My American Idols

For several years I have followed few female roles models, who happen to be all American.

I remember when I moved back to Finland in 2007, after living 12 years abroad, Ellen DeGeneres shows started airing on channel, which was called that time Liv (Swedish for life and living)
After weekend morning runs I did my recharging while watching several episodes of Ellen. Obviously there was some serious catching up to do :) thus they showed 3-4 episodes non-stop.

Ellen has this positive view on things, which I find familiar. I would like to think positive energy being one of my strengths. She has pushed her way through in life and keeps amazing people and sharing the joy.
I love the fact that she dances in each of her show ;)

She has been also amazingly open about her personal life and she picks the most interesting people to her shows. Not to mention the self irony or cunning sense of humor.
I wish when I am 56 I am equipped with the same level of energy and sense of humor as Ellen is.

...and I also like her short hair cuts. My mother was hair dresser and very artistic one. She always said that cutting people's hair is like making a sculpture. She had the eye to envision the person with the cut. She also took time before the clients appointment was at the door to plan. She was in it with her whole heart.
From her I learned the habit to browse in internet always before going to a hair dresser. I often ended up suggesting a cut, which Ellen had or alternatively Pink.

Which brings me to my next American idol....Pink.
She has balls and she is kind of a boy-girl, which is what I am. I am more into exercise than fashion. I rather spend money on super food than make up. Her music speaks to one and is not just some purkkapoppia / "chewing gum pop" , as one would say in Finnish.
Pink dares to raise her sincere thoughts through her songs. I like when woman has balls enough to step up and challenge. I did not give myself the credit of doing so....until after my Kenyan assignment and nearly 2 years project in Russia. Latest there and then I had to give myself the credit of standing up and defending my team, when needed but also challenging the team, peers and management. But not challenging in the sense of bullying or rebelling, but finding the suitable way using the diplomatic skills combined with the Finnish SISU
(I will write separately about that in near future).
Pink has stylish boldness in her ways to express her strong views. She is also top fit, which has been the motivator on some days when going to the gym did not feel like it was really what I wanted to do :)






The biggest butt kicker of them all, to me personally, has been Jillian Michaels. Oh those dark and cold winter mornings in the midst of Finnish winter.... 6 am Jillian was on the screen making me to do squats, push ups and all possible moves, which made my muscles scream.
She continues being the person with whom I spent during weekdays my morning moment and she tortures every last bit out of me.....and (wo)man, that feels great!

Years ago I thought...wow, these women do not just have character but they get to live in US (fluffy clouds wooshing by as the sentence hovered in my mind). I never dared to dream even to live in US, as I thought somehow that life in US and me....we are sooooooo out of each other's leagues.
Little did I know that I end up moving to US because of my wonderful husband....also had anyone told me that I get to see Jillian Michaels live and even chat with her, hug her. I would have laughed and thought...yeah, right. Not gonna happen in this life, I already won the lottery when meeting my husband!

Yet that became real. Something again, I had not dared to even think it could be possible one day. I got to meet the woman, who has been my motivator to make me push myself beyond limits. Jillian had tour about nutrition and healthy life style, which are my hobby passions since teenager years. If I could choose my profession again I would become personal coach or nutritional engineer (if such exists). But since I am "just" a project manager I do all that for fun...and driving my husband sometimes crazy with it ;))))))

Anyway, back to the topic....Jillian....me....chatting...awesome and here is the proof and my reminder not to let work rule too much but take the time to exercise and stay fit :)
The best was to notice that she is very much a human, an awesome one but a human....and even my height :)

Tomorrow morning, when rest of our household is sleeping, I have my morning "date" with Jillian and maybe some running afterwards :)


And while exercising dreaming of the magical one day, when I might get to meet Pink and Ellen DeGeneres.