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Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: Irina Vasilyeva
Category you compete in: Bikini Open Division
Date of birth: October,11 1985
Hometown: Urals, Russia (originally), Arlington, Virginia
Career: Account Payable Manager, Bartender
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why?
If I could change into a superhero I probably would be Tom Rider. I always wanted to be a super woman who can resolve any problem. She can rise against time, fight and always win. She’s an unstoppable warrior and beautiful woman at the same time. I think it would be the best day in my life when anything is possible!
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport?
My father was a professional football player and coach and I’ve been doing sports my whole life. I played tennis for 7 years and was a dancer. I’ve been working out in a gym since I was age 17! I did this sport because going to the gym was not enough anymore. I wanted to prove to myself, I have the discipline and see if I could accomplish this. I knew I could do something greater, I just didn’t know how to open the doors. The real step was meeting with my guru and coach Michelle Johnson (Coach for my Team/Team Knockouts). After the first check in with her I was so impressed and inspired that it seemed nothing could stop me! Michelle really knows what you need and how to transform you to a new better YOU!
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto?
Dieting is the hardest part, but the most unique & important part of bikini preparation. I actually love it! My approach to dieting is not thinking about it like a diet! It’s a lifestyle that you follow day by day, like your daily routine when you wake up, eat, go to work, go home and sleep….After all its becoming your new lifestyle.
I used to eat very small portions a couple times a day and never felt hungry. I could eat whatever I wanted without thinking. Right now I am eating 6-7 times per day and every morning I am still so hungry. I feel like I could eat a whole elephant! To some it may seem hard because you have to limit what you can and what you can not eat. But, your body is telling you what is right and what is wrong! And its an amazing feeling! You are now listening and hearing your body! You are in communication with yourself!
I found out a lot of good and organic products that I can substitute when I am cooking!
This is priceless knowledge for me and my future family! This is the lifestyle I want for my husband and future children!
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing?
The biggest misconception about competing is that you are wasting your time, life is boring and you become boring because you can’t go out and have a drink. That is unhealthy. Some say it is ugly for women to look like men, but with bikini you look very much like a feminine beautiful woman. People think using barbells are not for women! It is ironic how the very people who judged this, checked out my pictures before and after and were very impressed. When you are getting great resul
ts and winning and placing well in a competition they want to know how to achieve this! They now love the fact that you look healthy, inspired and good looking! I love the look and the way I feel and it rubs off on them.
What is your most embarrassing childhood memory?
I was always a big girl. I have big bones and meat =) In my childhood guys called me Schwarzenegger and that was really embarrassing for me because all the girls were skinny and tiny around me. Please call me Schwarzenegger now and I will be in heaven!
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep?
The biggest lesson I have learned about myself during my contest prep is that I have great willpower I never thought I had before! Im working a full time job and also I'm a bartender. Its hard to work out 6-7 times in a week, do cardio and be on a diet when your schedule is really busy. I realized how much I know about myself, my body, my limits and don’t at the same time. And now I have answers to all these questions! And secondly, I have learned that I can't ever stop! I can't always be perfect and always be a winner! I always need to move forward! Always prove myself! A lot of people keep telling me that I inspire them even when they are just checking pictures. And this is the best feeling ever! Because its hard sometimes to inspire and motivate yourself day by day. These people inspire me in return!
Who do you look up and admire and why?
Oksana Markovetskaya is a Russian athlete and worldwide Bikini Champion. I started to watch her video and lessons on, “how to cook good food" and I got so inspired!
And of course, Olympian fitness athlete Oksana Grishina. She can do anything! She is a real modern day superhero!
Competition history:
2013 NPC Baltimore Gladiator Championships – I place first in my class, my very first show!
2013 NPC & IFBB Pittsburgh Championships – top 10
Next competition: June 8th Atlantic States Championship NY
I dream to go to Arnold Classic Amateur 2014!
Favorite Motivational Quote:
“When you want something as bad as yo
u want to breathe. That's when you'll find success!!!”-to work hard is not ever enough you always have to believe in yourself!
“Train like a beast. Look like a beauty” I love this sport because women are on the same level with men! And they look like goddesses!!!
“I don’t stop when I am tired. I stop when I am done” – Love this one! When I am working out I am a beast! I knock my body out in a good way! I always have an IPod so nobody can disturb me.
Who would you like to thank?
First of all I would like to thank my coach Michelle Johnson and my Knockout Team family for the huge support along with her coaching and guidance! She’s the one who opened the door for me to my new lifestyle!
I also would like to thank my best friend Julia Pudovikova who was with me every step on this competition journey! We do some of the same routines together and support each other in the gym every day. Dieting is new to us. Its priceless to have this kind of bond with someone who also appreciates this lifestyle. Of course, I want to thank my lovely boyfriend who was put up with me through it all, and is patient, supportive and even does my cooking for me when I am tired.
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