I’ve been into weight lifting for over ten years now. My brother got me into lifting. I remember going into the gym being super intimidated by everyone and everything. Would constantly walk in my brother’s shadow. He taught me the ropes. Broke it down for me into push, pull, legs. From there, I began learning my own routines and doing my own research. It helped me flourish and become incredibly confident in the gym. Now, I walk into the gym and weights section like I own the place. About five years ago, I decided to get my diet better so I found a trainer and prepped for my first show. Tried a show while I was in undergrad. Did not pursue competing then because I wanted to focus on graduate school and get my master’s in Anesthesia. I graduated in 2018 and began practicing Anesthesia at Fairview hospital. Last year, I decided I wanted to get back into the competitions. Don’t get me wrong, I never left the fitness and training but always told myself I would try competing one more time. I did a show this past October and placed second. I loved the experience and loved being on the stage. Of course, it was a ton of hard work, but in the end, I definitely thought it was worth it. I also had the pleasure of meeting Amir Mirandi during the competitions and he’s been an absolute pleasure to work with, making me feel super comfortable and confident in my skin during photoshoots. I also have a passion for beauty hair and makeup, and being on the stage tied that all in for me. Prep was difficult, and it takes a lot of discipline to go through with it. I mean not just competing, but to get that body and health is work. I hope to compete again in the near future while balancing work and life.
Age:
28
City:
Cleveland, Ohio.
Trainer philosophy:
Sacrifice the small stuff now for the bigger picture later. Motivation may get you started but discipline will keep you going.
Training plan:
I train 5-6 times a week primarily weight lifting and usually end each workout with cardio. It’s split into back and arms, chest and shoulders, legs. I usually train legs 2-3 times a week. My workouts usually end with 30 minutes on my favorite machine the stair stepper.
Nutritional plan:
Currently, I’m on a 5-6 meal schedule daily. It consists of chicken, broccoli, rice, beef, zucchini, fruit, rice cakes, avocado, nut butter, protein shakes, greens, cream of rice, shrimp split up into smaller meals throughout the day. I definitely have a sweet tooth so I absolutely love my cream of rice with protein powder and my rice cakes and nut butter! All the food tastes delicious to me and it makes it easier for me to stick to plan.
Supplement plan:
I try to cycle on and off with supplements, or at least my pre-workout. I will drink BCAAs and pre-workout before a workout and have carbs during the workout. End the workout with a scoop of protein powder. I use the brand Distinct formulations for pre-workout, BCAAs, and intra workout carbs.
Do you prefer to take and recommend all-natural (no sugar, no artificial colors/flavors/sweeteners) supplements or supplements with artificial flavors and sweeteners? And why?
To be honest, I think I have equal running in my blood. If you can go the natural route more power to you, but especially me with my sweet tooth I think it’s ok to have some sweeteners in there. I don’t recommend overdoing it, especially with the bloat and discomfort some artificial ingredients and sweeteners cause but I think it helps when you either want a low-calorie drink or added sweetness to a meal without the extra calories. I also chew a lot of gum and I think that also helps the edge after eating a meal and still feeling like I want dessert. It’s hard enough as is to stick to a strict diet so why be super strict with the supplements or food. I think from time to time it’s good to give your body a break but I think overall it’s not gonna kill you to have some artificial flavors in your supplements or food.
Is weight loss more of a fitness issue or a health issue in your opinion and why?
I believe it’s both. I think health and fitness come hand in hand. You definitely need working out and training to be healthy but you can’t out-train a bad diet! Both are equally important. You need the fitness aspect to be healthy, heart-healthy, get you that stamina, tone your body, but you won’t lose the weight if you aren’t concerned about your health. Being overall healthy incorporates the fitness aspect.
If you have 100 tokens in total and you could apply them to the following categories, how many would you apply to each?
- Fitness level: 50
- Health level: 50
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
I know about Status and it’s an absolutely wonderful fitness magazine! I think what makes it stand out is the fact that it incorporates every aspect of fitness, health, lifestyle into the content. Not only does it present stories and journeys of fitness models, but it also has articles about lifestyle and dieting tips as well as things you should and shouldn’t be doing. I also think a lot of fitness magazines are a little intimidating for female readers, but Status does a wonderful job of incorporating useful advice and stories that both males and females can utilize while representing the badasses in the female fitness industry! Status Fitness magazine embodies the strength and beauty of fitness models making it an inspiration to all readers/viewers. It’s such an honor to be featured in a magazine like this.
