Author: Mercedes Cardona

Women Who Inspire: Christy Haubegger

By Mercedes Cardona

(Photo Courtesy of CAA Speakers) NAME: Christy Haubegger AGE: 45 OCCUPATION: Executive, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and founder of Latina magazine WHO SHE IS: In 1996, long before publishers knew that putting J. Lo or Sofia Vergara on the cover would sell a magazine, the then 28-year-old law school graduate tried to fill the gap in the mass media by launching a publication aimed at U.S. Hispanic women. Latina’s success woke the publishing world to the power of Latin women and earned Haubegger kudos everywhere, from Advertising Age’s “Women to Watch” to Newsweek’s “Women of the New Century.” In the new century, Haubegger turned to another area where she felt Latinas  were not getting their due: Hollywood. She joined CAA and has been tackling the lack of diverse images of Hispanics in movies and television, working a consultant to filmmakers and actors, while continuing to serve on the board of Latina Media Ventures. WHY SHE INSPIRES ME: As a Latina and a professional, I know what it’s like to be the only one of my …

You Spin Me Right Round: The Benefits of Finding a Workout You Love

By Mercedes Cardona

I approach my workouts as a chore, like doing the laundry. When you hit middle age, not exercising is not an option — at least not if you cringe when see the widow’s humps on little old ladies and swear you won’t let yourself look like that as you age. So you stretch and you sweat and you check the clock on the gym wall, hoping you’re not spending too much of your day on this nonsense. But sometimes you get lucky and find a fitness outlet that you not only enjoy, but actually even look forward to. I discovered Spinning in the ’90s, about the same time that I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It was a great fitness alternative to the treadmill when the joints on my hands and feet swelled up and I could barely walk. I got on my stationary bike and followed the instructor up and down imaginary hills, making like Lance Armstrong (before we found out he was doping, of course). Spinning is more of a team sport than …