Life Lovers Magazine April 2021

LET’S ENJOY THE JOURNEY
APRIL 2021 | Nº3
MAGAZINE
Places to love:
Kenya
How to feel
at home away
from home
The weight of
your mental
health
WWW.LIFELOVERSMAG.COM
THE JOURNEY - PLACES TO LOVE - WORK IT - BUCKET LIST - THE COACH - FOODGASMS - PLAY

LET’S ENJOY THE JOURNEY
WWW.LIFELOVERSMAG.COM

CONTENTS
09
Places to love:
Orlando
13
The Journey:
The weight of your
19
The Journey:
How to feel at home
away from home
27
Work it!:
Is never too late to
start over
35
The Coach:
Train more,
enjoy life more
41
Play:
Oscars 2021 Special
The award for Best motion
05
Places to love:
Kenya
mental health
23
Work it!:
Choosing a traveller’s life
over a more “ordinary” one
31
The Coach:
Being lost made me
found myself
38
Bucket list:
Hiking
picture goes to...
47
Foodgasm:
Hachis Parmentire, Pastel de
Papas or Shepherd’s Pie

Letter from the Editor
ERASING BORDERS
With April's arrival, the spring season
started for one half of the world and
Autumn for the other half, proving that
we can all be so far away, living in such
different cultures, yet still having the
same experience. Even apart, we share
the same feelings, growing the same
need to keep exploring and discovering
this beautiful world while learning to
know ourselves more.
Under this realization, I'm super excited
to present an issue that travels from
Kenya to Orlando in the states, going
through the entertaining Oscars' season,
recipes, workout routines, and valuable
tips to guide a career change.
All of the above comes together to join
the inspiring stories of travellers and
their achievements and struggles while
putting on the table mental health as a
topic that still needs way more attention.
not know about a place or have found yourself
struggling, not realizing that somewhere
in this world, someone is going through what
you're going through. That's empowering and
so motivating.
BE A LIFE LOVER.
LET’S ENJOY THE JOURNEY!
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?
If you want to collaborate with Life
Lovers Magazine, please feel free to
email us at hello@lifeloversmag.com.
On the other hand, please also reach out
to us on our social media if what'll read
today gets to you and you want to share
your concerns. We're here for you.
Like that, this issue unites writers from
Europe, North and SouthAmerica and
Africa, connecting their need to use
their voices and share their stories, reaching
readers from all over the globe
that could be going through the same.
It's fascinating that the chances of connection
we have today allow us to feel
linked even though we're far away. It
makes it possible to connect our amazing
writers with you, who might
Little Chilean
Editor Life Lovers Magazine
Life Lovers Magazine
3º edition: april 2021
© Life Lovers Magazine
www.lifeloversmag.com
Editor: Gabby Oyarzún R.
Designer: Bárbara Oyarzún R.
3

Places to love
Kenya
May Wairimu
/thatnicte
Blog: www.thatnicte.wordpress.com

Its vast white sandy beaches
She's beautiful, voluminous, rich and takes pride in herself. Her grandeur surprises many when
they lay their eyes upon her splendour. People have even been named after her, and most carry
an admiration for her that is unmatched. Many ask what's her name and how she became so well
known. What is her name, you ask? Kenya!
The truth is no picture can fully capture her beauty, even though many photographers and painters
have tried. Its vast white sandy beaches are mainly what will draw you to Kenya, and for a
good reason. Once you see it, you'll hear them calling you to sit down and take in its warmth.
When visiting this beautiful land's coastal
region, you cannot miss the beautiful beach
sunrises that wake you up with a kiss and the
dolphin spotting excursion. Which will allow
you to witness their social nature, as well as
their majestic dives up-close when snorkelling
in the marine park.
Kenya plays host to the rolling tea plantations
that paint the scenery canvas in all
shades of green while keeping the landscape
under its warm embrace. Driving through
these tea plantations on a lazy Sunday afternoon
and then settling down by the roadside
for a picnic is a sure way to connect with the
beautiful outdoors.
6

You want to see Maasai Mara
Finally, you cannot deny yourself the experience of going to the Maasai Mara. The
"8th wonder of the world" is famous for its beauty, with the open savannah as a
welcomed distraction from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The 5-hour drive to get there includes spectacular views of the Great Rift Valley's
from the bottom and an even more splendid one while standing in the heart of it
all. It spreads its magnificence in 7 countries, and we are glad to witness its rarity
up close.
If you want to catch the wildebeest
migration, then be sure to visit
in July or August. You may have
the privilege of having an
open-car ride in the heart of
Maasai Mara, watching the
Elephants and Zebra walk close
by. The majestic lions could treat
you to a front-row seat during
their hunt, as well.
Take a trip to the hippo sanctuary
and wait for the wildebeest dance
across the savannah. After being
enchanted by this view, you can
watch the sunset on the African
savannah that paints the sky with
a golden yellow halo.
I hope your path leads you to my
beautiful country, and you can
experience these beauties for
yourself.
“you can experience
these beauties for
yourself...”
7

8

Places to love
Orlando
The magic of its Theme Parks
Orlando is the kind of city we fantasize about
going to when we're kids before we even knew that
travelling the world would become our "adult-life"
dream. With Disney's town-sized theme parks, to
Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Marvel inspired rides
and experiences, visiting this USA city will make
your childhood dream come true from minute one.
Set in the state of Florida, this city is only an hour
flight away from Miami, two and half hours from
New York and 5hours flying from California –on
the other side of the country.
Orlando constantly welcomes tourists
from all over the world and for good reasons.
You can find no less than 15
theme parks –Yes! As if one wasn't
enough– including Magic Kingdom,
Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios
Florida, Disney's Animal Kingdom,
Disney's Hollywood Studios and
Epcot.
This last one is actually dedicated to
international culture and tech innovation,
holding World Fair's inspired
events with markets filled with drinks
and food from all over the world. Its
name stands for The Experimental Prototype
Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT),
pretty cool, right? It's a small little
world on its own and, definitely, one that
deserves a visit.
Little Chilean
/gaby.o
Little Chilean
/gaby.o
9