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor in Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
What do you take the most pride in with Status fitness magazine?
Status Fitness Magazine runs model searches across North America including the largest one at the Arnold Classic for the Status cover. As part of the Status family, you will receive a special participation invite. How excited are you about this opportunity?
I’m beyond ecstatic about this opportunity. It would be an absolute honor! Just thinking about it now gets me pumped up! I would work my ass off in hopes of being selected. But just the invitation to this huge event would be mind-blowing. I’m incredibly grateful and honored for an opportunity like this.
Describe your coaches and the impact they have on you?
I’ve had one coach for over a year now, his name is Brian Hoydic. He’s incredible. He knows my strengths and weaknesses and always helps me to work on them. He has a ton of clients but makes sure to give each and every one of them their own divided attention. Besides the fact that a lot of his clients go pro, he’s all-around a great coach. He tells it like it is, no bullshit. He’s always available when you need him, and becomes a friend to all his clients. He does a great job with contest prep, and if you do exactly what he says you will be ready. I’m lucky to work with such an awesome coach.
Future fitness goals and plans?
I will always be working on my body and fitness in hopes of becoming stronger and more in tune with my body. My goals are to grow physically and mentally as a person through my fitness journey. I plan on competing in several more shows and trying to build a platform for females (and males) who are scared to take those first steps and show them what’s possible if they put their mind to it! I would love to positively influence as many people as I can and have them join me in my fitness journey.
Life goal?
I have big and small goals. I would love to eventually make a big name for myself and make my way to being a large fitness influencer. I would like to do this all while continuing my job in Anesthesia and hopefully eventually starting a family. I want my kids to grow up knowing the importance of health and fitness! It plays such an important role in their futures and I feel like our influence at a young age is not always seen as big of a deal as it should be.
5 things people don’t know about you?
- I have a strong passion for makeup, and beauty in general.
- I have a black belt in karate.
- I can bench press 135 lbs.
- I used to pass out at the sight of blood, and now I work with it every day. It was also something I worked hard to get over when I first started Anesthesia school. But anything is possible if you put your mind to it!
- I used to be overweight in middle school and high school.
5 lessons you have learned?
- Your body is capable of much more than you think.
- I know this is cliche but there are more ways than one to ‘skin the cat’ there are different ways and methods to achieve the same goals.
- Don’t feel bad about needing a break. Whatever goals you’re working toward, it’s not always going to be a linear progression.
- You’d rather regret something you did than something you didn’t.
- Don’t feel bad asking for help. No matter what. Sometimes a little is all you need.
- Compassion.
- Responsibility.
- Honesty.
- Accountability.
- Discipline.
If you could inspire one person, who would that be? And why?
Although I don’t have any now, I think the most important person I hope to inspire would be my child. I know I will have a large influence on their thoughts and actions and hope to inspire them to grow up and follow their dreams and pursue their goals whatever they may be and hopefully pass on a family legacy someday.
Who inspires you? And why?
It’s so hard to pick just one person. Many different people inspire me. Recently, I’ve been inspired by Renee Harshey, the first IFBB pro wellness champ. She’s incredible and I hope to one day follow her achievements. I’m also inspired by female influencers such as Ashy Bines. She’s super healthy and fit, created a business around that has become enormous from workout clothing to a nutrition line. She does all this and has time for her family and raising her son. Women like her along with many others inspire me to work harder and achieve what I never thought was possible.
Your transformation story:
In middle school and high school, I was overweight. In high school, my brother finally got me into weight lifting with him when I agreed to go. It took me a little to get over the intimidating gym environment at a younger age but I soon fell in love with it. I began incorporating my own lifts and started becoming stronger and stronger. My form gradually became better, and I was feeling super comfortable at the gym. Working out became a high for me and ever since it’s been a huge part of my transformation. My diet was always lacking because I went through phases of eating way too little and then yoyoing back. I tried everything from keto to intermittent fasting. Finally finding a coach really helped me feel more accountable for my diet and choices and found this way of eating to be much more enjoyable and sustainable. There’s definitely no cookie-cutter recipe. Everyone reacts differently to different diets and some may not work for all. So I’m glad this type of lifestyle works well with me and has helped my transformation into the physique I have today. I’m proud of myself and how far I’ve come. I hope to only continue to progress.
Favorite quotes?
“If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success.”
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Photographer: Amir Marindi
