" Cougar, Appalachian  State University 

"If I had to choose I would go with the NCAA. The games seem to mean more to NCAA players, whereas in the pros it seems mostly about the money and the fame.  Also, the ridiculous theatrics that go along with the NFL really piss me off (all the obnoxious jewelry, off-the-field antics, etc.).  Another factor is the difference in tailgate parties. It is much more fun to tailgate with thousands of students at house parties before walking to the game than to tailgate with thousands of random fans in a parking lot." Andrew, UCSB 

"NCAA, of course! I'm a huge fan of any team from NC. There's no comparison to watching athletes on my level, and by that I mean age and collegiate standings. Of course their athletic ability is far superior to mine." Emory Robinson, NC State 

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TOP10

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10. Be on time. It is always important to be punc-tual and if you’re running a little late make sure that you call them.9. Don’t talk about any of your personal problems. This isn’t appropriate with someone you hardly know.8. Don’t act desperate. This date is just for fun and getting to know each other. Keep it light-hearted. Don’t act obsessive even if she really is your dream girl. Ladies don’t like clingy men so talking about your future relationship with her is definitely out of the question. 7. Make sure you pick the correct location. Don’t take her to a club or a loud bar. How are you sup-pose to get to know one another if you can’t hear?6. Don’t try to analyze her problems. Ladies don’t like to be given advice on the first date—especially since you barely know them.5. If you decide to ask her on a second date, don’t say, “Would you like to get together sometime next week or something?” Instead, be specific about

coordinating the next date. Make sure you include when, where, and what time.4. Never brag about yourself and your ‘many accomplishments’. Make sure you focus on her interests and find out what she’s involved in. 3. Don’t talk about previous girlfriends. They don’t want to hear your sad story about how she dumped you, cheated on you, broke your heart, etc.2. If you happen to see some friends while out on your date, don’t leave her and go chat with them. Always include your date; introduce her to them and make her feel welcome.1. Lastly, 36% of the ladies polled, said the biggest turn off was their date texting or talking on their cell phone. So, turn off the phone or at least put it on silent.

by Hart Davidson

Page 39: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

55lookslooksTake a seat outside, on any college campus, and watch the people go by. In a very short time, every style you can imagine will have walked by. Some students decorate

their bodies with tattoos and piercings. Others wear baggy clothes and expensive jewelry. Any and all possible combinations will be repre-sented. Now, suppose the

person watching was a professor or job recruiter?

What impression would your style make?

Does Your Style Send the Right Message?by  Dustin Wyatt    photos Brad Forth

Page 40: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

Sandals. T-shirts. Blue-jeans. Wearing these laid-back clothes to class may make you comfortable, but what message does it send the professor? Some, like Professor Jim Cox, actually encourage students to be comfortable inside the classroom. “Comfortable clothes are necessary. If it’s hot outside, students should wear shorts and t-shirts.” However, Dr. Carmen Harris believes it’s possible to be too comfort-able. “I don’t like it when students show up for class wearing their pajamas.”

The Bum

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Occasionally, students will come to class sporting a suit and tie, as if attending church. While making a good impression is impor-tant, it may not be the best clothing choice for school because it’s gen-erally uncomfortable. Professor Cox urges his students to dress appropriately. “It may be wise to pull a suit out when it’s time to present a power point or make a speech. Most professors say they do expect students to look professional during presentations. ”

The Suit

Page 42: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

When asked to comment on what he thought was the ideal dress for college students, Professor Myles Alexander perfectly described the preppy style—khaki pants and a nice shirt—a clean look. The former high school teacher says that, while he avoids judging others based on the way they dress, he does believe a student’s first impression is important. “The first couple of days, students should present them-selves nicely to make a good first impression. After that initial impres-sion they can dress more freely.”

The Prep

Page 43: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

From body art to blue hair, a theatre professor we spoke with has seen his share of unusual, erratic, clothing styles. These styles don’t bother him personally, but many professors have negative reactions to the look. The same professors who stated they try to avoid judging students by the way they look, add some off-the-record opinions on tattoos, body piercings and extreme hairstyles. “I sometimes wonder what these students’ majors are and what type of jobs they expect to get.”

The Rocker

Page 44: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

THE MAN

Alex Sok, CEO of Centered Magazine sums it up well, “The Centered style is a classic look. It fuses contemporary with classic. It’s a look that fits the occasion. I think that’s half the battle for most of us—knowing what to wear and when to wear it. There’s a time and a place for everything, and there’s definitely an outfit for every occasion.”

Brad Forth brings the perspective of a photographer when pulling together his style. “A man comfortable physically and mentally is not afraid to match his clothes from shirt to pants; belts to shoes. The man who has a dignified image of himself will complete the photo with a sense of confidence.”

Dwane Church, COO, brings the cor-porate perspective to the Centered Man’s look. “With every look, dress to impress. Whether it’s business casual or classic comfort, be neat and incorporate a sense of style that makes a state-ment of confidence.”