If this hasn't made you start looking for flights
to the States (or within) for the near
future –or in less tricky months or years–,
well, I can tell you that you won't want to
miss what follows.
10
10

15 theme
parks
You'll find rollercoasters with drops
of up to 200-foot, speeding up to 73
miles per hour; as well as 4D and 3D
experiences that will make you feel
like you're right there next to your
favourite superheroes, falling down
your broom in a Quidditch match or
diving deep down in the ocean.
The ticket prices for the theme parks
for a one-day admission costs on
average 95 USD, although you can
always get deals for a few days to go
to as many as you want, making it
way cheaper on each entrance.
11

“...will make you feel
like you're right there
next to your
favourite superheroes,
falling off your broom
in a Quidditch match
or diving deep down
in the ocean”.
Orlando, like many other cities in Florida,
also has a few Outlet stores for those shopaholics.
You will also find fascinating cultural
spots like the Orlando Museum of Art
and Dr Phillips Center for the Performing
Arts and a few convention centres holding all
kinds of events.
Finally, its nightlife doesn't have anything to
envy other metropolitan cities, as the bars
and clubs located in Downtown Orlando will
give you enough options to make sure you
drink all the adrenaline you gather throughout
the day.
12
12

The weight of
your mental
health
Nicky Goslow
/nickygoslow
13

The Journey
I never really called by its name. I
guess I wasn't even aware of the
concept itself nor the symptoms.
When the first panic attack hit me, I
was walking home by myself in
Melbourne, where I lived as part of
my year abroad in Australia.
"I can feel my room
getting smaller.
I'm very scared’.
I pressed send and
the nightmare began”
I remember how weird I've been
that day and how I couldn't understand
what was going on. I was just
pretty... off; so off that I even
pushed myself to go out for dinner
after work, as food usually cheers
me up, but even that didn't work.
As soon as I left the restaurant, I
felt my heart rate rising. "Is this
how a heart attack feels?", I wonder
concerned, while trying to speed up
to get home faster. It was dark and I
was walking by myself on a very
lonely street and I didn’t understand
what was happening to my
brain and my heart.
The journey felt longer than usual.
When I got home, I ran upstairs to
my room to lay down and try to
breathe normally again. I was finally
in my safe place, but I didn't
feel safe at all, and the anxiety was
growing bigger inside of me.
I messaged a friend who was in
Sydney and said: "I don't know
what's going on, but I feel very distressed
and I just want to cry... It's
also really hard to breathe, and I
can feel my room getting smaller.
I'm very scared". I pressed send and
the nightmare began.
14

Travelling and living
inside of my head
Right now, four years after that day,
I can't remember the situation pretty
well, but I do recall that tears didn't
stop until an hour later and I felt like
my heart was about to leave my
body. I felt trapped and hopeless all
of a sudden, and I was shaking and
disoriented. It was my room, but I
didn’t feel myself. Why couldn't I
control this sensation of panic, as I
usually could control myself?
After that episode, I felt exhausted
and restless, which lasted for a good
couple of days. I didn't tell many
people about it; I didn't want to
sound like too much of a drama-queen
or something. But the
truth is that these kinds of experiences
happen more often than we
would want them to. They can be
so silent that it makes it quite hard
to spot them out on time.
Later on, I'd found out that what
happened to me was a panic attack,
which is clinically described as a
sudden episode of intense fear that
triggers severe physical reactions
when there's no real danger or apparent
cause. They can be very frightening
and you may think you're losing
control, having a heart attack or
even dying. For me it was a little bit
of all of those, plus the fear of not
knowing what it was or if it was
going to end at some point.
Over the years, I've discovered that
at least a quarter of my friends –back
home and travellers too– have experienced
a situation like the one I had.
Others now understand even that
their constant sense of fear (mostly
about things that haven't even
happened yet) is actually called
"anxiety". To be fair, it’s something
quite new for me too.
15

Photo: Clay Banks
When I was in Chile, I constantly struggled with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Every
time I stressed about uni assessments, big meetings at work or even about any sort of
family issues, I could feel my belly growing faster and could be totally bloated in a matter
of seconds. When I moved overseas, my body started to relax, but my head began to spin
in a way that I've never experienced before.
Personally, I think my panic attacks are way more scary than my anxiety itself, even when
the panic attacks don’t happen as often as my anxious episodes of overthinking and worrying
about anything.
The way I see it, panic attacks take everything away from you, leaving you absolutely
empty and naked, while anxiety tells you that everything is against you, increasing the
personal pressure you put on yourself on a daily basis. That’s the way I see it and try to
differentiate them from each other.
16

Not all that glitters is gold
It's difficult to think about your mental
health getting worse when you're
travelling because from the outside it
looks like you're having the time of
your life. How can it be when you're
visiting gorgeous beaches, hiking
through breath-taking mountains or
partying with the most diverse and
cool kinds of people you've ever met
before?
I mean, how can you ever feel miserable
when you're "living the dream"?
How could it be when you look so
happy on that last post on your Instagram?
It doesn't make any sense… but
it does, and it happens more often and
to more people than we might think,
unfortunately.
In my experience, anxiety can grow bigger
when you struggle to find a job out of your
career field –one of those "backpacker jobs"
you know– and when you don't have enough
money to pay rent that week but still have to
pretend to be alright while Facetiming your
parents.
The truth is, anxiety, panic attacks and other
mental health issues don’t show up in the
middle of your face like a massive red pimple
does. This is quieter and more silent. It
doesn't want everyone to see it; it's just for
you to feel it.
It also shows up when you want to stay where
you are but only have two months left on
your visa, or when you get kicked out of the
place you were renting just three weeks
before Christmas (true story). And it also
shows up when the time to face past events
arrives, even when you're thousands of kilometres
away and trying to feel safe again.
17

