Looking for some fitness motivation to get you back into the gym and in shape? Welcome to Fitness Focus!INSCMagazine’s fitness and motivation feature column.
GG! will feature some of today’s hottest Instagram and fitness models and trainers, in the realm of lifestyle, modeling and fitness motivation, with a touch of style, class, quality in-depth writing and eye-catching images.
They say that 50 is the golden age, the beginning of the second part of one’s life. It is the age where women start thinking of things such as retirement, their living wills, kids and even becoming grandparents.
50 is a critical number for women, for various other reasons such as menopause, fighting and dealing with health issues such as cancer or even trying to rekindle a marriage. Nowadays, with more and more women embracing a healthier and more natural lifestyle, 50 is becoming the new 30 for many.
You now see fifty-somethings looking as healthy and sexy as their twenty-year old Instagram counterparts.
In the modeling world you have the likes of fifty-plus year olds such as former supermodels Christie Brinkley and Jane Seymour appear on the covers of Sports Illustrated and Playboy, proving that age is just a number.
One such woman who is pulling her own Benjamin Button is IFBB fitness model in Dr Stacey Naito.
Dr. Naito, who has appeared in multiple fitness publications such as Ironman, Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness Hers, Muscular Development, and Flex since 2009. The dark-haired stunner has also landed two covers with FitnessX Magazine.
In addition to modeling, Dr. Naito has also worked for and promoted health lifestyle brands such as Yup Brands, Blessed Bodywear, Flex Comics, TuffnTiny, Unicorn Muscle, Organifi, Designer Protein, SWAT Fuel, Nuzest, and MitoXcell in the role of brand ambassador.
Despite being a petite 5’5, the California-born babe has become one of the most popular and well-known fitness models thanks to appearing in numerous catalog, print and online publications. With a combined social media reach of an estimated 50k, in addition to her own personal blog and medical site, Stacey is both a online and fit-fluencer to be reckoned with.
Below is my Q and A with Dr. Naito as we talk staying in shape, defining age and how she is able to keep up–and teach the younger fitness models–a couple of things about staying at the top of her fitness game.
Who Is She?
Name: Stacey Naito
Age: 51
Height: 5’5
Birthplace: Hollywood, California
Measurements: 34D-24-34
Social Media Links: Main Website:http://www.staceynaito.com/ | Medical site: http://www.drstaceynaito.com/ | Blogsite: http://staceynaitoblog.com/ (followed by people in over 100 countries)| Facebook Fan Page (8,750 follows): @StaceyNaitoPro | Facebook Main Personal Profile (17,435 followers): @stacey.naito | Instagram: @staceynaito (15,600+ followers) | Twitter: @staceynaito (7,203 followers) | YouTube: StaceyNaito (929 subscribers) | Pinterest: hothapa (292 followers)
Notable Brands, Publications and Media Featured In: I’ve been in many bodybuilding and fitness publications since 2009, including Ironman, Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness Hers, Muscular Development, and Flex. I also landed two covers with FitnessX Magazine during that time.
I am a brand ambassador for numerous brands, including Yup Brands, Blessed Bodywear, Flex Comics, TuffnTiny, Unicorn Muscle, Organifi, Designer Protein, SWAT Fuel, Nuzest, and MitoXcell. In the past, I have modeled for many different print and online swimwear catalogs, have been in several fashion runway shows, and have been in a number of local commercials.
First off, let me just say that you look absolutely stunning for someone your age! How much hate do you get from other women? LOL! Thank you for your kind words! I actually don’t get much hate from other women. Most of the time, other women are very supportive and encouraging.
I think this comes from the vibe I put out, which is intended to motivate and inspire others, and not threatening at all. Most of the haters I deal with are sociopathic men who want to pick on women. When I deal with these men, I am grateful for the blocking feature on social media platforms!
To me, one thing I’ve noticed is that some of the fitness models who are 30 and older, look as good and better than some of the younger ones, why is that? Older fitness models often look better than younger fitness models for two main reasons.
First of all, muscle maturity plays a big role in how conditioned and shapely muscles are, so older women who consistently train over the years are rewarded with fuller, more aesthetically pleasing, balanced muscular physiques than their younger counterparts. Secondly, older women exude a confidence which many younger women lack.
We older women have lived life, experiences setbacks and triumphs, and have learned that we shouldn’t take ourselves so seriously. We know that the aging process doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re going to lose our beauty and strength. If anything, getting older can often be the chance to grow into ourselves, and to improve over time.
How long have you been involved and competing in the IFBB? I began competing in the NPC Bikini Division in 2009 and obtained my IFBB Pro Card in July 2013 at the NPC Team Universe in Teaneck, NJ. I then competed in four IFBB Pro events before hanging up my competing hat in July 2014.
