This June, Miami, FL became the epicenter for the Universe Fitness Model weekend. Hundreds of stunning women and men arrived to participate and present themselves in different types of competition such as Model Universe, Ms. Bikini Universe, Muscle Mania Universe, Fitness Universe, and Figure Universe. I had a chance to personally to meet and interview Ms. Bikini Universe 2009 Overall Champion Natalia Muntean, a stunning and incredibly intelligent athlete who is from Ukraine and has lived in the States for 7 years. Let’s find out more about Natalia Muntean’s modeling, fitness, and personal lifestyle.

1. Natalia, what do you do for living?

I am a professional full-time model and fitness entrepreneur.

2. How did you decide to be involved in fitness?

I have always been active since I remember myself. I have tried myself in different sports growing up such as gymnastics, track and field, Dju-do, swimming and Latin dance. I was one very busy kid!

Although, I was very active, when I got 16 years old I started gaining weight and being very insecure about that. I couldn’t understand at first, how can I be so athletic and yet struggle with extra weight! Well, through some mistakes, self-education and dedication I finally found a balance in my life working out regularly and eating very healthy! Good and healthy nutrition is very important part of success! I maintain the same weight for over 12 years now, reaching for new fitness heights, I found myself competing on stage for already a year.

So, fitness was always a big part of my life, only now it is more conscious and meaningful for me.

3. Natalia, I know your work life is very busy and diverse; however, what are your interests and hobbies to addition to professional modeling and fitness?

I speak 5 languages (Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Italian, and English). Have a master’s degree in International Business and Foreign Languages. Dance and Martial Arts are my hobbies as well.

4. What are your 3 best fitness tips to stay in a good shape?

The three very important components of being in good shape for me is proper nutrition, depending on your needs and goals; daily physical activity, and good night sleep!

5. What is your daily workout routine?

My workout routine depends on where are I am at in my competition season. Usually, I start my morning with 30 minute cardio, and later in a day I work out with weights - 4 times a week, body part per week. I like variety, so I dance, do plyo or sprint to make my cardio fun and different.

6. How many times you workout daily?

Usually, I exercise one or two times per day. It depends on the season.

7. How many times per day do you usually eat?

I eat 5 times a day. I cook my food in advance, so when I have long photo shoots I can bring my stuff with me in a cooler, and will not be tempted to have anything bad or be hungry.

8. Do you have a cheating day?

I don’t plan my cheating days; I am used to eating clean so much, that I enjoy it! But when I really, really crave something I shouldn’t have, I go for it and enjoy it, simply because I have it very rarely and work hard!

9. How did you become a fitness model?

I am modeling for over 10 years already, and fitness modeling was always interesting to me. I decided to adjust my body for this modeling area and after a year of hard work and successful first competition season, I can honestly say it’s worth every bit of it! It is only the beginning for me!

10. How did you feel when you became a Ms. Bikini Universe?

When I was pronounced Ms. Bikini Universe Overall Champion, I felt accomplished and very satisfied! I worked hard for it and there is nothing more sweet than victory after a hard training!

11. What would you like to say people that are training to be a fitness model?

If you are training to become a fitness model, you have to realize that it’s a lifestyle you will adopt for a long time! Looking your best, maintaining the shape all year around, a lot of refuses before you hit a big job, traveling, constant criticism, and never ending training, are all parts of being a fitness model. You will sacrifice a lot, but the reward is sweet! I love meeting new people, making new friends who have so much in common with me, modeling for great photographers and magazines, challenging myself constantly and finally inspire others to get in better shape and live their lives healthier! It’s not easy, but nothing great is ever easy!

I had so much of a blast interviewing the beautiful Ms. Bikini Universe 2009 Overall Champion Natalia Muntean. Currently, she is very busy with work and training. She is concentrating on her next competition right now, and her fitness product which we will hear about it soon.

Personally I wish Natalia new victories and opportunities in her fitness and modeling lives, in which she was targeting for over a year! Thank you Natalia for sharing your interests and work with PersonalTrainerz.com!