Mapusa girl Atina de Sousa walked away with several medals at the recently concluded I Compete Natural, a natural bodybuilding and fitness modelling competition. Being the only Goan girl on stage, she bagged the gold in the Ms Sports Model Open* and Ms Sports Model First Timer, a silver in Ms Fitness Model First Timer and a bronze in Ms Fitness Model Open. Talking to GT, she shares inputs about her journey into the world of bodybuilding and fitness modelling.
Tell us about your fitness journey.
Fitness has been close to my heart since childhood. I was an athlete back in my school days. However, as I grew older, priorities changed and sports/fitness took a back seat.
It was when I moved to Mumbai to pursue my master’s degree in Celebrity Management and Public Relations that things got out of hand. I’d sit in class all day with no activity whatsoever and binge eat throughout.
Things got even worse during the pandemic. With the amount of weight I’d gained, I knew that things needed to change. I always have this empty feeling when I stay away from fitness. So during the pandemic, I decided to study in-depth fitness and nutrition science.
I soon enrolled with the Institute of Nutrition and Fitness Sciences to specialise in fitness and nutrition science. It was during this process of learning that I realised how I needed to change things.
When and why did you decide to get into bodybuilding? What was the transition like for you?
After completing my specialisation in fitness and nutrition and coaching so many people while simultaneously working on making my physique the best I had to date, I realised that I had the potential to compete in bodybuilding events.
It’s rare to see girls being able to do pull-ups. I can do about 13-15 reps in one go. People often see me as an inspiration, and it gives me so much joy. I decided to take this to another level to be able to inspire the masses and especially my fellow Goan girls.
Do you consider bodybuilding and fitness modelling a professional gig? Do you pursue another career on the side?
Yes, fitness is a big, big part of me. I train clients online, and I am also a businesswoman. I do plan on making fitness big in Goa. It’s still in the ideation process. Goa has gyms and trainers, but what Goa lacks is knowledge. Fitness is science.
It is not avoiding sugar or rice. It’s all about simple and basic science. This was my first-ever competition. It’s been tough, but a journey that’s worth it. At the moment I’m just taking time out to relax and go easy on myself.
While not a lot of Goans pursue fitness as a career on a national platform, how easy or challenging is it to break into the industry?
It makes it even more fun to be the first girl to represent Goa on this platform. Challenging would also be an understatement. Prepping for this kind of bodybuilding competition is a big deal. It takes a lot out of you.
Right from investing time, to prepping meals, to putting in the work to train at the gym, sticking to a clean diet while measuring every gram that you consume. It takes a lot of discipline, willpower and determination to put yourself through this.
No doubt it was very hard, but this prep has also changed me as a person. I’m so much more focused, consistent and determined in all aspects of my life.
No doubt it is a physical transformation that you see, but what escapes the eyes is the transformation that you have mentally too. This prep has given me a new perspective.
What are the career prospects you're looking at in this field? Any competitions you're looking forward to taking part in?
I’m currently a health and wellness coach. I train clients online in various parts of the world. I have just done with one big competition. I’m going to take it easy for a while before I decide about my next competition. But, if and when I do, it’ll be Sheru Classic.
Tell us a little about how you prepped for the competition? How long was your prep for, and what were the lifestyle changes you had to make?
Being a big-time foodie, I wouldn’t lie and say it was easy. It was hard! I have been training on and off for about 4 years now, but prepping for this competition began 7 months back.
The first thing I knew was I needed to control my cravings and not look at food as an escape. But today, I’m walking out not only with medals but with so much more willpower, determination, focus and self-belief.
What did your day look like during your prep time?
I’d wake up at 5 am and hit my cardio, which had to be in a steady state for 50-60 mins with just one rest day. After which I had to prep my meals. When I say meals, I mean every gram measured. My diet was tailored to meet my needs in order to achieve the body I needed for the competition.
Any people you look up to in the industry? And why?
It would be unfair to name just a few. A lot of people inspire me in my day-to-day life. It’s not just people from the fitness industry.
Who has been your support system, and how have they helped you mould yourself for the competition?
My parents have been supportive always. Although I live away from home, they are always motivating and supporting me with their constant check-ins, calls, etc. My best friend, Kyra, has been a huge part of my journey, right from helping me prep my meals to being my motivator on my low days – she’s done it all.
And my brother, being a fitness enthusiast himself, has always made sure I’m doing the right thing and keeping well, and has guided me during the course of my journey.
What next?
It’s been a hectic 7 months of prep for me. Now that I am home in Goa, I’m just going to sit back and relax this December and have a good time with family and friends.
[*“Open” category means anyone can take part, be it pro athletes with experience or amateurs. Also, there is no height or age bar.]