An Exceptionally Talented Personal Trainer, Nutrition Specialist and Fitness Competitor Joa Rivas Shares her Spectacular Fitness Journey 

Joa Rivas is an exceptionally talented Personal Trainer, Fitness Instructor and Fitness Competitor. She is in conversation with Ms. Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You were born in Caracas, Venezuela. At the age of 19, you moved to Chicago, USA where you began to show more interest in exercising. In 2008, you moved to Toronto, Canada. After 3 years of yoga and Pilates classes you decided to pursue a professional career in fitness. Later you were encouraged & motivated to compete in fitness competitions. You reached the pinnacle of success by winning in the GNC live well, Toronto, OPA (Ontario Physique Association) championship where you were placed First in the category Bikini Medium. Tell us about your journey that took you to the the world of fitness and as a winner in Professional Bikini Pro competitions?

Ms. Joa Rivas: It has been a beautiful journey. It brings me joy and passion when I think about it, I created my path by healing my own body. I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 15. A condition in the back where the spine is deviated in one side with a neuro-muscular condition called Spine Bifida. This was detected due to constant chronic pain I was suffering at a very young age. My journey started in that time by educating myself. My physiotherapist taught me exercises with the stability ball and stretches. Then I started reading Yoga and learning about the philosophy of it. When I moved to Chicago I enrolled for the first time in a fitness club where I started to participate in fitness classes and practicing yoga and Pilates for first time. The pain was severe and I had to work in so many therapies for so many years. Nothing really worked but I never gave up. My sleep was affected and my career as a teacher in computers too , I could not stand for too many hours or be seated for too many hours. My body needed to be in constant movement. Changing positions constantly. But I learned how to manage it. Sometimes I used to stay home because I could not go to a party because the pain, and I needed to rest. I think my body was healing and at the gym was also painful but I knew that was the solution. To strengthen my core and work in the imbalance I had in my right shoulder and hip.

When I turned 25, my pain started to reduce significantly to a point that it stopped completely. Miraculously my daily pain was part of my past. By that time I was already a yoga teacher certified and Les Mills Body flow instructor certified.

When I was 25 , I became interested more in creating an athletic body that supported my spine, that not longer suffered of any strong imbalance. I was ready for the next level. I followed Lyzabeth Lopez a colleague and someone I admired as a trainer in Toronto. I saw her hourglass program transformation and I was so motivated when I saw a particular girl shining like a diamond after she did her program. I had a call that told me that I could also do it. I was ready physically and mentally eager to explore new techniques of training.

I hired Jan 1st, 2012 a health coach. Winston Winns a former bodybuilder with solid knowledge in woman physique. I learnt a lot from him and I followed every instruction he gave me. It took me 15 months to get ready. It was difficult because in that year I got separated from my husband and got divorced after 5 years married so psychologically it kept me anchored and focused in a positive outcome for that show where I placed 1st . I think it is the first time declared that in public now that after 3 years I have healed my emotional injury. So More than the placing , it was the journey that many don't know but it actually started when I was 15. I became a role model to those that suffer of scoliosis and backaches. I could make my body symmetrical and standing in stage in bikini, the judges could see that too. It was about me and all my dedication and hardwork for the 15 months but the 10 years previously. I felt thankful about how life turned and about having my family and so many friends that supported my journey.
 

Ms. Namita Nayyar: How your experience and background of many years in Bikini competitions and training at fitness class from New Zealand that combines fuse yoga, Pilates and Tai chi has helped you in carving your present profession of being a fitness trainer, Thai massage therapist and nutritional consultant?

Ms. Joa Rivas: It helped me to feel empathetic with my clients. I can feel identified with those that feel frustration, pain, and disappointing, I have felt it too. I love to show them the bright part of the journey. Our being is part of the universe and how we connect to our feelings and emotions is how we succeed in life.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Share your exercise routine that you do to maintain such a bikini perfect physique?

Ms. Joa Rivas: There is no perfect physique. I believe in creating an integrative system and balance in life. We will always have a room to improve not just physically but mentally and spiritually.

My exercise starts with a mental work out which is meditation daily with a mindful breath.

I love to combine 3 elements in my physical routine off season or on season, due to my scoliosis I like to keep my back strong always, these are:

1) Flexibility stretches focus in hip flexor and shoulder activation
2) Plank ( core work activation )
3) Rowing resistance cables
 

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