Bodybuilding.com - Mikiko's BodySpace

Personal Info And Background:

Real Name:	Alexandra Porshnikoff
Sex:	Female
Age:	36
Location:	San Francisco, California, United States
Occupation:	Executive Assistant, Yahoo! Inc.; Team AllMax; Team Lana's Eggwhites; Odd'o's Angel; NPC Figure Athlete, Notary Public & Mom :-)
Personal Website:	http://www.simplyshredded.com/alexandra-interview.html
Primary Gym:	24 Hour Fitness 1211 E Arques Ave Sunnyvale, CA United States
College:	San Francisco State University Attended 1991 to 1999 San Francisco, California United States
High School:	George Washington High Attended 1987 to 1991 San Francisco, California United States
When I Started:	Oct, 2002
How I Started:	I've always been athletic and loved sports. At 19, I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Though rewarding, it was a huge challenge to be a parent, and turned into the proverbial "skinny fat girl". Soon I met a wonderful person who taught me the importance of not neglecting myself. He re-introduced me to the gym, and taught me to care about my health. After his passing, working out helped me cope with my grief, and made me feel as if he were still a part of my life. God blessed me again with another very special person who connected the fitness dots for me--nutrition, training, cardio, supplementation, and the overall pursuit of wellness. He also introduced me to the sport of bodybuilding and ignited a new passion in my life.
Why I Love It:	Most people train because there are obvious health benefits, or for reasons of vanity. I can't stay away from the gym because I feel so energized and euphoric after a workout, especially when there are new techniques to try, and new personal records to set! The effects nutrition and exercise have on my physique never cease to amaze me. I love experimenting with various techniques to evoke subtle differences in my body...lean, soft, hard, curvy, flat, or full. I appreciate all of the various looks and have a lot of fun with them! Bodybuilding is just one of those sports where you don't compete against other people...ultimately, you are competing against yourself, bringing in the best work of art to the stage. Exercise is also one of those subjects that most people can relate to. I've snuffed out many a conversation at social events describing my love for entomology...however, EVERYONE is always interested in learning the secrets of looking and feeling great!
How I Stay Motivated:	I find motivation everywhere! Reading about and observing the progress of the members on BodySpace is very motivating, as well as reading about those that falter. I see their weaknesses and errors. I learn from other people's mistakes, and strive to not make them my own. I find motivation in the challenges life presents me on a daily basis. Bodybuilding has taught me patience, dedication, determination and focus. Life events will attempt to shake all of those things, and time and time again I will get off track...but I always get right back on! Through trial and error, I have learned that attaining perfection isn't about never falling off the wagon. It's about acknowledging that you did, regain your bearings, and get right back to it. Though I started off on my own, getting to the point I am on my own would have been very challenging! I am eternally grateful for the guidance, support, and mentoring provided by my coach, Kim Oddo, who I have retained for the past 3 years. His patience and understanding of me as a competitor, mother, working professional, woman and human being has been invaluable. I feel blessed to have chosen to align myself with someone who has the same dedication, drive, energy, focus, spirit, and common values as myself. More recently, I feel very blessed to have found a competent and professional Personal Trainer, Travis Amorim (a Master Trainer at 24-hour Fitness), with whom I am able to intelligently discuss the latest research in nutrition and supplementation during my excruciating workouts! I am motivated by encouragement as well as discouragement. I feel proud when I am acknowledged, and thoughtful when I am critiqued. I am motivated because I know that there will always be a new goal to reach, a new obstacle to overcome and a new lesson to be learned. I am motivated because this sport is not easy. It tests the limits of my strength and sanity, and that makes me feel ALIVE.
BB Accomplishments:	2009 Nationals - 2nd Place 2009 NPC Sacramento - 2nd Open & Masters 2009 Team U - 4th Place Open, 2nd Masters 2009 USA's - 8th Place 2008 Emerald Cup - 1st Place 2007 Contra Costa - 1st Place 2007 California State - 2nd Place 2005 Max Muscle Naturals - 1st Place 2005 Contra Costa - 8th Place 2004 California State - 6th Place 2004 Contra Costa - 6th Place TEAM ALLMAX SPONSORED ATHLETE! TEAM LANA'S EGGWHITES!
Forum Signature:	~~~~*~ The joy of giving is the greatest joy of life.
Last Updated: Feb 4, 2010 12:50pm