But the bottom line comes from Andrew Malone, Art Director at Centered Maga-zine. “The Centered man defines his look and is not defined by his look.” So don’t be afraid to experiment, to find the style that best reflects who you are.

“A Centered man always keeps it simple. We all know that less is more and that’s attractive!”Douglas Eaddy, Assistant Art Director.

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Dear Mr. DeFendis,I was talking with a trainer at the gym today who has a great set of abdominals. I was telling him that I do a lot of ab work, but that I am not seeing the results. I want a flat stomach and better abs. He said he does hardly any ab work.How is that possible? What is the best way for an “average” person who is about 30 pounds overweight to get a six pack? Do you work abs from the beginning or wait until you reach a certain point in your progress??Rod

Dear Rod,Contrary to popular belief, or what people think when they look in the mirror,Everybody has abs...they just have to get rid of the fat to be able to see them.

“Strengthening Your Abs”By John DeFendis

Photos by Brad Forth

Page 47: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

The key is to learn how to effectively burn fat and then become empowered with that knowledge instead of hours of abdominal work. That’s why initially having a personal trainer is so important. Getting lean and developing abdominals does not come directly from ab work...It comes from 70-80% nutrition and the other 20-30% utilizing energy which will burn fat. (That’s why there are thousands upon thou-sands of people training abs with little or no results.)The best way to utilize energy is to strength train and work the major muscle groups with some basic movements like squats, presses, lunges and rows, which re-quire more energy to perform. You also utilize even more energy when the major muscles (glutes, thighs, back, shoulders and chest) are going through their recovery process. This is something that everybody must learn.

Everybody wants a flat stomach, a stronger core and abdominals but unfortunately almost everyone goes about it the wrong way by doing abs for hours on end. In the last few years some genius came up with a fancy word for abdominal strength combined with lower back strength...They called it “Strengthening Your Core” and said that you had to do a lot of core work. Some-times people challenge me with a bunch of garbage about training their “core” with exercises like Resist-A-Ball, stretch bands and balance work. They say that just conven-tional strength training will not work the

core. This is absolutely ludicrous and untrue as exercises like squats, hyper-extensions, bent-over-rows and standing dumbbell later-als, machine crunches and a few leg raises will effectively work the core better than anything else you can do.

In my prime I was able to squat 430 pounds to the floor for 30 reps, do 100 sit-ups with a 45 pound plate behind my neck and 100 hyper-extensions non-stop. You have to have a strong core to do this and the closest thing to a Resist-A-Ball was a beach ball and you only used it at the beach or by the pool!When I trained for my competitions I spent about 10 minutes, only twice a week doing abdominal work and that was all I needed to develop award winning abs. We do the same with our clients and the results are phenom-enal. The key to developing great abs is to first allow yourself to be challenged by a trainer each day with some great workouts that utilize energy and be held accountable to a balanced diet. These two components will burn more fat on the abdominal area and create the result that we are looking for.

You can and should add in an exercise for lower abdominals (leg raises or kick ins off of a bench),and one for upper abdominals, (machine crunches or weighted crunches), a couple of times a week for 3 sets of each, as each muscle should be trained.

Respectfully caring about the future of our country’s health, Your Personal Trainer & Fitness Expert ,Mr. America John DeFendis

Fitness Expert and Fitness Hall of Fame recipient John DeFendis is the Director of Ex-ercise and Fitness at Coop’s Health & Fitness in Anderson and Greenville, South Carolina. A former Mr. USA and a personal trainer for more than 33 years, his specialty lies in weight loss and health. John has trained professional athletes and celebrities and has been featured in many international magazines and on national television shows. Centered Magazine readers can access his website for free. The website address is: www.defendis.com and you can e-mail your fitness questions to John at: [email protected]

Please feel free to e-mail me any questions at: [email protected]

CLICK HERE TO SEE AN AB WORKOUT

VIDEO

Page 48: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

[ ] REVIEWS

Page 49: Centered Magazine Issue 001 August 2009

“gone too soon...”

Staff Members Pick Their Top 5 Songs

(in no particular order)

ALEX, CEO: Baby Be Mine, Remember the Time, Man in

the Mirror, You Are Not Alone, Who is It

SETH R, CTO: Remember the Time, Man in the Mirror, You

Are Not Alone,Who is It, Smooth Criminal

DWANE, COO: Man in the Mirror, Don’t Stop Til You Get

Enough, The Way You Make Me Feel, Black or White, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You

FERNANDO, LAYOUT: Baby Be Mine, , Man in the Mirror, Thriller,

Billie Jean, Who is it

DREW, ART DIRECTOR: Baby Be Mine, Remember the Time, Man in

the Mirror, You Are Not Alone, Who is It

EDIE, MANAGING EDITOR: Man in the Mirror, Don’t Stop Til You Get

Enough, We Are the World, Billie Jean, Thriller

BRAD, PHOTOGRAPHER: Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror, Thriller, Beat It,

ABC

NATALIE, PR/SPECIAL EVENTS: Black or White, The Way You Make Me Feel,

You Are Not Alone, Man in the MirrorBillie Jean

MICHAELJACKSON