“How could it be when
you look so happy on that
last post on your Instagram?”
At this exact moment, in the middle of a pandemic,
these feelings increase as uncertainty has become
the new reality. Not knowing when it's going to stop
or when will we be able to live as we used to, freaks
us out whether we want it to or not.
Personally, when my anxiety goes up and it feels like
the weight of the world is getting too heavy to carry
it all by myself, has helped me a lot to be around my
friends and family (even if it's over the phone) and
keeping myself busy with meditation and hobbies
that I enjoy, like painting and reading. But that
doesn't dissolve the issue, not to me at least.
My next step will be therapy because I feel like I
need it to get through this. It might be a long way to
go, but I'm willing to take the chance to try to give
myself a little bit of peace. If you're dealing with
anxiety and/or panic attacks, remember you're not
alone and that there's help out there; connect with
those who might be able to give you a hand. In the
meanwhile, be kind to yourself; you're a worthy and
strong human being.
18

The Journey
How to feel at
home away from
home
You decided to move abroad, leaving behind your family and friends and
everything familiar to you to go on a new adventure, to another country. Even
though you are very excited, you are also scared but, don't worry, it's more
common than you might think, which is why I want to share some tips to help
you feel at home, even when you're away.
Veerle Beelen
/unpackbyveer
19

“I realized something
that changed everything
for me”
When you start travelling, you wonder if you
will ever feel at home in your new country,
afraid that you might get homesick after a while
and simply never get used to it.
In the past 10 years, I've lived in 4 different
countries and travelled to many more, and these
thoughts have crossed my mind more than once,
too.
This feeling goes away sooner than you realize;
however, to get that at-home feeling sooner, if
you want, you can follow some habits that have
helped me along the way.
I've always wondered how I could feel at home
outside of my home country and what does
'home' mean to me in the first place. I was raised
in the Netherlands, but it never really felt like
'home' to me; I kept asking myself "why", and I
even felt a little bit guilty about it. How could I
feel this way when, you know, I grew up there?
“When looking for a
feeling of home,
it can also help to
do things that
are familiar to you”
20

Throughout my years of travelling, I began to
focus more on my mindset, developing my
self-awareness and intuition. I started looking
inside more often, instead of whichever city I
was living in at the moment. And then, I realized
something that changed everything for me: the
home I had been looking for was always there.
However, it was not a place; home was inside me.
It's not a place, it's a feeling
During my travels, my home had always been
there. While finding my way in different cities,
adjusting to new cultures, learning languages,
and meeting people from all over the world.
I always wondered how everyone else did it until
I found out by myself. I stopped seeking for a
destination to call home, and that's when I found
it within. Everything else started aligning after
that.
Now, you might wonder how to really feel at
home instead of trying to find a home as a location.
Well, that's easier than what you think, as
long as you truly listen to what you feel.
When you move somewhere new and try to find
your way, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the
impressions and new perspectives. It's okay to
take your time to figure out what you like and
don't about your new destination. Reflect on the
activities or items you enjoyed before you started
travelling and see if you can find these kinds of
things in the new destination as well.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't try anything
new. No, not at all. I do think it's great to get out
of your comfort zone! It's an excellent way to get
to know yourself even better. However, when
looking for a feeling of home, it can also help to
do things that are familiar to you and feel connected
with you to stay true to yourself and the
things you enjoy doing.
For example, when I moved to Australia, I continued
salsa dancing, which I had been doing for
many years because it gives me joy and helps me
connect with myself and others. I was trying to
find ways to feel balanced instead of entirely lost
in my new environment, and it was working little
by little.
21

Be open-minded
Culture shock is highly common when you move somewhere new. What helps is to be open-minded
and flexible towards everything that comes your way, because there are many unexpected
aspects of moving to another country or travelling in general!
CONNECTION WITH YOURSELF
Travelling definitely made me more resilient.
Like everything in life, things don't always go
exactly the way you want them to, but that's
okay. As long as you focus on finding solutions
towards whatever obstacles come up and
learn from your new experiences, you can
make your move abroad a success and feel at
home wherever you are. Use the challenges
and struggles you go through as lessons during
your life's journey.
One of the most important things for me was
to realize that I always have my own back.
Whenever I feel lost or disconnected from my
surroundings while being in a new place, I
turn back into myself.
When you tune in with how you feel in the present
moment, you can make a deeper connection
with yourself that helps you create a feeling of
home from within. Whether you call this your
inner voice, intuition, inner self, or something
else, it doesn't matter. You know it's there when
you feel it.
Some things that helped me find this connection
within myself are meditation, visualization,
yoga and journaling. It doesn't really matter
what you do; it's about how it makes you feel.
Try out new things or do something that you
have always enjoyed in the past, and see how it
impacts you.
Even though home is a feeling and not a place, I
believe that some areas may make it easy to find
a sense of home straight away. For example, I
feel much more connected to myself and the
world when I'm close to the sea. I'm sure everyone
has their own magical place that resonates the
most with them, whether it's the sea, the mountain,
a small village or a big city. What is it for
you?
It's a challenge to find out how you can create a
feeling of home away from 'home' for yourself.
Just remember that you can find it wherever you
are, as long as you tune in with what you feel,
connect with yourself, be open-minded and
enjoy the journey at your new home.
22

