Vital Stats
Name: Sasha A. Brown
Email: sashabrown07@yahoo.com
Bodyspace: samurauka
Website: www.sashabrownpt.com
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Before: |
After: |
Why I Got Started
I grew up in small city in Ukraine on a farm that my parents own. That meant fried pork, mashed potatoes, gravy and a lot of bread with homemade butter were considered healthy.
Between working on my parent's farm and swimming classes in school being active was part of my life, but when I hit university all that changed and I gained weight in my first six months of being a student. I got scared. I started practicing martial arts, taking step-aerobic classes and doing weights.
I was very active, but I never thought about my nutrition. I could starve myself to death and lose weight in few weeks, but after that I was gaining all that weight back and even more. My biggest stumbling block was emotional eating.
I realized when I was stressed out or overly tired, I would reach for high-fat, high-salt and high-sugar foods. But after eating all of that I was feeling even worse. I realized I hated myself and I was projecting that on everybody and everything around me. It was time to change everything.
I didn't really start eating clean until I took Monica Brant's fitness camp and met Kim Oddo. At 26-years old, 5-foot-6 and 156 pounds I was unhappy with how I looked. Everything has changed after meeting Kim.
He explained to me what I was doing wrong and how I need to change my nutrition plan. I learned about portion sizes and how to make smart and healthy meal choices.
How I Did It
All my life everybody was telling me that I am not strong enough, not pretty enough, not good enough! One day one of my really good friends helped me to overcome this "not good enough" image. She said, "You have to do it. You have got to prove it to yourself."
For first time in my life, I felt like someone believed in me. It gave me the strength to believe in myself. I was working my butt off at the gym every day, twice and sometimes three times a day!
One of the biggest challenges was getting my family, friends and co-workers to understand why I chose not to eat birthday cake and pizza at parties. And why instead of going out and staying awake until the next day, I would go to sleep earlier so I can get up at 4:30 a.m. and do my cardio.
My friend and co-workers called me crazy. Because for me it is not just a diet and workouts, it is my lifestyle and I love it. Being on that stage and holding my first place trophy gave me so much power.
I understood that if you really want something go for it. Set that goal and go. Believe in yourself and you will succeed.
I started with a 12-week transformation program. It was not easy. But I had my goal and was going to reach it no matter what. I was getting up at 4:30 every morning, eat my breakfast and go to gym to do my first cardio session. At lunch time I was doing my weights workout and later my second cardio.
Sometimes, it was hard to find a time to do my workouts. I did not miss any of my cardio sessions in 5 months. Crazy? Yes! Even now I don't know how I did it. Every time I had to choose to either go out with my friends or do my workouts.
Every day I was writing down in my journal everything that I ate and what workouts I did.
If I had all my meals and workouts done in time, I would put - Good Girl! If I cheated - Bad Girl! Sometimes "Bad Girl" was more than "Good Girl".
I could not believe, looking at myself in a mirror, I had abs and shoulders, and biceps!
I thought that only girls from fitness magazines could have nice defined muscles. Not me! But it was real. I was so happy. After completing my transformation program and seeing how my body has changed I decided to go father and try to compete in a figure competition.
![I could not believe, looking at myself in a mirror, I had abs, and shoulders, and biceps](https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/images/2011/female-transformation-sasha-brown_esm.jpg)
![I could not believe, looking at myself in a mirror, I had abs, and shoulders, and biceps](https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/images/2011/female-transformation-sasha-brown_fsm.jpg)
![+](https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/enlarge.gif)
I could not believe, looking at myself in a mirror, I had abs,
and shoulders and biceps.
Never in my life had I thought about being on a stage in a tiny-tiny bikini. No way! And I did it! It was the best experience in my life. I took 1st place and Overall in my second show! All my hard work paid off.
Since then I've competed in 20 competitions including the Arnold Amateur (3rd place), European IFBB Championship (10th place) and IFBB World Championship in Italy (9th place).
I am not done yet. I know I can do more and I love challenging myself.
My video from the Arnold Amateur:
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Now I am getting ready for my next show and will not stop till get my PRO card!
Supplements
I love MRM supplements. Kim Oddo introduced to me this brand 5 years ago and since then I use these products and recommend them to all my friends and clients.
The last three years I worked for MRM at the Arnold Expo, introducing this wonderful supplement brand to other people.
Afternoon and Evening Snack:
- MRM Flax-N-Whey: 1 scoop
With Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner:
- MRM Beyond Basics Multi: 1 cap
- MRM Smart Blend: 1 cap
Before Evening Cardio:
- MRM L-Carnitine 500: 4 caps
Pre and Post Workout:
- MRM BCAA: 5 caps
Before Bed:
- MRM L-Glutamine: 2 scoops
Diet
My nutrition before I met Kim:
Meal 1:
Meal 2: Post Workout
- 2 scoops Whey Protein
- 5-6 different Fruits
Meal 3:
- 1 large serving Salad (Chicken Breast,Tomatoes,Walnuts,Olives,Feta Cheese,Olive Oil)
Meal 4:
Meal 5:
- 1 large serving Salad (Chicken Breast,Tomatoes,Walnuts,Olives,Feta Cheese,Olive Oil)
Meal 6:
- Unlimited Fruit
After:
Meal 1:
- 5 Egg Whites
- 1/2 cup Oats
Meal 2:
- 4 oz Chicken Breast
- 1 cup Veggies
Meal 3:
- 4 oz Chicken Breast/Turkey Breast/Tuna/Tilapia
- 1 med Salad
- 4 oz baked Yam
Meal 4:
- 1 scoop Protein
- 2 Rice Cakes
Meal 5:
- 4 oz Chicken Breast
- 1 cup Green Beans
Meal 6:
- 4 oz Chicken Breast/Turkey Breast/Tuna/Tilapia
- 1 med Salad
- 1 cup Veggies
- 15 Almonds
Meal 7:
- 1 scoop Protein
- 5 Egg Whites
Training
My training program is changing all the time. I like to increase weight every set and do less reps.
