Page 77 - Demo

www.MOSTmag.com || FITNESS MAG A ZINE || 77MFM: As a personal trainer, what nutrition deficiency do you find most common in your clients?VSF: Iron is a big problem- lots of people have an iron deficiency and don%u2019t even know it. They feel tired and fatigued and don%u2019t realize that is the cause. Many people just become vegetarian and cut out meat, but don%u2019t know how to replace the iron with other foods.MFM: What are your 3 best suggestions to stay healthy?VSF: Drink lots of water, sleep at least 8 hours every night, and do some intense cardio exercise 4 to 5 times a week. I would also like to add another one, which is very important to me, and that is to learn to relax and spend at least one hour a day in contact with nature. You could take a walk to the beach or a park and just enjoy the nature around you- the sun, the wind, the rain, and talk to God while doing so. It is good for your spirit and soul.MFM: How does it feel during a fitness competition when you are on stage? Do you get nervous?VSF: I usually get nervous while I am waiting to go up on stage, but once I am on the stage I feel fine. I love to be on stage and entertain, so for me it is just another photo shoot or a dance; as long as I look good and feel good, I am ok.MFM: When was the last time you visited Italy? VSF: My family and I go to Italy at least once a year. We just got back this past September from visiting Portofino and then we traveled down the Amalfi coast. I also always do a photo shoot everywhere I go with photographer George Kontaxis, who always travels with us. Last year we visited the island of Sicily and Malta, and the year before we visited Sardinia and Corsica, all on a private yacht for two weeks, both amazing trips.MFM: You have a foundation called %u201cAmore For Dogs%u201d who was your first dog, and how did you get a passion for helping these animals?VSF: Yes, I started Amore for Dogs with my husband about two years ago. I have always loved dogs; I had a Bichon Frise for 14 years, and she was my baby, the love of my life, and her name was Amore. She was with me every day and night, traveled everywhere, and was always there for me. After she passed, I missed her terribly, and my life changed without her. I met my husband while he had 4 dogs, so with my Amore we had a total of 5 dogs. Once she was gone, I started rescuing dogs, and it was like she was guiding me and telling me what to do from Heaven, so I decided to start this foundation and try to save as many dogs as I could.I raise as much money as I can and donate it to shelters and rescues around the world, and I named the foundation after her, AMORE FOR DOGS, which means %u201clove for dogs%u201d in Italian.