The Holiday Season!

It's finally arrived, well almost, the holiday season in South Africa! Here we are celebrating Christmas in summer, and no better place to be than Cape Town!

I'll be in the Cape from 20 Dec until 3 Jan. Very excited!

Pic here taken from my recent visit to Cape Town for the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project- which was awesome! Smirnoff took care of everything- transport, flights, hotel, meals, drinks - the whole story! *Thanks guys, much appreciated!

Will write more here soon!!

Let's Get This Party Jumping

Thanks to Jozi for the inspiration of my blog title: "Let's get this party jumping."

Smirnoff South Africa and their PR agency, Financial Dynamics, have invited me to attend the huge 'Nightlife Exchange Project' this weekend in Cape Town! The only reason I'm going, is because I was also requested by our client to shoot the event (Vuzu.tv). Very excited! Smirnoff will take care of all the bills - which makes it a great privilege and opportunity to be in Cape Town!

I'm almost finished reading Donald Trump's book "Think Big & Kick Ass" - his books inspire me tremendously. And this one certainly doesn't disappoint. The chapter that I'm reading right now talks about the power of positive thought, and controlling your anger. The trick, according to Trump, is to channel your anger towards tasks that you need to complete. In other words, if you get angry with someone, or something, then avoid the reaction by immediately putting your mind to the task at hand. It's a discipline and takes stamina.

At the moment I'm looking for ways to alleviate my emotional stress levels. And I've discovered that comparing yourself to other people is the worst thing you could do. Instead, be inspired by others' success and learn from that, without trying to be like them.

Kapish.

Hold on

When that killer of a devil called 'emotional stress' comes creeping up my spine like a disease from the Congo, then I want to kill something from frustration!! This devastating-spirit-killing heart-wrenching process? Yes. And my worst enemy. A healthy body often has a healthy mindset. What you don't realise, is how an unhealthy mindset, and unhappy state-of-heart (caused by said 'disease'), may cause destruction of that sculpted, healthy, happy, beautiful 'hot' body. Me - case in point. It is my single biggest daily challenge. My weakness. Without a doubt. I think the biggest problem is the way I handle relationships. Work, pressure at the office, and the daily grind of my job, that I can handle. Feeling part of friendships, being valued by other people, dealing with rejection, failure, etc, not so much. It is my weakness, because in reality I should NOT let it upset me so much. Frankly, it's unreasonable to expect people to treat you nice all the time, or to be interested in your life, all the time. I've learnt that being a good friend and a good listener sometimes helps - to allow people to value your friendship first. Giving, often results in receiving.

I saw the movie version of 'Spud' this week - based on the South African book by John van de Ruit - starring John Cleese and newcomer Troye Sivan, about a schoolboy who feels left out and alone during his first high school year at a private boarding school in KwaZulu-Natal. I could most certainly relate. Growing up tough always haunts me during challenging times (read, when emotional stress hits hardest). It's like a flashback that violently beats through my mind. It's typical movie scene - the disturbed adult-character experiencing these harsh flashbacks of some type of abuse during his younger years. Only to wake-up and find that it's all fine. I know that it's all fine. In fact, I'm very blessed.

But I also know that getting over this hurdle of emotional stress, is a long and frustrating process. You end up having imbalanced emotions, you get upset over stupid, small things, people think you've got 'issues,' you get rejected because no one wants to deal with your crap, and you start hating yourself. Yes, even considering suicide. I know that I'm better off today than what I was a few years back, and that gives me courage! 'Harden-the-fuck-up' is my motto now. I was told by someone that I should grow some balls. Right. Will do.

Being disciplined, and hard-working might sideline me, and even if I'm still as unpopular as I was at school, it won't make me a weaker person, because I'm working towards a bigger plan, and by taking one-step-at-a-time, I will survive this, get through my emotional baggage, and be at peace. I know that. I believe that. And I won't lose hope.

