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Congratulations on the role! What does it mean to you to be selected as F45’s global ambassador?
It is so huge over here and it hasn’t really touched the US yet, so I can’t wait to be able to kick-start it over there. Being the global ambassador, I am so excited to partner with a gym that has the same beliefs that I do as a brand; just wanting to spread the message of health and wellness.
What is it about F45 that you like so much?
Being a personal trainer myself, I find there are a lot of excuses for why people do not go to the gym: they are intimidated, they don’t know what to do, they don’t have any accountability, there are so many reasons. The one thing I love about F45 is that they kind of crush all your excuses. It’s super innovative and there are screens on the wall showing you what to do. So, for someone who is intimidated, they can go into the workout with confidence and feel comfortable. It is a group atmosphere, so you have those partners in there to keep you accountable too. Also, it is for all fitness goals and for all ages.
What do you think is the biggest benefit about this style of training?
It’s functional and uses movements that you do in your everyday life. This style of workout is booming right now as it’s so much better for you than just going to the gym and doing lifting compound movements.
Do you prefer the cardio heavy sessions or the weight training ones?
Monday, Wednesday and Friday is cardio, Tuesday and Thursday is strength training and weekends are a combination. I love HIIT and strength training so if I had to choose my favourite days, it would be the weekend.
Is there one workout move in particular that you hate?
You can’t get any worse than burpees.
Do you have a favourite song to work out to?
I like happy and upbeat songs. My favourite at the moment is called “Sing to you” but I’m not sure who it’s by…You wake up in the morning and put this song on and it just gets your day going.
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Can you tell us a little about your day on a plate?
Six months ago, I went fully pescetarian. So in the morning, I do a bean burrito with like some avocado, or a plant-protein smoothie. I do a lot of carbs - I believe in good carbs, like rice and sweet potato and vegetables. I also eat a lot of fish and have two protein smoothies a day. Other than that, it’s pretty simple: just fish, vegetables and carbs.
Is there any reason in particular that you went pescetarian?
I was having a lot of digestion issues, I was really inflamed and doing so much cardio, I couldn’t get that lean around my stomach. I had no fat but I was just inflamed and bloated. I didn’t know how to fix the problem, so I was researching a ton of stuff and it just all kept coming back to meat. After 30 days of cutting it out, all the problems I was having went away.
What’s your go-to cheat meal?
Pizza! My best friend and I have pizza tattoos. They got the whole pizza and I got the one slice, so I am their missing slice.
What is the best health and fitness tip you have ever received?
The best advice is to diet to your lifestyle. Find something that fits with you because what works for one person may not work for another.
What motivates you when you are having an off day?
I really like to watch motivational YouTube videos, so when I am having an off day and don’t want to go to the gym, I will put on a video, put in my headphones and get in the zone.
Tell us about your fitness journey…
I started about 6 years ago. I played sports growing up and when I stopped, I wasn’t feeling comfortable and confident in my own skin anymore. A friend of mine opened a gym and was begging me to come and workout. At the time, I was really into group classes because I was really intimidated at the gym. He offered to train me and wanted me to be comfortable and then one day, he suggested I enter a bikini show. I was not comfortable being on stage in my bikini, that is so out of my element. But I was like “okay, let’s do it’, and we ended up training for three or four months, I did the show and I won it. I was so excited and got addicted to that feeling.
That started my pursuit of being a fitness model and from there, I started Instagram. At the time, Instagram wasn’t a huge thing like it is now and muscly girls weren’t on trend. I really helped start the trend of still being pretty and feminine and having muscle - just being beautiful in your own skin! From there, my Instagram following grew and I found my love for fitness. I entered in every contest and put my name forward to magazines to write articles for free. I swear the universe sees you working hard and it helps you get the things you want in life because now I am here.
Do you have advice for others wanting to become fitness influencers?
Become a ‘yes man’ in the best way for your brand. Reach out to people, so when I first started, I reached out to every magazine publication and finally someone wrote me back. From there, it snowballs. People want opportunities to come to them but in reality, you need to work hard, open the door and create opportunities for yourself.
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