Vegas Buzz

Vegas Buzz Interview: Carol Ann Weber

by Featured Columnist Renata Lorenc

Carol Ann Weber is indisputably one of the busiest print journalists in the fitness industry. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms Weber at a wonderful monthly goddess circle she organizes in Las Vegas. Ms. Weber has an impressive background as a journalist, fitness expert and author. She has written and maintained several monthly columns in Muscular Development, Physical, Oxygen, Energy and Fitness Rx . Carol also appeared as the expert on women’s sports and fitness on television shows such as “The Montel Williams Show,” “Shape Up L.A.!,” “Geraldo,” and “Now It Can Be Told.” A highly respected sports commentator, she appeared regularly on Las Vegas television’s “Sports Corner,” maintained a radio spot on Joe Hawk’s “Game Time,” and appeared occasionally on Al Bernstein’s “Sports Party” on ESPN radio.

Carol Ann Weber has published stories on athletes such as Shaquille O’Neal, Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene, Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, and celebrities including fitness icons Jack LaLanne and Billy Blanks, Lorenzo Lamas, Montel Williams, Demi Moore, Jessica Alba, Kim Bassinger, Jennifer Garner, Madonna, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, Kathryn Heigl, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and Beyonce. Ms. Weber has also written a book with Ms. Braganza regarding the training methods used with superstars Jessica Alba and Halle Berry. Look for it to be published sometime next year!

After we attended an invigorating class of belly dancing together taught by world famous belly dancer Farasha I had the pleasure tp interview Carol Ann Weber over a scrumptious lunch at Tinocos Bistro in the Arts Factory in downtown Las Vegas. I enjoyed Ms Webers delightful company over a delicious Crab Stuffed Shrimp lightly sauteed over risotto, asparagus, and sun-dried tomato in a lemon butter sauce. Ms. Weber is a charming articulate lady that has enlightened me about many topics including Feminine Beauty, Business and Fitness and she truly emulates the essence of the modern goddess .

What are you working on right now?
Wuhellll, (taking a deep breath): Along with my regular assignments for Fitness Rx, which for each issue include the cover story (working on getting some big names that I can't talk about yet), a feature, and my two columns, I just completed a second book proposal with celebrity trainer, Ramona Braganza, as co-author of books on her training secrets. Along with training Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jaime King and Dania Ramirez, she has worked with Jessica Alba and Halle Berry before they got pregnant, during pregnancy and after they gave birth .The first book will be on her overall training philosophy and methodology, the second will focus on her "Baby Bulge Be Gone" workout that has worked wonders for Halle and Jess. The initial book is currently being shopped by literary agent William Morris, NY.

Also, I'm developing a women's talk radio show, the details of which I can't yet disclose. But I will say that this show will definitely be the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on. We are looking at going to satellite radio, since there are no restrictions about what we can say. Finally, women can say whatever is REALLY on their minds.

What are three words people like to describe you as?
I'm a believer that I should continually reinvent myself, as I am a fluid, alive and ever-changing being, even though my basic self remains as Carol Ann.

What hot articles are coming up?
For Fitness Rx, a cover story will be out the end of October on the absolutely remarkable athlete/movie star/producer Hannah Cornett. In the last two years, she completed two movies and competed in worldwide tours in mountain biking, surfing and triathlon competitions. I can't even fathom having the endurance and strength, as well as the athleticism, this woman has, and still look so HOT! She's amazing. Also did a feature on my writing partner's "Baby Bulge Be Gone" workout which will also give some nice pre-pub for the book.

Favorite Book
I usually have a favorite book of the month, depending on what I'm reading. But I have to say, from my childhood, the book that has had the most impact on me is Eric Fromm's "The Art of Loving." Books I'm into right now are "The Law of Attraction," "Why Men Love Bitches" and "Games You can Play with your Pussy" (that one is an hilarious play on words, with cartoons of cats and the things you can do with them).

