In the day of the life of

Kat loves working with children and is known for Little Big Shots.

IN THE DAY OF THE LIFE OF... IN THE DAY OF THE LIFE OF... by Kimberley Kleczka

Kat Erangey has an uncanny eye for talent and an unparalleled work ethic that makes her one of the most sought-after casting directors in Hollywood. She lives, eats and breathes casting. It is in her blood. Every waking moment, and even her dreams, are filled with new ways to discover and debut the most mind-blowing acts in the world.

She has been an integral part of casting some of the most iconic shows on television – American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Little Big Shots, and So You Think You Can Dance, to name a few. She has an international Rolodex of thousands of artists, managers, coaches, and contacts committed to memory. There is a mad genius to her method. She also prides herself on hiring the perfect casting teams with the precise areas of expertise to get the job done right. Kat has experience casting shows in every imaginable genre of television, and loves each of them as if they were her own children. No matter how challenging the assignment, she does not stop until she has found the ideal cast. Her background as a DJ and music manager has given her an amazing intuition to predict who will become a star, and then being instrumental in making exactly that happen. Kat chatted to us about a typical day of her life as a casting director.

How does your morning begin, any daily affirmations, matras, first thing in the morning habits?

I wake up at 5AM everyday to my beautiful animals and boyfriend of 30 years. • Bear Bear (14 year old Pomeranian) • Beautiful Benny (6 year old Neapolitan Mastiff) • Cyrus (1 1/2 year old

Neapolitan Mastiff,

Benny’s Daughter) • Fred (Tortoise) • Ethel (Tortoise)

I work-out everyday. I have multiple gym memberships. I love lifting weights and cardio activity. (I prefer outdoors on trails or on stairs!)

How important is your breakfast? Are you a toast or super foods gal?

I’m a coffee lover! I usually have a protein shake for breakfast. On the weekends we love going to brunch. I’m a veggie omelette person!

I know for a fact you have some pretty cool house mates, how do they fit into your daily activities?

Before the pandemic I used to leave my house everyday at 8AM and get home at 9:30PM. I had at least a 3 hour commute daily! Now that I’m able to work from home, I’m with my babies all day. I love working from home and having them by my side all day! I cook for them and spend a lot of money on groceries! They eat better than most humans!

How or why did you become a casting director?

I’m a Casting Director because it’s my passion in life to help people and make dreams come true! I’ve always had a great eye for talent. I started in the music industry scouting and coordinating searches for record label executives. I also was a manager for actor/ model kids including my own. I became a casting director from answering a craigslist ad. In the ad they were looking for kids over 18 who still lived at home and never had a job. Since I lived in Orange County, CA all the people I knew had children

www.morethanacover.com who fit that bill! So I was hired as a casting recruiter! That started my casting career.

What does a casting director do on a daily basis?

Personally I’m always in search of talent and always working. As a casting director I have crazy deadlines. Many times we also have nearly impossible requests but we make it happen! We are like private detectives . We reach out to people who don’t know us and try to get them on shows. If it’s a new show we can’t even tell them anything specific about the show! As a casting director our job is to put pitches together to pitch talent to the Executive Producers and the Networks. These days it is all done through ZOOM.

Are there any noteworthy activities that you like to do daily?

Daily I love working out and drinking coffee! I also try to do something nice for a stranger daily! I believe in paying it forward. Also I call my mom everyday!

How do you spend your evenings?

I spend my evenings searching for talent. During the day I do the “boss” thing. At night I discover new STARS! |

Kat is a casting director because its her passion in life to help others make their dreams come true.

www.morethanacover.com

Style Spotlight

Kimberley Chats with Katya Virshilas

Katya, graces us with her elegance, fearlessness and empowering journey. She has worked with Antonio Banderas, Richard Gere and many other celebrities.

Dance with the Queen Bee

by Kimberley Kleczka

Passions intertwined, a hidden language of love and grace sweeps two individuals across the ballroom floor. Elegant and intense, they glide, seemingly floating, while their feet peck at and caress the hardwood floor. Ballroom Dancing is an art form which started off to express deep passions, and later evolved into a beautiful competitive sport around the world.