“Now, in my 50's,
I can definitely confirm
that travel does truly
ignite an energetic spiral,
a sort of magic that can be
vital for your personal growth”
Work it!
Choosing a traveller's
life over a more
"ordinary" one
Michela Fantinel
/rockytravel
www.magicfifty.com
23

Curiosity has always been a trigger in crucial
life-changing decisions and in everything I do.
It's the engine of my life. But I also believe
that curiosity is the essence that nourishes our
soul and spirit and the foundation for anything
else we build upon.
How I experience travel as a whole, it's widely
founded by curiosity, becoming second nature
to me. But, if you don't have it as an innate
skill, you can develop it over time, too, and
turn it into the nourishment that will guide you
towards the right decisions in life. Which may
be to leave everything behind and start a
traveller's life, like I did.
It's this same keen curiosity and courage to
dare and explore all "unknown" that spurred
me to move a while back, leaving my corporate
life behind. I started with moving to Austria,
then the UK to study and then, later on,
became an expat in Germany for 12 years.
I realized the world looks and feels way
friendlier out there when you're truly experiencing
it. Much better than when you try to
figure it out just in your imagination.
Travelling and leaning into the unfamiliar was
a big eye-opener to me. It showed me a world
of opportunities that I would've never had if I
had chosen the life inside, what I call, the
"glass bubble". Feeling encapsulated and
trapped in a premade sterilized environment is
neither friendly nor unfriendly; it's just something
we're directed to as part of society, and
that didn't serve me.
Curiosity strikes
again
Working in corporate life is something I loved
for many years. That proved to be a fantastic
way to learn and grow both personally, socially
and professionally; I won't deny it.
But then, I felt my curiosity pushing through
with a call I couldn't ignore any more. I had to
give my thirst for experience and exploring the
unknown a chance again and, because I always
(almost) trust my instincts and let them guide
me, it ended up winning over having a good
job, security, financial stability and all those
other goals we're supposed to search for in life.
I felt the need to embark on a "new and adventurous
journey" and embrace a less ordinary
path, the path of becoming a solopreneur. It has
not been smooth, though; on the contrary, it has
been a rocky ride with lots of trial and errors, a
real challenge that took me through the deep
valley of transformation. Was it worth it? Yes,
without any doubt.
I've been through all various stages, from peak
performance and high excitement to disappointments
and failures. Running your own
business is undoubtedly an entirely different
scenario than having an 8-5 job.
The biggest challenge is playing various roles
at the same time that require skill and dedication,
and oh! So much perseverance. You may
be good at some but not in all areas, and that is
where you need to get clarity from the beginning.
24
The key is to be honest with yourself to decide
what you want and can take on and what to
better delegate to others. This clarity is often
something we lack when we set up a business
–and while growing it– but having it will
become essential if you want to keep loving
your new entrepreneur life for the long ride.
This is where travelling tunes in, like a therapeutic
aid. A traveller's lifestyle is what I like
to call "the best life companion" because it
gives you a free treatment whilst helping you
declutter and see clearer.

The beginning of my solopreneur
On my first solo trip, I went to Australia. It
brought me massive clarity about what I
wanted to do next, after 12 years of living and
working in Munich. Then, in 2008 I felt stuck
again. Thankfully, during another solo trip, I
saw the light bulb shed light on creating a
solo travel website about Australia, and this
is when Rocky Travel was born.
Later on, I had countless moments of profound
intuition and inspiration that have fed my
self-confidence and showed me where to take
action or correct my direction. Now, in my
50's, I can definitely confirm that travel does
truly ignite an energetic spiral, a sort of magic
that can be vital for your personal growth.
When I look back to 2008, when I made this
smart move to launch my business, I can feel
emotional turmoil inside me. It pretty much
summarizes all the excitement, success,
setback and failure that have been a part of the
journey. Yet nothing makes me regret my
choice.
Leaving my job as a manager in a traditional or
standard work-life involved all of these moments.
Still, it's also been the empowering part
of my adventure, and it belongs to it; it's an
experience, and we should embrace all of them
as such.
As long as you keep your mind open, be honest
with yourself and listen to your feelings,
adjust and correct your actions towards them;
staying true to your values and worthiness,
tuning into what serves you and what doesn't,
you will always feel good. It'll make you feel
brave and smart enough to keep going your
way and take your life to the next level. Don't
let fear keep you from it.
25

About Michela
Michela is a solopreneur who swapped a life
of a manager for a less ordinary life. She is the
founder and owner of Rocky Travel, a travel
site for women travelling alone in Australia
and Italy. In 2021 she launched Magic Fifty to
help other women over 50 go through their
discovery journey and take their lives to the
next level.
26

Work it!:
Is never too late to
change career paths:
The importance of being true to yourself
Life Lovers Magazine
/lifeloversmag
We're trained to follow a traditional
life path: school, university,
marriage, kids. No room to
change our minds or do-overs,
and little to question it too;
they forgot to mention that
having one career path for the
rest of our lives might not be
for everyone. Still, it's perfectly
OK to reconsider your
current job and here's why, and
how to spot the signs that it is
time to try something new.
-
When we consider that we
choose our profession, career
or field when we're on average
around 17 years old, it sounds
like a very young age to be
setting the roadmap for the rest
of our lives.
Still, the good news is that
nowadays, it's getting more and
more common to change career
fields, swap courses or majors
while studying and even drop
out. But, because having these
sudden changes of heart when
it comes to our job is still perceived
as a problem, we think
more than twice before making
that decision, regardless of how
unhappy we might be.
27

