Leonor Del Pilar Rodríguez Manso is a Spanish international basketball player for Perfumerías Avenida and the Spanish national team. In 2014 she participated at the 2014 FIBA World Championship winning the silver medal. In 2016 she won the silver medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Río. In 2017 she won the gold medal in the EuroBasket Women 2017 in Prague.
She started playing basketball as a junior in CB Islas Canarias in her native Canary Islands, playing in the Spanish top tier league in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. At 18 she moved abroad to play in the NCAA for the Florida State Seminoles, averaging 14.9 PPG in her last year. Back in Europe, she signed for one of the Spanish top teams, Perfumerías Avenida, winning one Spanish League and two Cups in three seasons. She spent one season at Uni Girona CB before signing for Polish team Wisła Can-Pack Kraków in 2017. In 2019 she transferred to Turkish team Çukurova Basketbol and the following season she returned to Spain to win the 2021 Spanish League with Perfumerías Avenida.
She started playing with Spain’s youth teams at fifteen, winning a total of six medals from 2006 to 2011. She made her debut with the senior team in 2014, when she was 22 years old. Up to 2021, she had 97 caps with 4.2 PPG, participating in two Olympic Games, one World Championship and two European Championships.
Medals: Representing Spain
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2014 Turkey
EuroBasket
Gold medal – first place 2017 Czech Republic
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up Leo Rodriguez an exceptionally talented Spanish Olympic Silver Medalist Basketball Player Skier here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, skin care, hair care and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Las Palmas, Spain. You started playing basketball as a junior in CB Islas Canarias in your native Canary Islands and playing in the Spanish top tier league in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. At seventeen years of age, you moved abroad to play in the NCAA for the Florida State Seminoles, averaging 14.9 PPG in that year. Back in Europe, you signed for one of the Spanish top teams, Perfumerías Avenida. Later this propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as a leading women basketball player. Tell us more about this journey of hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Leo Rodriguez:
I feel very lucky to have been able to play this sport for so many years. Because of it I’ve been able to advance my education, learn new languages, travel the world, meet new wonderful people, live in other countries, and surround myself with different cultures.
Obviously there have been times with ups and downs. I’ve felt homesick and misunderstood. However, I am the woman I am today because of the lessons I’ve learned through those times. In challenging moments, I always rely on my family. I have two amazing role models as parents, two older sisters, and a twin brother. Their support and love have always been unconditional. I’ve won the lottery in that sense. Thanks to basketball I’ve grown a lot not only as player, but most importantly, as a person.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
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 express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2022 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
You have initially played in the Spanish top tier league, then to the US, later signing for Polish team Wisła Can-Pack Kraków in 2017, and in 2019 you transferred to Turkish team Çukurova Basketbol, 2020 Schio Italy. Now you have returned to Spain to win the 2021 Spanish League with Perfumerías Avenida. Tell us more about how you have adjusted yourself to live and play in different country clubs and what had been a catalyst to turn you back to your native country and club back in Spain.
Leo Rodriguez:
Every time I signed a new contract I took it as an opportunity. An opportunity to see other parts of the world, new languages, people, culture, religion, etc. Poland was the first country. I signed in Krakow. It was a wonderful city with one of the most beautiful and biggest town squares in Europe. Poland is a country with a lot of history and powerful stories to listen to. I stayed there two years.
Turkey was the biggest challenge of all because of the culture contrast. However, I did learn a lot. After five months I transferred to Schio, Italy. Italy is my favorite. From day 1, I felt like home. Their personality, humor, cuisine, and way of living is very similar to Spain. And that’s when Covid hit. Especially in Italy and right in the area I was living at. I had to stay two months before I was able to fly back home. And that’s the reason why I decided to go back home, Spain, for the next season (last year). I wanted to be closer to home and the ones I love.
Namita Nayyar:
You won the silver medal playing for Spanish Team in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Río. Elaborate more about this exceptional achievement of your basketball playing career?
