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TRAIN to look the part

9/30/2014

So hopefully by now the shock and surprise of Gal Gadot being cast as Wonder Woman has started to subside, seeing as the production is headlong into filming. That doesn't mean that there are still those of us who are skeptical of how she's going to take on that iconic role.

Okay, I admit, ashamedly I am one of those people. As much as I want to be all "Yay, go get 'em!" and support all my women of action/adventure, I am having a difficult time picturing her as an imposing Amazon warrior. Don't get me wrong, she's beautiful, but Wonder Woman goes WAAAAY beyond that. Seeing as she's one of my favorite DC characters, I look up to her and would love to embody some of her powerful characteristics. When I heard they were casting, there were a lot of women who came to mind: Adrianne Palicki, even though she was on the short-lived series, MYSELF (oh come on, you know I had to!) even though I'm still "unknown" to most fans, but honestly Gal Gadot was as shocker, and yes, for me, it came down to the fact that she doesn't come off as physically imposing and fierce.

Fortunate enough for her, she gets to train every day, as her job. The thought of being at that point in my career just makes me giddy! As I stand now, wanting to do what Gal is getting the opportunity to do, I have to train hard during the early morning hours, do my career work during the day, and then work my survival job at night so that I can do it all again come morning. Wash, rinse, repeat. Yes, it gets tiring, and there are days when I wish that working out was my job, but I do it because I have passion and am setting myself up to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. I am curious as to what her regiment is right now, but I can't for the life of me find it on the great world wide web. Maybe she should train with my while I do Dwayne Johnson's Hercules workout; he looked pretty god-like up on that screen, and sets a pretty high precedent for dedication and focus.

I don't mean to come off sounding envious; if anything, her opportunity not being mine is even more fuel for me to hit the gym, practice my martial arts katas, and continue putting good food and positivity into my body. I am learning a lot by watching roles I'm perfect for getting cast, so that I can get an idea of what I'm up against, and what's expected of me. At least I know I am ready.

And yes, Gal, I'm routing for you, please blow my mind come 2016.

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Does "no" really mean "no"?

9/4/2014

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NO!

So...what you're saying is, "Not at this time? Like, maybe sometime in the near future? Like....tomorrow? Next week? In a month? Not 'no' indefinitely, right?"

NO means NO....NO NO NO NO NO!!!! How many more times would you like me to repeat it before it sinks in??!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Okay, so I haven't really had a conversation such as this, but I have certainly heard "no" enough times in my lifetime that sometimes I feel as if this dialogue has crossed my path. I find it kind of ironic that "no" is "no" in almost every language, a universal negative if you will. Agreed, there are occasions where "no" actually holds some validity. Should I touch the burning red hot stove? No. If all my friends are jumping off a cliff to their death, should I follow. No? If I'm able to choose Batman over Wonder Woman, should I do it? Heck NO!

So with that last one, I kid, but differentiating between when "no" has validity and when it's just an obstacle is sometimes difficult to do. When people tell you "no", it can often times come from a place of insecurity, jealousy, fear, or downright pure meanness. Even so, when they say that one little word, we often times take all the responsibility and don't even see that it's coming from an issue that isn't even ours to claim.

When is "no" really "no"?? I honestly don't think that there is a universal answer to that, I think it can only be answered by the individual and what his/her gut instinct is saying. All I know is that I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't made some very crucial "no"s into Yeses.

Case in point....I was told that I wasn't naturally athletic (and this came at a time when I had just been cured of an eating disorder and was trying to rebuild myself - RUDE!). People were surprised that I wanted to join the basketball team because I wasn't naturally gifted. No, Kelly, you shouldn't pursue it. What did I do instead? I practiced my game every waking hour that I could, even during Michigan winters when I had to pack down the snow in order to dribble. Every year I was voted "Most Improved" and even led my basketball team to a District Championship my senior year. Now, athleticism is engrained in everything I do, and is something I dearly cherish. Think about it...where would I be if I listened to that person's "no"? It makes me shudder.

There are fine lines everywhere: between cocky and confident, yes and no, good and bad, naivety and innocence. My best words of encouragement are to go with your gut feeling, that instinct within you that somehow got suppressed and is just dying to guide you in the direction you're meant to go. When it comes to your dreams, never let those "no"s stop you. And don't you dare tell me no to that!!!

Just for fun...this is from my sophomore year playing basketball. Can you spot me?
Ah, youth!

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That Universe is a Marvel

8/12/2014

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Believe it or not, there are some people out there who aren't excited about the next Marvel release, feeling that their marketing campaign is the most cynical to come out of Hollywood How Marvel Can Make Us All Happy. I do not happen be one of them.

My love and admiration for Marvel primarily stems from the fact that they're producing content that contains many of the characters I want to play, namely strong superheroes with wit and humor. As an actor, being a part of the Marvel universe would be a blessing, and one that I would take on with passion, dedication, and intense INTENSE training. But hey, I'd do that for any role, so how would being a part of the Marvel universe be any different? Well, if I were cast, I would have one job and one job alone, and that wouldn't include serving tables! But alas, I digress.

