Ioana Crișan, the Smile that Won the Podium

Interview with Ioana Crișan

Ioana Crișan, the winner of the gold medal at the World Cup, is an ambitious person dedicated to her career, and her bold dreams leave their mark on her consistency in sports activities.

Tell us about the beginning of your journey into the world of fitness and the factors that played a decisive role in convincing you to move to the next level, which is participating in domestic and international competitions.

The initial period in the world of fitness was driven by my personal ambition to surpass my limits, step out of my comfort zone, and sculpt and tone my body. The feminine lines were shaping my physique, but from this point onwards, there was a long and challenging path to climb onto the stage, which consisted of body shaping.

After participating in my first competition, I realized that I had a lot of work to do on my physique to achieve the athletic appearance I desired.

My presence in various competitions marked the beginning of a major challenge in terms of nutrition, namely giving up “small pleasures of life” that are considered unhealthy, such as fast food, bakery products, and sweets.

However, being always aware of my own choices, I don’t feel like I’m making any sacrifices, but rather that I have gradually adjusted my lifestyle over time, focusing on achieving long-term results at the expense of short-term pleasures.

Over time, I participated in numerous national competitions, but my interest in this sport made me desire to participate in the first international event.

At that time, it was an innocent decision, as I didn’t realize the differences in terms of preparation level between myself and the other competitors who were already at the international level.

I can say that this first participation in an international competition was the “trigger” that ignited my desire to become better and be present on the stage of the most renowned competitions in the field, competing alongside the best athletes.

In terms of competition participation, 2018 was an important year for you. What titles did you win, and which competitions are the most emotionally significant for you?

The dream of any athlete is probably to become number one in their home country. I achieved this dream in 2018 when I won the champion title in the 172 cm category and, at the same time, the overall champion in all Bikini Fitness categories.

Another competition with the same significance for me was organized by Pro Nutrition, where I also won the 172 cm category and the Open category. In the Open section, the first-place winners of each category compete separately. Pro Nutrition Grand Prix is a competition that is close to my heart because it was at this event, in 2015, that I had my first encounter with competitive life.

I concluded the 2018 season by winning the gold medal at the World Cup, an event organized for the first time in Romania, specifically in Cluj, where I had the enthusiastic support of the audience, friends, and loved ones, which doubled my emotions.

I know that you are currently in the midst of preparing for the “challenges of 2019.” What are these challenges, and what does your preparation involve?

The competitions I have decided to participate in 2019 are the European Championships, National Championship, Arnold Classic, and Pro Nutrition. The preparation for competitions extends throughout the year. The training is diversified for each competition, based on my starting physical condition and the level or, more precisely, the importance of the competition I want to participate in.

Another defining aspect to consider is calculating the calories consumed through diet and during training.

You are a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, and your job revolves around medical sales, which can be quite exhausting. How do you manage to be devoted to the gym?

Indeed, the job I practice requires a lot of fieldwork, travel, and meetings. However, I have a well-structured schedule that I try to follow attentively. This schedule is based on good time management and the inner discipline necessary to adhere to the predetermined timetable.

Nutrition is also closely related to daily training. In the morning, when I head to the office, I bring along containers with meals and snacks prepared in the evening, so I can avoid the first fast-food restaurant or convenience store, where I might not find healthy options. I try to go to the gym daily, even on weekends. It is the place where I relax and regain energy for the next day.

You mentioned, somewhat timidly, that you have underestimated your level of preparation for (some) competitions you have participated in. How did you gain positivity in these situations to confidently step on stage?

I honestly admit that this lack of confidence was instilled in me, without realizing it at that time, by the fact that I used to follow the progress of the athletes I would compete against on social media. As a result, my own perception was distorted regarding my true level of preparation compared to theirs.

After the first competitions I participated in, I was advised not to follow the social media accounts of various individuals in the field, but rather focus on my own preparation (deadlines/targets/dreams). This advice helped me tremendously.

Each competition brings about unique emotions and feelings that make their presence felt every time I step on stage for the presentation.

Stage presence, regardless of the level of preparation, is very important. What are the elements to consider and practice to have flawless stage presence?

Confidence is the key element to having impeccable stage presence. I must admit that, lacking the necessary experience in this area, it was quite challenging for me to be at ease in the beginning. Currently, I am working on reducing this disadvantage by investing time in posing and rehearsals.

I aspire to progress in the future. It is crucial to be aware of your strengths, the muscle groups that favor you (“work in your favor”), and have the ability to highlight them while at the same time concealing any flaws.

The creation of stage costumes involves meticulous work that takes many hours. What criteria do you consider when choosing your stage costumes, and where do you obtain them?

In this regard, I consider myself fortunate because after several somewhat unfortunate attempts or, better said, stage costumes that didn’t satisfy me, I met Olivia Balan. I remember with emotion the first costume she made for me. It took three weeks of work, numerous adjustments, and modifications to reach the final version, but the result confirmed to me that Olivia is a professional.

She works with passion and pays great attention to details, which has led me to collaborate with Muscle Queen Stage Wear. I believe that this “connection” benefits both parties every time I “rely on Olivia” in choosing my stage outfit.

Weightlifting/dumbbell training brings many benefits to the body, and yet, on several occasions, I have heard distorted perceptions from women regarding this type of exercise. How would you argue that these conceptions are mistaken?

I would like to clarify the dilemma surrounding weightlifting, a dilemma that influences women to say “no” when they are proposed to perform exercises with dumbbells, opting instead for stationary bikes or treadmills.

Beliefs vary from “weight training develops masculine muscle mass” to “I don’t want to do exercises involving dumbbells because I’ll lose my feminine posture.”

I can tell you the following: “You won’t diminish the feminine aspect of your body, you won’t develop muscles overnight, and you won’t waste precious time that you could have spent doing cardio for fat burning.”

If we were to talk to a bodybuilder, they would debunk the misconceptions about weight training, emphasizing how much effort and time it takes to naturally build muscle, not to mention the carefully planned diet down to the smallest detail. Nutrition is complemented by a wide range of necessary nutritional supplements, including the fact that males have an advantage—testosterone, a key element in muscle development.

Keep in mind that this type of exercise accelerates fat burning, increases flexibility, protects joints, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, and improves bone density. Additionally, the body continues to burn calories after a weight training session, even during sleep. You don’t have to avoid weight exercises, just combine them with cardio exercises in a coherent and efficient workout routine.

We are distinct entities with different dreams and desires. It is said that to be able to accept and overcome the trials of a new day, one must have a dream. What is your dream? What makes you look forward to the dawn of tomorrow?

I believe that a champion is not necessarily the athlete who only encounters success on their path. A true champion, from my point of view, experiences both failure and success, treating them both with the same attitude, dedicating themselves more to action and personal development to reach their maximum potential.

Over the course of four years participating in sports competitions, I have lost many times, but each time I have learned from my mistakes and developed my athletic side. I can affirm that defeats have made me physically and mentally stronger.

If you don’t have dreams, it is said that you don’t have a future set on a particular direction. You must have aspirations even if no one believes in you at the beginning of the journey. This is one of the lessons I have learned over time.

My dream is to reach the standard of professional preparation to compete at the Olympia and achieve the best possible result. I believe it is the desire of every athlete involved in the fitness-bodybuilding field.

If you were to summarize your own principles and beliefs in a few words, what would they be?

I support sports as a form of movement, regardless of age. Sport or physical activity of any kind trains the body, relaxes the mind, and eases the tension, even if it’s not practiced at a performance level. I like to believe that: “Your body can do almost anything… It’s your mind you have to convince.”