Up Close & Personal

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When is your birthday?

October 25.

What is your sign?

I’m a Scorpio!

Do you speak Vietnamese?

Definitely yes! I speak it very fluently. Fortunately for me, my whole family speaks Vietnamese so it makes it a lot easier to maintain the language. My parents are both from Vietnam and I’m the first generation born here. But that doesn’t mean I should lose my native language. I believe that one should never forget where he or she comes from or lose that identity. Being able to speak the language fluently is a wonderful gift!

What kind of music do you listen to?

My taste in music varies so much. It definitely depends on my mood and where I am. In my car, I have a few techno CDs, Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, a Hip-Hop remix, Shania Twain … But when I’m at home relaxing, it’s jazz all the way!

What is your beauty secret and how do you keep in such great shape?

I eat healthy, work out regularly, drink lots and lots of water and definitely never ever go to bed without washing my face followed by a facial moisturizer!

When did your interest in personal health start?

I began competing in sports very early in my life, which I talk a lot about in my book, “Active Girls, Healthy Women.” As I continue to remain active throughout my adolescent and adult life I felt it was only natural for me to pursue it throughout my life. I really love sports and enjoy being healthy and keeping in shape. For me it’s truly is a lifestyle!

How do you stay fit?

I do a lot of different exercises. My passion is weight training but I also kick box as well (IE, jump rope, speed bag, heavy bag, the mitts). I try to combine different styles of training to my routine in the event an acting opportunity presents itself. I also enjoy different styles so that I can keep my body guessing. If you stick to a certain routine, the body tends to get bored and used to the workout that you most likely won’t get the result that you’re after.

What is your secret or key to your success?

Never give up and strive to be the best you can be at everything and anything that you do! And most importantly, NEVER compromise your integrity and always be yourself!

What’s the best advice you can give about how to be successful?

Never settle for second best and always have faith, trust and believe in yourself! Anything is possible ONLY if you work hard for it!

What do you think your flaws are in both your personality and appearance?

Definitely everyone has flaws and no one is perfect. I believe that flaws built character! Yes, I have flaws, lots of them as a matter of fact. But that’s what makes up who I am. I also discuss a lot about this in detail in “Active Girls, Healthy Women” as well!

What do you think is sexy?

Gosh I think there are so many things that define the word sexy. But here are my list of favorites:

  • Intelligence
  • Confidence
  • Kindness
  • Desire to be better
  • Charity
  • Spontaneity
  • Generosity
  • Smiles
  • Trust
  • Confidence
  • A gift from the heart
  • Beaches
  • Fireplaces
  • Humor
  • A first kiss
  • Cuddling on the couch
  • Admitting you were wrong
  • Forgiveness
  • Sensitivity

What do you think is your best feature?

Definitely my eyes! There’s something about eyes that I find very captivating, mysterious and sexy. They tell a story. They are pathways to our souls. Through my eyes, you can see my feelings, my thoughts, my emotions, my dreams, my fears and my pain. They are so expressive and if you look hard enough, you will find all that is you need to know and everything about me.

Describe for me how you would like to be viewed in the public eye.

There are so many qualities in a person that should be admired, but to sum it up in a few words: I would hope to be remembered as:

  1. Someone who is honest, kind, sincere, dependable and loving.
  2. A hard worker, who tries her best in everything she chooses to do, giving a 150% even when things seem impossible.
  3. Someone who lives her life to her fullest potential but can appreciate the little things.
  4. Her heart, her will and determination. Her desire to be the best and passion to be nothing less than #1!

Describe your perfect date.

A romantic candle light dinner by the ocean on a deserted island on a beautiful summer night, accompanied with sounds of Frank Sinatra playing in the background. Follow that by a walk on the beach, while holding each others hands as the sounds of the ocean waves crash against the shore. Wind blowing against our faces, and watching the move amazing sunset ever!

Do you have any sisters?

Yes, I have two older sisters and a sister in-law whom I call my sister and hold her very dear to my heart. Unfortunately, my oldest sister lives in Colorado and we don’t get to see each other as often as I’d like us to. However, I’m fortunate to have the other two living very close nearby and I am extremely close to them both. They are definitely my best friends and I love them to pieces! Love you Tweety & Kerry!

What do you look for in a guy?

A guy who is caring, down to earth with a big heart, positive attitude and a great personality with a touch of spontaneity in him. He has to be a lot of fun, and not afraid to be a kid once in a while. Someone who is romantic, sensitive, genuine, intelligent, warm, knows how to be a gentlemen, love his family and friends, keeps himself healthy and physically fit. A good sense of humor is key – I love to laugh!

