Interviu • Interview
Deva (in the Olympic centre) where I started to practise artistic gymnastics and afterwards aerobics. I was part of the junior and senior national team of aerobic gymnastics and managed to obtain outstanding results at world level. I gave up on gymnastics because of a health problem and it was a decision I deemed wise for my future. I needed a constant income and I wanted to be independent and able to make my own decisions. I started to take part in fitness competitions out of my wish to be on the stage again. I missed the challenge, the excitement, the live-the-moment feeling when you are on the world stage. These are two different sports sectors. Gymnastics was the early stage of my journey towards gold medals, coordinated by coaches and surrounded by a whole team, but in fitness, I have the freedom to prepare all by myself and get to know other inspirational people and their stories. This passion comes around due to my daily job. Between the two (gymnastics and fitness) there is something unchangeable: work, steps to success and the thrill of a competition.
What is your workout schedule before a high-stake international competition so that you feel you are in perfect shape? My diet is very clean, based on high quality proteins and carbohydrates. Being an aerobic trainer, I manage to prepare through the classes that I deliver (Body Pump, Cycling, Interval, Bosu etc.) The only extra training I do, which is actually the most difficult, are fitness exercises (2 minutes in which you combine difficult fitness and dancing exercises). In my category the muscles have to be natural and feminine, therefore I do not need any special training; all I need is a wellcalculated and customised schedule: regular trainings, healthy diet and quality nutrition. These are the main ingredients and I spice them up with passion and determination.
Do you believe fitness is sufficiently represented and supported in Romania? Why do you think the phenomenon of going to the gym, of practicing fitness, grew so much in the last couple of years?
Competition fitness, as opposed to other sports, is not very well supported. You receive congratulations and recognition after you prove yourself several times in international competitions. However, I love what I am doing as this is really who I am. With regards to the growing number of people going to the gym, I believe this is largely due to technology
and its successful representatives. It is much easier to find information about the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle and we see many inspiring figures and role models that motivate us.
What does a day of your life look like?
și reprezentaților de succes în acest domeniu. Este mult mai ușor să găsim informații despre beneficiile unui stil de viață activ și întâlnim tot mai multe persoane care ne inspiră și motivează prin exemplu pe care îl prezintă.
I wake up at 6 AM and at seven I have my first aerobic class. I train several types of classes, in the morning, at noon and in the evening, in various WorldClass locations in Bucharest. In between classes, I usually have remote projects I dedicate myself to (drafting online programmes www.ancabucur.ro) for people around the world, I am a Herbalife ambassador and I am involved in changing people’s lifestyles into more active ones. I get home around 10 PM and I start all over again the next day. Most of my weekends are spent working, as I have several sports-related and nutrition projects. When I have some free time, I spend it with my husband and loved ones. I love travelling and reading.
Cum arată o zi din viața ta?
What are your plans for the future? What else have you set your mind to achieve?
Care sunt planurile tale de viitor? Ce realizări îți dorești / ți-ai propus să mai adaugi la palmares?
I want to be healthy in order to achieve everything I set my mind to do. In my job, health is a key element. I will continue taking part in competitions, until I become a mother, perhaps even after that. I am currently training for my 7th Miami’s Fitness Universe, Pro Division – a division in which only athletes that won an important medal are qualified.
Mă trezesc la 6 și la 7 încep prima clasă de aerobic. Predau mai multe tipuri de clase, dimineața, la prânz și seara, în diferite locații WorldClass din București. Între clase, de obicei am proiecte la care lucrez cu drag (concep programe online www.ancabucur.ro), la distanță cu oameni din întreaga lume, sunt ambasador Herbalife și implicată foarte tare în a schimba stilul de viață al oamenilor într-unul cât mai activ. Ajung seara acasă în jur de ora 10, iar a doua zi o iau de la capăt. În cele mai multe week-end-uri lucrez, având diferite proiecte legate de sport și nutriție. Când am timp liber, mă bucur de momentele petrecute cu soțul și cei dragi. Îmi place să călătoresc și să citesc.
Îmi doresc să fiu sănătoasă ca să pot să realizez tot ce îmi propun. În meseria mea, sănătatea joacă un rol foarte important. Voi continua și cu competițiile, până în momentul în care voi deveni mamă, poate și după aceea. În prezent mă pregătesc pentru a 7-a participare în Miami la Fitness Universe, categoria profesioniștilor - o categorie în care sunt calificate doar atlete care au câștigat cel puțin o competiție mare.
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