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How did you get started with bodybuilding?

I have been an athlete and playing sports since a very young age. I was first introduced to tumbling and gymnastics at the age of five. Since I am a first-generation American from Brazil, soccer has also been a staple in my life. I was heavily involved in sports, including competitive basketball throughout high school and into college. After graduation, I returned to the gym and hit it hard. I came out of college weighing 175 pounds. I was determined to never let myself go like that again.

Then I faced a health dilemma: In the Fall of 2006, I was hit with serve flank pain on my right side; I was admitted to the hospital and was immediately operated on; I was so scared and devastated!

Come to find out, I had a serve kidney infection which caused my right kidney to swell and not dilate. I was in the hospital for two weeks and throughout the next two years I battled back. I got back in the gym and focused on getting my health back. I looked to my friend and personal trainer, Jenna Zava, who rehabbed me and continued to train me through until today, using power yoga and strength and circuit training.

Where does your motivation come from?

The desire to get better all the time is what drives me. Sometimes motivation can be in short supply at work or among certain co-workers. There are a lot of people out there who are looking for their motivation! It’s not for sale at the store. So I set my personal goals and determined what tasks and assignments I need to tackle to get to my destination. The personal success stories of people also motivate and inspire me to achieve my goals.  I have a competitiveness side that seeks to be the best. Now that I have some success and wins under my belt, I recognize how to harness this drive so I can use it to motivate and inspire others.  Anyone can achieve their goals and dreams—they just need the drive to get there. Go for your dreams!! You can accomplish anything with hard work and discipline. That’s how I am living my dream.

So what is the bodybuilding training routine that you use to achieve that killer physique?

My indoor training consists of power yoga, strength and circuit training, a bit of crossfit and plyometrics. At the health club I work at, I conduct cardio and core classes and participate along with my clients. For outside personal training, I run on trails and the track and do outdoor yoga. I think that doing many activities keeps your body in all around good shape, and I have fun doing what I love and knowing that I’m staying fit and healthy.

When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?

I do both. I am a firm believer in incline walking on the treadmill (all the way up at 15!) and I often use weights to aid in fat-burning. I’ll do an hour or more cardio five to six days a week prior to a competition. I don’t believe in really bulking up, so I probably have less fat to burn. I came in at about seven percent bodyfat at my bikini competition. I like to use nutrition to keep my metabolism fired up, so I don’t have that huge need to cut fat before shows.

What is your Diet like?

I am the tupperware princess,,,Haha! I am always on the go, so I have my meals ready and prepped when I leave the house. I usually start out my day with a couple of egg whites, oats (steel cut or instant oatmeal), flax seed oil, PureVia, and some greens, usually broccoli or asparagus. During competitions, I am especially strict and keep my meals very clean. I have a wonderful nutritionist/diet coach, Carl Adams, in Baltimore, Maryland, who has helped me with my contest prep and diets and off season eating plans. The most important part of my diet is that I eat every two to three hours and my meals are made up of nutritious/complex carbs and lean protein. I eat healthy. I try to eat five to six meals a day. While that doesn’t always happen, it’s a critical element of lean muscle so I work hard to give my body the nutrients it needs.

What is your supplementation like?

My diet coach Carl Adams and I share the same philosophy—eat the nutrients you need. I keep things simple and take vitamins only. I get everything else I need through nutrition. I just keep to my vitamins

Plans for the future?

I have big plans for 2010. I plan to keep competing on the NPC National level and hope to become an IFBB Bikini Pro. I would like to make a name for myself in the fitness industry and am working on becoming a brand. And of course, my dream is to help people locally, nationally and hopefully worldwide to achieve their fitness, health and nutrition goals. I am working on my personal website, plus creating a community blog site where I can communicate with others, using social media tools to help them with diet, training, products, etc…

Favorite Bodybuilders?

My favorite fitness model icons are Monica Brant and Jelena Abbou

Favorite Quote?

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

Bodyspace: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/anabrazil/

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