Love what you do
Here's when the problem starts because a
job is far from being just "what pays the
bills". It can actually become a crucial part
of who you are, as well as the essence of
making you happy, which is why you should
be able to –and actually have to– work doing
whatever you want and wherever you feel
like it.
It's a shame that the fear of taking risks,
being judged or going against traditions
society added hundreds of years ago –the
world has changed a bit since then if you
haven't noticed– stop you from doing something
exciting and astounding that can make
you feel so good.
Now it doesn't mean you have to start a
career-tryout frenzy, no matter the expenses
until something feels good. It simply means
that when you're choosing a job, you're
making an important decision about where
you'll spend a lot of your time and, how you
feel while doing it is the key to your own
happiness.
28

Regardless of if you're working in your own
entrepreneurship, your family's business,
supporting a company's vision that you
believe in or simply a fun environment,
when you love your job, you want to get up
and go to work, despite it being early in the
morning.
You enjoy doing it even when the pay is not
the best, even when it involves long commuting.
You just don't feel the downside of it
because you're having fun, you know you're
making a change, and you know you're helping
that business become something better.
And that's just priceless.
Making you rich in
many ways
When you decide to give something new a
try, you're expanding your horizons in so
many ways. You get to learn –no matter
what's the job– and live the thrill of a new
experience while also getting to know yourself
better along the way.
For all who love travelling, imagine the excitement
of arriving in a new place. It'll be scary in
a way but exciting and motivating in so many
others; It's the kind of push that's good for your
mind and soul.
It's the same when it comes to working. When
you don't play for a job you love, you deny your
true nature the chance to express itself, keeping
your real passion in its –sort of– cage, shutting
off the opportunity to share your true potential
and leaving some precious skills unused.
It is also painful for your wallet because your
productivity is affected. The truth is you perform
better when you're doing something you
love, the same way when we are running or
hiking in a place we love, we can go faster and
further. Remember that our brains are also muscles,
and we should respect them and treat them
with the same love as we'd do our whole bodies.
29

Your body will tell
you when it's time
Doing something that's draining you
mentally and physically can have its
symptoms. The bad mood is the easiest
sign to spot, as you're literally grumpy
all day. You may notice it on the way to
work or when you try to change the subject
every time someone wants to bring
work into the conversation. Just hearing
about it becomes a dread.
The truth is your outside is a reflection
of what's inside. When you do something
that makes you unhappy, your
body reacts by creating stress, affecting
your sleeping patterns, giving you
'belly' pain –even when you know your
eating habits haven't changed–, sudden
headaches, or even making you drink
more without reason (Yep! We've all
been there).
Missing the signs can be very harmful to
your health in general and make your
body feel burnout for no apparent
reason; you'll feel tired even on your
days off. Is the way your mind has to get
your attention.
Sometimes it could be enough to just
take a short holiday or to disconnect
more when you can; leave the city or
entirely forget about the job during a
few hours or days. It might not sound
like much, but it's the break you need,
and you'll feel the difference after. It's
about giving yourself the time is so
dearly missing.
When it's time to try something new
because you can't spend another week in
the same job, you'll feel a voice inside
you can't ignore anymore, telling you
it's unhappy; it's a message warning you
to stop and make a change.
When this happens, you have to listen
for your own good. Remember that
yours is the most important opinion you
have to listen to in your life, and when
you take the time to listen to yourself,
when you truly do, everything else will
work out perfectly.
30

The coach:
Being lost made
me found myself
Daniela B.
/lokah.yin
31

“...makes us reflect on
who we are, our relationships
and what we want in life”
Sometimes we go through moments that make us
reflect on who we are, our relationships and what
we want in life. These experiences may be responsible
for triggering feelings like sadness,
loneliness and anxiety, which can sometimes be
overwhelming, but they can also be a door to a
world of beautiful new things.
Our internal struggles tend to make us stop and
look for answers, trying to make sense of things
by focusing on the outside. We are so fixated on
the exterior that we forget most of it is being
nested in our minds. We might even start looking
for someone to blame or wonder what we
could’ve done to avoid it, creating a stream of
endless questions and thoughts that mess us up.
“So I began looking inside
and working on myself”
32
On this road, we start feeling emotions
that are usually considered "bad", and
what do we do about things we don't want
to see? We try and shut them down and
stop feeling them, of course, waiting for
it all to go away magically.
But in reality, that's not how we work,
unfortunately. We can't simply turn it off
and wait until it disappears. And this is
where we make the most common mistake,
because to feel, listen to ourselves
and deal with what's causing it all is
exactly what we need the most.
The funny thing is that all of it sounds so
simple and mechanical that we assume
it's happening already and rarely stop and
wonder if we're indeed truly embracing
our feelings and paying attention to that
little voice inside us. Usually not until
we face a moment when we feel so lost
that we don't know how to start over.

How does it feel?
Since I was little, I learned that many
of my emotions were not correct; therefore,
I had to avoid them. "If you cry
a lot, you are too sensitive", "if you
feel low, do something to forget about
it", or "if you do nothing, you are
lazy". Sadly, this is pretty recurrent,
and surely we've all been there at some
point too.
As time passed, life taught me that we
actually have to do the opposite, that
one of the most important things to be
calm is listening to ourselves. And for
everything on the outside to heal, I had
to first work on it from the inside;
everything I see around me lives inside
me.
Work on me,
my best decision
Three years ago, I decided to get out of
my comfort zone, searching for new
experiences and opportunities. I went
to live in another country where I
worked in jobs I never did before, learned
a new language, and met other cultures
and people from all over the
world. By then, something totally new
for me.
Even with all the changes going on, I
always felt protected and safe. I had a
partner and a long-lasting relationship
that I relied on and gave me a great
feeling of stability. Then one day, due
to different circumstances, this relationship
came to an end, and I felt like
someone pulled the rug from under my
feet.
It was challenging and painful. I was
on the other side of the world without
my friends and family, now feeling
small and unprotected, with all my
plans changed, feeling lost and not
knowing what to do.
33

