Alicia Haraksin
Rising Star of the Month - March 2011
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
26 year old Alicia Haraksin, all-American girl born and raised in Shelton, Connecticut, classifies herself as a rookie to the fitness industry; with only a year and half experience. Her fitness journey began in the fall of 2009 with her first competition at Fitness America Pageant in Brooklyn, New York. In the months leading up to the event, she trained with Cathy Savage Fitness and Perfect Body Online; with the one and only Lindsay Messina.
From the age of 3, she danced competitively in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop and trained with Stacey Tookey; Canadian contemporary choreographer on the TV hit show “So You Think You Can Dance”. Her life revolved around dance from recitals, lessons and competitions to being captain of her high school team, and then, college team. Let's see how she has evolved since. Read on...
"...my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, and a year later, passed away after an aggressive fight and battle with the disease. This tragic loss changed my life forever. My mother was not only my Mom, but my best friend. There is not a day that goes by that I do not miss her. But from this experience, I have grown stronger as a person and have learned to do so many things I would have never have dreamed of. The loss of my mom to cancer made me really value my life and want to become healthy in every way."
WP: Congratulations on winning our “Rising Star of the Month”. How does it feel to be nominated for such a title?
Thank you for such an amazing opportunity. Being chosen as a "Rising Star of the Month" is an honor that I don't take lightly. To be represented by World Physique out of the hundreds of amazing and beautiful fitness competitors/models that I know are out there is incredibly flattering. I have graced the stage with so many women whom I respect, look up to and strive to be.
WP: What made you decide to get into the fitness industry?
After college, I started working as an Account Manager for a Medical Education company, starting with an internship, which then developed into a career. As a result, my passion and years of training in dance and being active was put to a halt due to the long hours and lack of energy. The gym became monotonous and any excuse to skip out on the after work workout was welcomed. I missed the competitive, TEAM, and performance aspect of dance and being on stage. At the time, the best thing I could think of doing was participating each week in the cardio kickboxing class at my local gym. The instructor appeared to have stepped directly out of a fitness magazine. She was perfectly toned, tall, gorgeous, and could shake that booty!
After a month of taking her class, I found out she was Kim Pearson, an amazing fitness competitor. She was now trying to recruit me, after hearing about my dance background. I became intrigued and decided why not. From there, I was hooked!
Competing not only gave back to me the opportunity to perform, but jump started a new life and a healthy life. I cannot wait to see what is next!
WP: You have excelled as a model. Tell us more.
I have recently begun modeling and was chosen as the Elite Model representative for Dream Tan Bronze Angel and Perfect Body Online. PBO deems its services as creating a model with the perfect sass and class, which is exactly what I am looking for in my professional modeling career.
WP: Who have you worked with?
During the last year, I had the opportunity and privilege to shoot with Michael Williams and Liana Saadi. Both photographers were professional, gave direction and made me feel relaxed in my own skin. I had never been in front of a camera, so one-on-one can be intimidating. Given my background in dance performance, both photographers encouraged me to visualize myself on stage and gave me action shots and poses. Immediately, I felt at home and the finished products say it all.
WP: What are your goals?
My mantra has always been, “Work hard, play hard“. I believe an accomplished woman must do more than work, but enjoy the task at hand. Passionate about fitness, modeling and competition; I would love to incorporate them with my marketing skills and professional relationships to bring my career to the next level. With this new career, I aim to accomplish the following goals:
Fitness Model
Role Model
WP: You compete in the Fitness America Pageants. How well did you place?
Yes, I am currently competing. Thus far, I have competed in 3 local competitions and 1 national competition. It being my first year of competition I was thrilled with my placings!
WP: What would you change about the judges in the competitions?