Day 1: Back/Calves
![Pullups](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/46/Female/t/46_1.jpg)
![Pullups](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/46/Female/t/46_2.jpg)
3 sets of 12 reps
![Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/10/Female/t/10_1.jpg)
![Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/10/Female/t/10_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![One-Arm Dumbbell Row](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/13/Female/t/13_1.jpg)
![One-Arm Dumbbell Row](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/13/Female/t/13_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Upright Barbell Row](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/365/Female/t/365_1.jpg)
![Upright Barbell Row](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/365/Female/t/365_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Underhand Cable Pulldowns](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/139/Female/t/139_1.jpg)
![Underhand Cable Pulldowns](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/139/Female/t/139_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
![Reverse Flyes](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/375/Female/t/375_1.jpg)
![Reverse Flyes](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/375/Female/t/375_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
![Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/301/Female/t/301_1.jpg)
![Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/301/Female/t/301_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Seated Calf Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/152/Female/t/152_1.jpg)
![Seated Calf Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/152/Female/t/152_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
Day 2: Shoulders/Biceps
![Smith Machine Overhead Shoulder Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/76/Female/t/76_1.jpg)
![Smith Machine Overhead Shoulder Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/76/Female/t/76_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Dumbbell Shoulder Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/328/Female/t/328_1.jpg)
![Dumbbell Shoulder Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/328/Female/t/328_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Side Lateral Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/373/Female/t/373_1.jpg)
![Side Lateral Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/373/Female/t/373_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Front Plate Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/230/Female/t/230_1.jpg)
![Front Plate Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/230/Female/t/230_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
![Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/377/Female/t/377_1.jpg)
![Seated Bent-Over Rear Delt Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/377/Female/t/377_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
![Barbell Curl](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/169/Female/t/169_1.jpg)
![Barbell Curl](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/169/Female/t/169_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Cable Crossover](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/132/Female/t/132_1.jpg)
![Cable Crossover](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/132/Female/t/132_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
Day 3: Legs
![Leg Extensions](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/53/Female/t/53_1.jpg)
![Leg Extensions](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/53/Female/t/53_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Smith Machine Squat](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/65/Female/t/65_1.jpg)
![Smith Machine Squat](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/65/Female/t/65_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Hack Squat](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/56/Female/t/56_1.jpg)
![Hack Squat](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/56/Female/t/56_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Leg Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/57/Female/t/57_1.jpg)
![Leg Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/57/Female/t/57_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Standing Calf Raises](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/48/Female/t/48_1.jpg)
![Standing Calf Raises](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/48/Female/t/48_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
![Donkey Calf Raises](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/296/Female/t/296_1.jpg)
![Donkey Calf Raises](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/296/Female/t/296_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
Day 4: Rest
Day 5: Chest/Triceps/Abs
![Incline Dumbbell Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/380/Female/t/380_1.jpg)
![Incline Dumbbell Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/380/Female/t/380_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Dumbbell Flyes](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/12/Female/t/12_1.jpg)
![Dumbbell Flyes](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/12/Female/t/12_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Flat Bench Cable Flyes](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/162/Female/t/162_1.jpg)
![Flat Bench Cable Flyes](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/162/Female/t/162_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Lying Triceps Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/342/Female/t/342_1.jpg)
![Lying Triceps Press](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/342/Female/t/342_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Bench Dips](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/344/Female/t/344_1.jpg)
![Bench Dips](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/344/Female/t/344_2.jpg)
3 sets of 15 reps
![Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/54/Female/t/54_1.jpg)
![Triceps Pushdown - Rope Attachment](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/54/Female/t/54_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
![Exercise Ball Crunch](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/117/Female/t/117_1.jpg)
![Exercise Ball Crunch](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/117/Female/t/117_2.jpg)
3 sets of 20 reps
![Russian Twist](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/208/Female/t/208_1.jpg)
![Russian Twist](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/208/Female/t/208_2.jpg)
3 sets of 20 reps
Day 6: Back/Calves
![Pullups](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/46/Female/t/46_1.jpg)
![Pullups](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/46/Female/t/46_2.jpg)
3 sets of 12 reps
![Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/10/Female/t/10_1.jpg)
![Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/10/Female/t/10_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![One-Arm Dumbbell Row](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/13/Female/t/13_1.jpg)
![One-Arm Dumbbell Row](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/13/Female/t/13_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Upright Barbell Row](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/365/Female/t/365_1.jpg)
![Upright Barbell Row](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/365/Female/t/365_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Underhand Cable Pulldowns](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/139/Female/t/139_1.jpg)
![Underhand Cable Pulldowns](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/139/Female/t/139_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
![Reverse Flyes](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/375/Female/t/375_1.jpg)
![Reverse Flyes](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/375/Female/t/375_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15 reps
![Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/301/Female/t/301_1.jpg)
![Smith Machine Reverse Calf Raises](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/301/Female/t/301_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
![Seated Calf Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/152/Female/t/152_1.jpg)
![Seated Calf Raise](https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/exerciseImages/sequences/152/Female/t/152_2.jpg)
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8, reps
Day 7: Rest
I like to do my cardio in the early morning, every day. Sometimes I add 20 min cardio after weights. When I start getting ready for a competition I add one more session of cardio after dinner.
I am not big fan of running. After practicing martial arts for 8 years my knees and hips are not good for long runs. I can do 30-45 sec sprints. Most of the time I do incline treadmill at a fast walk or the Stairmaster.
Suggestions for Others
Be patient and believe in yourself. Never give up!
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