Marzia, it is an honor to speak with you today. You are a true role model and fitness legend. With everything that you accomplished in your life, what sparked this interest in health and fitness?

Marzia: Wow, thank you. It is an honor! I have always been physically active most of my life from high school sports to taking aerobic classes. It wasn’t till I was 23 years old that I hired my first personal trainer and learned how to lift. I was addicted from the get-go. I loved how my stick figure reshaped and transformed into a shapely woman. I also love feeling strong. Bodybuilding has taught me to be disciplined and to push past my own physical limits. At the time I was in college to become a registered nurse, I end up changing my degree and became a physical fitness specialist. I knew I wanted to help people, but it didn’t click until I started lifting, I knew that this was what I was meant to do in life. It felt natural for me. In the meantime, I got certified in nutrition and became a life coach as well. Helping others achieve their best physical and mental shape has been so rewarding for me. I love my job.

You are a top celebrity trainer, fitness expert, life coach, IFBB Bikini Pro, Gaspari Athlete, and one of the very first supermodels of your time (in addition to being Muscle Prodigy’s #1 ranked Hottest Fitness Model). How do you balance your time between all of these endeavors, in addition to finding the time for your family members and loved ones?

Marzia: Windows Outlook! Just kidding. This one took me a long time to do. Through the years I got better and better at balancing my responsibilities. Sometimes it is hard, sometimes it is easy. I have idle hands and love to keep busy!

Which celebrities have you trained? Do you do different kinds of workouts with celebrities as you would with other people?

Marzia: Most of the celebrities are local celebrities in Dallas and some across the US. I do train A LOT of pageant girls. One of my favorite ones I trained was Miss Wisconsin. She went to compete in 2011 Miss America this year in Las Vegas. I was so proud to watch her on TV.

Specializing in women’s training, you help women overcome many common training myths. What are some of these myths and how do you help women overcome them?

Marzia: Well, there are so many misconceptions women have about training. One of the main things women come to me and say “I don’t want to get big!” I believe it is a lack of education. Many women who don’t know much about training with weights freak out on this one. I don’t hate, I educate! If they don’t know, you can’t fault them. I educate them. I feel my job as a trainer is to educate women about my industry.

Do you have a specific training and dieting regimen that you follow? Give us a brief snapshot into some of your workouts and diets.

Marzia: I change up my routine depending on my goals. If it is my off season I like to lift heavy and do basic bodybuilding moves sectioning off body part per day combined with HIIT cardio. This helps me put on more lean muscle. If I need to be really lean, I will do compound movements combined with plyometrics and TRX suspension training with HIIT. I have a very open mind when it comes to training. Every trainer has their own style and theories on why you should do this or that. I love hiring other trainers for their expertise. I am a firm believer in continuing education as well. I think it makes for a well rounded trainer.

You have appeared on many magazine covers, specifically Fitness Magazine, Natural Muscle Magazine, Iron Man Magazine, Muscular Development Magazine, Planet Muscle Magazine. Is their one specific cover that stands out among the rest?

Marzia: I would have to say Natural Muscle Magazine. It was my first cover after I won the 2007 Ms. Bikini Universe competition. I hold that cover in a very special place close to my heart! Makes me smile when I think about it. Good times!

Just last year, you appeared as a guest star on a new workout reality show called The Ultimate Body. In addition, you released a new book and cookbook in 2010. Tell us about these things.

Marzia: I was a celebrity judge for a fitness reality show. There was a celebrity guest panel and I was one of the judges. I was shocked when they asked me. I was honored. It was a fun show to participate in. Actually, due to my busy lifestyle, my book was put on hold. So, now I am back to writing it again. Some things have changed. That means my book will change. My belief system has changed throughout the years. You can say I am a seasoned fitness professional now. I was naïve going in 6 years ago. I feel like I have learned more than a thing or two over the years.

As we saw in the April 2011 Sheamus Muscle & Fitness edition, some guy ruined all of men’s chances of ever being trained by you again. Like many things in life, one jackass screws it up for the rest of us. Can you explain what happened and are you reconsidering the opportunity of training the opposite sex?

Marzia: Basically, the guy I trained hit on me. I don’t have the patience for that when I work. I take training seriously. He crossed the line and I fired him that day. No, I will not train anymore men. Only my fellow fitness sisters! Sorry boys!

What was it like winning the 2007 Ms. Bikini Universe pageant? Was this your most special moment when it came to competitions?

Marzia: Yes, this was a dream come true. It was surreal. It was my first fitness competition. I competed against 122 beautiful women from all around the world. I couldn’t believe that I won. I thought I would go in and learn the ropes for next time. Who knew! So to win that type of title against that many women my first time, UNREAL! Very thankful and grateful every time I think of it. Good times!

 Why do you thoroughly enjoy spreading the word of health to the world?

Marzia: This is something I believe in. I am passionate about it that I set my intentions to do it every day. From the time I wake up to the time I go to bed, I aim to be a better person nutritionally, through fitness, spiritually, mentally, and my relationship with family, friends, and clients. A healthy body is a healthy mind. It is all connected. Happiness is contagious!

If you could give one piece of advice to a woman when it comes to fitness, what would it be?

Marzia: Educate yourself. Do your research! I can’t stress this enough.

When you’re not focusing on your career or going to the gym, what are some of the things you enjoy doing in your free time?

Marzia: Traveling, writing, spending time with family and friends.

If you had to pick one motto, what would it be and why?

Marzia: Fitness is not a look, it is a lifestyle!

Who has served as your biggest role model? Why is this person so special to you?

Marzia: I have different types of role models. Celebrity role model and real role models. I have different areas in my life where many different people have inspired me. But, my real role model is my husband of 8 years. He has helped me grow as an individual in more ways than one. I am thankful to have him in my life to encourage me in everything that I do.

If you had to pick just one, what is your proudest accomplishment in your life?

Marzia: Wow…I have so many accomplishments that I am proud of. Besides all the titles and magazine covers, one accomplishment that I never talk about, but I am more open to talk about it now, is that I grew up in a very negative environment. So, for me to turn around my life around to be the person I am today is an accomplishment in itself. I am grateful and thankful to have the strength to be the person I am today.

What are your future goals both personally and professionally?

Marzia: Professionally, I am working on a top secret project right now. I have been working long hours/days to get it done. I can’t wait to share it with everyone when I am done. Personally, I am in the process of having invitrofertilization done to have a baby. I had endometriosis really bad in 2009 and had to have surgery for it to remove all the scar tissue. They found out my fallopian tubes were damaged due to the scar tissue. The doctors told me I would have to do IVF to get pregnant. So, the hubby and I have been together for 8 years, we are both established professionally, and now it is time to start a family. I need to hurry, my eggs are on walkers!

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