Silvia Ribeiro: Exceptionally Talented and Stunningly Beautiful International Model and Triathlete Unveils her Success Secrets  

 

Silvia Ribeiro is an exceptionally talented International Fashion and Fitness Model and Triathlete. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have been interested in fitness and sports since an early age, you started your athletic career in swimming when you were only 5 years old. Later participating in gymnastics, ballet and volleyball. Later you were encouraged & motivated to do modelling. You reached the pinnacle of success by being a leading fitness model. Tell us about your journey that took you to the the world of fitness and modelling?

Ms. Silvia Ribeiro: Sports were always a part of my life growing up. My father used to run marathons and would invite me to join him in some of his workouts but at that time I could never picture myself running that far! I was always trying new sports and after a few years in swimming, ballet and gymnastics I've finally found myself in volleyball. I played since an early age and the sport kind of helped to build the athlete and person I became.

Learning how to be a team player, having the discipline to keep training and evolving and trying to become a better athlete in all aspects was some of the things that volleyball taught me. I played college and also as a pro. During college I got scouted by a modelling agency and I didn't take it very serious in the beginning but after giving it a shot during summer break my life took a hard turn.

Travelling became constant and I ended up jumping into a late (for modelling standard) career and had to quit professional volleyball. Modelling opened a new world of possibilities for me with traveling, getting to know new people and different cultures which always fascinated me! But I needed to keep in shape and being healthy was always a priority for me, even with the crazy schedule of the fashion industry. That's when running got back into my life. It was the easiest thing to do anywhere, with almost any weather to keep me active and feeling good about myself.

I started running just as an exercise but with my competitive background it quickly escalated from the traditional 5 & 10k to my first marathon in Miami. During my training I ended up knowing some triathletes that used to join us for some running workouts and as I already swam I decided to give it a shot. I got my first road bike and started riding and instantly got hooked. Being able to do 3 sports and have such variety in training was so amazing that really got me into triathlon. Since I started racing triathlons it took a bigger and bigger part in my life and it drew my line of work towards fitness/sports modelling.

The greatest part is that it happened so naturally and both my passions became my career! Today I really do what I love and when I'm not shooting I'm training to chase my athletic goals. It's a very hard routine but all the years as both an athlete and a fashion model gave me the discipline to not only be able to deliver the results I expect but to also have some serious fun in the process!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is your motivation to take a multi-faceted personality of a fitness model, triathlete, media personality and fashion icon?

Ms. Silvia Ribeiro: Having a multifaceted career was actually a reflection of my personality. I'm very passionate of everything I do and I dedicate myself to both modelling and triathlon with the same energy. The motivation to be able to keep up with all the work really comes from the possibility of inspiring other women to tackle their dreams and going for it! It can be a promotion, an award, a project, whatever...if you put your mind to it and work really hard there's no other outcome rather than success! I really believe in that.
 

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

Ms. Silvia Ribeiro: My exercise routine is really hard due to the sport that I chose. Triathlon is comprised of 3 sports itself so I spend a lot of time swimming, riding my bike and running. I train 7 days a week (with eventual days off given by my coach and, trust me, they're very rare!) from 1h30 to 6h a day. Besides that I have to squeeze all this training in between the modelling work which has a completely crazy and unpredictable schedule. During trips I'll usually workout very early in the morning before my call time and I'm a regular at hotel's fitness centres. When I'm home in Boulder I have more of a normal athletes schedule and will take advantage of the amazing mountain roads for cycling and all the beautiful trails for running.

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. Silvia Ribeiro: I do regular blood tests to make sure that my body is balanced and I am fortunate enough to have Herbalife24 as one of my main sponsors. They have a whole line of sports supplements that help me keep up with the strict routine of training and also helps me to get all the right amount of nutrients on the run whenever needed. Besides that I try to have a very natural diet with organic food. We're fortunate to live in a city like Boulder where I get my food from farms that are located a mile away from my home. Sometimes I'll stop by on my bike to get some vegetables! It's such blessing!

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. Silvia Ribeiro: As a model I have to be very careful with both my skin and my hair. I take very good care of both and this adds up to my routine as being in the pool and on the road riding or running every day doesn't help at all! I always use facial sunscreen with moisturiser and also I leave in cream and an oil in for my hair before and after working out outdoors as the chlorine and also the sun and the wind can be dangerous enemies.

I try to keep it simple so it's something I can do wherever I am without taking too much time or the need to carry too much extra stuff. It may sound funny but I also believe that the face is the mirror of the soul so if I'm happy and doing what I love it will show not only on my skin and hair but it will make me prettier! Having a balanced life and having the opportunity to do what I love makes the happiest person on the planet and I really think that any beauty aspect is just a reflection of that.