With over 2 million followers on Instagram, Leah Van Dale is a WWE superstar, known for her fierce attitude and even fiercer physique.
Women Fitness President, Namita Nayyar, joins the wrestling sensation for an interesting chat about why she is so passionate about fitness!
Namita Nayyar:
You have been dancing since you were three-years old, before becoming a WWE superstar, what motivated you towards the world of wrestling? Also do share what motivated you to adopt the ring name Carmella?
Leah Van Dale:
I felt like I hit a plateau in the dance world. I was ready for more. My dance agent at the time got me a meeting with WWE and the rest is history. My dad was a wrestler in the early 90s but it was never something I thought I would end up doing. Yet, here I am! As far as my ring name goes, I really wanted this over the top mob wife/mafia princess character. I come from an Italian family so I wanted to bring that into my character as well. Carmella Soprano was definitely an inspiration when I was creating my character.
Namita Nayyar:
Your fitness mission for 2019?
Leah Van Dale:
I’ve been working for a while to grow my booty out. It’s such a struggle between wanting abs and building a booty! I’m trying to find a happy medium.
Full Interview Continued On Next Page
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All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
In 2018, you became the first woman in WWE to successfully cash-in her Money in the Bank opportunity, when you defeated Charlotte Flair to win the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship. How do you feel about achieving this incredible milestone?
Leah Van Dale:
I love that my name will go down in the history books as the first ever Miss Money in the Bank. To then be able to cash in my contract the Smackdown after Wrestlemania on Charlotte Flair is mind blowing. I don’t think anyone expected it, and that’s what I love about my job. The shock factor.
Namita Nayyar:
What according to you is a good warm-up & why is it so important before a workout session? Also share the significance of stretching in an individual’s life?
Leah Van Dale:
I always warm up on the bike or treadmill for about 20-30 minutes before I lift. Stretching is something I really need to get back into my daily routine. With my schedule, it’s so hard to fit everything in. I usually only have time to train OR stretch, but I really need to start making time for both. I notice such a difference in my body when I take the time to stretch properly.
Namita Nayyar:
Before starting resistance training, what are the key points to keep in mind? Ideal strength workout for a beginner looking for weight loss?
Leah Van Dale:
Make sure you’re warm! You don’t want to lift when your muscles are cold. I think doing a full body lift is the best idea for a beginner. You can target each major muscle group without having to be too sore!
Namita Nayyar:
Being a wrestler, you have faced some injuries during your career. How do you recover from them? Also share some precautions specifically for women while training?
Leah Van Dale:
Recovery is the most important part of my job. Being on planes, in rental cars, training and wrestling five days a week takes a huge toll on your body. Some times I have to remind myself that it’s ok to take a week or two off from the gym from time to time in order to let my body rest. Listen to your body. Only you know your own limits. Just because someone else lifts 5 or 6 days a week doesn’t mean you have to. Every single body is different.
Namita Nayyar:
What does your first meal of the day look like? 5 foods to kick start the day?
Leah Van Dale:
When I’m home, my go to breakfast is:
- 2 whole eggs over easy
- 3 Scrambled egg whites
- 2 pieces of turkey bacon
- 2 pieces toast
When I’m on the road it’s a lot harder to stay consistent. I usually try to find a Starbucks and I get an order of egg white bites and an oatmeal with none of the toppings.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you advocate opting for cheat meals once a week? Cheat meals that you can’t resist?
Leah Van Dale:
I am a huge fan of cheat meals! They are absolutely necessary. My go to cheat is pizza and wine!
Namita Nayyar:
Three components that are key essentials in a wrestler’s fitness regime?
Leah Van Dale:
- Stretching
- Sauna
- Rest!!
Namita Nayyar:
You have a big fan following, what do you think motivates people to follow you?
Leah Van Dale:
To be perfectly honest, I ask myself that all the time!! I don’t know why people follow me. Haha!! I consider myself a girls girl. I love fitness, fashion and glam. I try to bring a sense of pop culture into the ring as well.
Namita Nayyar:
Message for your 2.2 million followers on Instagram?
Leah Van Dale:
I can’t thank y’all enough for being so loyal! I say it all the time, but I have the best fans in the world. Stay fabulous!
Namita Nayyar:
Your favourite activewear brands are?
Leah Van Dale:
I live in lululemon align pants. I’m obsessed.
Namita Nayyar:
Define Women Fitness website for our viewers.
Leah Van Dale:
Women’s Fitness is a place for women to look to when they want to look and more importantly feel their best.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you follow any skincare and hair care routine, after a sweaty workout?
Leah Van Dale:
I’m all about skincare. Traveling, working out and sweating through my makeup in the ring really do a number on my face. I try to get hydra facials one a month. I carry rose water in my purse and spritz it religiously throughout the day and I never travel or go to bed with makeup on.
Namita Nayyar:
After a long hard-working day, what do you look forward to? Stress-busting tips?
Leah Van Dale:
A glass of wine! I also like using this meditation app called Headspace. I listen to it on the plane when I’m stressed with my travel, or really in any overwhelming situation.
Namita Nayyar:
You have an incredible social media following on your account @carmellawwe. What is the best and worst part about it?
Leah Van Dale:
The best part about it is that I get to connect with my fans and interact with them on a daily basis. The worst part about it is the cyber bullying. I try not to let the negativity get to me but sometimes it’s hard. Everyone has a voice these days through the power or social media, some use it for good and others not so much.
Namita Nayyar:
5 things we’ll always find in your gym bag?
Leah Van Dale:
Makeup wipes, headphones, water, protein bar and aquaphor (I use it on my lips! Better than any chapstick you can find).
Namita Nayyar:
You recently launched wine brand, “Capo Cagna”, which can be loosely translated to “Boss Bitch” in Italian, can you tell us more about it?
Leah Van Dale:
Anyone who knows me, knows I love wine. I just felt like it was time to branch out from wrestling and focus my energy on something new and different. I wanted to create a brand that spoke to someone like me and my girls. We’re all a little boujee, but we’re on a budget. When you see a bottle of Capo Cagna on the shelf, it looks super fancy, but it’s less than $20. I just want anyone who drinks it to feel like a total boss bitch!
Namita Nayyar:
You have created a brand for yourself. Give us 3 tips to become a successful name in the wrestling empire.
Leah Van Dale:
- Don’t listen to anyone who tells you no. If you want to do something, you can do it.
- Work hard. Don’t pay attention to those who get ahead for the wrong reasons. You’ll get your time when it’s right.
- Don’t believe your own hype. Stay real and be yourself.
Namita Nayyar:
Without fitness in your life, what would you be?
Leah Van Dale:
I can’t imagine a life without fitness. I’ve been around it my entire life. My parents took me to the gym with them as a kid. I trained with my dad in our basement when I was just three years old. It’s my life.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http:// www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness