The Magic | The Brace Effect

THE MAGIC BY ROBERT BRACE
KELA STEPHANIE ANGELIQUE JEANINE CASSANDRA

Dedicated to my beautiful queen, Dawn
and my two chocolate princesses, Amber and Jordyn.

The Magic
This book is about a celebration of why: why every Black woman and
girl needs to celebrate her body, see her body, love her body, embrace
her body, and be comfortable just being her best, authentic self in her
own skin.
It is a celebration of self-love, self-care, and what happens when we
decide to give ourselves the best of ourselves. It is encouragement to
protect the temple that houses the soul within you.
magic
[maj-ik]
noun
an extraordinary power or influence seemingly from a supernatural source.
There is an untouchable, unexplainable, ethereal quality that every
Black woman has that cannot be expressed in words.
That’s The Magic.
It’s in your walk, your talk, your smile, your presence, the way you
move, and your natural state of being. You set trends, change culture,
innovate style, support communities, push boundaries. You protect us,
nurture us, encourage us, and make us proud.
This is my celebration of The Magic that every Black girl brings into
this world, told through images of some of my clients and friends who
are all icons and legends in their own right. They all have a story and a
journey. They have all transformed their bodies and continue to walk
the path of wellness and wellbeing. My desire is that in their stories
you will see your own potential, grace, strength and beauty, and that
you will embrace your own, very special, Magic.
Robert Brace
Psalm 139:14

My body is flawsome.
All of its flaws— is what makes it
awesome. I don’t remember a time when
I was not in love with my body, other than
when I wasn’t at my best or didn’t feel like
I looked my best. I’ve always loved my body
for everything that it is and is not.
KELA
What’s frustrating is that Black women’s
bodies are not celebrated or highlighted in
the media until a woman that is not Black
has those same features—and then the
big butt, big lip, curves are celebrated, but
those are features that are forever and
will always be associated with the Black
woman’s body.
I take care of my body because it is
the only one I have and it is my temple.
Wellness means making sure that I’m well
both on the inside and the outside. What
are you waiting for? You only have one
body. So often we put it off for others
because Black women have, for a long
time, been the ones that are taking care of
everybody else. So I encourage all Black
women to take care of themselves.
Embrace your body, good, bad, and
different— it is yours; love it for all that it
is and all that it isn’t, because once you love
it you’ll find that so many others will love
it too.
Kéla Walker

THE BRACE EFFECT ISN’T SOMETHING THAT CAN SIMPLY BE PUT INTO WORDS AND ADJECTIVES. IT’S A FEELING,
AN ENERGY... THE RESULT OF HARD WORK AND THE TENACITY OF A STRONG, HEALTHY SELF CURATED
BY THE ONE AND ONLY ROBERT BRACE WHO YOU CAN TRUST TO GUIDE YOU TO YOUR BEST SELF.

Stephanie
I take care of my body
because it is the foundation of who I am.
I feel powerful after a good workout; I cannot do the things that I want
to do in this world—reach my goals and succeed and make any sort of
impact — if my body is not strong. It’s the foundation for everything
that I do.
It wasn’t always as easy as it sounds. Loving my body was hardest when
I recently put on twenty-nine pounds, but I have found that my body is
strong, resilient and tough.
All Black women’s bodies are amazing. We are starting to see diversity
in representation from former First Lady Michelle Obama to Misty
Copeland, and the list goes on and on.
If you have not embraced your wellness journey you don’t even know
what you’re missing! From just feeling positive on a daily basis to
releasing your stress, to being the best that you can be for yourself, for
your community, for your family and your career. Wellness means a mind,
body, and soul at peace and at ease.
Stephanie Young

THE BRACE EFFECT IS A GAME CHANGER. YOU’LL FIND THE SUPPORT, MOTIVATION AND ENERGY TO CONQUER
YOUR FEARS AROUND TRANSFORMING YOUR BODY AND LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE!