Beautiful and talented Katya Virshilas, recreates those feelings for anyone watching her. She started her dance journey at the age of thirteen, after a Vancouver dance competition on TV left her mesmerized. Katya asked her mother if she could take ballroom and Latin dancing classes. The training was not easy, Katya trained two to five hours a day, five to six days a week. “It is a lot of hard work, sweat, blood and tears. All the glamour that people see comes after years and years of training. My parents spent a lot of money and time on my lessons. As you train to become an athlete, dancer or actor, whatever it is you choose – perseverance is key. You have to deal with a lot of losses before the win. But NO means ‘not today’.”

It’s more than just the training. Everything has to be just so, especially the clothes. Says Katya “Dance costumes specific for Ballroom or Latin (dancing) are extremely expensive and

usually only are worn once, or twice and then sold to make new ones. It’s a big process of design depending on the competition. The cost is from $1000 and goes up to $2000.”

We ask Katya to tell us all about her early years and challenges, which led up to her becoming a household name in dancing.

What was your first job?

I started modeling and acting as a child when I was 6 years old, when I booked my first commercial in Israel.

Have you done any other work in the

entertainment industry?

I have worked in film and television since I was 13 years old. I worked on Smallville and Supernatural, and was in many films.

What was a typical day like on the show?

Depends on which day… On Saturday at the end of the live show if you are still in with your celebrity you already get the music for your next week’s dance, so Sunday is spent working on the choreography.

So when you see your celebrity on Monday you come prepared.

Monday and Tuesday are training days and around Wednesday our director sends the team to do a director’s tape with spacing. Friday is studio rehearsal and Saturday morning you have to prepare for the live show, with a full dress rehearsal and run of the full show before going live!

Danish ballroom dance champion Klaus Kongsdal and Luthuanian star Katya Vershillas got married in a candlelit cave in the grounds of the Chateau de Chissay.

How did you get on the show Strictly Come dancing?

I did a movie with Antonio Banderas called ‘Take the Lead’ and the tango scene went viral… it had around 50 million views! Researchers from the BBC got in touch with me and asked me to fly in for a casting call and audition. I did a successful interview and booked the show.

Can you describe the best performance you’ve ever put on?

That’s a tough question, every performance has its highs and lows – I would maybe say Wembley Stadium with the

Strictly Tour in London was epic.

Is it difficult

teaching other celebrities to dance?

I think the pressure is a lot and you only have days to work together with a celebrity. I love teaching, and if your student trusts you 100 percent, then that makes your life as a teacher easier.

What is your most memorable story?

Oh wow, a memorable story? I have lots. I loved my season on Strictly with Holly Valance and Anita Dobson. While on tour Anita would share amazing stories with us about Queen and Freddie Mercury.

What inspired you to develop Ballroom Bees?

I moved to Hong Kong in 2017 with a small baby and didn’t know anyone - my husband was traveling a lot and I was alone. I would go and take classes with my son and saw there was a huge demand for educational and sports classes, extracurricular activities (ECA’s). I wanted to find dance classes for my boys, but everything in HK was centered around girls, ballet and lots of pink. Not many options for boys.

How did you come up with the name and logo?

Acronyms or Abbreviations are more memorable and I wanted the word BallroomB because

Katya gets special kisses from her two that’s talented sons. in our DNA. My husband came up with Bees.

How did you persevere during Covid?

In a weird way covid helped our business grow – we were the first company in HK to offer free dance classes for children – by doing zoom classes we were able to have a huge audience get to know our brand. Within the first 2 weeks our database grew by 200%.

Tell us about BallroomBees?

BallroomBees is a one-of-a-kind dance program for children aged 1.5 years to 12 years, based on the traditions and core principles of Ballroom dancing.

BUT… it is so much more than that!

