fitness
Breakthroughs
You see her in Ads and other fitness promo.
She’s from Costa Rica, and yes she is engaged…
engaged to the gym. Fitness and healthy lifestyle is
the only thing that matters to her – to inspire others
and aspire to be the greatest. She’s tough and buff. The
Center Stage was very lucky to have Monserrat in this
issue. We will know how she dreamed, believed, and
survived in the world that is full of surprises. Let’s get
to know more of her beyond the weights and the camera. How long you have been in the modeling business? “I got the chance to make my first photo-shoot
on 2010; it was just for curiosity because during my
senior year in high school, my friends start suggesting me to try some modeling. (But please they were my
friends so I wasn’t that sure to do it) Then the opportunity came and I decided to go through the experience
(fashion photo-shoot). A year later, I start planning on
become a Fitness Model and mix my passion for modeling and sports (exercise).”
In that span of years, were there any fitness
figures you admire and became a source of inspiration?
“It wasn’t until a year ago I started following fitness
athletes Bella Falconi, MankoFit, Mike O’Hearn,
David Kimmerle, Michelle Lewis, Dana Linn Bailey,
James Ellis, I can go on and on for hours. However, I
always feel inspired with all the female super heroes
and female fighters since I got memory not just because of their bodies but also for their willpower and
strength”, she shares. When you were growing, what
was your dream? “While I was growing up I always
dreamed about finishing my studies and create my own
business, and now that I am totally into fitness industry, I want to create a brand to motivate people, so
they can get a healthier lifestyle.” You are now living
your dream and enjoying every moment, what was the
feeling when you started to model in a modeling gig
and fitness business? “Before I made a decision to enter into a fitness contest, I was depressed with a broken
heart and I was not sure
if I was going in the right direction. Finally, when I hit
the bottom, I have decided to do what really make me
happy, what was it? Yes, exercise. And then all is history, after my first competition I knew this was just the
beginning of this exciting journey”, Monserrat recalls.
With the busy schedule you have in the daily
basis, how do you keep track on these commitments?
“Sometimes it is hard, it seems like you really don’t
have the time enough, but if you really want it, you will
make the time, at the end of the day, and it is about
willpower and how bad you want it”, the fitness enthusiast revealed. It is indeed very obvious that when you
appear in an Ad or fitness promos, you have to maintain your body shape. How do you maintain your physical physique? “Nutrition is the key. You can train five
times a week, two times per day, but if you eat whatever you want and have all the junk food in excess,
you will never reach your ideal physique”, Monserrat
advised. How many times do you train or work out in
a week? Do you have a favorite workout? “I train 5
times per week; I really enjoy killing my back workout,
feels amazing to go heavier in my dumbbell rows.”
What is the workout routine that you find it
very challenging? “Maybe my cardio, that’s my weak
point, because I don’t do much. I also think that every
routine should be really challenging, if it’s not, you are
not trying good enough.” Let us admit it, sometimes
food is irresistible. What types of food do you eat and
do you have a customized meal to watch your shape?
“I don’t follow any special diet, I just try to eat balance, a little from everything, and of course I have a
pizza once in a while. You can have that piece of cake
that makes you nuts with moderation; is really different to have one slice that half of the cake. Food timing is also really important, specially before and after
training, before bed time and after waking up, remember food fuels the body, be sure to give what it needs
not what you want.”
Since when did you start to realize that being
healthy is must these days. “For me is not something
about a trend, being fit and healthy improving life
quality. I had been practicing sports since I was five,
so I always have someone to push me and motivate
me, beside I am really competitive.” What food or
drinks you cannot resist? “Is really hard to tur