PS: Was listening to the tune 'Hold on' earlier today, by M Buble. Some of the lyrics are:

...luck will leave you, cause it's a faithless friend

And in the end when life has got you down

You've got someone here that you can wrap your arms around

There's a thousand ways for things to fall apart

But it's no one's fault

So hold on, to me tight;

Hold on, I promise it'll be alright

Cause it's you and me together...

Confidence is a skill, not a talent

More pics from gym - this time, I need to get comfortable in underwear, for the upcoming CK shoot (which, btw has been postponed again, until mid-Nov).

In the meanwhile, I'd like to mention a book that I'm reading, by Donald Trump, "Think Big."

I enjoyed his views on 'being confident.'

Basically, you need to teach yourself this skill. And the most confident person, always has the most power. Part of being confident is having done your research, knowing your facts, and believing in what you stand for. Once you have gained experience in your field, you'll start to develop an instinct. And combined with a passion, this will prove to be very powerful. If you don't develop your level of confidence, you'll constantly struggle to make decisions, and move forward in life.

In my view, one of the secrets to being successful, is being confident in making your decisions. This will teach you to make the right decisions, and 'taking the opportunity when it knocks on your door.'

Thanks to MBM for this feature, check it out:

www.mostbeautifulman.com/models/JohanStephan

Lean & Mean

I am shooting for CK promotions mid-October - this will result in a 4-page Editorial spread for Calvin Klein related print ad (magazine) campaigns in Australia. I'm told a female model will be flown from Switzerland! I'm very excited.

Thus, in the meanwhile, I have to train like never before - though my general physique should stay "lean & mean" - agent's request. Lol. Basically, the muscle areas that look good on pictures need to be emphasized - abs, chest, biceps, obliques, upper-legs.

And models are not supposed to be too big. Which, for now, I'm content with.

Eventually, I want to bulk-up for fitness modeling. For now, "lean & mean" is perfect.

I am however participating in fitness-related projects - to promote the industry in South Africa. More details to follow. (Watch this space in October!).

*I've attached 2 pics from gym this morning.

Last week I attended the Men's Health annual menswear show - Urban Tree (Sandton); and the event was awesome! I shot video clips for our TV programme as well (V_Entertainment).

The latest edition of Men's Health (South Africa; October 2010) features some of the items that were on display. Our insert will be shown this Friday on Vuzu Dstv 123 (or check it by Monday online: www.vuzu.tv).

Business Conduct - in general

There is a specific (unwritten) 'code of conduct' in business which has truly inspired me - and it doesn't only apply to people that work in 'business' (strictly speaking).

'Business conduct' - for lack of a better term - is actually more about the way you interact with other people; how you run your daily life; and how organised you are (i.e. ability to plan ahead).

I'd like to make a few points:

Firstly, you need to understand how to work with people. Something as simple as greeting someone properly. Also, speaking in terms of other people's values, so that they don't feel that you are making them do something for your own benefit - but to the benefit of the 'team'/company/ group/etc

Be presentable - if you dress smartly, you immediately value yourself better.

Have a diplomatic conversation - this means, work with your colleagues and suggest solutions - this will teach your team to think in terms of solutions and not problems.

*Always see every problem as an opportunity to learn from - and guide your thoughts towards solutions - it will almost certainly ease your stress levels, since you won't fear a problem ever again!

Being organised is about planning ahead. A business woman once told me: the best advice I can give you, is to plan ahead. Planning, planning, planning!

Finally, going to gym and eating healthy is more important than what most people would believe. I cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you're overweight and feeling depressed, you simply don't want to make the effort. In most cases, people become locked in a routine and (subconsciously) refuse to make any effort in following a healthier lifestyle. It's a choice. Seriously. End of story.

If you'd only pull through, and feel the benefits of gym, healthy eating, etc you'd be happy you made the effort!

Gotta be off to another shoot for our TV show.

Have a blessed day!

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