I AM ALFA because I am fierce. I don’t give up and I like to build other women up instead of tearing them down as I understand the importance of being supportive, loyal, and kind.
Photography by: ALI SOHRAB
Hair and Make up By: Tianna Abrams
I am originally from Brazil but did all my high school in the US and also part of my university in Seattle. I moved to Canada in 2007 for work as I have a master in physical therapy. in 2009 I got married and now we have 2 beautiful children.
I am a certified trainer and I absolutely love it. Having worked in the hospital and especially ICU for years, I got to see a lot of bad stuff, death, disease, and suffering. Training clients brought to me the preventive side of medicine where I can actually change people’s lives and bring them to a side of their lives where is full of joy, by achieving their physical goals and also mentally changing their mind set and helping them live a healthier life style.
I AM ALFA because I am fierce. I don’t give up and like to build other women up instead of tearing them down as I understand the importance of being supportive, loyal, and kind. I am also Alfa because when I set a goal, there is no stopping me and I like to show others that it is possible to have a career, be a wife, a mom and also have your personal space, needs and values and still be yourself but also be able to juggle it all without losing who you are.
What are the most rewarding things that Fitness has brought you? Fitness has brought me self-discipline, perseverance and a sense of "hard work pays off". It has also brought me some good friendships, a sense of being complete and the purpose i have always felt on helping people and being a mentor.
When was the most alfa moment in your life, and why? I can say I had a few ones as moving by myself and doing high school in the US when I was only 15 was a big deal but the biggest one has to be finishing my first bikini competition with a short prep of less than 12 weeks and getting third place in 2019. Also, I could have used every excuse in the world to not finish it as I have 2 little kids and yes it was hard juggling nutrition, morning and evening workouts (I did have my husband’s help, thank you Greg) and the overall feeling of questioning if I looked good enough, if it will be enough to step in that stage. I went to a posing class with Darren Toma, who became my coach and a friend and told him i wanted to compete and he said it can be done if you work hard. So, I did. No excuses, no cheating, no short cuts and on October 2019 i stepped in that stage and it felt so good! The feeling of finishing something and achieving a goal was the best feeling in the world.
How Has Covid-19 impacted your daily life? We are living a moment in history right now with COVID-19. Sometimes I look at my children and wonder if they will even remember what happened. I mean, my 5 understands there is a "bad virus " going around and she needs to sanitize her hands and keep her distance from people but my little guy who is almost 3 has no idea. It’s just a huge prolonged vacation from daycare for him. COVID -19 affected my life and my family life big time. We are all home doing our part, my husband who is a realtor is still working remotely and doing some showings but taking all the precautions and both kids who are used to daycare/preschool and tons of activities like swimming, gymnastics, ice skating etc. aren’t able to do much and our lives revolve on going for walks and bike rides as a family. I am lucky to have a home gym and be able to keep working out is keeping my sanity and peace for sure even thou I miss going to the gym and socializing with friends. The social distance which is completely necessary to flatten the curve, is the hardest thou. Not being able to hug, kiss a friend and getting close to humans is excruciating.
If you had to choose one positive thing about isolation, what would it be? It gives me more time with the kids. I mean even thou some days are hard with both in the house and nowhere to go, i feel it is still nice as now we wake up and there is no rush and we can enjoy breakfast, watch movies and like my daughter says" there is no rush momma because we are going nowhere". It made us closer for sure and we had to reinvent ways to keep them occupied.... old school games, lots of snuggles and lots of bike/ roller skate’s rides.
How do you maintain your emotional, mental, and physical well-being while in isolation? As I mentioned I am lucky and blessed enough to have a home gym, so that is helping me big time. I keep my cardio and weights going, and since fitness is a big part of my life it’s been amazing to keep it going. Besides that, lots of walks, bike rides with the kids, some long drives by myself to grab a coffee and relax and my husband does the same, he has his own time, goes for a walk, etc., so we both keep our minds healthy and capable to function with the kids. We take turns and try to give each other space even if it’s an hour for him outside doing gardening by himself and me working out and having my time.