Are you a sports fan? If so what is your favorite sport?

I’m a mage huge sports fan, especially football! I love football and baseball games! Though to be quite honest, I would much rather play them than watch. I always enjoy trying or watching new or different type of sports.

Do you want to have children?

DEFINITELY YES! I adore and love children to death.

What are some of your long term goals, dreams, and aspirations?

  • Make “Active Girls, Healthy Women” a staple in young girls literary diet
  • Travel all over the country to help educate and motivate young girls to be healthy, fit and strong through proper nutrition, diet and exercise!
  • Help the world become a healthier place one child at a time!

Personal Favorites

Colors: Emerald Green and Torquoise

Foods: I’m a very picky eater, but I love Vietnamese, seafood and Italian! Mmm, yummy!

Drink: LOVE ice water with fresh lemons!

Protein Drink: MET-Rx Ultramyosyn Whey Cookes and Cream. Super yummy!

Shops: Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s and Sephora!

Books: The Power of One, Tuesdays With Morrie (one of my favorites), The Notebook, Zen 24/7, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, Catcher In The Rye and Active Girls, Healthy Women!

Places to Travel to: Figi Islands, Europe and Asia

Song: Something Stupid by Frank Sinatra

Album: Sinatra Reprise Edition, Home for the Holidays with Harry Connick Jr. and Best of Sade

Perfumes: Light Blue by Dolche Gabbana

Cologne: Aqua Di Gio By Armani

Hobbies: I LOVE working out (love how it makes me feel from the inside out!), kick boxing, hiking, rock climbing, batting cages, playing football, shooting pool, traveling and absolutely anything athletic, challenging, adrenaline filled, exciting and FUN!

Gemstone: Diamonds, of course!

Flower: Mai flower

Animal: Golden Retriever and Yellow Lab puppies!

Clothing Items: LOVE my velour sweat suites and yoga pants!

Actors: Frank Sinatra, Anthony Hopkins, Jack Nicholson

Actresses: Julia Roberts, Donna Reed

Movies: It’s a Wonderful Life, Pretty Women, Dirty Dancing, Rocky series (gotta love it!)

TV Shows: The View, Live with Kelly, Oprah, Ellen

Seasons: I LOVE THEM ALL!!

Magazines: All fitness magazines!

Turn-Ons: Ocean views, candles, hot tubs, bubbles, positive attitudes, sincerity, honesty, good hygiene, nice scents, sexy smiles, romance and intelligent people

Turn-Offs: Negative attitudes, liars, fakeness, arrogance, self-absorbed people, bad hygiene, bad tempers, nasty personalities, and hair in all the wrong places!

Dreams: To be a loving wife, an amazing mom, a super successful entrepeneur and remain healthy, fit and strong individual!

I can’t live without: Water, face mosturizer, lip balm and Purell!

Charities

Cystic Fibrosis: www.cff.org

Alliance for a Healthier Generation: www.healthiergeneration.org

Personal Favorites

Colors: Emerald Green and Torquoise

Foods: I’m a very picky eater, but I love Vietnamese, seafood and Italian! Mmm, yummy!

Drink: LOVE ice water with fresh lemons!

Protein Drink: MET-Rx Ultramyosyn Whey Cookes and Cream. Super yummy!

Shops: Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s and Sephora!

Books: The Power of One, Tuesdays With Morrie (one of my favorites), The Notebook, Zen 24/7, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff, Catcher In The Rye and Active Girls, Healthy Women!

Places to Travel to: Figi Islands, Europe and Asia

Song: Something Stupid by Frank Sinatra

Album: Sinatra Reprise Edition, Home for the Holidays with Harry Connick Jr. and Best of Sade

Perfumes: Light Blue by Dolche Gabbana

Cologne: Aqua Di Gio By Armani

Hobbies: I LOVE working out (love how it makes me feel from the inside out!), kick boxing, hiking, rock climbing, batting cages, playing football, shooting pool, traveling and absolutely anything athletic, challenging, adrenaline filled, exciting and FUN!

Gemstone: Diamonds, of course!

Flower: Mai flower

Animal: Golden Retriever and Yellow Lab puppies!

Clothing Items: LOVE my velour sweat suites and yoga pants!

Actors: Frank Sinatra, Anthony Hopkins, Jack Nicholson

Actresses: Julia Roberts, Donna Reed

Movies: It’s a Wonderful Life, Pretty Women, Dirty Dancing, Rocky series (gotta love it!)

