BRINGING LIFE TO THE PARTY…
Elizabeth Fernandez
Mother, Nurse, Real Estate Broker, and Wellness Entrepreneur on How to Master the Art of Timeless Beauty… From the Inside Out.
by Tamara Gorman
Like breathing in a whiff of perfume with your eyes closed: evocative, intriguing, magnetic. Elizabeth Fernandez is engaging and ironic with a warm infectious laugh that reveals a sharp, intelligent mind and a compassionate heart. “How would I define myself? First of all as a woman, even though I can be anything I want: entrepreneur, mother, friend, artist…” Interesting and curious, her words have a natural soundtrack to them. Speak to her and you immediately become a fan.
From working in top law offices, an investment banking and asset management firm, network marketing, stock trading, raising her two beautiful daughters, pursuing a Masters Degree in Nursing, managing businesses in two countries, to running a successful real estate business, and care-giving full-time for her elderly mother and aunt, Elizabeth has devoted a large part of her life to caring for the well-being of others. Amazingly, she manages to do it all with a wonderful sense of humor, an unwavering faith in God and a resilient, positive mindset. But if there is one thing that epitomizes this timeless beauty’s life, it is her passion for health and wellness, and a firm belief that anything is possible.
With a captivating smile and flawless skin lit-from-within, Elizabeth is a walking advert for the healthy lifestyle she preaches. Challenging limitations and beauty ideals, she has emerged with an inspiring new business venture, Valentus – a tasty and nutritious premium coffee formulated with natural appetite suppressants, feel good ingredients and detox components for energy and weight loss. Valentus rocked her world and transformed not only her body but her life.
Straight-talking, funny and an astute businesswoman, Elizabeth Fernandez brings a level of dynamism and zest Vitality Magazine represents. It was a joy to dive deeper into her story as she opens up with me about her lifestyle secrets to health, wealth, and loving relationships. I had a chance to sit down with Elizabeth at her home in California. I was moved by her genuine humility and commitment to helping others.
You are sixty, sexy and beautiful. What is your secret?
It’s partly good genes, I mean my mom is 93 and still looks amazing. But I am absolutely for procedures and cosmetic surgery that repairs and restores your appearance. My best friend in the Philippines is a plastic surgeon. She specializes in a certain type of cosmetic surgery that will help you attain a beautiful “six pack” abs. Every time she has something new, she calls me. I’ve had the opportunity to try a lot of different things, mostly temporary stuff, but regardless it’s all fun. It’s something that I do for myself. Fashion really has no bearing in my life right now, because of my lifestyle. My priority and focus is taking care of my mother and aunt. And their lives and activities revolve around health and medical care and church.
Self-care is so important. How do you stay so healthy and vibrant?
I love good food, and had trouble with maintaining my ideal weight but a friend introduced me to a coffee producing company called Valentus. It changed my life, and I went from a size 12 to a size 6 within one year without exercising. This incredible product not only helped me lose weight, but now my skin is glowing and my mind is more focused. When I started drinking the coffee, my cheeks stopped looking so chubby, my sinuses cleared up, I felt better and began feeling more confident. It changed my inner world, which reflected in my outer world. When I started eating healthier, I started looking and feeling healthier. I am a creature of habit, but I started to perceive food differently both in taste and the amount I craved. My habits changed, and healthier foods started tasting better. I didn’t really adjust my diet. I just consumed less. For example, in the past I didn’t know what too-sweet was. The coffee changed my sensory perception, so instead of eating a whole bag of sweets, I’ll stop at 4 or 5 pieces. Or if I want an ice cream sundae, I don’t have to eat the entire thing.
Sounds like a super healthy coffee. Where can we learn more about it?
You will love the taste of it! It’s a delicious Italian dark roast coffee. Managing your weight with Valentus Optimum Coffee is so easy, and it produces exciting results. I love it. People can go to my website at http://rapidresults.valentus.com
What makes you smile the most?
My two wonderful daughters are pretty influential in my life. They want me to go for all the things I have always told them to do. I’ll encourage them, telling them to just try it and see if it’s something they would like to do. So when the concept of modeling at 60 came up, my kids said, ‘Mom try it. If you don’t, we will call you the H-word.’ The H-word is hypocrite. It seems I follow their lead lately. They have done photo-shoots and modeling, and now I am doing it.
They are musicians and recently did a music video. I was able to be an extra in it, and that was a lot of fun. It also makes me smile, when others post on social media how happy, successful, beautiful, and privileged they feel. I choose to be inspired and happy for them.
Do you have any beauty advice you can you give to others?
It’s like the Janis Ian song, At Seventeen – ‘I learned the truth at seventeen. That love was meant for beauty queens…’ There is so much out there to improve the way you look and make the most of what you’ve got. It’s like they say, look good feel good. Today you are not really stuck with your genetics. There are so many options available to improve the way you look, whether it be cosmetic surgery or Botox. Even like the first time I put highlights in my hair. I never knew highlighting your hair in certain areas would brighten and highlight your features. Simple things can make such a big difference.
You are very close to your family. How did they influence who you are today?
