Cyndi Finkle
Childhood bestie Cyndi Finkle came to Sharon Springs last May and was the first to be photographed for the 50 Women Project. She had just celebrated her daughter’s college graduation at NYU, so it was fitting that she was photographed at this pivotal time.
You would think that someone who had completed a year of documenting herself doing daily headstands, she would have felt natural in front of the camera, but this was not the case. Cyndi explained that gravity is beneficial to an upside-down body and the focus is on the headstand rather than her. Again, surprising words coming since she returned to fitness during lockdown and is in the best shape of her life.
99% of women who sit in front of my camera express not liking how they see themselves in photographs. This is why I have a conversation and photograph my clients while they are talking, laughing, and even crying. Those are the real expressions.
Cyndi has entered a beautiful chapter of her life, marked by resilience and reinvention. Following the closure of her café and art studio, navigating the transition to singlehood after over two decades, and sending her daughter off to college, Cyndi has emerged with a newfound sense of freedom and empowerment. Being a writer, photographer, artist, and globetrotter, her possibilities are endless.
I look forward to witnessing her next adventures and hope she returns to Sharon Springs soon.
What really matters to you?
Spending time intentionally and living life authentically.
What brings you happiness?
Traveling. A peaceful life. Having dinner parties. Connecting people. Documenting life. Reading and writing. Doing headstands. Fitness.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced?
Having my whole life change in the past five years with the end of my marriage, my empty nest, losing my businesses, and facing the reality that I would be relaunching and reconstructing my entire life at age 50.
What would you change if you could?
That, in midlife, we forget who we were meant to be but we no longer feel like ourselves. Also, that the world perceives us as invisible just because we are no longer young.
What single word do you identify with?
SANGUINE- both happy and hopeful. Optimistic or positive.
SANGUINE
SANGUINE - both happy and hopeful. Optimistic or positive.
Cyndi was photographed on May 12, 2023.
Cyndi Finkle, once the force behind Artworks and Coffee+Food in Hancock Park, has embarked on a new chapter in her journey. Formerly celebrated as an American business owner and philanthropist, Cyndi has bid farewell to her bustling cafe and art gallery to pursue writing her memoir.
During her time as a business owner, Cyndi was renowned for her creativity and unwavering support for the local community. Her establishments, Artworks and Coffee+Food, were gathering places frequented not only by residents but also by notable figures, from Mayor Eric Garcetti to actor Russell Crowe. Fortune 500 executives, including those from NBC Universal and Paramount Studios, found solace and inspiration within the walls of her establishments.
Cyndi's passion for creativity extended beyond the realm of business. In 2022, she undertook the ambitious art project "Headstand Girl," capturing a daily headstand in a series of captivating photographs that she transformed into art. This project not only showcased her commitment to fitness but also served as a testament to her adventurous spirit and willingness to embrace new challenges.
Now Cyndi is reinventing herself once more. Embracing her status as a model of fitness and vitality, she’s ready for new adventures and opportunities. With her memoir in the works, she is delving into her past experiences with a keen eye for reflection and growth.
As she embarks on this new chapter, she continues to inspire others with her unwavering passion for life, creativity, and community.
Cyndi is active on Instagram: @cyndifinle, @365.headstands, @practicalandmeaningulfitness and on Tiktok: @headstandtiktokgirl.