And that's when it happened.
My outside world was so confusing
that focusing on it
wasn't helping at all. So I
began looking inside and working
on myself. It was undoubtedly
one of the most powerful
tools to find that peace and
tranquillity that I needed so
much at the moment. I realised
that this time around, my priority
had to be me.
Today I listen to myself more
So I began another kind of
trip, an internal journey full of
adventures, where I was
willing to give myself 100% to
it. On it, I started to work a lot
and save money that allowed
me to travel alone to many
corners of the world. Along
the way, I took meditation
courses and started practising
yoga –which I would've never
imagined when I used to be the
"lazy one".
And so, life began to align in
my favour. I started spending
hours in the parks admiring
nature, writing in my journal,
listening to music that brings
me peace and walking for long
hours. Just taking in all this
newly discovered beauty
whilst breaking down my own
beliefs little-by-little –or more
likely, my misconceptions. I
began to spend time with
myself and learned how good
this was for me.
Of course, there were grey
days filled with many fears,
but there were also those when
I didn't know if I was living or
dreaming; I was so happy and
pleased with myself. I realised
how far I've come, and I
couldn't believe everything I'd
achieved and done, just by
choosing to put myself first
and to listen to myself truly.
“I realised that
this time around,
my priority
had to be me”
Today
I
listen
to
myself
more
It was a roller coaster journey
of a thousand emotions.
But I always convinced
myself that I was
investing in something
bigger and that fear would
become my best ally, not
my obstacle. Today, I can
say that I respect my emotions;
I allow myself to feel
everything I have to feel. I
give myself my time and
space and remember that
everyone goes at their own
pace.
Now I understand that life
will always put you in
situations where you don't
know what to do. But
remember that the universe
wants the best for you; you
just have to allow yourself
to live and trust.
You're a world full of possibilities
yourself and
capable of doing
everything you set your
mind to. Just remember
that working on yourself is
the most essential piece of
this puzzle called life.

The coach:
Train more,
enjoy life more
16 minutes
full body workout
to get back in shape
If this 2020 has taught us anything, it is that
health, if not the most important, is one of
the most important things we have in life.
And as good Life Lovers that we are, we
must take care of our health to enjoy it to
the fullest.
We all know that a sedentary lifestyle is one
of the main enemies of health. Our bodies
are designed to be in motion, and muscles
require physical activation to stay strong.
In fact, following a proper basic sports routine
can prevent many diseases. Therefore,
one of the easiest ways to start taking care
of our health is by exercising.
Exercising daily brings us great benefits on
both a physical and mental level. First, it
brings bodily improvement, reduction of
pain, better rest and energy.
35
Stress reduction, enhancing our concentration
and mood and making us more productive,
improving our ability to squeeze the
most out of life and out of every second are
great consequences for our minds.
That is why I want to share with you a very
complete and straightforward training routine
that will allow you to stay in shape wherever
you go, using only your own body. I'll
show how to perform the training, which
we'll do in a circuit, doing one exercise
after another, and how to do each exercise
correctly.
Beto Trainer
/beto_trainer

1
Jumping jacks:
Body part to work: Legs and arms.
Technique: Keep your arms straight. Jump, opening
and closing your legs. Coordinate, when
legs are together, arms are down; when legs are
apart, the arms go up. Do it as fast as possible to
work cardiovascularly.
2 Squat:
Body part to work: Quadriceps, Buttocks
and to a lesser extent, the Ischiotibial (muscles
behind the quadriceps).
One of its main benefits is the increase in
strength in our lower body which makes us
faster. It will also help you improve balance,
reduce back pain and increase fat burning.
3Push-ups
Body part to work: Pectoral And Triceps.
Technique: We lie face down on the floor.
We rest our hands on the ground, at
"nipple'" level. With our feet slightly apart,
we lift our torso off the ground, pushing
ourselves with our arms and chest.
Tips:
- Avoid raising the ass or leaving the pelvis
down. When raising the torso for this, use
your abdominal muscles and squeeze the
buttock to maintain the straight position.
- Maintain the neutral head position facing
the ground and don't move it during the
exercise to avoid possible injuries.
- If it is very complex, start by supporting
yourself with your knees.
36
Technique:
Start standing with your knees open at shoulder
height (quadriceps activation) or broader
for a greater glute and hamstring activation.
Your weight should be distributed over the
entire surface of the foot; don't lift your heels
off the ground. The knees should remain in
line with the toes and not roll in or out.
Tips:
- Activate the core, try not to bend your spine
too much and place your arms in front of you
to maintain balance better.
- The depth of your squat will depend on your
mobility and flexibility limitations.

4 Stride
Body part to work: Legs
Technique: We start standing up, with the legs
slightly separated at hips width. At the beginning of
the movement, we must breathe in and make a stride
forward. Making a not very wide step forward, keep
your front leg at a 90º angle. Then, return to the
starting position and repeat with the opposite leg.
Tips:
- You can lean the torso slightly forward to reduce
stress on the knee and lower back while resting 75%
of your weight on the front leg and the remaining
25% on the back leg.
5
Abdominal
plank
Body part to work: Abdominals
Technique: Lying on your stomach, place your
elbows under your shoulders and rest your forearms
on the floor. Tighten your abdomen and lift your
body up, keeping your body in a straight line from
the heels to the head.
Feel the muscles of the entire core (trunk muscles)
activating, as well as the glutes, deltoids (shoulders),
arms and leg muscles.
Tips:
- Avoid arching your back, not to hurt the lower
back. The other common mistake is lifting the
buttocks. This error reduces the effectiveness of the
exercise and can cause overload on the shoulders.
- Avoid abdominal breathing. It is better to perform
diaphragmatic breathing (with the chest), so the
muscles remain active all the time of the exercise.
With this training, you will have worked the whole
body effectively in just
16 min! I recommend doing it 3 to 5 times per week.
Remember that the important thing to get benefits
over time is to be consistent with this routine instead
of looking for the "perfect" training. Now, let's get
back in shape!

