  Photo courtesy of Harley Pasternak. |
Not many people can say they upped stakes and moved to a new city based solely on the request of a celebrity.
Toronto native Harley Pasternak can. The personal trainer was getting Halle Berry in shape for her movie Gothika. After just three workouts, Berry asked if he would move to L.A. and help her to transform into Catwoman. The movie was a box-office bomb, but bombshell Berry and Pasternak appeared on Oprah to reveal the star’s life-changing diet and fitness programs.
Pasternak has since worked with dozens of celebrities – like Robert Pattinson, Eva Mendes and Alicia Keys – and on more than 65 film and television projects.
Pasternak was raised in what he describes as a “fantastic family.” He started working out to improve his hockey skills and “became a gym nut,” he says. He took an interest in studying nutrition when his brother was diagnosed with diabetes. (Their mother has since founded the Diabetes Hope Foundation.) After eight years of university, followed by two years as an exercise/nutrition scientist for the Department of National Defence, he was among the most knowledgeable people in the field.
In his latest book, 5-Factor World Diet (at booksellers across Canada), Pasternak shares recipes, workout tips, nutrition secrets and his own “5-Factor Formula.”
What has Pasternak learned from his celebrity clients? “That they are no different than the rest of us,” he says. “We all want to feel and look our best.”
Pasternak invited Star Spaces into his home.
Q: How would you describe your home in two words?
A. Homey. Warm.
Q: Tell us about your home.
A: My home is located in West Hollywood, California. It is 4,200 square feet and was built 85 years ago. I moved in six years ago. One-third of my space – the guest house – is a gym.
Q: What attracted you to this space?
A: The location; the house is full of light; and I love the high ceilings.
Q: Who shares your home?
A: Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Jessica Simpson, Katy Perry, John Mayer, Common, Seth Rogen, Hilary Duff, etc.…
Q: What is your favourite room and why?
A: My living room. It has lots of character from the ’20s. I keep my comfy couch for relaxing in there.
Q: How would you describe your decorating style?
A: My style is more contemporary, sort of mid-century Palm Springs.
This house is Spanish-style, so I had to adapt my style to the existing house. There is dark wood everywhere. The art on the walls is black-and-white photography. Most of the rooms are painted in shades ranging from light blue to chocolate-brown and beige. The gym is pale green.
I like open space…not too many knick-knacks. I proudly display my CBC Hockey Night in Canada rug.
Q: What is your fondest memory in this house?
A: My parents staying at my house for the first time.
Q: What’s the one item in this house you can’t live without?
A: My espresso machine.
Q: Weekends at home, what are we most likely to find you doing?
A: I travel three weekends a month, so I’m rarely home on the weekends. When I am home, I’m hiking, biking, surfing or eating (mainly eating).
Q: If your walls could talk, what would they say?
A: Travel less and find a nice girl to enjoy your house with.