I am the oldest with 4 younger brothers, and we are all very close. In the Filipino culture, our identity is typically and strongly defined by close-knit family ties. Respect for elders, fulfilling duties and expectations, and deference to parental authority are valued, and we have a strong sense of community and coming together to eat and have fun. My parents held big parties at the house with live bands and great food. It means a lot to me for the younger generation to experience and continue the tradition of celebrating the way my grandfather and my father did. At the same time, parental authority and child obedience and conformity is important, so it’s hard for children to be self-directing and to express and assert themselves. Personally, I was always very independent, a free thinker, and followed my heart whether they agreed with my choices or not.
What makes you most proud of yourself?
When people tell me that I can’t do it, then I am more challenged to do it. My dad always said there were only three careers to choose from: a doctor, a lawyer or an engineer. He wanted each of us to achieve and be in a position of authority and not one to be ordered around. However for me, I did not want to do something I didn’t like, and my father was sure I couldn’t get a job without his help. When I was hired to play music and sing without his help, he really respected me for that. And when I came to the United States, I worked for top law firms and made more money than the new attorneys who had to work to pay off their debt. I am proud of myself for following my heart.
That tells me a lot about you. You are very gutsy. So what did you end up studying?
I went to an all-girl Catholic school growing up. Then I attended a liberal state college where they questioned everything that I thought I knew about the world. They taught me how to question, to analyze, to argue and debate, It was neat. I learned critical thinking skills. However, after the big quest for learning and questioning my beliefs, I still went back to what I thought originally. I don’t remember everything the nuns taught us as students, but whatever it was my classmates and I came out really strong, independent women with good values and the ability to stand shoulder to shoulder with others and feel confident.
What is one thing that you know now that you wished you had known 15 or 20 years ago?
I have a best friend, and she is so productive, such an over-achiever. I have learned a lot from just watching her. When she makes mistakes, she just stands up, brushes herself off, and then either tries it again or moves on. I really admire her ability to overcome things. She came to the United States with her life savings of $300, and now she owns several houses and care homes. She is definitely a calculated risk-taker. She also taught me to take action on my decisions, not just decide and do nothing about it.
Are you a perfectionist?
Very much so! I have learned that in some things, good enough is good enough, but there are areas where it helps to be a perfectionist. In Healthcare for example, I am very specific about how I want things to go. In contrast, let’s say I’m making an airline reservation, and I put in the wrong date, then invert the destination and departure cities. You can’t beat yourself up about things like this. You didn’t do it on purpose.
Being a loving mother and teacher has been a huge role in your life. Tell me about your daughters.
They are my pride and joy. I thoroughly enjoy them both. They were born here in California, and before high school they moved to the Philippines and now live there part of the year. I fly back and forth between California and Cebu as often as I can to visit them. They both sing and dance and were involved in the performing arts growing up. Both went on to film school. Amanda, my younger daughter, together with Henrick James Pestaño, compose original songs, record and perform with their band Intertwined. My older daughter Christina went on to nursing school, and together with Daniel Westmoreland, is working on licensing and operating a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly in California. She is also in the performing arts, also sings and is an artist who enjoys doing special effects makeup. They are so productive, and they make me productive. They were both born with a creative spirit. My role is that I recognized it and nurtured it, and not get in the way of their creativity but they are also supportive of me and my journey to reinventing and embracing myself as a unique woman.
What are some things you are passionate about in life?
My family and friends. It makes me happy when friends and family get together. Even more so when we play music music and sing. It’s nice to know the younger generation is continuing the family tradition of making music and performing in public. I also love to read.
Is there a book with which you were impressed that I should read?
I listen to audiobooks. I can just put something on and work while listening. I love anything by Abraham-Hicks, like Ask and It Is Given and The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent. Also, the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. It turned my world upside down. Everything happens in the Now. Nothing happens in the past or the future. You have one life to live, and you make your decisions in the Now. You do it Now.
How do you center yourself and make the most of a tough situation?
From Abraham-Hicks I learned that we usually discover what we want from experiencing the contrast of what we don’t want. I am motivated by my desire to feel good. People say, ‘If you are depressed go talk to Liz, she doesn’t see problems as problems. She’ll always find the good in it.’ It’s like the song, Hey Jude, ‘…then begin to make it better.’ There are always fires to put out everywhere. Whatever and however tough situations may be, I believe they are temporary challenges and everything works out in the end. God provides. Always. So I just say, let my life be a prayer.
Who or what is your inspiration?
My mom and my kids. They influence me to live my best life.
CREATIVE TEAM
ELIZABETH FERNANDEZ Creative Team
Writer: TAMARA GORMAN
Photographer: VINCENT GOTTI
Photo Assistant: RONALD GARCIA
Art Director: ALEJO ANTONIO MONDEJAR
Fashion Director: JACQUELINE JALA
Fashion Stylist: CARMEN ZETA
Make-Up Artist: MONIQUE JARAMILLO-SENERES
Hair Stylist: SOPHIA CURIA
Featured Fashion Designer: JERRICK MACASOCOL
Clothes Provided By: PAMELA NG , JASUTIN EIN , VIDA FAUSTINO , and FOREVER 21
Accessories: Matthew & Melk, and MADE FINAS
Shoes Provided by: ROCK and ROSE
Location: SOFITEL Philippine Plaza Hotel