Q&A: Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova, who has been a guest on the ranch in the past, joins The Biggest Loser as a full-time trainer this season, bringing her own sort of fire and intensity and a whole new energy. Kournikova has had a tennis racket in her hands since the age of five, and as the daughter of two athletes, she grew up training hard, pounding backhands in her native Moscow and making a splash on the international tennis circuit while still in her teens.
I met with Anna at the start of Season 12 to discuss The Biggest Loser approach to food and nutrition and had the chance to ask her a little a bit about her career and what she'll do to motivate the contestants this season.
Q: What's the greatest adversity you've faced and how did you overcome it?
Anna: Having significant injuries as a professional athlete and finding creative ways to still work out and train.
Q: What do you think you can do to inspire others?
Anna: The most important thing I can do to inspire others is to tell them to dream big! Growing up in the Soviet Union, I was a small girl with very modest means, but I had big dreams of becoming a professional tennis player. I can personally tell everyone that with a lot of hard work and dedication you can achieve things that you never thought were possible.
Q: What do you think people would be most surprised to know about you?
Anna: I am a huge adrenaline junkie and love to try all sorts of cool and exciting action sports.
Q: How would you describe your tennis-playing style, and how, if at all, do you think this relates to your approach to life?
Anna: I have always loved to be creative on the court, and sometimes it worked to my advantage and sometimes it didn't. I was never a "play it safe" athlete; I always loved to take some risks. I think I approach life this way, too. I am, overall, pretty regimented, which is a given having been a professional athlete, but I love to mix it up a bit and have some fun. I'm a Gemini, so it's in my blood!
Q: What is your favorite recovery food, following an intense workout?
Anna: All the carb choices like bananas, oranges or whole-wheat pasta if I need more fuel to keep going.
Q: What's your food weakness or indulgence?
Anna: I love a juicy cheeseburger with sweet potato fries.
Q: What is one meal or snack you love that feels indulgent, but isn't?
Anna: Guacamole and whole-wheat tortilla chips (in moderation, of course)!
Q: What do you listen to when working out?
Anna: Anything and everything that keeps me moving and motivated!
Q: What's the best advice you've ever gotten?
Anna: Trust your gut and know who you are as a person. You really have to know who you are and you have to be a complete person before you can give to others.
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