Recognising that children cannot learn the Waltz or the Cha Cha before they learn where their heels and toes are, or where forward and backward is. Created by top dancers and choreographers and with more than 60 years

“No means, ‘Not today’. Don’t take rejection so seriously... You need to believe in yourself, and really the worst thing that can happen is someone saying no.”

Queen bee empowers little bees through dance.

combined dance experience in the Management Team, we have created a unique dance program where even the youngest BabyBee (1.5 years) is able to join the fun, all whilst our MightyBees (12 years) start to get themselves ready to grace the competitive dance floor.

When your child joins a BallroomBees class, he/she will learn a wide variety of skills such as agility, gross motor skills, interaction with their peers as dance partners, respect for themselves – and their peers, as well as their teachers – all whilst having A LOT of FUN! They will be challenged and stimulated with age appropriate, high-energy Ballroom based exercises, dance games, and choreography to chart topping hits. All the while, they’ll be following the core principles of Ballroom dancing.

Where do you get your entrepreneurial spirit?

Losing everything during covid – and my husband not being able to work – will make any person really start hustling. I think me being so naive about running a huge company played a positive effect, because sometimes not knowing what you are doing makes you not overthink.

What makes your business unique?

We broke the barriers of what a dance class should look like – we don’t have studios and we don’t need hard floors, or bars or mirrors. Our teachers come to wherever you are in uniform with a suitcase full of exciting props and tools, and we can do the classes anywhere from parks to gardens, to living rooms and rooftops.

How do you market BallroomBees?

Dancing is about taking on the impossible and making it possible. A lot of it is word of mouth – through happy families sharing with friends. As well as the usual platforms on social media like IG and FB and good content creation.

What have you enjoyed the most about your business?

Doing something that changes lives – happy children mean happy parents. Children who gain confidence in our classrooms. Children who benefit from dancing, by excelling in sports and most importantly getting a really good workout from Ballroom Bees. Coming home happy and sweaty with red cheeks means they will eat well, sleep well and generally be more content.

What’s next for Katya?

We did our first franchise in Brunei and we are now launching in more schools across Hong Kong.

Everything will be okay, just keep trying as there is always a way.

What secrets do you have to share with other young women that would like to start their own businesses?

No means, ‘Not today’. Don’t take rejection so seriously. If you have an idea – and it’s great – maybe the first 10 people will say no to you, but that 11th person will open their door to you. You need to believe in yourself, and really the worst thing that can happen is someone saying no. :) |

www.morethanacover.com

WHY GIRLS NEED WHY GIRLS NEED WHY GIRLS NEED MUSCLE MUSCLE MUSCLE

by Agelica Chebotar

There are many myths about muscle building when it comes to female bodies, I’m sure you’ve heard some of them:

1. You will bulk up 2. If you don’t work out the muscle will turn to fat 3. Muscles are ugly on girls 4. Eating too much protein is bad for your health

And the list goes on and on… Now let’s debunk some of these myths and look at the truth of

why muscles are so important for you.

1. It takes a huge amount of focus (hours a day, every day day), high amounts of

protein and practically zero carbs to look like the female body builders who compete.

The reality is that you actually get leaner and sleeker by building muscle progressively, one hour a day maybe three times a week. Strength training helps shape and “tighten up” your body, making you look streamlined and fit. It can also correct muscular imbalances and increase awareness of how you carry your body, helping to improve your posture.

2. Muscle is muscle, and fat is fat. The two are made up of completely different cellular matter and are not interchangeable. If you don’t workout, your muscles break down and disappear. If you are eating more calories than you burn, you will gain fat, and that’s when you’ll get flabby.

3. In days gone by, the expectation was that females were meant to be submissive and soft,

muscles were meant for men. However, we know the truth of that now. We are not soft, submissive or weak beings (unless we choose to be) - we can pretty much choose to be whoever we want to be. Having a strong body will lift your mood, and increase your self-confidence. Strength training helps to release endorphins and serotonin, the “feel good” hormones.

4. You need protein to build muscle and bones, especially as a teenager, when

you’re growing fast. When you build muscle, you improve fat loss. When lifting weights, you build lean muscle.

