FEISTY MISSION

From being academically inclined to getting into fitness and competing in bodybuilding shows as a bikini competitor, to taking up the social media platforms by storm as a fitness influencer, and resorting to creative outlets through modelling, and being featured as a cover model of international fame—you have done it all. How would you like to describe your glorious journey? 

I am blessed beyond anything that I could ever imagine. I started my Instagram account as a hobby after some friends got me excited about the idea of competing in bodybuilding shows. I did four shows before I realised that I wanted to do something more creative, and it blows my mind at how many talented people I have met that have helped me create an amazing impact on media, push boundaries, and live what I thought was a silly, impossible childhood dream. I know that I’m blessed, I’ve worked hard to get here, and my hope is that I have a solid future in front of me that involves inspiring people and, creating many more amazing, interesting and beautiful things.

How are traditional expectations of women’s strength and muscle challenged by participating in these competitions? 

The idea of beauty is thankfully becoming much wider these days, and I can tell you from experience that female fitness competitors don’t care what anyone thinks of their bodies. The ultimate goal for me has always been to do the most masterful job that I can at displaying and contrasting the two opposite concepts of feminine beauty and iron fierceness through different ways, looks, and concepts. This is like art to me, and I love exploring new ways to create it.

As a social media influencer, you are always in the public eye. Does it ever get daunting to keep challenging yourself to stay relevant? How do you handle trolls and criticism? 

Staying relevant hasn’t been an issue for me so far, and I learned a long time ago not to feed trolls. Their behaviour has everything to do with them and nothing to do with me. Haters going to hate. It means you’re having an impact, irritating their demons, and doing something right.

Discipline and patience are the two golden rules of fitness. How do you think you have mastered these two aspects to always stay on track? What will you advise our readers who struggle on these lines? 

I was lucky to be raised by parents who instilled a killer work ethic in me. The whole secret to a great physique, and long term fitness and lifestyle changes is doing what you need to do even when you don’t want to do it, and being consistent. I truly believe that the beginning is the hardest. If you can commit to six weeks of genuine and consistent effort for 30 minutes at least five days a week, you will change, and you’ll never look at your health and lifestyle the same way again. It’s the best thing that you can possibly do for yourself. 

How do you approach diet and nutrition? Do you believe in cheat meals? 

I absolutely believe in cheat meals and have it once a week. They’re actually good for you because they shock your metabolism, and keep you from plateauing. The rest of the time, I only eat foods that aren’t processed and either walk, swim, fly or grow out of the ground. Low fat/high carb arrangements seem to work best for my particular body type. Eat real food, and avoid sugar like the plague.

What are your views on the consumption of supplements to achieve fitness goals? 

I take several supplements. I’m a big fan of the obvious stuff like protein powders and other supplementary nutrition staples, but I also take BCAAs before and after lifting, a fat burner, apple cider vinegar caplets, a multivitamin, a pre/probiotic day and night, vitamin B, and vitamin D every single day.