I AM ALFA because I always have and always will love myself at any shape and size. I work incredibly hard, and I don’t settle for the things I want out of life. I am constantly making new goals for myself, and have no doubt in my mind that I will reach them.
Photography by: ALI SOHRAB
I am an island girl through and through. Born and raised right here in Victoria, by two VERY European parents. I am kind of a jack of all trades, and have many irons in the fire. This is because I am very ambitious and I never stop dreaming or hustling. I bartend, I have my own Air B and B, I work at a real estate office, and do hair on the side. I NEVER stop moving and that is how I live my life. I have a degree in Psychology with a minor in tech, and when I do have free time I work on my podcast for some fun light entertainment :) Beyond that, and when I am not at the gym, I am usually cuddling my dog Kali, and trying to relax. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but my next goal would either to get my masters in Psychology or to finish my real estate course. My hope is that by the end of 2020 I will be finalizing what I will be doing further as my career. While I don’t have every aspect of my life figured out, I have loved every step of the way. I have grown so much as an individual in 2020, and I can’t wait to see what the outcome of all my hard work will bring.
I AM ALFA because I work incredibly hard, and I don’t settle for the things I want out of life. I am constantly making new goals for myself, and have no doubt in my mind that I will reach them. I always have and always will love myself at any shape and size. We are all given this incredible opportunity of LIFE, and I vow to spend each and every day making sure I live my life to the fullest! I want to continually re-invent myself - becoming the best version of myself with every day that goes by and that is what makes me ALFA.
What are the most rewarding things that Fitness has brought you? Fitness has always been a major staple in my life. Starting in my early teens, I swam almost every day - twice a day even making it on a National team. It has shaped who I am, making me the ambitious hard working woman that stands before you. Being a competitive swimmer, was often straining. You would have to wake up at 5 am, have a morning workout - head to high school - and then back in the pool by 4pm. I LIVED AND BREATHED SWIMMING for most of my life. I wouldn’t change it for the world, because it has taught me the value of working hard. It taught me that I can achieve anything, as long as I put my head down and work hard. I owe my competitive energy and motivation to fitness. It is almost something that is indescribable, especially because it has been something that has been embedded in me for most of my life.
I often have people asking me how I am able to take on many different tasks at once without burning out. I never have a black and white answer, but I believe my ability to multi-task and my drive comes from my early athleticism. I don’t think, I just do. It is as if I turn on a mental switch where suddenly I have tunnel vision, and all I see is the end goal. The road of hard work ahead is never a deterrent, for I know that the outcome is far greater than any adversities along the way. So, what has fitness taught me? That I can, and I WILL kick ass at whatever I put my mind to without question or hesitation!
When was the most alfa moment in your life, and why? Winning this contest! I never win anything! EVER! Even a week before I was given the winning title, I had already made decided that I wasn’t going to be the winner but that I was proud of what I had achieved regardless of any title. When I got the phone call saying that I was the winner, it was hard to hold back tears. I was focused in trying to take the moment in. When off the phone, it was milliseconds before I was calling my trainer letting her know the good news. It was really an amazing moment, that I hope I will never forget. It just proved to me that no matter the goal, big or small, that I can achieve anything I put my mind too! It was one of the proudest moments of my life :)
How Has Covid-19 impacted your daily life? At first, it was devastating. I didn’t know what to do. I had lost my job, and all form of income, and just like anyone, I had no idea when things were going to return to any kind of “normal.” The first two weeks were daunting, and I spent the first 14 or so days side by side with my best friend a bottle of wine. Then, I am not too sure what changed, but there was a switch. I decided in that moment, that we have been given an unusual opportunity, and I didn’t want to look back at this time in my life, thinking that I didn’t take advantage of it. Covid-19 essentially put life on pause for me. I have never in my life, had more free time, and I didn’t want to waste a second of it. I wanted to turn this really negative time in the world into a positive, and I believe that is what I accomplished. I took a good hard look at my life, and started with making goals. One of them being, my weight loss. Somehow, I had let the scale creep up to 195 lbs., and I just wasn’t happy. I used Covid-19 as an opportunity to lose that weight I had put on, and jump start my weight loss journey.
