It’s Never A Job When It’s Your Passion!
#Fitspire Of The Week - La Reina Shaw
By Dean Michael Fazzolari, IFBB Pro
What gives someone the right to consider themselves a successful fitness model or personality in the industry? Is it the amount of covers one can land because of their physique? Could it be how many sponsors they are able to grab to help support them? Or is it the amount of money one can make between different modeling/ fitness gigs?
Everyone will tell you something different, but if there is one thing that is hard to disagree with, it’s the ability to promote and market yourself to others. Social media has begun to play a huge role in self-marketing as an athlete, competitor, fitness model or personality in the Industry. These days, you don't need a modeling agency to help promote you, or a company to take you on as a sponsored athlete in order for you to be seen in the industry.
Someone who once could have been just an average fit person, now has the ability to transform themselves into a “Social Media Fitness Star!” If you put in the time, the effort, and truly have a passion for fitness, you can change yourself from just a face with a body, to a bona fide personality – someone able to inspire and motivate others on their own fitness journey!
La Reina Shaw, age 27, and hailing from Baku, Azerbaijan, is proof that if you put in the time, effort, hard work in the gym AND the kitchen, and use social media as a tool to self-promote, you can turn your average health/fit lifestyle into a network that reaches out to endless amounts of people who want to take the time out to follow your journey.
Q: Tell me about your competitive history.
A: I’m new to competing.
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: I’ve always been a huge fan of fitness and living healthy, but it wasn't until about 6 months ago where I made the decision to make this my career.
Health is the most important factor in life, without it nothing matters. Fitness has become a passion, an addiction. With something so beneficial to your life, how can you not want more?!
I’ve realized that to be succe
ssful you must do something that you truly love, and this is definitely it for me.
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: The Fitness Industry isn’t an easy one. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and discipline. It’s something you must make a priority during any given day. There are no excuses in this business. Your goal should always be to be the best you can be, and once you feel like you have succeeded, you must push even further.
As far as social media, just be yourself and show the world how amazing you are. People are attracted to positive energy!
Q: Do you consider this as your part/full time job or a hobby?
A: It’s not really a job. It’s my passion. I dedicate myself to be stronger, better, and healthier every day. To get to where I want to be in this industry there is no part time. It’s all or nothing.
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: It warms my heart knowing
that I have so many incredible people supporting me and my journey. It’s truly humbling. I try my best to interact with a lot of them and answer questions and help wherever I can.
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: Knowing that I’m being a positive impact in another person’s life is simply incredible. I’ve always loved motivating and inspiring people. It fills my heart with so much joy and it gives me the strength to push harder each and every day. I’m a firm believer that when we try to genuinely help others and spread happiness we become happy in the process.
Q: Is there anyone who has motivated or inspired you to become the person you are today?
A: Every day I see people from all walks of life who inspire me. However, my greatest motivation in life is my son. I want to do good for him. Do things to make him proud of me, and most importantly teach him the value and importance of hard work, passion and dedication.
Q: How does your family feel about your lifestyle? What would you say to someone whose family does not support their lifestyle?
A: My family is great! They are all total health freaks and absolutely love what I do.
Even my 7-year-old does push ups with me in the morning and always brags about eating healthy and being fit.
The only thing I’d say to someone whose family doesn’t support their lifestyle is that at the end of the day you must believe in yourself! Everyone may not always agree with what you do or how you do it, just make sure that you are a good person and do good things. This is your life, you choose where you want to go. And trust me, if you believe in yourself and achieve your goals, eventually they will see and support your success.
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: Personally I prefer Instagram. It’s hassle free, no albums, no crazy links. I’ve made a lot of great business connections through IG. It’s so quick and simple. People love simplicity.
Q: What is your diet like? Do you eat clean all year round?
A: I eat very clean and healthy and only have a cheat meal once every two weeks. A balanced diet is required to help build muscle and provide energy. Mine consists of 6 meals per day, two of them being protein shakes. The rest are small portion meals usually a combination of egg whites, boiled or grilled chicken, sweet potatoes, and asparagus or broccoli. I love almonds for snacking.
Q: What is your favorite cheat meal? How do you control yourself from going overboard when you decide to treat yourself?
A: Pasta and milk shakes! I have a huge weakness for both but I am very good at controlling myself. Because I eat small portions frequently, I can’t really go overboard with my cheat meals. My stomach wouldn’t be able to handle it.
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: My daily supplements consist of multi vitamins, B vitamins, protein powder, and amino acids. Multi vitamins are probably the single most important supplement one can take. It’s crucial that your body gets all the proper nutrients to function efficiently. There are tons of great supplements out there these days, but what someone should or shouldn’t take really depends on each individual, their goals and of course their health condition.
Q: What’s your social media/contact information?
A: Instagram @LaBella_Reina
Twitter @1LaBella_Reina
www.LaBellaReina.com
www.MinaRei.com
Q: Special thanks to:
A: Special thank you to my family and friends who believe in me and my dreams. They give me so much love, hope and strength.
I’d also like to thank all of my fans and supporters. You guys are amazing and I appreciate all of you so much! Thank you!
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