We are so excited to share this interview with you guys! If you don't know who Samantha Kozuch is she is a fitness influencer and entrepreneur. She does work with companies like Red Bull and Live Fit Apparel Samantha is an extremely talented hard working woman who takes her health and wellness very seriously and is always inspiring others along the way. We hope you guys enjoy this interview as much as we have!
1) Tell us a little about yourself! How did you get started in the fitness industry?
I've been an athlete basically since I could walk! My parents had my sister and I in dance and calisthenics classes from a young age, and as I grew up I moved on to netball and running, to then basketball and track. By middle school and highs school my life revolved around class and sports, which at the time I loved. Upon graduating, I had multiple athletic scholarships, but by 18 I was burned out with the lifestyle I had carried for almost 10 years. I decided to turn down all the athletic scholarships and go to college like a "regular" kid. I wanted to pursue studying science and medicine, experience college and learn about the woman I was becoming outside of being a team athlete.
My first year at the University of Arizona was tough, I had bad withdrawals of no longer being a part of a sports team, and I had to learn how to work out and stay in shape on my own. At the same time, because I'm 5'10, I kept getting comments that I should be a model. So about a month after college had started, I tried out for the UofA college swimsuit calendar - and out of all the girls who auditioned I ended up being selected! From there I started to pursue modeling, learning more and more about health and fitness, and finished my degree in human physiology and chemistry.
The rest is history, for over 10 years I've been a self-employed model, actress, host, sports talent and video producer. I currently reside in beautiful Santa Monica, CA and loving life!
2) How important is your nutrition to you being someone in the public eye? Do you have any tips for someone looking to start and maintain a fitness routine?
Nutrition is 100% key, not only for physical appearance but also for feeling great every single day and having the energy to do what I love. For me, I live a "everything in moderation" lifestyle. I eat healthy daily with getting my veggies, proteins, healthy fats and complex carbs, but I also enjoy my wines and tequila along with desserts and fatty foods when I feel I'd like to. I enjoy spending time with my friends and boyfriend and indulging in delicious foods. However, it's all about moderation, and knowing that hey if i have a shoot the next day in a sports bra I'm not going to binge out on a heavy carb or sugar meal the night before - but I probably will after the shoot. Know what I mean? It's about being smart with your diet and listening to your body.
My tips for someone looking to start a fitness routine is to set a small goal. For example, if you don't currently workout, make it a goal to do a workout at least 2 or 3 times a week for 30 days. And increase that goal for the next 30 days, etc.
If you want to cut back on sugar, try removing a couple high sugar foods from your diet for 30 days i.e., cut back on soda, or desserts to maybe a few times a week, and again change the goal the following month.
Basically, small and attainable goals are going to help you be more successful in the long run then cutting everything out cold turkey or trying to hit the gym 6 days a week right off the bat! When you attain a goal after 30 days your more likely to stick with it, then set a goal that's harder to attain and then fail, which usually leads to giving up! We don't want that!
3) Can you tell us a little bit about the challenges you have faced over the years from just starting out to coming into more success new venture with Red Bull Etc?
Challenges I've faced over the years is to be confident and love my own body. In this industry you are constantly critiqued by agents, followers and potential clients! You have to learn you will never be everyone's cup of tea - and BE OKAY WITH THAT! You're either too fat, too skinny, too tall, boobs are too big, butts not big enough... you really have to learn to love yourself and leave all that at the door of the casting.
In the beginning of my career, I struggled with trying to fit the mold! I was an athlete growing up - I had built thighs and an ass BEFORE it was trendy to have that! I would constantly try new diets and excessive workout routines to lose weight, to get jobs that I wanted and to look like the other skinny girls going out for auditions, but now, I'm like f@$k it, if the client or company doesn't like the women they have in front of them; I'm not changing anything about myself to get the job. I'm very fit, healthy, happy and loving life so now I'm more about working with companies and brands that align with my personal brand and lifestyle and not the reverse. Over the years, if you surround yourself with a great support system, you truly learn to come into your own confident womanhood and it's an AMAZING feeling to be get to that point.
To answer the second part of the question, this industry is 100% about networking, it's who you know, the relationships you keep and how you present yourself at castings, on sets and online. Every job that I've gotten has been primarily because of self-hustle and recommendations. This career has no days off, and it takes a lot of passion to keep it going.
4) What is your life motto?
Step out of your comfort zone. Nothing ever grows there.
Throughout my life, I can honestly say I've only had success because I've taken risks and gone against the traditional grain. Whenever I start feeling comfortable, i know I need to change something in my life to get to the next step with my career or lifestyle.
5) Do you have a favorite go-to healthy snack?
My current favorite is The Perfect Bar in the Almond Maple flavor. It's a little sweet so it's like a candy bar treat for me. I've recently started adding more healthy fats to my diet, and seeing a radical difference in my skin.
6) What's a day in the life of Samantha look like?
Oh man, everyday is so different for me! I don't have a set routing at all - it's impossible for my lifestyle.
I'm either working from home on my video production company - www.whitescreenvideos.com, traveling nationwide for Red Bull Global Rally Cross Racing, working on set as a host or model for clients, or in a city somewhere walking the runway for Body Glove swimwear.
On a daily basis I'm basically making sure my social media is up to date, emails are responded to, getting a workout in of some sort if , and making sure I'm eating right!
7) Are you a goal setter? If so, has it helped you in your career or in any other areas of your life and do you find it important to have goals?
OMG hell yes! 100,000,000% yes! Without setting goals I would never be where I am today! Nothing happens by accident or chance. Everything happens because you work towards it and the energy you put out towards the Universe rewards you. I'm a huge believer in vision boards and manifesting dreams to become a reality. I create a vision board every year, I have videos about this on my YouTube.com/TheDailyFitGirl channel. Every vision board that I've created has all come to fruition. It's keeping those goals in site on a daily basis that keeps me building towards accomplishing them. I also set business and financial goals every month, and keep track of progress. I have a big white board in my office that I update every two weeks with goal lists. I truly believe if you don't set goals for yourself, don't expect anything in your life to change -again, nothing happens by accident or chance!
8) Do you have a favorite exercise routine?
Booty Day and HIIT Workout days! Training my butt and legs is my absolute favorite 2-3 days of the week because for me it has the biggest reward - there's not better feeling of confidence then having a nice round butt in a pair of jeans, leggings or bikini! :) Also, when you're working your lower body, you're ultimately working your entire body from lifting heavy bars and dumbbells so it's a double whammy!
I love my HIIT circuit workouts because they not only kick my ass, but being drenched in sweat at the end of a workout is the ultimate satisfaction! It's why I created a workout app dedicated to these types of training routines - they're effective!
9) In three words describe your mission in life?
Inspire. Influence. Educate.
10) Where can we connect with you and what is a project that you are currently working on that we should keep an eye out for?
Definitely follow me on Instagram.com/SamanthaKozuch
Catch my weekly videos on YouTube.com/TheDailyFitGirl
My website SamanthaKozuch.com is where you can access not only my workout plans and workout app, but also my blog filled with lots of health tips and motivation.