The more muscle you have, the quicker your metabolism will work. This means that weight training will help to boost your metabolism, and in turn, burn more calories, meaning a reduction in body fat, and aiding weight loss. Research shows that strength training with a protein rich diet builds strong bones, is protective against osteoporosis, slows down the aging process, and reverses your biological age.

And so, to all our girls and young women, I hope this will help you to think about incorporating strength training into your fitness regime. It’s more sustainable than intense cardio workouts, provided you use the right techniques. When you feel good inside and out, you naturally project yourself more confidently in the world.

Stay tuned for more on how you can start to build that strong body in upcoming issues of IMTAC! |

Angelica has run the gamut of growing up in very disciplined environment as an elite Synchronised Swimmer from a young age, to braving teen years of modelling and “thin” expectations to being a strong and purposeful woman who builds up other women, literally and figuratively!

@anhelika23

Photo by Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash

www.morethanacover.com HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND YOU

FOOD AS MEDICINE by Denise, Clinical Nutrition LET’S TALK MAGNESIUM

What is magnesium?

• Magnesium (Mg) is one of the minerals (an intracellular cation) found naturally in our body, mostly stored in bones and the rest in soft tissue and muscle. The body stores only 30 grams of this major mineral, but the amount of magnesium in our bodies differ through various life stages. A large part of the population in modern society is prone to magnesium deficiency due to various factors, chronic disease, medications, diminished nutrient composition in food crop and larger consumption of processed foods. Magnesium in our diet is vital for prevention of chronic disease and very few clinicians evaluate the serum magnesium levels in patients so as to prevent clinical states resulting from deficiency. The nutritionally conscious patient will ask their

GP to ask for a serum magnesium test to be included in their routine blood work.

What does it do?

• It’s a prime factor in energy metabolism. Its functions include bone mineralisation, protein building, and producing enzymes for catalyst action in metabolic activity, nerve function and maintenance of teeth and most importantly supporting optimal immune function.

What happens if my body runs low on Mg?

• Shortage of magnesium can occur in alcohol abuse, kidney disorders, and bouts of vomiting or diarrhoea and protein malnutrition.

The body taps into bones and other organs for magnesium if running low due to either poor dietary intake or excessive renal excretion. • You will know when your body has depleted your store of magnesium, the signs vary from muscle cramping, to headaches,

PMS, poor sleep, and poor heart function.

Magnesium deficiency causes the arterial walls and capillaries to stiffen therefore it

can protect against hypertension. Primary insomnia has also been linked to magnesium deficiency, JRMC (Journal of research in medical sciences) has well researched information in the area of health.

The sources

• The sources rich in magnesium are legumes, cashews, artichokes and halibut if these are hard to come by try a good serve of dark green leafy vegetable such as broccoli, tofu, lean meat, tuna and eggs.

Examples of content in daily consumption: • pumpkin seeds, 30g (156mg) • chia seeds, 30 g (111mg) • almonds, 30g (80mg of magnesium) • spinach, boiled, ½ cup (78mg) • cashews, 30g (74mg) • peanuts, ¼ cup (63mg) • soymilk, 1 cup (61mg) • oatmeal, 1 cup cooked (6 mg)

• Recommended dietary intake (RDI) is approximately 300-400 grams per day for adults, food sources being the preferred form of intake rather than supplementation. • If falling short of the RDI then resort to a good quality supplement. There are various forms of magnesium supplements, your natural therapist or health food retail staff can assist you in choosing an appropriate one. If using prescription medication please let your GP or pharmacist know that you wish to start using a magnesium supplement, they will check the drug interaction sheet.

Lifestyle: I wish you balance in life: healthy eating, sufficient rest, plenty of exercise, creative space and sincere relationships, recovering from a pandemic is reason enough to get up in the morning with gratitude. |

Your clinical nutritionist,

References in this article: (1) Subclinical magnesium deficiency: a principal driver of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC5786912/ (2) Understanding nutrition Australia and NZ edition 2014, Cengage learning. (3) JRMC https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3703169/