Massiel “Massy” Indhira Arias is the exuberant Certified Personal Trainer, formerly known as Mankofit, who is changing lives and inspiring a new generation of trainers. Born in the Dominican Republic, Massy has been an American resident since the age of 14 and currently resides and trains out of Los Angeles, California. She sets the example for how adopting a healthy diet and active lifestyle can change individual lives mentally, physically, and spiritually. She has committed herself to a healthy life with which she herself has emerged from depths of depression and physical limitations to become the glowing motivational force she is to millions around the world.
The bilingual trainer’s maturity has developed from a life of worldly experiences that has tested her strength throughout the years. By working through obstacles and taking control of her own future, Massy’s knowledge, perseverance, and ingenuity have given her the ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. She has earned the respect of both women and men by showing that it is possible to accomplish almost anything with dedication, focus, and a positive mindset. She remains a humble role model to both the English and Spanish speaking communities and only looks forward to reaching around and motivating the world.
Massy’s training style incorporates various techniques including resistance training, calisthenics, yoga, high intensity interval training, and sprinting. She avoids sticking to a specific style in order to keep workouts exciting, fun and fresh! Clients learn how to adopt health and fitness as a lifestyle beyond just losing weight. Her perspective on achieving the healthy balance between the mind and body surpasses achieving desirable aesthetics. She wishes to introduce people to the idea that working out and eating healthy are not only necessary to lose a few pounds but can improve physical limitations, transform lives through every aspect, and overall create longevity and bliss.
Massy Arias inspires women to be strong and proud as her determination and dedication to building physical and mental strength sets an empowering trend in fitness lifestyles. Her positive vision and dedication to changing the fitness industry are revered by followers and media around the world. She has been featured by American, Latin American and European print, television and radio outlets.
Massy Arias shares her incredible fitness journey in an exclusive interview with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
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 © 2016 Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You arrived at just 13-years from the Dominican Republic and spoke no English. You were also the caregiver to your brother who had been diagnosed with cancer. You had no background in training or sports or anything, but you started going to the gym and working out. You reached the pinnacle of success by becoming a leading fitness model, fitness trainer and Instagram craze. Tell us about your journey that took you to the the world of fitness?
Ms. Massy Arias: My journey hasn’t been easy but I can say it has been truly rewarding. I started exercising as a way of beating depression and became so in love with the lifestyle that it became my passion. Having no background in training or sports, meant I had to teach myself about everything I didn’t know. Exercise gave me such a positive “rush”, all I wanted to do was learn more and do more with my body. I continued progressing physically while sharing my journey with others, until I became certified and had the guts to do my first bootcamp class.
I became even more passionate about fitness once I realized the positive impact I was able to spark in people’s lives. I saw that my courage was inspiring for so many women and men from different backgrounds, so I kept evolving as an athlete and also as a trainer.
The motivation I was giving to others became the same motivation that still fuels me today to continue with my brand.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is your motivation to take a multi-faceted personality of a fitness model, fitness expert, a personal trainer, a nutritionist, and a sponsored athlete?
Ms. Massy Arias: “Strive for progress not perfection” isn’t just my brand slogan, it’s how I try and live my life. A lot of the blessings that come my way are usually a result of me trying to better myself as an athlete or as a health coach. Nutrition is a huge portion of this lifestyle, and learning about food goes hand-in-hand with fitness. I had to learn how to make healthy taste yummy, so my love for this lifestyle turned me into a Chef sort of speak.
Things for me have flowed in a very organic way. I’ve always been very open about my journey through social media and those who put their trust in me. My sponsorships with Tru Supplements, Jamba Juice and SheaMoisture came about from sharing my personal experience with my audience. Keeping my integrity in regard to sponsorships is something I’m really proud of and will continue to do so.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Share your exercise routine that you do to maintain such a perfect physique?
Ms. Massy Arias: My exercise routine changes from time to time. I am always looking for ways to challenge my body, so it is constantly improving. As of today, I weight train my lower and upper body twice a week and perform yoga three times a week to increase my flexibility and overall core strength.
I am not a huge fan of long steady cardio sessions, so I love combining my weight training days with cardio at the same time. This is how I developed my #Ma30day program and how I stay in great shape all year around. I’ve had to learn how to cut down time in the gym and get the most out of my workouts.
Leg day superset example: ( superset : one exercise followed by the next without any rest in between).
Goblet squat 12 reps
Super set : jump rope 1 minute
Rest: 1 minute
Repeat 4 times
Walking lunges: 12 reps
Superset: jumping jacks 1 minute
Repeat
4 times
Bulgarian squat: 12 reps per leg
Super set: side skies 1 minute
Repeat 4 times
Stiff leg deadlift: 12 reps
Super set: body weight plyo squats 1 minute
Videos
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is your diet? Do you take a particular fixed regulated diet comprising of nutrients and vitamins to keep you in perfect health?
