MEET TANJA DJELEVIC
Everyone loves a beautiful woman, but few can recognize, handle or appreciate one with a brilliant mind, a body sculpted by self-love, and a spirit that shines like the sun. Ladies and gentleman, I give you, my astrological Aquarius soul sister, Tanja. Serbian and Swedish, this exotic blend does a mind, body, and spirit better than good. She can light up a room with her smile and enjoys a good laugh like no one (except myself) that I know. En route to our shoot in Malibu we covered everything from feminism to religion to politics to the unparalleled conscious way Sweden supports parents in bonding with their newborn babies. Throughout our day we laughed, shared and moved through each image like a seamless dance of collaboration. It was effortless, enjoyable, and unforgettable. We had the enormous pleasure of having make-up done by the ridiculously talented Stacey Rae Gibbs and hair by the gifted Michelle Rene. Merci beaucoup to all!
……………………………………………………………………
Tanja is one of USA’s and Europe’s most sought after physical trainers. She has trained everyone from Pink, Uma Thurman, Kate Beckinsdale to Jennifer Garner and Marisa Tomei. She is also the star of Sweden’s Biggest Loser and you’ll find it hard to find someone in our own town of Los Angeles whom doesn’t know or love her. You can follow, tweet, Facebook, connect or train with her, just visit www.tanjadjelevic.com. Tell her I sent you 🙂
……………………………………………………………………
DLV :: DID YOU FIND YOUR VOCATION OR DID IT FIND YOU? HOW? WHEN? WHERE? WHY?
T :: I think it sort of found me.I was in a dance play in a small theatre when I was 7, had dance groups, performed as often as I could to reluctant audiences like parents etc, competed in folkloric dances, competed in track and field when i was 14, trained at a gym since I was 16.
Moving was my Therapy, My Happy Place, My Trusted Companion, My Giggles…my everything! But I studied human behavior and languages in school– Psychology, Philosophy, Languages and Writing were my favorite and strongest subjects and with my Serbian parents pushing, I really thought I was going to become some sort of Journalist (which my brother is now). They were raised in a Communist former Yugoslavia, where a real vocation was that…or to be a doctor.
When i finally came to America, I had an instant opportunity to frolic with the Big Names of Fitness, just out of pure luck!!! At this point I had been teaching group fitness classes and Dance for years back home, but coming to the city where everything happens, was life changing! Somehow, even after 7 years of Psychology studies, the perfect fusion of what my job now consists of, was born. Offering my guidance and knowledge to whoever needs it, to help them find their inner voice, help them take care of their physical bodies (cuz thats where we live every day), and use it all to Live their best Lives, anyway They find suitable.
DLV :: WHERE WERE YOU RAISED? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT IT?
T :: I was born and raised in the south of Sweden. My parents are from the Balkans, Serbia and Montenegro to be more precise, so I was raised with a strong connection to my roots. I miss Swedish summers, when nature bursts in full bloom all at the same time, and Swedes get so childlike! So HAPPY to see the sun! Also Swedes are very sweet. And smart! And damn Funny. Yes, I miss that. hahaha.
DLV :: NAME THREE PEOPLE YOU ADMIRE AND WHY.
T :: My Dad – He went through so much grief and hardship in life, but still he greeted the day with a smile on his face and the look of being up to no good in his eyes–haha (it was contagious).
Tasso – A greek man and friend of mine from my childhood days, who through his all-inclusive and heart felt ways befriended the whole community where I grew up.
Martin Luther King JR – for passionately fighting for what he believed in, and with that passion he created change.
DLV :: IN THREE WORDS DESCRIBE LIFE.
T :: Beautiful. Funny. Giving.
DLV :: WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
T :: To somehow not be grateful enough for all of this. To not be loved for who I am-naked and bare.
DLV:: WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST LOVE?
T :: To feel that I am a part of something bigger and meaningful. I love when people show love and gratitude in surprising situations.
DLV :: IN AN IMAGINARY WORLD, JUST BY WALKING BY YOU, STRANGER’S COULD ACCESS ONE PIECE OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT YOU THAT YOU WANTED THEM TO KNOW MOST. WHAT IS IT?
T :: I feel like I sort of am what you are, and vice versa. And of course, any kind of dancing makes me reeeeeeally friggin happy!!