I had a hard time loving my body when I was
in the throes of a psoriasis flare up— that’s
the skin condition I have; it’s an autoimmune
condition. I also have a scar on my face, so at
times, it has been very hard to love my body.
I fell in love with my body when I accepted
all of my flaws and started seeing things to
love about it.
I love that I’m tall,
that I can run. I ran a
half marathon a couple of years ago. I love
that my body can do all these things—that I
can set a goal and my body can achieve it.
ANGELIQUE
THE BRACE EFFECT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A WORKOUT. IT INSPIRES YOU, UPLIFTS YOU, AND EMPOWERS YOU SO
THAT YOU CAN BE YOUR BEST SELF.
Initially I took care of my body for the
aesthetics and just to look good, but as I get
older… it’s for survival: to feel better, to
look better, to be healthy; to prevent all the
diseases that can plague Black women my
age. I am fifty-one. So that’s why I do it now.
Wellness means being healthy, being well in
every aspect of your life. Most people think
it’s just something you do with your body
physically, but it’s emotional, mental… it’s all
those things. Accept your self and body for
what it is, but remember that there is always
room for improvement.
Angelique Miles

Jeanine
I fell in love with my body in high school when I ran track,
and I learned that my body could get me places fast.
I did have a hard time loving my body
when I was pregnant and right after I was pregnant. It was a difficult moment.
But now I love my legs, I love my arms, I even love the shape of my head!
My body is beautiful!
Wellness to me means being of sound body and sound mind,
to be physically fit but also mentally fit.
I take care of my body so that I can live as long as I can
and enjoy the people I love.
I feel the most confident when I’m with my sister-friends,
my children, and with my family or when I’m doing something that I love,
which is in the spirit and focus of Black women.
My message to all Black women who haven’t yet embraced
their body and their wellness journey is this:
You only have one life and this is it,
so you better get into it, love it,
get your body right, and go for it!
If there’s one thing I believe in my heart to be true,
it is that all Black women’s bodies are strong.
Jeanine Liburd

THE BRACE EFFECT IS THE ULTIMATE AND PERFECT COMBINATION OF MIND, BODY AND SOUL THAT POWERS THE BEST ME!

CASSANDRA
I am falling in love with my body more and more each day.
I FEEL MOST POWERFUL
WHEN I AM PUSHING MY
BODY TO THE LIMITS,
challenging myself and watching my body respond. After giving birth
to two girls, working full time, and finding no time for self care, I was
having a hard time loving myself. The change came when I decided
to take care of my body first and foremost for myself, then for my
family, and staying active with my girls.
To the beautiful Black women who haven’t embraced wellness yet, I
say, take one small step each day. Take it one day at a time, and over
time you will build up healthy habits, strength, resilience, and feel
powerful.
Wellness means being healthy, being happy, being fulfilled, and also
being strong. We all deserve that!
Cassandra Metz

THE BRACE EFFECT IS STRENGTH, GRACE AND CONFIDENCE. THE BRACE EFFECT IS ALSO LOVE.
IT EMBRACES YOU AND ONLY WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU.

Robert Brace
Wellness expert, ballet dancer, ordained pastor and
motivational speaker. Robert has been transforming
the bodies of Black women for many years. From
women in business, media and entertainment to
everyday fitness enthusiasts, Robert seeks to uplift
and inspire everyone to take care of their temples
and live their best life.
He is the creator of many fitness programs from
his signature 28-Day Challenge to his online ballet
workouts and faith-based wellness workshops. He has
been a featured expert on TV shows, online, and in
print media.
Robert and his team train his upscale clientele in his
exclusive fitness studio in SOHO, New York.
Robert resides in Riverdale, NY with his wife Dawn,
and two daughters, Amber and Jordyn.
www.TheBraceEffect.com
Contributors
Photography: Justin Forbes
Design: Jung Ah Suh
Editor: Elena Romero
Production Assistant: Sharon Parks
Special Thanks to Camara Aunique