TV Shows: The View, Live with Kelly, Oprah, Ellen

Seasons: I LOVE THEM ALL!!

Magazines: All fitness magazines!

Turn-Ons: Ocean views, candles, hot tubs, bubbles, positive attitudes, sincerity, honesty, good hygiene, nice scents, sexy smiles, romance and intelligent people

Turn-Offs: Negative attitudes, liars, fakeness, arrogance, self-absorbed people, bad hygiene, bad tempers, nasty personalities, and hair in all the wrong places!

Dreams: To be a loving wife, an amazing mom, a super successful entrepeneur and remain healthy, fit and strong individual!

I can’t live without: Water, face mosturizer, lip balm and Purell!

Charities

Cystic Fibrosis: www.cff.org

Alliance for a Healthier Generation: www.healthiergeneration.org

Never settle for second best and always have faith, trust and believe in yourself! Anything is possible ONLY if you work hard for it!

– MAI TRAN

Interview: Get to Know Mai

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I’ve never seen you on stage competing. Is there any chance that will change in the future?

Honestly, until this point in my career my schedule has yet to permit the time I would need to dedicate myself to get to the stage in figure or fitness competition. There have been years in my career when I’ve worked 365 days, and a lot of those days were spent traveling from one end of the country to the other. I’m certainly not complaining, because it’s what I love to do. However, I do respect each and every contestant for their hard work and focus, and always make it a point to root for all the girls competing.

Will you entertain the idea of working for another supplement company again?

I was very fortunate to have worked with great companies like Gaspari Nutrition, Myogenix and Met-RX as a spokesmodel. I met a lot of wonderful people and always cherished my time working for those outfits. It has been awhile since I’ve been affiliated with a company, until now, that I felt that there’s a sports nutrition company out there that is a right fit for me. In order for me to represent a brand, I need to believe in the product and use it myself. If I’m not passionate about it, the arrangement simply won’t work. Which is why when API approached me, I knew immediately that I wanted to represent their company. They not only have innovative products that deliver incredible results, but all of the products are condusive to both men and women! For more information on the supplements I use, please read Mai Fitness Nutrition page for more details.

Please tell us a little about the book, “Active Girls, Healthy Women.”

I wrote a book with Marc Zappulla. The focus of the publication is to equip parents with the knowledge and tools to guide their daughters’ to a life of healthy living through exercise and nutrition, and how the eternal bonds between a parent and child can influence a productive lifestyle. The book is available at bookstores nationwide and online through Amazon.

How did you come to work for Cardillo Weight Belts?

During my time as a sales rep I made many stops in American Nutrition Center, in Everett, MA. ANC is the #1 single standing retail store for sports nutrition and supplements in the country, so naturally I became a frequent visitor. I met Steve Cardillo there. In time we developed a great rapport, and as a result I was offered a lengthy deal from him to become a spokemodel for his company, and I took it. Little did I know I would be voted the “Sexiest Spokesmodel of All-Time” for the company. I was so excited! There have been so many beautiful girls that worked for the company in the past, and for me to be chosen as the sexiest was definitely a great honor!

What’s been the most memorable moment of your career?

As a correspondent for SportsImproper.com, I was invited to be a guest on the Howard Stern show. Nothing compared to that. The website had already hit a number of major national media outlets like USA Today, ESPN, Sports Illustrated and many more. The company eventually went in another direction due to contents being too controversial. However, I felt my career had reached new heights with the appearance on the show. Things started rolling after that. It was an experience I will never forget.

What are you favorite body parts to train?

Definitely my legs! I love burning my legs on a good cardio or weight workout. There is nothing more exhilarating for me when I train. And even after the weights, I like to soak them in the tub just for a little bit to relax my tense muscles. Honestly – and not to sound strange, but it’s the pain I feel the next day that I truly love and look forward to! That’s what keeps me going and motivated to train my legs to exhaustion!

How often do you train?

7 days a week with weights and 2 days off with just cardio. I don’t believe in taking any days off. To me, exercising is a lifestyle not a fad.

If you were given your last meal, what would it be?

Anything white chocolate and anything coconut. They are definitely my weaknesses. But white chocolate with coconut, I’d totally be in HEAVEN!

Do you do anything special when it comes to diet and supplements?

I try to maintain a good healthy balance. I eat clean the majority of the time which consists of high protein, moderate carbohydrates and low fat. But I never deprive myself of those cheat days we all love. If I have the urge, I satisfy it, plain and simple! As far as supplements are concerned, I use basics along with some of my favorites that help me achieve my fitness goals quicker. Please read Mai Fitness Nutrition page for more details.