What has been the most fulfilling and rewarding aspect of being in fitness and modeling? The most fulfilling and rewarding aspect of being in fitness and modeling is the opportunity I have to inspire and motivate others. There is no greater reward than hearing someone say that I changed their lives for the better.
How long have you been modeling? I’ve been modeling my entire life.
What first inspired you to become one? I actually didn’t have much of a choice at the beginning, since my first modeling gig occurred when I was 22 months old.
However, by the time I was a preteen, I had developed a keen interest in all aspects of modeling, and came very close to signing with a major modeling agency, when my parents refused to allow me to sign. Over the decades, I booked independent gigs. As a result of the exposure I had during my competing days, I have modeled more in my forties and fifties than I did when I was younger.
As a model, do you feel that more can be done by those in the industry? Why and why not? I definitely feel that more can be done in the industry to celebrate beauty in all its forms. There has been a growing trend to showcase models who fall outside the age and body composition restrictions which have defined high fashion modeling, but I strongly feel that more agencies need to embrace this concept.
How do your loved ones and family feel about you being in modeling? I have a very supportive network of family and friends who understand my passion for modeling, and who encourage me to continue in my pursuit of modeling. I have no intention of quitting the modeling business, and I truly feel that I can be one of the individuals who continues to change the face of modeling to empower a greater range of beauty.
What is the most exciting aspect of modeling? I adore the creativity and freedom which infuses modeling. As a model, I can evoke a certain mood or reaction in the viewer, and if I am working with an especially daring photographer or team, we can create outside-the-box concepts which are incredibly edgy and unique.
What working out and routine tips and trends do you have for staying fit when the temperature drops? There are plenty of indoor facilities which make it possible for me to train year-round without interruption, and I definitely take advantage of those facilities. I weight train 5 to 6 days per week, with three leg days and two to three upper body days. I also take aerial arts classes once a week on average, as well as kundalini yoga several times per month.
Athleisure? Fashion or fitness fad? I definitely think that athleisure is here to stay as a lifestyle. Who wouldn’t want versatile fitness apparel which can be repurposed for daily wear, a night out on the town, or for work? I practice athleisure on a daily basis, and love the fact that I can wear items like Squat Pants from Blessed Bodywear at the gym or in aerial class, then go to work in the same apparel. A simple change of top and a fashionable pair of boots, and I am set for whatever the day or evening holds.
What is your workout and fitness secret to staying in shape? My workout and fitness secret to staying in shape is to maintain consistency in my workouts. I am not the type of person who binges on workouts, then takes weeks or months off. When I say that I consistently hit the gym almost daily, I mean it.
Within the industry, who is your modeling inspiration? I still admire modeling greats like Cindy Crawford who have aged gracefully and who still stand as banners of beauty within the industry. I also respect Kathy Ireland, who branched off her career as a supermodel to become one of the most successful businesswomen of our time.
What would you say is your best feature? I have always believed that my legs are my best feature, but I also appreciate my eyes and my long, dark, thick hair.
Any future projects coming down the pipeline? There is a nationwide commercial campaign which is very close to launching, and I am the face of the brand. I also have other projects constantly brewing, so be on the lookout for me!
Outside of modeling, what are your hobbies? I love aerial arts (aerial hoop, aerial cube), meditation, yoga, travel, acting, spokesmodeling, hosting, and wine tasting. As for my professional background, I am a board-certified physician, fitness professional, writer, brand ambassador, and certified nutrition coach, all of which keep me very busy.
Sports question: Who are your favorite teams and clubs? I love NFL football, and until recently, was a die-hard Chargers fan. Since their move to Los Angeles, I am not quite sure how I feel about the team!
What advice would you give to women aspiring to get into fitness and modeling? For models, I would advise them to make sure to get enough experience in front of the lens with legitimate, professional photographers before booking gigs. Modeling can be VERY challenging! Aspiring models need to know what angles and poses work best for them. They need to learn to convey moods through their eyes, overall facial expression, and body language, and they also need to be willing to take direction from the photographer and the client. Modeling is a JOB, and a model must be able to deliver the look the client wants.
For bodybuilding competitors, above everything else, I would advise them to make sure to have fun throughout the journey, and not allow the world of competing to rob them of life balance. Contest prep can be quite demanding and grueling, and many competitors can get so caught up in that world that they lose perspective on their lives outside of competitive bodybuilding. Yes, winning is amazing, and getting a Pro Card is exhilarating, but family, friends, career, and good health should never take a backseat to the quest for trophies and titles.
Special thanks to Dr. Stacey Naito for her time and assistance during the Fitness Focus Q and A interview. Email us at inscribermagazine@theinscribermag.com if you feel that you have the look of being our next Fitness Focus! babe.
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