"A Vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more."
This week’s #FitSpire is Karina Nascimento, 41, of Boca Raton, Florida!
Q: Tell me about your competitive history.
A: My competitive career started in 1999 in Bodybuilding.
I won the Ronnie Coleman classic 1st and Overall Texas
The Iron Games 1st and Overall Oklahoma
The Iron Men Iron Maiden 1st and overall California
The Women's Extravaganza 1st and Overall New York
3rd at my first Pro show Ms. International Arnold Classic 03
I reti
red from bodybuilding and in the 10 years off; I got married and had three children who are now 9, 8, and 4. I decided to come back and I won the first ever Women's Physique competition. I then placed 4th in California and went on to win the Valenti Gold cup later that year of 2012. I placed 2nd at the New York Pro in 2013 and later won the Optimum Classic which put me in the line-up for the first ever Ms. Olympia 2013 [2013 Women's Physique]. It was a BIG YEAR for me!
Q: When did you get started on your fitness career/journey? What made you want become more than just the average person living a healthy and fit lifestyle?
A: It is a long story, but growing up I faced many challenges and I had a lot of insecurities, fears, and didn't feel good enough, but I always did love my body and felt very comfortable with it. So when I at 16 years old, I went to the gym for the first time and I loved it! It was not until I was 26 when I made life changes and decisions. My training then became my career at that point.
Q: Being that you have a loyal social media following, what is some advice that you would offer someone wanting to increase their popularity in the Fitness industry? What tip can you give someone to help them build their following as well?
A: First I would like to say thank you to all of my fans and supporters! Consistency is key and I try to communicate with my followers on a daily basis. I feel it is very important to share every step of my journey with them.
Q: Do you consider this your part/full time job or a hobby?
A: It is part of my life. I never categorize it because it something that I constantly do. My following grows because I share my life with them.
Q: There are many people that motivate and are inspired by you. How does that make you feel knowing that there are people who take the time to see what you are doing day to day?
A: I feel very humble and do love my followers very much it is crazy!
Q: How does it feel knowing that somewhere, you are actually helping someone by motivating them to achieve their personal goals, just by posting your personal life and achievements on social media?
A: There was a time in my life where I struggled and was not as fortunate as I am today. During that period no one would help me until the day I met my coach, Herman. He overheard me talking about a fat burner to a sales woman, and to make a long story short, he trained me for free, and made a champion out of me. I was so thankful, and I always will be. Knowing I am able to touch the lives of so many is an honor.
Q: Is there anyone who has motivated or inspired you to become the person you are today?
A: My relationship with God is my motivation because when you listen he leads. With fitness, I lead with example, and it is great to know that others follow me.
Q: How does your family feel about your lifestyle? What would you say to someone whose family does not support their lifestyle?
A: First of all, who doesn't want support another person’s passion? My husband i
s all in with me but he doesn't diet and my children think it’s cool that mommy is a champion. We support each other around here. I say go for it because you’re the one looking back with regrets and time does pass very fast. And we only live one life, so make it count and live for YOU!
Q: Of all the social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), what do you think is the most effective to use in order to market yourself in this industry?
A: I love Instagram and Twitter because its consistently growing.
Q: What is your diet like? Do you eat clean all year round?
A: I want to stay in good shape, not perfect. Perfect is for the stage. I stay on a strict diet throughout the week and on the weekend I allow myself to enjoy food that is not in my diet. Balance also plays a key role not just in life, but in your diet as well.
Meal 1: Oat bran, 1 cup or 1/2, 30 grams of protein in it.
Meal 2: A good lean bar, an apple or an orange.
Meal 3: 3oz of tuna with one slice Ezekiel Bread, cinnamon of course.
Meal 4: Chicken breast, 8oz, steam veggies.
Meal 5: Labrada MRP vanilla, very little ice. Blended is delicious.
Meal 6: Salmon, veggies, or sometimes I have sushi, but very clean rolls.
Q: What is your favorite cheat meal? How do you control yourself from going overboard when you decide to treat yourself?
A: Sushi is one of my very favorites because I can eat a lot more of it and I burn it off fast. I know some people don’t consider sushi as a cheat meal but I don’t have many fats in my meals. I don’t add any extra sodium either, so I really enjoy it when I can! I also love a good steak, salad and sweet potato fries with ketchup. I prefer food rather than sweets.
Q: Do you take any supplements? What do you think is one of the most important supplements someone should take who is training constantly?
A: Yes, I do. I love Labrada Lean Body For Her and I carry one with me at all times! I use Species protein. It is a fantastic protein and I use it faithfully. I also take Phaze 8 by MuscleTech, very important to double up on multi vitamin, BCAA, L-glutamine, and I love a good fat burner for energy!
Q: What’s
your social media/contact information?
A: Instagram: @karinaBrazilPro
Twitter: @karinabrazilpro
My blog is karinabrazilpro.blospot.com
Facebook: Karina Nascimento
YouTube: @karinabrazilpro
Q: Special thanks to:
A: Thank you to you, Rx Muscle for having me.
Lone Star Distribution, sports nutrition supplements for always taking care of me.
To my social media followers, I do love connecting with you and you motivate me more than you know!
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