Ms. Massy Arias: My diet is very diverse. I try to incorporate all foods groups to never feel deprived and stay focused all year around. Balance is key for me. I always treat myself to things I passionately love (cookies, cupcakes), but I do follow a “fixed” regulated diet 90% of the time. Right now I’ve transitioned to a more plant based/pescaterian lifestyle and I can honestly say I feel like a brand new person.
Here is an example of my diet if I am working out first thing in the morning. This can be an example to the leg workout I provided you earlier.
Upon waking: because I don’t have a long time to digest breakfast before training I make myself a “protein latte”. One should never workout on an empty stomach and leg day requires energy. This is my natural “pre workout” drink that beats any starbuck’s sugary frapucchinos.
Protein Latte:
1 scoop vanilla or Chai plant based protein from Tru supplements.
1 strong black coffee ( I make a espresso style Bustelo coffee then add 1 cup of ice to chill it).
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (I Use Silk organic unsweetened almond milk).
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
Blend all ingredients together and enjoy.
I take 1 serving of Tru supplements powergreen multivitamin.
Workout: about 1.5 hrs in total including warm up.
Immediately post workout:
Breakfast:
Egg white omelet ( about 5 egg whites with lots of bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and spinach).
2 slices sprouted bread (I usually buy ezequiel bread).
1/4 avocado which I spread on top of bread.
Am snack:
2 brown rice rice cakes
2 tbs almond/ cashew butter
1 cup pineapple
Lunch:
multivitamin
1 cup quinoa
2 cups roasted Brussel sprouts
4oz grilled salmon
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumbers
Mixed leafy greens (2-3 cups of kale, spinach, romaine, arugula mix).
Habanero sauce and balsamic vinegar as dressing.
Pm snack:
Green machine “ice cream”
1 scoop vanilla or chai plant based protein
2 cups spinach
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Ice
A few drops of organic stevia leaf extract
Dinner:
4oz meatless “chicken” (gardein or beyond meat).
1 cup mashed sweet potato
Roasted zucchini, cauliflower, and green beans (lots of it haha. I try to have as many veggies as I can).
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?
Ms. Massy Arias: To be honest, the glowing skin is a combination of many factors. I drink tons of water and I eat a lot of vegetables including a power green multivitamin. I notice that when I am not hydrated my skin is very dull, and when I am not consistent with my intake of veggies (special if I’m traveling), my skin turns into a mess.
I happen to use African Black soap stick bar from Shea moisture for both my face and my body. African black soap is amazing to keep your skin acne free specially if you’re constantly sweating like me.
When it comes to my hair I’ve stuck to the Jamaican black castor oil line from Shea moisture. I’ve tried their different lines and I happen to love this one in particular. Right now I chopped all my processed hair and are completely natural.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar: Fitness modelling is about bold photo shoots. You have done photo shoots and showed your spectacular chiseled physique. What advice you wish to give to the women of today to be body confident in order to do such bold modeling?
Ms. Massy Arias: Bold can be interpreted in many ways specially in the fitness industry. There is a huge difference between social media fitness modeling, and actual fitness modeling for brands. My advice to any woman or young lady whose dream is to become a fitness model is to be herself and herself only.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Elaborate about the customized Exercise and Diet Program that you advice to your clients?
Ms. Massy Arias: The customized exercise and diet programs I provide to my clients aside of the #Ma30day go hand in hand with my client’s needs. I work with a registered dietitian to create programs that are personalized to the client’s lifestyle, food restrictions, food preferences, past or current injuries, and any specification a client might have.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Your Instagram account @massy.arias has huge following of 2 million followers. This has made you a social media sensation. Tell us more about this internet craze phenomena and how did you feel?
Ms. Massy Arias: I feel humbled. I never knew my personal story would be so impactful! I really enjoy the opportunity to push myself, and challenge my fans. If they see me growing and taking on new things, maybe they can feel just as ambitious.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Massy Arias: I want women to know that we are just as capable as any man. We can set the same athletic challenges and dominate.
If I can do it, so can you!
To know the latest from Massy Arias, Check out:
- https://www.instagram.com/massy.arias/
- https://www.facebook.com/manko.fit
- https://twitter.com/mankofit
Or Log on to her website: http://www.massyarias.com/
Women Fitness Team thanks Massy Arias for giving her valuable time for this interview, enlightening us and our viewers and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her.
Videos
https://youtube.com/watch?v=npBkmZGi8jE
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 © 2016 Women Fitness