SUSAN
POWTER
by Andrew Mersmann
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Susan Powter,
the fitness and healthy living queen of infomercials in
the 1980’s and 1990’s has never stopped inspiring
us. Her shorn, platinum buzz-cut was so well known, it
even became her logo when she hosted her television series,
but the trademark hair has now grown into long, blonde
dreadlocks. Whether in her best selling books, on her
captivating, televised, late night seminars imploring
us to “Stop the Insanity,” or her guest appearances
on talk shows, her refreshingly blunt, energetic, passionate,
and courageous style has inspired millions. Before becoming
a household name she was a housewife who lost her edge
and then had to lose the 133 pounds she had gained while
she wasn’t looking. She taught us all to “Eat-Breathe-Move-Think”
our way to better health, to do just about anything except
sit on the couch and watch the next infomercial. She continues
to coach from new, edgier media, trading in the restrictive
power structure of network television for the guerilla
freedom of webcasting from her multimedia site www.susanpowteronline.com.
She’s also juggling radio projects, a guest appearance
on an R Family Vacations cruise, her own photography and
art projects, and countless other endeavors. Susan leads
by example, showing us how to live life to the fullest
every moment of every day.
What place in the world is on the
top of your list to visit?
Fiji has been my destination for a good six or
seven years. I will be living in my tree house, gathering
with brilliant women (an island “salon”—soooo
tropical Gertrude Stein), eating from the trees, and
casting spells left, right, and bloody center.
What are the most essential items
in your suitcase?
Modge Podge glue, incense, my vibrator, and loads
of make-up...anything else I can buy anywhere.
What is the first foreign country
you ever visited?
America. I came across the ocean at ten from Australia
and things haven’t been the same since!
What is the first thing you do when
you get into a hotel room?
Unpack the food I always bring with me, get rid
of every ugly piece of paper with instructions on it,
order up extra down pillows, and look at myself in every
full-length mirror...I don’t have enough of them
at home.
When choosing a hotel, what amenities
do you consider absolutely essential?
A kitchen—woman cannot live on man’s
food alone. Hugely fluffy towels, very good, very late
night room service, and a terrific concierge so anything
I need is available, when and if I need it.
What is the best or most unique souvenir
you ever brought home, and where is it right now?
A stolen (I stole it) Catholic school uniform from
the convent I went to. Stolen on tour in Australia.
Poor kid who “lost” the uniform…you know
how those nuns like to beat. It’s currently framed,
surrounded by a rosary from Rome, hanging over my bed.
If you were the president of an airline
company, what changes would you make to improve business
and customer satisfaction?
The first thing I’d do is stop throwing a
bag of nuts at people and calling it food. I’d
provide acting lessons so the domestic air goddesses,
or whatever their official title is, can at least act
like they give a shit. I don’t fly anymore...won’t
do it...waaaay too much of a pain in my ass. Like Whoopi,
I’m traveling a different way.
If you could meet with anyone from
the past, who would it be, where would you meet, and
why?
It would/will be a gathering...Mary Wollstonecraft,
Sojourner Truth, Virginia Woolf, Sarah Grimke, Valerie
Solanas, Gertrude Stein, and every witch that was burned.
Quite a gathering it’s gonna be.
What elements would make the dream
Turndown Service?
The woman I just spent a week with, Italian chocolates,
a filled hookah, good whiskey, fine linen, a hot bath
close by, and I’m ready for bed!
If you were stranded on a desert
island what three things would you hope to find there?
A lover. A well-equipped tree house with an instruction
manual on fishing, and a pool—the ocean doesn’t
always work for me. All the fruits and veggies I need,
which means the only island I’d get stranded on
is tropical.
How do you suggest we keep our fitness/diet/life
priorities in focus when we are traveling and vacationing?
Traveling around America? Don’t even think
about going out anywhere without food. If you’re
traveling through Europe, Australia, much of the world....not
to worry, there are plenty of options when people understand
the concept of whole, real food.
When you surrender to the rare, occasional
indulgence, what is your guiltiest pleasure?
First and foremost, pleasure can never be rare
or occasional. But foods craved? Major robe moping foods
involve soy cream cheese, peanut butter, the finest
hot, crusty breads, lollies—I love ‘em, iced
organic juices otherwise known as homemade popsicles—I
live on ‘em and love ‘em when those hot flashes
flash.
[Published:
April, 2007]
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