(WP): What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?

(AA): When I started my competitions as a Fitness/Figure competitor, the hardest thing for me to overcome was the extra smile I had to do on stage while posing (The 5 compulsory poses which is required in Australia ) on 6 inch heels and hold the pose at the same time, but the more I was practicing and I was competing, the easiest became.

(WP): What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?

(AA): The hardest thing was the amount of portions I had to eat. Even though I was eating every 2 to 3 hour, after eating my meal to stand, up from the table, and still wanting to eat a bit more.

(WP): What are the key factors that dictate the way you train today?

(AA): The key factors that dictate the way I train today are my passion for training, my thoughts of how I will feel after the training and for the rest of the day, the steps which will take me closer to my goals with my physique, and the benefits for my health.

(WP): How has your training changed over the years?

(AA): Honestly, it did not changed that much. Maybe I just dropped a bit of the super heavy weights to lighter weights and including higher repetitions for maintaining more my physique than building up more. How everyone knows that now with the new criteria in Figure, we are penalized for having to much muscles or being to ripped; which happened in my situation few times in the competitions.

(WP): What titles/accomplishments have you thus far? Tell me about them.

(AA): – Professional Spring board diver for Romania, ranked number 1 for 10 years consecutive.

-Miss Fitness Victoria (Australia).

-Miss Fitness NSW (Australia).

-Miss Fitness Australia.

-Miss Short Figure Australasia.

-Miss Figure Overall Australasia

-World Championships Finalist (Spain).

-IFBB Pro-Figure

(WP): Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?

(AA): In 10 years, I can still see myself being extremely fit, still will be part and to contribute with my knowledge into the industry helping others, being the guru of healthy lifestyle and stay looking good, having a book out, couple of more DVD’s, my own gym wear (Fit Dolls, by Arina Manta; which is my business name, as well) and few other things which I am working at and would like to keep them for myself for now.

(WP): Are you doing any modeling? If so, please tell me about it.

(AA): Yes, I am doing modeling. I started to do some modeling in my youngest years while I was a spring board diver. I was mostly doing modeling for sport outfits and brands. That was something I did really enjoy and wanted to continue if opportunity crosses my path. When I came to Australia, I started to model for gym wear brands, swim suits, make up, street wear, sport magazines etc.

After becoming a Pro-Figure and started to compete in the US, I started to be approached by the top fitness photographers in the world to shoot for then and also by fitness magazines and other magazines, brands etc.

(WP): Can you tell me any photographers you’ve worked with, or someone you’d like to work with?

Arina Manta3(AA): Here are few of the photographers I worked with: the most I worked with is the legendary, Bill Dobbins, which is the most amazing photographer I have ever worked with. Also, I worked with Jerry Frederick, John David Stutz, Michael Eckstut, Gary Phillips, Greg Whrite, Mike Yurkovic, George Legeros, Carlos Lopez, Dan Ray, Rob Czempinski, and many more.

(WP): What supplements do you currently take?

(AA): I take WPI (Evolve), Glutamine (Evolve), BCAA, L-Arginine, complete range of vitamins and minerals, Fish oil, and Primrose oil.

(WP): What are your pet peeves?

(AA): My pet peeves are: dishonesty and fake people, superficiality, and back stabbers. Also, when I compete, is the competition color.

(WP): What do you consider to be important in life? Why?

(AA): What I consider to be important in life is to be positive, to be happy, and to be respectful toward others, to be honest and help others in need. I believe that these qualities are important for a person to have, because they will help them to improve their quality of life.

(WP): How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?

(AA): Through the years my way of thinking, actions and life in general changed into a more positive, relaxing, balanced and realistic way, making me a better person. I do believe it is because of all my experiences in life.

(WP): What are your stats such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?

(AA): My stats are: Height: 5′4″, weight: 55-56 kg. during my off season; 51 kg. during my on season: biceps flexed: 12 inches ( 31 cm ) and my waist: 23.5 inches (60 cm).

(WP): Give me an example of your workout.

(AA): Biceps workout and abs:

Dumbbell bicep curl: 3 x 15

Dumbbell hammer curl: 3 x 15

Dumbbell preacher curl: 3 x 15

Cable double biceps curl: 3 x 15

Cable concentration curl: 3 x 12

ABS:

Decline bench crunches: 4 x 25

Rope crunches: 3 x 20 Leg raises: 4 x 15

40 to 50 minutes cardio, plus stretches.

(WP): Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?

Meal 1: Oats, WPI, fruit

Meal 2: tuna, brown rice, green veggies

Meal 3: chicken breast, sweet potato, green veggies

Meal 4: egg white (plus 1 yolk), big green salad

Meal 5: Chicken breast or kangaroo meat, green veggies

Meal 6: Whey protein

Proteins shake also after training.

(WP): Could you tell me about your future projects?

(AA): At this stage, I would like to continue to be successful with everything I do.

(WP): Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to bring to light?

(AA): Yes. I would really appreciate if I can be able, thorough this interview, to say a big thank you to my amazing sponsor, ASN Australian Sports Nutrition who help me and supports me for the past year to fulfill my dream into the fitness Industry and my competitions.

(WP): It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!

It was also my pleasure to be interviewed by World Physique. Thank you very kindly.