Hi!

My name is Giulia (Julia), I was born in Rome, Italy on March 7th, 1973.
I consider myself a woman of many professions!!!!

I like to think of myself as a multi-talented, multi-tasker, modern woman who does it all (or tries to)! In my past, I have worked as a technical recruiter and as a financial planner, both very successfully, but my heart was somewhere else!!

When destiny called me to take a different path, I discovered the health and fitness world and found my niche as a yoga instructor and a personal trainer.

Photo by Gene X Hwang
Courtesy of GeneXMagazine.com

Growing up in Italy as a chubby girl, I was never encouraged by family and friends to embrace any fitness activities (the gym was not very popular in Italy), but instead, I was always pushed to eat less to loose the extra weight. Of course, that alone did not help me and upon moving to the USA at the age of 18, I started gaining even more weight. A combination of cultural shock, loneliness and depression were to blame for those extra 50 pounds I piled on my 5"5' frame! Plus, working full time in my parents' Italian Restaurant sure did not help at all!

When I reached the cracking point, I decided I needed help...professional help! I hired a personal trainer and worked out a whole year to loose my first 20 pounds!! Proud and happy, I then stumbled into an unconventional yoga studio called Monkey Yoga Shala. There I discovered that I was extremely flexible too, but that I needed more upper body strength in order to accomplish some of the inverted poses. If I could lift myself -I thought- I could do all kinds of other things with my body!! Needless to say, I was about to discover a muscular, strong athletic body buried under all that fat!

I started weight training shortly after I got certified to teach Ashtanga yoga. The two disciplines have merged since and gladly balanced each other out. The weight training keeps me strong and hard while my yoga practice keeps me flexible and softens up my figure. I have been lifting weights since 2003...and loving it!!!

As a kid I always loved the attention and glamour the stage gives out and I always dreamed to show off an incredible physique and astonish everybody...leave them WOWing!!!!, but It was never in my intentions to compete in bodybuilding competitions when I started lifting weights. It was purely to gain more upper body strength and to compliment my yoga practice. Then, as I started seeing the results and the progress, I got hooked! My body changed shape drastically and I was falling in love with my new body!!

I started competing eight months after I seriously committed myself to get in shape: stage ready! My first show was the 2004 Contra Costa BB Championship; unfortunately, I did not even qualify and I was cut out of the top five heavyweight category. That just added fuel to the fire!! I came back the next year and at the 2005 CC show I took 2nd in my class (heavyweight). I then chose to fine- tune my training and participated two months later in the San Jose Bodybuilding Championship and took 1st in my class (heavyweight).

I decided then to train for the CAL the next year (2006). So I trained all year, gained about 10 lbs of lean body mass and showed up stronger then ever!! Two weeks earlier I even showed up at the 2006 CC as a warm up show! This time I won my class (heavyweight)!! Two weeks later at the Cal, I won my class again and it was sure a very close call for the overall title, but not this time, I need to "tighten up," said the judges!!

The CAL however was for me the biggest accomplishment because I trained hard all year, trying to bring up a few body parts that were lacking behind the year before (hamstrings, calves and biceps) and showed up at my best shape ever!!

In order to do so I had to tweak my training split to encourage the body to react quicker. I like to focus on each body part once a week. I love training! I love watching my muscles contract under pressure!! I do my shoulders on Monday, legs on Tuesday, back and biceps on Wednesday, chest and triceps on Thursday. I do cardio four times a week 30-45 minutes with core strength conditioning. I also have my yoga practice three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. I rest on Saturday and Sunday!

I love working my shoulders and back!! I am so strong now that it has become quite fun to challenge myself with heavier weights. Legs, well, that has always been a big b@%$&!! So exhausting!!! It is not my favorite, but I have even had to double up on them to bring them up to part with my upper body!

My back and shoulders!! I got wings and the widest shoulders !!! Baby got back!! It has always been my strength. I got the widest back for a woman, my lats are going to take off soon!

When people ask me about my stats...well...I always shy away from stats 'cause they really mean nothing when it comes to see how your physique looks; but, since I am proud to be strong AND BIG, here some numbers: my best bench press was at 275lbs for 4 reps. I can lift 65lbs dumbbells on a shoulder press, leg press up to 630lbs, 8 reps and squat 250lbs, 4 reps. As for my body measurements, well...let's see, my chest 41", Waste 30", hips 40", biceps 16"! And all to show it off-- on stage!!

For me training for a competition, it's like preparing for a Broadway show! The lights, the stage, the cameras, the tan, the glaze. everything. It's so glamorous!! You take care of every little detail 'cause when you go on stage you got a few minutes to show-off all you have worked for!! Exciting!! Plus, people cater to you and treat you like a star!!
Off season, the pressure of having a perfect physique is off. I like the off-season period 'cause I feel stronger and I can train harder and longer. Plus, did I mention, I can eat MORE FOOD!!! And I am not shy when it comes to cheating on my diet off-season 'cause I am thinking, " I worked HARD and I can afford it! So enjoy it!"

On a regular basis a typical day in my life would look like this: I wake up grateful for such an energetic and athletic body! I preferably do my cardio first thing AM on an empty stomach, then a nice breakfast (never skip it!) and on to the gym to train my clients. I teach yoga three times a week at 12 noon. This gives me a chance to slow down my frantic pace and take a different approach to the day.

I meditate, and then train more clients in the evening. I usually leave the early hours after noon to train myself with weights. During competition times I double up at night too with more cardio but off-season I enjoyed a slower pace of training, but more intensity.

I eat often, about four to five meals off-season and six to seven during competition times. When I get home at night, I usually cook for the next day, watch my favorite show on TV and cuddle with my furry companions: I share my home with a pit bull and a Chiuaua, a cat and a parrot...yes, it's never quiet!! But I love it this way!

When I don't work out, I am pretty much a home body. I love to cook and bake!! I spend time with my animals, attending to their needs, shopping for their food and toys, chatting on line with other muscle lovers!! I love to lounge with my favorite cup of Vanilla Chai tea. I watch movies and call friends!

But when I am preparing for a show, all changes. I love it!! It keeps me on my toes. I feel ALL is aligned when I am preparing for a competition. Especially, because you are always wondering WHO will be competing with you!!! Plus, my food, my training, my tanning, my supplements, ALL is on target! I feel in control and I see the results! Everything gets done and well too! This lifestyle suites me!

As far as myself, I would like to reveal to my fans that there is a softer side to me! Under this thick armor of muscles hides a very sweet pussy cat!! People see me as a big pit bull ready to attack (at least they make me feel that way) and they assume that just because I got muscles I am a fighter or a violent person, and I want to kick your ass, but really, I am a sweetheart! A big kitty cat. I love to snuggle up! I am very touchy, very physical and I love physical contact.

On a last note, I would like people to know that I am currently training for the Nationals next year. Being a big girl, I promised I would come in SHREDDED this time and snatch that overall title!! Wish me good luck!