Leo Rodriguez:
I feel blessed. Playing in the Olympic Games is the highest achievement as an athlete. I’ve had the privileged to participate in two. Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. A memory I will never forget is at the Rio Olympics, holding my teammates hands and stepping onto the podium with a silver medal around our necks while listening to the Spanish anthem. This was first and ONLY Olympic medal for Spanish Women’s basketball team. I am so proud to be a part of it.
And making it to Tokyo, 5 years later, after it had been postponed, and having gone through one year of Covid and uncertainty, I made sure to make the most of every single moment and enjoy this special time with my teammates.
Namita Nayyar:
The 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women, the 17th edition of FIBA’s premier international tournament for women’s national basketball teams, was held in Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey from 27 September to 5 October 2014. You playing for Spain won the silver medal. Tell us a memorable moment in this tournament matches and how this wins in your career has been a turning point to motivate you to reach greater height in your basketball playing career?
Leo Rodriguez:
It was the first time I made the final roster of the top national team. I remember I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. It ended up being super fun and I learned a lot from my veterans and got to experience a top level World championship. On top of that, we came back to Spain with a Silver World championship medal: the highest medal Spain Women’s basketball had ever achieved in a world championship. Unbelievable.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Leo Rodriguez:
About 9-10 months out of the year I’m training with my European team or Spanish national team. They plan our schedules with the trips, practices, and games. Workout routine is individualized. In the summer I love going for runs along the beach and nature. Pilates, stretching and body weight workouts.
I try keeping it fun and having a good variety of different exercises. Overall I just like being active. It makes me happy, mentally and physically.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Leo Rodriguez:
Not any specific diet. Healthy eating habits and body intuition. No restrictions. Knowing myself. What makes me feel good and gives me energy both mentally and physically. I Enjoy life and food is a great part of it.
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine.
Leo Rodriguez:
Here’s my daily routine: I keep it simple and consistent. Drink a lot of water. Wash my face. Moisturize routine (serum, eye, and day/night lotion) + Chap Stick. Brush my hair, Air dry hair, Wash my hair 2-3 times a week and Good quality hair products.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding basketball-playing girls, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of playing basketball?
Leo Rodriguez:
My main advice would be to have fun, study hard, listen to the teachers/coaches, meet other girls their age, and share their passion for basketball. Even if at the end, maybe, they don’t climb the top of the ladder, I’m sure that in the process, they would have learned very important life values and made friends that could last a lifetime. Just enjoy the process!
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Leo Rodriguez:
In my opinion, it’s not about the look of your abs, but how strong you feel in your core to feel happy in your own skin. There are no secrets. Just a tip: watch your diet.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Leo Rodriguez:
Love
Chocolate, Avocado, Nuts, Pineapple and Eggs
Keep to a minimum
Alcohol, Processed foods and Soda,
Namita Nayyar:
Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear.
Leo Rodriguez:
Lulu Lemon, Nike, Born living yoga and Under Armour.
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Leo Rodriguez:
Amalfi coast Italy, Iguazu Falls (bordering Argentina and Brazil), Australia, Croatia (Dubrovnik + Croatia’s islands) and Canary Islands. It’s my home and every time I leave, always wishes to go back 😉
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Leo Rodriguez:
I choose to do this interview because I love how womenfitness.net empowers women and encourages women to feel good and healthy in their own skin.
Namita Nayyar:
Today social media plays a vital role in putting your message across to your followers and fans. What is your message for the social media followers on Instagram?
Leo Rodriguez:
My Instagram account it’s private. I know that it’s not common in today’s world but that’s a personal choice for me. I sometimes use Twitter (@leonorspain) to engage with my supporters. I try to stay as true to myself as possible. I think being authentic is always the answer to connecting with people.
Leo Rodriguez Social Media Presence
Twitter https://twitter.com/leonorspain
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 express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2022 Women Fitness