Judging a competition is extremely complex with multiple categories that one must critique and evaluate. Every individual is built differently and every individual has a different idea of perfection or beautiful. A judge has a difficult task of viewing one beautiful woman after the next and must determine who presents themselves the best in those 2 minutes on stage. I do not envy the job of a judge, but have a strong respect for the position they are in. Most judges have once been on stage and understand exactly what each competitor is thinking during those few minutes under the lights, and for me, that brings comfort each time I strut my stuff or bust out a fitness move.
I also have experience judging dance competitions which provides me with the knowledge of how difficult the process can be. You never want to disappoint someone and that's why, as a competitor, I know I must view every comment as constructive and not destructive; otherwise the sport would no longer be fun!
WP: Well said. What does your weekly workout routine look like?
4 to 5 days a week training - consists of a cardio exercise for 30 minutes and weight training focusing on two muscle groups.
Weight training - monthly plan: focus on two different muscle groups each session. For example: Monday (Shoulders/Back) Tuesday (biceps/Triceps) Wednesday (Quads, calves). Each month, switch up your weekly plan.
Variety is the key for Cardio - I try and select a different type each day varying in the following: Stair mill, treadmill, spinning class, cardio kickboxing class, interval training, running outside, and hill and bleacher drills.
Abs - work during each workout but switch up the exercises - Crunches, Stability ball, Planks, and oblique’s.
Stretching to maintain flexibility - Barre workouts, splits, kicks, and yoga.
WP: Any shout outs?
I would like to thank my family, boyfriend and friends for always believing in me and pushing me to reach for the stars. But, I would like to give a special shout out to: Perfect Body Online, Cathy Savage Fitness, Lindsay Messina, and Kim Pearson. Without these organizations and people, I would not be where I am today in my fitness journey. Love you all!
WP: Who had the most impact on you in your life thus far?
My mother, Joseen Marie Haraksin, had the most impact on me. After graduating high school my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, and a year later, passed away after an aggressive fight and battle with the disease. This tragic loss changed my life forever. My mother was not only my Mom, but my best friend. There is not a day that goes by that I do not miss her. But from this experience, I have grown stronger as a person and have learned to do so many things I would have never have dreamed of. The loss of my mom to cancer made me really value my life and want to become healthy in every way.
WP: I am sorry to hear about your loss. What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
I love to travel. Since my junior year of college, I have tried to plan at least two vacations a year. Thus far, some of my favorite vacation destinations have been Brisbane, Australia, Oahu, Hawaii, and Park City, Utah. In each location I experienced different cultures, enriched myself in different foods and took part in different activities such as Sand sledding and scuba diving in Brisbane, surfing in Hawaii and RTVing in Utah. My favorite traveling companion is my boyfriend, Evan. We both have a thirst to see and do new things. Our next adventure is Europe in April to Paris, France and Rome, Italy.
WP: How do you make time for yourself? How do you relax and hide from the stress of the world?
Food! Coming from an Italian family, I have always been a lover of food since I was a baby. There is really not one food that I despise. On this fitness journey, I have been able to experiment on an entirely new way to cook my favorite foods. Cooking is relaxing, but also rewarding at the same time.
Also, television is my guilty pleasure. I love spending hours watching my DVR'ed shows. I have never been a big movie watcher, but reality TV is so entertaining.
WP: Before the interview closes, tell me about your family and more about your boyfriend.
My family is what makes me what I am today. I was brought up in a loud, very open Italian family, surround by love and food! My family has always been supportive in everything that I have done and have attended every dance recital, competition and basketball game that I have ever performed in. To this day, my dad still attends every fitness show and I love his support and confidence in my performances. My boyfriend of 2 and half years, Evan, has been my biggest supporter through my fitness journey.
Without is encouragement, enthusiasm and confidence I would not have been able to do it. He is always there, alongside my dad, cheering me on and taking videos. Evan also gets the brunt of my crabby pre-show diet moments. I love him for putting up with me. To him, it is all worth it for when I am in what he calls my “eating season”!
WP: We are delighted to have you featured as our “Rising Star of the Month”. Thank you for taking the time out to hold this interview with us. We wish you the best of luck in the future.
