Women We Love: Trenna Keating

Canadian actress Trenna Keating stars as Doc Yewll on SyFy and Showcase’s new hit series Defiance airing Monday evenings at 9 PM on SyFy and 10 PM on Showcase. 

With dangerous clashes between humans and aliens, military scavengers and other treacherous visitors, Defiance is a refugee camp left after a war between humans and aliens known as Votans.

Trenna’s character Doc Yewll arrived in Defiance following the Pale Wars, intending to stay a week before moving on to dispense medical care in other war-torn areas. Eight years later, Yewll still serves as the town’s doctor. As an Indogene – a technologically advanced Voltan race – she often finds her natural pragmatism perceived as a lack of bedside manner by most humans. However, Yewll’s unflappable brilliance is indisputably one of Defiance’s greatest assets.

Trenna can be recognized from her roles as Sergeant Hannah Corday on Global’s Combat Hospital. She can also be seen on Corner Gas, Little Mosque on the Prairie and RenegadePress.com. Born and raised in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Trenna Keating likes spending her time off screen outdoors hiking and camping. She also has a passion for writing plays, cooking, playing Scrabble and Settler’s of Catan and of course, dancing in her living room.

  Name: Trenna Keating

  Occupation: Actor

  Education: BFA from the University of Regina, SK

  How did you get started on your current career track?

I studied acting in university and spent several years after working in theatre and doing crew work in film. I have also spent several years in the casting room. I was a background casting director, a casting assistant and a casting director. When I moved to Toronto I began working as a reader for auditions.This was my introduction to the Toronto film industry. Most of what I have learned about acting has come from being on the other side of the camera watching actors work.

[Read more...]

Read more →

My first-ever progress pic (and ignoring naysayers)

Last night I was culling my wardrobe.

The process is a necessary one when you're losing weight. At each stage you toss out the size that no longer fits. It cleanses you, makes room for clothes that are suited to the new version of you. And it burns the ships.

I can't tell you how many times in the last year I've heard, "maybe you should hang onto them...you know, in case you gain the weight back."

Sorry to be blunt, but fuck that. I don't want that as a "just in case" scenario. The objective here is to live better and leaner and stronger and make THAT my reality.

So as I pulled on this pair of pants; pants which, a little better than a year ago, fit me perfectly; my five-year-old daughter was playing with my phone. She clicked some pictures of stuff in my room, and a couple of me trying on old clothes. I saw this picture and was floored.

I don't normally post progress pictures. I take them, but that progress is for me, not you. Standing there trying on pants, I knew without a doubt that those size 38 slacks were too big. That was obvious. But just how much too big...well, here's the reveal:

I was just amazed at the difference. I had to share this pic. I put it on Facebook. I texted it to people. I emailed it to my mom. And I got a lot of congratulatory messages. But over the last year the messages I've had from people, even very recently, have been really mixed, and that's been a little surprising. So I'm going to offer some advice for those of you who are interested in improving. Fundamentally, ignore what other people say.

1. "That doesn't sound healthy"

As soon as I started training and losing weight, the negatives came out. People of all stripes had advice and suggestions of course, but I was able to ignore the negatives because I had done my research. I apply caloric control, regulate my carb intake, and practice intermittent fasting...all concepts recommended by top fitness experts and supported by a mountain of research.

2. "I believe in moderation"

Again, that's great. I recognize the fact that you're trying to help. But moderation doesn't work. I have a diet that appears weird to a lot of people. I don't own a toaster, because I don't buy bread. I don't own a microwave because I eat real food (actually, it just took up too much space for something I only used to heat up a cup of coffee at a time...I have a Keurig now -- problem solved!). By controlling my carb intake, I'm actually able to sneak an occasional cookie or ice cream with my kid, or have some bread with my dinner when I go to a restaurant.

3. "You need a balanced diet"

"Balance" in the diet is a myth. You NEED protein and fats for sure. You ADD carbohydrates in the form of vegetables and fruits. To most people, a balanced diet is one that incorporates a comfortable amount of foods they're addicted to (most likely cereals). In reality, "balance" means optimization, not equal amounts of good stuff to crap.

4. "I don't think you should do that...my doctor suggested..."

Did it work? Awesome. But I'm betting it didn't, because doctors are on average about 15 years behind the current research in actual weight loss.

5. "Be careful. You don't want to get too thin."

Really? REALLY?? I'm working my ass off to get my weight down and add some muscle, and I'm being cautioned to not lose too much weight? This warning comes from at least two people: one of whom has never had any issue with their weight, and another who is chronically overweight. Trust me...I'm easily 30 lbs away from even approaching "too thin," and still have some inches to go before I even start showing abs. There's ZERO danger that "too thin" will be an issue.

You've read about my diet. You've read about my workout strategy. There's really nothing more to say apart from, "this shit works." It's a line I've heard repeatedly from people who have asked me for the solution to their weight problem. They see the results, and thanks to a camera-happy little kid, you can see the results too.

The fight's far from over, but so far, 2013 is working for me. How's yours going?

Read more →