Bucket list:
Hiking
Life Lovers Magazine
/lifeloversmag
38

One step after another, you walk, marvelled
by the landscape every minute. Being
surrounded by nature makes you happy, but
you know better than to underestimate it, as
it can also get dangerous. You're sweating
and exhausted, but you're excited, and that
can fuel any tired limb; you know the view
from the top will make it all worth it.
The magic of nature
connecting walks
39

It's rare to find someone that doesn't enjoy
hiking these days. Even proper city people
can feel the joy of fresh air from open
fields and breathtaking views. Well,
what's not to like, right?
How could you not, when it's the perfect
mix between training and tourism,
between photography and the best soundtrack
from your playlist, and between your
urge to disconnect and the connection you
make with nature. Its contradictions are
what makes the journey even more exciting.
It’s good for you
The possible dangers involved in hiking
might be an exciting addition, too, we must
admit, even when you're not hiking for days
or in a high-difficulty trail. You're wandering
in the middle of a forest –or beach or
mountain–, most of the time with no connection,
a reckless decision or a foot set
wrongly can easily hurt you.
But that shouldn't stop you. Just keep your
eyes open, making sure you carefully set
your foot in the ground, ensuring a good
grip, before keep going. A few meters later,
you might have rocks and trees to hold on to
as you work your way up to the top of the
mountain, to the next sector or on your way
back down.
If you're lucky enough, you'll get landscapes
that change throughout the hike, giving
you countless moments to admire nature
whilst getting a proper cardio session in.
The truth is, as if sightseeing wasn't already
a good enough reason to do it, hiking is an
excellent workout for your body and soul.
Walking on outdoor trails is a great way to
clear the mind and reduce anxiety. It quiets
the mind allowing you to zone in on your
breathing to a meditative state. Also, being
outside in the sunshine provides the body
with vitamin D. All in all, it's a natural
stress relief and an instant mood boost drug.
Let's go for a hike!
“the perfect mix betwenn
photography and the best
soundtrack...”
40

Play
Oscars 2021
Special
Nicky Goslow
/nickygoslow
The award for
Best Motion picture
goes to...
41

I remember watching movies since I was a
child; the first one was Aladdin (yeah, I'm a
90's kid) and the second one, The Lion King,
which made me cry every single time that I
watched it. I was 4 years old, and an animated
movie was able to make me feel sad
through the connection with little Simba
losing his dad forever.
Years later, while studying journalism, we
had some classes together with filmmaking
students; and I got to learn a little bit more
about direction, cinematography, editing
and sound mixing. My head was blown away
by all the little details that are a part of the
story and the whole process, but I've never
noticed before, and now, all of a sudden, I
couldn't ignore them.
I started to watch as many movies as possible,
about every topic. Then one year (I
think it was 2016), I decided to watch all the
Oscars nominees in the main categories.
This has become a tradition that I share with
my brother and best friends.
“My head was blown away by all the
little details that are part of the story”
Since then, wherever I go, I try to take people
with me to the cinema to enjoy the film together
and talk about it afterwards. Not even joking:
this is probably my favourite time of the year!
This year the list has 20 movies, and I already
watched 12, including all the nominated for Best
Picture of the Year. What I think about them as a
non-expert film lover, and which one is my
favourite to win the main category on the next
25th of April at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood,
California, is something I'll tell you in the next
couple of lines.
42

Mank:
The movie is a biographical film about the
screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his
process to write the movie "Citizen Kane",
the Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars in
1942. It's a Netflix original, and it's presented
in black and white to take you to the late
thirties, where the story happens.
"Mank" is like watching a wonderful play,
with performances that make you feel in a
different era. It has a neat direction under
David Fincher and a beautiful production
design but, I'm not going to lie, it felt dull,
and I only wanted it to be over. The story
missed me, and it gets pretty confusing over
the 132 minutes that it lasts. I wouldn't
watch it again… and I wouldn't recommend
it either (even when it has been nominated
for 10 Oscars).
Promising Young
Woman:
You can't be a human being and ignore this
movie. If you're a woman, it will also hurt
to watch because everybody can relate to a
situation or know somebody who has gone
through something shown in the movie.
The story is about Cassie, a woman who
frequents bars and clubs pretending she's
drunk, helpless and vulnerable, to seek for
those men willing to cross the line and
show their "bad habits". I don't want to give
more spoilers, but please, watch it and
think about it. You're going to feel uncomfortable,
sad, full of anger and willing to do
justice and change the world, and guess
what? WE WILL!
43

The Trial of the Chicago 7:
Even as a Netflix original, it does look a lot like a proper Hollywood one, probably because of
the very perfect and nicely done direction, but also because of a great cast that counts with
Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
This film is about 7 activists fighting for pacifism and ending the Vietnam War, who are accused
of conspiracy after the riots in Chicago in 1968. Personally, I loved this movie and the flashbacks
through which they tell you what has happened and how angry, involved, and helpless you feel
as a viewer while knowing that this is actually a true story.
Judas and the Black
Messiah:
This one probably has the best cinematography
of the season, hands down! The lights, colours,
and well-achieved scenes are probably the
most remarkable thing in this movie, added to
Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield's acting.
The latter being my favourite to win the Oscar
for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, even when
I know that Kaluuya will get that one.
The movie tells the story of Fred Hampton,
chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party,
and his faithful betrayal by FBI informant
William O'Neal (inspired by true events). This
is a compelling film, with outstanding performances,
and so authentic that you become part
of the story itself. Pay attention to the details
because this movie doesn't leave anything to
chance.
Sound of Metal:
It's the story of Ruben (Riz Ahmed), a heavy
metal drummer who loses his hearing from
one day to another and has to learn how to be
deaf as his condition will only get worse. It's
an Amazon Prime original nominated for 6
Oscars, including Best Leading Actor and
Achievement in Sound, which to me will
definitely be a win, as the whole movie is
about the meaning and the sensation of
sound in our daily lives.
The director Darius Marder doesn't let you
forget that this is the story of a troubled
mind constantly dealing with the loss of
something: his drug addiction, his passion
(music), his hearing, his beloved ones and
pretty much everything he touches and learning
how to live without it. It's intense, it's
different, and even when most of the movie
is relatively silent, you don't feel uncomfortable
with the silence itself. It's sublime!
44