What would be your message to the world? Stay safe, wash your hands, keep your distance and use precautions. Its ok to be scared, and to fear something that we don’t know. It’s a new virus, it affects each person differently and its ok to fear it. But please don’t panic. Fear helps, it’s a defence mechanism, panic destroys and makes things worse. Pick and choose what you read, what you watch. one day it will be gone. Nothing is forever. Keep calm, trust God or whoever you believe in and know that things will be fine. For now, do your part. We can only control what we do.
What’s next for you? Life is a journey and we are always evolving and making new plans, new goals. That’s what makes life exciting. I mean I want to continue training my clients which is my passion, some fitness business may be in the cards which has always been a dream and keep going on my bodybuilding journey and getting better and better by the year.
Please share 5 things people don’t know about you.
My first language is Portuguese, second is English and third is Spanish and planning on learning Italian and French.... I am an extremely competitive person and have swam for my state in Brazil competitively and went around the world competing. I started swimming when i was 4 and stopped just before high school. I am very proud of my medals and plan on showing them to the kids when they grow. "Hard work pays off" I am a very impatient girl and want things right away which sometimes gets me in trouble. I wanted to be a firefighter at one point in my life.... yes at 5-3 and 115 pounds ... good luck to me! Lol. I used to love milk chocolate and have never tried dark until I met my husband, then I tried and I absolutely love it and can’t even eat the milk anymore!
Please name few Alfa people you know.
My mom, Beatriz: She is by far not close to be perfect but she did her best on raising me and making me who I am today. I was a little bit of a hand full while growing up and she had to keep me in line by finishing my degree, learning languages and always wanting the best for me and sacrificing her happiness for mine. I used to skip English classes and she caught me one time and then from that day on she used to drop me off and wait inside the car reading the newspaper right in front of the school for one hour until class was over so I would stay in class... who does this! Lol. Jennifer Singleton (friend and fellow bikini competitor), a strong woman and super sweet girl that I got to meet through my bodybuilding " gang", and we clicked right away and she loves to build woman up, and always care about others. Holly Nickiforek, one of my best friends I met through training. She came into my life as a client and we became family. She is strong, independent, and had the heart of gold. You need a hand she will be there for you.
Rejane Teixeira: Best friend, godmother of my kids and just an overall strong woman. She has been working since she is 15, selling clothes, doing whatever it takes to support herself and still after 2 kids, she juggles husband, kids and work.
Shelley Sheren: Met her through fitness and she became good friend, a mentor, an "grandma/aunty for my kids and I am so happy to have her in my life. She is a supportive, hard worker and independent woman and is always there for me when i need an advice or just to hang out and laugh....
What would be the ultimate tips you could share with everyone about Life?
It would be about achieving Goals. You always need to set realistic and attainable goals, that way you won’t get disappointed. If you have a fitness goal for example and you had a bad day and ate junk food, don’t beat yourself up. We ALL do this as we are only humans. Just eat the junk food and the next day go back to tour normal routine. You will fall off the wagon a few times. It doesn’t matter. What matters is you get up and jump on it again. Keep yourself accountable for your goals. Don’t blame people and things for mistakes. Own it and again move on. Try to change your mind set when you are having a bad time and you feel you won’t be able to achieve what you want. One day won’t break you. Get up, think forward, ask for help if you believe in God and if not meditate, relax, breath and know that another day will come. Nothing lasts forever.
What would be the ultimate tips you could share with everyone about Health? Being healthy is a choice. I mean we can choose not to smoke, not to drink not to eat junk food. We can also choose to make bad choices and take consequences for it and by that, I mean our body will take the hit. Our body is our temple. Take care of it, exercise, eat somewhat healthy foods, cheat when you feel like and have a good cheeseburger or some pasta or whatever you want, and go back and be kind to it. Also, be kind to your mind. The mind is so powerful and if the mind isn’t healthy it affects your physical health big time. Learn how to forgive, how to love like it’s your last day on earth, hug and kiss a lot and make sure you tell the people you love that you love them, and express your feelings. If someone doesn’t like it too bad. We HAVE to able to express ourselves.
Your top favourite quote
"what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger"
Where people can find you?
Instagram: @fitbrazilianchick
