Nazanin Afshin-Jam Shares Her Journey Into Motherhood & Post-Pregnancy Life!

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

7 years ago

nazanin afshin-jam

Nazanin Afshin-Jam is an international human rights activist, singer/songwriter, actor, model, former Miss World Canada and President and co-founder of “Stop Child Executions” organization. She is also a public speaker represented by the National Speaker’s Bureau.

Nazanin learned at an early age of the threat people face when their human rights are ignored. She was born in Tehran in 1979 at the height of Iran’s Islamic revolution and a year later her family was forced to flee after her non-political father was arrested and tortured at the hands of the fundamentalists. Growing up in Canada after escaping an uncertain future in Iran, Nazanin knew not to take her freedom and good fortune for granted. Her conscience would not allow her to forget those who live in fear every day, in any country where people’s basic human rights are not respected.

Nazanin began community service at a young age. She was heavily involved in school life, co-founded a Global Issues club in her highschool and received the school’s top honour. She became a pilot, licensed to fly both powered aircraft and gliders and achieved the highest rank in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets as Warrant Officer First Class.

After graduating with a double-major degree in International Relations and Political Science from the University of British Columbia with exchanges to the International study Center at Herstmonceux Castle in England and at l’Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris in France, Nazanin became an advocate by volunteering as a Global Youth Educator with the Red Cross teaching on subjects ranging from the Landmine Crisis, Children affected by War, the Poverty-Disease Cycle and Natural Disasters.

Nazanin searched for a way to gain a stronger voice to spread awareness to the masses. After learning of Miss World’s motto “beauty with a purpose” and aim to raise money for children’scharities around the world, Nazanin entered and won the title of Miss Canada and came 1st runner up at Miss World in front of 2.2 billion viewers. She found the forum she needed to elevate her advocacy to the next level. During the next couple years, she traveled the world raising awareness and funds for a variety of causes including the 2003 earthquake in Bam, Iran; the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami; fistula affecting young women in Ethiopia 2005; Variety the Children’s Charity; bridging the digital divide through youth advocacy and started a movement to stop the practice of bear farming in Asia with her sister.

In 2006 Nazanin searched for another platform to reach the masses and began her journey as a singer/songwriter writing lyrics about issues close to her heart. Near album completion, a human rights violation emerged from Iran that affected Afshin-Jam so strongly she felt compelled to put her music on hold and turn all of her attention towards it.

In January of that year, an Iranian judge sentenced 17-year old Nazanin Fatehi to death for killing a man in self defense as he and two other men attempted to rape her and her 15-year old niece in a park in Iran. Outraged by the unjust sentence, Nazanin started an international campaign and petition to save her namesake’s life. The Save Nazanin Campaign attracted significant international media coverage and the ensuing public and government support led to more than 350,000 signaturesbeing collected on the petition which was presented to the United Nations and Iranian government. With the pressure from the international community, in June 2006 the head of Judiciary in Iran ordered a new trial, and in January 2007 Nazanin Fatehi was released after Nazanin raised $43,000 on-line for bail while her lawyers worked on her case.

Nazanin eventually continued her music and released a multilingual, pop-world beat album called “Someday” in April 2007 which charted in the US and UK. The music video for her anthem like single “Someday” became an instant hit with 300 000 viewers in the first month of release.

Nazanin’s battle against child executions continues. She co-founded the Stop Child Executions organization – found on the web at www.stopchildexecutions.com – with the goal of halting the practice in Iran and in the handful of other countries where it still continues.

As of February 2008, Nazanin was appointed a director on the Board of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation by the office of the Prime Minister of Canada to help eliminate racism in Canada. In 2011 Nazanin graduated with a degree in Diplomacy with a concentration in International Conflict Management from Norwich University in the United States.

Nazanin continues to address human rights abuses worldwide in China, Burma, Darfur and other countries with tyrannical regimes in particular in relation to women and children in Iran and the Middle East. She has done speeches at the UN, EU, UK , Canadian Parliament, numerous universities and conferences with media features on CNN, BBC, CBC, FOX, Al Jazeera TV and radio shows, talk shows and print stories in Glamour, Seventeen, Chatelaine, Flare, Vanity Fair magazine and newspapers worldwide.

Through her speeches Nazanin hopes to continue being a “voice for the voiceless” and deliver her messages of freedom, peace and love worldwide.

