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Alysia Rieg in Costa Rica

How did you get started in the fitness industry?
I got into the fitness industry when I was at rock bottom. I had no self-esteem, no confidence, nobody to believe in me and no self-love. I was going through the hardest test in my life with nothing and nobody. Fitness and body building was the path God used in my life to rebuild me, to make me stronger, to empower me and to transform not only my body but my mind my and my heart. As I went through my transformation I began to love myself again, I saw my worth and truly believed that beauty came from within, it wasn’t necessarily a physical attribute, I started appreciating the little things, the hard work and grind I realized was more a necessity and not just a cliche, I paid more attention to detail and I learned how to focus and how to use my mind to push through not just the physical pain and struggle but through the emotional and mental obstacles that I came up against.

How do you stay motivated in your career?
When I need motivation I remember what it was like to be at rock bottom. I remember how it felt to have no hope, to feel so insecure and lost. I remember that what I went through wasn’t just for me. All of my blood, sweat, and tears was for me to use to give someone even if it’s just one person some hope, inspiration, motivation and to empower them so that they too can overcome whatever it is they’re going through. I want them to say, “If Alysia can do it so can I.”

When I get tired during a workout or get in a rut I envision in my mind; what I want, where I want to be and where I want to go. I see my goals in my mind and I keep pushing forward using the negativity, dream-killing and naysaying from others to fuel me and then I dig deeper from within myself.


Hope Beel - Costa Rica Heather Marsh - Costa Rica Rah Engstrom

What was your biggest challenge in your fitness journey?
Often times patience is my biggest challenge in my fitness journey. It’s difficult at times because I am literally a “Let’s just do this with no excuses kind of person.” It’s hard for me to be around people who whine, complain and make excuses. Once I set a goal in my mind and I commit I want to get to the end goal as fast as I can so I can set a new goal to crush. I am always striving to become a better version of me, always to go on the next adventure and to learn something new. My biggest fear is to come to the end of my life and wonder “What if…?” I refuse to not try something I’ve ever wanted to try or to settle for less than I want, in area of my life. I think the worse thing to do in life is to get to the end of it having any regret or to wonder what an outcome would have been had I only tried and the worse is to have settled for less than what I wanted. Looking back on a life and realizing it was wasted I think is a tragedy.

What are your favorite clean foods and splurge foods?
I have many favorite clean foods that I enjoy because I love to eat food. I think fish with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and jalapeños is one of my favorite meals, I like to eat fresh pico de gallo and avocado with different foods and I like toasted Ezequiel bread with coconut oil and an over medium egg on top for breakfast. My go-to splurge foods are Oreos and Blue Bunny’s Toasted Almond Fudge Chocolate Ice Cream.

How was your amazing trip to Costa Rica and what was your favorite part of the trip?
Costa Rica was amazing with too many favorites to mention and it was good for me. I really needed the trip to Costa Rica, I’d been going so hard non-stop I didn’t realize how much I needed a break. I not only got to shoot with such talented photographers in a beautiful location for a Fitness Gurls Magazine submission but was surrounded with the best of the best people in the fitness industry. Everyone that was on the trip left me wanting to better myself more than I already did. I came back motivated with a bigger drive I can’t even explain in words. Good food, good people and a beautiful location, who could ask for anything more? Bonus from the trip is that I can also check visiting Costa Rica, shooting with Brett Seeley and Justin Martin and getting to meet Hope Beel off of my bucket list. Life is good. I am blessed and my cup runneth over! I can’t wait to do it again in Tulum!

For More Alysia Rieg:
Follow her at @ay_lee_see_yuh
More Justin Martin @justinmartinphoto
More Brett Seeley @seeleyfoto

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