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What motivated you to transition from competitive swimming and gymnastics to bodybuilding?When I turned 19, I wanted to compete in a beauty pageant, but unfortunately, my height didn%u2019t meet the requirements. I%u2019ve always been on the lookout for new sports. One day, while watching a beauty pageant video on YouTube, I stumbled upon a Bikini Olympia bodybuilding video. The rest is history.How did your early experiences in sports shape your approach to bodybuilding?I started participating in sports and performing in front of crowds at a young age. This combination became perfect for bodybuilding%u2014not only were my muscles already well-developed, but my confidence on stage came naturally. Plus, discipline had always been part of my routine.Can you describe the moment you realized you wanted to pursue a career in fitness modeling and bodybuilding?The moment I saw the Olympia, I just knew I would go there and win it one day. I didn%u2019t know when or how, but I knew I would.What were some of the key challenges you faced in your journey to becoming a Bikini Olympia Champion?Living in a small town in Norway felt like climbing Mount Everest%u2014it seemed impossible. From figuring out visa requirements to being the legal guardian of my little brother, I had to balance being a teenager, an athlete, and a caretaker all at once. I worked two jobs, maintained a strict diet, and did tons of cardio, all while caring for my brother. But I had one goal: to qualify for and win the Olympia. The hurdles never distracted me from that.How did you prepare for the 2022 Bikini Olympia, and what strategies did you use to stand out among the 54 competitors?I trusted my heart, my plan, and my intuition. I kept doing what I knew was right for me, knowing I just needed time to see it all come together.Can you share more about your experience of winning the IFBB Pro Card in San Marino, Italy?The experience was unexpected. I flew there without fully understanding what a pro card meant! When I won, I realized it was my ticket to competing in the pro league, which meant I could compete in pro shows and ultimately qualify for the Olympia. It was definitely an unexpected, but exciting, moment. How did skipping the 2020 Olympia and focusing on an %u201cimprovement season%u201d contribute to your success in 2022?The main reason I didn%u2019t compete was because of the pandemic; my show was canceled, and many others were too. So, I immediately decided to focus on my offseason plan instead of stretching out preparation without knowing if the next show would even happen. It turned out to be the right decision, as I was able to bring a different, better package the following year, which is always the goal.InterviewExclusiveMOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 58 23