Well-known for her social work and being a global star, very few know about her wonderful journey into motherhood. Women Fitness brings to you an exclusive interview with Nazanin Afshin-Jam, as she shares with us her life as a mother of two and her post-pregnancy fitness secrets.

To read her complete interview, go to the next page!

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Share with us your natural post pregnancy weight loss tips.

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

I gained 55 lbs. in my first pregnancy with my son Kian and 35 lbs. with my daughter Valentia. I was told by some of my friends that I would not lose the “last 5 lbs.”, but funny enough I have lost all the weight and then some. I am probably losing more calories than ever before because carrying around a baby all day long, up and down stairs multiple times, strolling around the neighbourhood as well as chasing a very active 3-year old (who thinks he is a ninja turtle) takes a lot of energy and so the weight sheds away naturally. Although I personally have not tried, but there are many mom-and-tot classes available to the public where one can incorporate their baby into their exercise routine. There are also many gyms like the YMCA that offer free babysitting while you work out.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Bringing up children can take a toll on your health, how have you been able to balance your health and take care of your children?

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

Having a baby naturally takes a toll on your body. One needs to replace all nutrients and energy spent to repair the body and to replace calories devoted to breastfeeding. I breastfed my son until age 2 and I am still nursing my 1 year old daughter. I have never been a “calorie counter” and I don’t have any “secrets” per say. I listen to my body and eat when I am hungry throughout the day, and I stop when my body is satiated. I don’t restrict deserts as I find when I restrict anything I think and crave it more. Other than a balanced diet, I try to add Omega oils and Kefir in my diet. One thing I am guilty of is trying to finish up my children’s leftovers which in certain circumstances can be unhealthy if done regularly especially when travelling and eating ready-made and or processed foods like chicken fingers, pizza, pasta, peanut butter sandwiches…

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What are your fitness goals post pregnancy?

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

While my arm strength is unmatched as I carry my baby a lot and do not use any carriers, I must say I have lost a lot of muscle tone elsewhere that I would like to strengthen again through weight training. With the strains of motherhood I feel my muscles are a lot more tense and would like to try Pilates for the first time in my life to help with stretching, toning and strengthening my core. These are some of my short-term fitness goals. When I am finished with the early stages of raising my kids I have a secret dream of competing in a fitness competition. I am now in my late 30’s and I would like to give myself this goal so that I can work hard towards it and be the healthiest and fittest I have ever been in my life. I think by doing this I will also serve as an example to my own children on the importance of envisioning a goal and working hard to fulfill it.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You’ve often said, “If you have a dream …make it a goal”. Tell us about your dreams and how you wish to make them your goals?

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

Yes, I believe it applies in all aspects of life: Health, business, personal relationships or philanthropic ventures. We are not made to sit idle and watch the world go by. We are meant to be active living participants, engaging all aspects of ourselves in mind, body and spirit. This is the only way to feel balanced and fulfilled. My focus right now is on raising my children to be healthy, smart, empathetic, compassionate and giving individuals with a sense of civic responsibility. At this moment in my life, this is the best way I can serve the world.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Introduce us to finding new balance in your life.

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

At times in my life I have had to learn the lesson of balance the hard way. When I take on a challenge I often take them on head strong, and in the process I can get somewhat too focused on a given project and thus lose my balance. Before having kids, this would happen in my human rights work. I would take on a campaign and be fully focused on helping save the lives of young children on death row through my organization Stop Child Executions. It would sometimes be mid afternoon when a family member would remind me to eat breakfast and get some fresh air.

For the past three years my entire focus has been on my children and as a result my health/fitness, humanitarian work and relationships have taken a back seat including time to center myself. I have recognized this and have recently hired some help so that I can once again look after these other needs and be the best version of “me”. A better equilibrium means that I can be a better mom, spouse, friend and global citizen. Since my wonderful helper “Kayla” has arrived on the scene I have been able to do a lot of “firsts” since having my baby girl over a year ago: my first date with my husband, attending mass at church, fitting in a massage, having lunch with my mom and taking a stroll on the boardwalk ON MY OWN near the beach. It is amazing how little changes in our lives can make us feel completely renewed. I am grateful for the extra help. As moms, I find we tend to try to ‘do everything’. We need to keep a mantra and remind ourselves that it is ok to get help and share responsibilities.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

According to you, how important is the role of your family members in bringing up children?