What do you think of Sarah Palin style vs Hillary?
Oh please. Because Sarah Palin is a hot woman, the bar has been lowered so low that if she is able to even answer a question in a complete sentence she is considered to have done well, even if no one can figure out what she just said. No one cut Hillary any slack. In fact, Hillary proved herself to have courage and tenacity under the worst of fire. Hillary is articulate, knowledgeable and experienced and can actually think on her feet without a script.

How did you get into writing?
Ah, now there's a story.Back in the day, I was a personal trainer and a competitive amateur bodybuilder. I got tired of my female clients saying "I don't want to get big muscles like you, I just want to tone." Arggghhhh. So out of frustration, I wrote my first story, "The Myth of the Accidental Muscle" and through a friend, got it to the desk of the editor in chief of a major bodybuilding magazine, "MuscleMag International." I didn't hear anything so I called a couple of weeks later just to get some feedback and some guidance on how to write for magazines. The editor told me "Your check is in the mail. We bought it!" I was astounded. My next story, "The Joy of Flex" sold to the biggest bb magazine in the industry, "Muscle and Fitness." The third story sold to "Ironman" magazine and then I got a call from the EIC of "Muscular Development" in NY who told me he loved my stuff and wanted me to write for them. The rest, as they say, is her story.

What do you think the trend is in fitness and sexuality for ladies these days?
Those are two different subjects. For fitness, it is definitely mind/body/spirit and working with the whole woman. Also, softer lines, more flowing types of exercises and work the whole body and keep the flexibility, like yoga, which is immensely popular among women, and the "S-Factor" training, or even Ramona Braganza's training, which combines cardio, core and circuit training.

As for sexuality, wow. Many young girls are hooking up with no strings, thinking that's the only way to have a "relationship" with a man, which of course, is no "relationship" at all. But there's a corresponding movement, as in tantra (ancient yogic practice that honors that sexual act as ultimate enlightenment) as well as ideas as presented in one of the books I'm reading, "Sex and the Soul of a Woman," which suggests there is an ultimate connection between the sex act and a woman's soul.

I'm actually working on a presentation to discuss this issue, to investigate the physiological as well as mental and emotional changes that happen to a woman when she has sex, and to suggest it may be contrary to our inherent wiring and feminine nature to attempt to separate sex and love.

I had a sex advice column in Fitness Rx for about four years and the most-asked question by our readers was always about orgasm. So many women had trouble having them, wondered what was natural, didn't know if they had one or not, and wondered how many they should have. It amazed me until I realized that most women are so out of touch with their bodies and spirits as women, they really don't know any more what is natural to them. That is one of the reasons I co-founded a "Goddess Circle," which is a group of women that meets once a month to first and foremost, honor each other's divine feminine soul, and secondly, discuss women's issues from a WOMAN's perspective.

I recently wrote a feature article on the female orgasm, and interviewed Beverly Whipple, the woman who literally wrote the book on "The G-Spot" and has spent most of her adult life studying female sexuality. One of the most important things she said to me is that women need to tune into their personal needs, accept them, embrace them, and know they deserve to experience pleasure in whatever way works for them. She said, "We are not mini-men, we are women." I loved that!

Who is the desired modern women?
Ah, good question. I have definitely seen the emergence of the mature woman as sex object, and frankly, I love it. Being a "mature woman" myself, I like being a sex object when it means I'm still seen as sexually viable, as sexually alive, sexually attractive, and sexually active. Look at Sophia Loren, Helen Mirren, Diane Lane, Demi Moore, Jessica Lange, I could go on and. on. Finally, women realize that as we get older we really do get better! And, hotter!

I'm also loving the fact that more and more women are embracing their curves and realize that being stick thin is not only NOT healthy, it really isn't all that pretty, either. Curves are a natural part of a healthy woman's body, so embrace them, love them, and show off what your moma gave you!

For more information about Carol Ann Weber's work as a writer, journalist and author go to www.carolannweber.com