Nomadland:
Frances McDorman is an absolute legend in
this movie, and it's definitely my favourite
to win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading
Role, as her performance is compassionate,
humble, inspiring and heartbreaking
at the same time; everything she does
and experiences is totally meaningful!
In Nomadland, Fern (Frances) becomes a
nomad after losing her husband, her job and
her home after the Great Recession, and
goes through different jobs while meeting
heaps of new people that take her on a journey
with herself and the world.
You see her struggling but also living and
learning wholesome life lessons. It's
brilliant in all its rawness and is a
must-watch with no doubts! Random fact:
Frances McDorman has become the first
woman (and eighth person) to receive
Oscar nominations in producing and acting
categories for the same film. WOHO! Go,
Frances!
Minari:
This is such a relatable story for every
immigrant in the world and every family
that has ever dreamt about having a better
life for themselves and their beloved ones.
Minari is the story of a Korean family
living in the States and moving to Arkansas
to start a farm and finally have their own
business.
Through the process, you see the parents
struggling with money and the lack of connections
and friends and all the efforts and
risks taken to finally reach the "American
dream".
45
The movie has a gorgeous amount of sentimentality,
taking you effortlessly from
laughs to tears, and it's incredibly tender
when it comes to childhood and connecting
with your roots, wherever you are. The
little boy and the grandmother (Yuh-Jung
Youn) are truly wonderful, and I honestly
think she should get the Oscar for Best
Actress in a Supporting Role because she is
INCREDIBLE.

The Father:
My personal favourite of the season, with
Anthony Hopkins as a brilliant protagonist
with dementia and a splendid Olivia Coleman
as his daughter. This film touches
every single cell of your body, and it
doesn't let you stay still.
Unbelievable as it may sound, Florian
Zeller hasn't been nominated for Best
Director, even when the whole movie is a
masterpiece. It shows excellent details,
outstanding direction, magnificent cinematography,
stunning script and a one-way
ticket ride through dementia and how this
might feel if you're the one dealing with it.
It's heartbreaking, remarkable, frustrating
and marvellous, all at the same time. So
please, watch it! You won't forget this
movie any time soon after doing so.
Honorary Mention:
"El Agente Topo", "The Mole Agent" in
English, is Maite Alberdi's documentary
competing in the category of Best Documentary
Feature. The Chilean documentary
tells the story of Mr Sergio, an 83 years old
who goes undercover in a nursing home to
check if another resident has been treated
well.
To be honest, I haven't seen any of the other
documentaries nominated, but this one…
Oh, people. You'll cry your eyes out even if
you're a tough cookie. It's funny, genuine,
sad and heartbreaking, so you'll experience
a proper rollercoaster while watching it,
and you will probably think a lot about
ageing and your grandparents. It's a
must-watch with a box of kleenex right
next to you.
46

Foodgasms
‘Hachis Parmentier’,
‘Pastel de papas’ or
‘Shepherd's Pie’
Life Lovers Magazine
/lifeloversmag

The vegan version of an international recipe that has been delighting homes all over
the world for centuries. Regardless of where you were told it comes from, chances are
it was part of sunday’s or winter’s menu and everyone loved it. The best part is that it
can be easily turned into a vegan meal, just as good.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 kg of cooked potatoes
- 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 ½ cup of soy protein (around 300gr)
- 1 carrot (or your choice of a frozen mix of
chopped veggies)
- Vegan cheese (or normal one for a
vegetarian version)
- 1 tablespoon of vegan meat stock (or
Vegan meat flavoured powder)
- 1 teaspoon of chilli powder (Merken or
your spice of choice)
- Salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Let’s start!
1. Cut the potatoes in half and pour them into a pot full of water. Boil over medium-high
heat, add salt and cook for 20 minutes.
2. Put the soy protein in water in a separate bowl, just enough to cover it, and leave it on
the side.
3. Then, prick the potatoes to see if they are soft, which means they're ready. Drain them
and return them to the pot, where you can start grinding them with a fork or masher and
mix them with the vegan butter or the replacement of your choice—season with salt and
pepper to taste.
4. For the mince: Add oil to a pan and sauté the onion with the garlic.
Add the chilli powder, salt and pepper to taste.
Drain whatever water is left in the soy protein bowl and add it to the mix. Add the vegan
stock, assorted veggies and constantly stir until the mince gets a darker colour.
5. Assemble the potato cake in a glass baking container or pyrex. We recommend using a
bit of cooking spray or vegan butter to protect the container.
Add the mince, spreading it to cover all the bottom.
Add the mash on top, creating a thick layer.
6. Finally, cover with the cheese to give it a gratin look.
Take it to the oven for 15 minutes to take a little colour, and the cheese melts.
And tadá! You have your vegan version of Shepherd's pie...or Hachis Parmentier, Pastel
de papas or whatever you want to call it. Enjoy!
48

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