For those who know and follow me (you are with me on Twitter and Facebook, right??!), Wonder Woman has been one of my favorite characters of all time. GASP, I know, she's from DC, but it's those strong, super heroine characters that I just can't get enough of. Seeing as Wonder Woman has already been cast, I can't help but continue to watch Marvel as they have not only nailed cinema but are also playing their hand in TV as well. Which characters will they introduce next? Will there be room for "unknowns" to take on these epic parts? Are there more female characters and story lines on the horizon? I look at this photo and can't help but get excited from all the potential!

Which of these ladies just screams Kula?

But if not Marvel, then what? I believe in my ability to play a strong character in such a respected franchise, but I would be just as excited creating a character and a universe of my own. What do you think? What kind of superhero would you like to see me play and what kind of powers would she possess? Leave a comment below as I would really love your feedback.

Either way, I love portraying these strong, vulnerable women, and at least seeing them on the big screen is even more motivation for me to be excited...and train like a champion.

Cheers, Marvel...cheers.

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Get Pretty to Get Dirrrrrrrty

6/25/2014

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Call me crazy, but I just don't understand my own sex sometimes.

One of the most infuriating things (call it a pet peeve if you will) is entering the gym locker room to find a handful of women sitting in front of the mirror, applying makeup. You might not find this out of the ordinary, and I didn't either at first thinking that these ladies were post-workout and getting ready for their day of work ahead. For about 85% of these women...WRONG!!! These ladies are getting made up to GO out onto the gym floor. When I first witnessed this, my head spun; when I saw it for the second time, I thought it must just be a fluke; but when I witnessed my third lady prepping her face for a workout, I wanted to shake her like a shake weight. My first instinct was to yell: "Have you no self respect?! You're here to workout, not impress people!"

I guess I just didn't understand because from my experience, most make-up clogs your pores, so in a situation where you'll be sweating, why would you want to inhibit your pores any more than you have to? Plus, isn't it a waste to apply make-up to sweat and then take a shower and then do it all over again??!! Why not just roll out of bed and head straight to the gym, matted hair and all? If it were me, all of that make-up would smear down my face as I sweat, making me look even less desirable than before. Nothing like a raccoon eyed lady to round out your workout! And sometimes, it doesn't stop there: some of these ladies have Oscar-ready hair styles to boost, which I personally wouldn't want to expose to the elements anyway! All that humidity and sweat would ruin any bob that I would try. I just don't understand...and thus I can't relate.

In my eyes, it's a sign of insecurity: you cannot even go to the gym for the simple goal of working out because you're afraid of what others will think of you. Thus, you put on the safety net to ensure that the world sees you as you want to be seen...or at least how you think you'll be seen. But when it comes down to it - and this goes for everybody - you cannot control perception, so no matter how much designer eye-liner you put on, people are going to think what they think, and there's nothing you can do about it. So if you can't control perception, why bother worrying about it? If someone is going to judge you for not looking flawless, then they're just hiding behind one of their insecurities, so it's up to YOU not to let it have any affect.

So ladies, give it a try. Let that alarm wake you up, pull your hair back casually, eat a light breakfast and brush your teeth, and go to the gym just as you are: unique, lovely, and beautiful.

And just so you know that I practice what I preach, this picture was taken of me just after finishing a 5K. Dirty, sweaty, and completely unapologetic.

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Tomorrow is no guarantee

5/17/2014

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It really is amazing to me to sit here and think that a year has gone by since my grandma passed away. Especially seeing as my family still lives in Michigan and I reside in California, the concept of time always seems to be thwarted. But looking at the calendar, it saddens my heart to see the date: this week we would have celebrated her birthday, and next week marks the anniversary of her death.

Don't worry, I'm not planning on making this a bleak entry, there's inspiration to be had in here somewhere! My grandma was a huge part of my upbringing so having that absence has really had an affect. The greatest thing I have gleaned is that each and every second of breath is a gift, and just because I get to go to sleep tonight does not guarantee that I will wake in the morning. It isn't a morbid look on life, but one that really makes me excited to be here and wanting more than ever to make something of this life I do have.

Isn't it sad that with death we get a better appreciation of life? That when there is loss we are able to truly see all that is good before us? My greatest challenge since her death is to find the beauty in the every day, to find something to be thankful for even when everything seems to be going downhill. Even at it's foundation, I'm able to live, and that alone is something to tell the universe 'thank you' for.

Does that stop me from missing my grandmother? No, it doesn't, but I know deep down it would be an outlook that she would approve of, and she's watching over me still proud to call me family. Living life as if there is no tomorrow is a difficult task, but one that I want to consciously pursue because I feel that life will be more fulfilling that way. So here's to yesterday, to tomorrow, but especially...to the NOW.

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TRAIN to look the part

Does "no" really mean "no"?

That Universe is a Marvel

Which of these ladies just screams Kula?

Get Pretty to Get Dirrrrrrrty

Tomorrow is no guarantee

Where Words are my Weapons

Kelly Kula

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