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

There are a lot of single moms and dads who are doing a fantastic job in raising their children on their own, however it is extremely difficult. As long as a child has a constant and stable loving guardian to look after their physical and emotional needs they will grow and develop well. Every additional member of family or help is an added bonus because each individual can teach and offer the child something new. My husband for example is very physical with the kids, wrestling them, throwing them in the air, playing hockey, baseball and other sports. My mother is good at providing them a million kisses. Their cousins teach them different games and ways to think and play. I am blessed that my parents, sister and her family have moved to Toronto so that we can be close as a family.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

How has your skin and hair been post pregnancy? Do you have to take some extra care of them?

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

Pregnancy wreaks havoc on one’s hormones. I have definitely noticed a change in my skin and hair. Before, my skin and hair were on the normal to oily range. Since having children, my skin and hair have become a lot dryer. I used to search for very light moisturizers, now I enjoy thicker creams for face, hands and feet. My husband who grew up on a farm in Nova Scotia introduced me to a miracle moisturizer for the heels of my feet. It is called Bag Balm. It is intended for use of cow udders that get dry and chapped. It is kind of funny thinking of using a cream intended for bovine, but it works! I never used to use any products in my hair at all, and now I like argon oil that tames and moisturizes without weighing down hair or making it oily. I also like weekly leave in hair conditioning masks.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Tell us about your organization “Stop Child Executions”. What are your future plans regarding your humanitarian work?

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

Stop Child Executions was the leading organization providing information and updates on minors on death row in Iran. It is an independent, non-political human rights group run entirely by volunteers whose aim is to put a permanent end to child executions. We reported over 160 children waiting on death row in Iran despite its commitments to ban this practice. Our day to day was to lobby governments and private citizens to pressurize offending countries in commuting juvenile executions. We also helped to act as a liaison between families seeking legal counsel and human rights lawyers, as well as channeling information from Iran to international groups including the UN. Throughout the years since its inception in 2007, we organized rallies, produced documentaries, participated in major human rights conferences with speeches in various parliaments and have been cited in major media worldwide. We also developed a comprehensive report and made a list of recommendations in a publication called “From Cradle to Coffin: A report on Child Executions in Iran”.

In 2009 during Iran’s presidential elections, millions of people came out on the streets in protest, demanding their votes be counted, demanding they have freedom, the rule of law and a real democracy. Iran called itself a democracy but in actuality it is a theocracy where candidates are pre-vetted by a council of guardians that chose a selection of right wing Islamists. There is no real choice and as a result the laws lag behind the norms including for women.

There was a lot of chaos at that time, a lot of people were imprisoned, tortured and executed. The top human rights defenders that we worked with either escaped the country or were imprisoned therefore our campaigns started to suffer and the pressure that once worked to stay executions no longer had an effect. Our website was and still is constantly hacked by Iran’s cyberpolice therefore we now use the website as an archive. My humanitarian efforts are now directed towards The Nazanin Foundation”, which I set up to aid women and children in need and the empowerment of girls worldwide. Half of the profits from my book sale of “The Tale of Two Nazanins” as well as private donations, fund the Foundation. We are at the initial stages and when my children are school age, I will concentrate more of my time and attention on the direction of programs it benefits.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding female human rights activists, who all are your followers and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in this field?

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

There is not one straight linear path in becoming a human rights defender. You simply have to have passion for a cause, great determination, and dedicated time to devout. One also has to have thick skin. If we are not successful in the first round we have to be able to pick ourselves back up and try again.

Like an ice climber when we start at the base of a mountain we may not see the summit right away, but it is only by taking one step at a time, chiseling our way to the top, some days moving forward, some days a few steps back or falling down eventually we move closer to the peak. We may one day reach the top but even if we don’t we have just paved the way or road ahead for others behind us.

Drop by drop we can create an ocean of change and put out the fires of injustice in the world.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:

I would like to ask your visitors: what is your dream? What are you going to do tomorrow to start making it a tangible goal?

Listen to your heart, follow your passion and live your dream.

To know more about Nazanin Afshin-Jam: Check out at: http://www.nazanin.ca/

Or follow her on:

Women Fitness Team thanks Nazanin Afshin-Jam for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her.

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