How do you envision the social, business, and family life to be after the lockdown? Life is kind of returning to a “new normal” as the media puts it. When we can return to “normal normal” no one knows. As a bartender, it has been interesting to see the changes put in place in order to keep running. While we follow all the rules and guidelines, it has been challenging to have people do the same. I think there is a lot of frustration not being able to socialize like we have in the past. In the service industry; restaurants specifically - people want to socialize and meet new people. Patrons want to pull up beside a random person and make small talk. All of that now is stripped away and I believe that has been one of the hardest things to get accustomed to. For any business, we are all learning the new ways in which it functions. Whether you are a business owner, or a customer, we are in this together, and it has been a learning curve. We are all moving forward together but at a distance. So, whether it be travelling down a different route at the grocery store, or sitting 6 feet away beside someone at a bar, we are all trying to navigate this “new world” we live in while trying to remain healthy and safe. In regard to ‘family-life,’ I think we have a new-found appreciation for one another and the time we have with our own families. We also have a higher regard of safety around taking care of our older family members.
Please share up to 5 things people don’t know about you. I have travelled to Antarctica when I was 16 years old.
I am half Czech and half German. I used to swim competitively at a National Level. My siblings are 20 years older than me. I was a happy little mistake J I golf, and I had two holes in ones in my life J Please name few Alfa people you know.
My Mother, Mila. She immigrated to Canada in June 1975 from the Czech-republic. She moved here at the age of 27 with her two young kids (Martin 5, Vlasta 3). My mother didn’t speak a word of English, and yet she was able to make a new life for herself charting unknown territory. My mother has taught me a lot of things - one of them being her incredible ability to adapt to any challenges that she may face, and her ability too perceiver. 15 years later my mom had me at the ripe age of 42. Navigating mother-hood again, I grew up looking up to her as she had accomplished so much at such a young age. She came to Canada with nothing, and ended up with an abundance of wisdom and prosperity. She is ALFA, because she never stops working hard every day. Even now at the age of 72, she is constantly in motion, and offering us all a helping hand. I am forever grateful in the lessons she has taught me, and the work ethic she in-stilled in me. This beautiful Czech woman taught me to never give up, and to never settle.
What would be the ultimate tips you could share with everyone about LIFE? Do not settle. You are given this one beautiful amazing life - so please take advantage of it!!! You can do whatever you set your mind to - I can promise you that! If you want it bad enough, and you’re willing to put in the time and the mental energy you WILL get what you put in! So take this wonderful life of yours and create a life that you LOVE and are proud of!
What would be the ultimate tips you could share with everyone about Health? There are quite a few. I will start with “Make GOALS”, Both big and small. Write them down and look at them every day. Next one is to take photos and tape measurements! The scale shouldn’t be your only tool! I would go weeks without the “scale dropping,” but seeing inches disappear off my body kept me motivated ready to keep pushing forward. Make sure to drink water like it is your part-time job. Stay consistent! Rome was not built in one day! You can get the results you want but you NEED to keep at it. Count those Macros! Drop the booze!
THE RULE OF 2, which means, if you fall of the health wagon, make sure it is not for more than 2 days MAX. If you work out Friday, you can have Saturday off, but not Saturday and Sunday. The more days you have off without getting back at it, will set you back. Without the rule of 2 - it is easy to step away from our healthy habits and what could have been 2 days is now 2 weeks or 2 months! Keeping good habits will help you get to your goals and stay and maintain a healthy life-style forever.
You can achieve anything you put your mind too, just ask yourself how bad you want it.
Find a workout partner to keep your accountable.
Stop comparing yourself with others. Your only goal should be to strive to become the best version of yourself each and every day, both physically and mentally.
Reward yourself along the way.
GET A TRAINER, online or in person! I have always had a coach growing up with swimming, and I have never thought twice about having a trainer! They will help you get to your goals, as long as you listen to their advice to a tee!
Your top favourite quote
Work hard, Play Hard.
This is a quote my mother and I would say as she dropped me off as a teenager to my swim practices. We would say it without fail every time, and it has always stuck with me. We are the creators of our life, and the energy we put in, is what we will get out of life. I know that if I put my head down, and dial into my goals there is nothing that will stop me from achieving it. So, I work hard, and I play hard. It is the balance of my life.
Where people can find you?
Instagram: @Cynnchaa and @blondebeastmode
