We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Avrora Gunko a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Avrora, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
Avrora Gunko is a fitness and health coach, nutritionist, pro bodybuilder, co-founder of “The Vegan Curl” company, and podcast host of “Vegan Booty Talks’. She was born in Ukraine and moved to the USA around 7 years ago. Avrora certified ISSA Personal Trainer and Nutritionist with over 9 years of experience in fitness and health. She is WNBF Pro Bodybuilder and National NPC Bikini Champion. She is a holistic online health coach with successful stories of clients hilling from diabetes, overweight and hard diseases all over the world.
Avrora’s passion is about connecting muscles, mind, and spirit in harmony with a universe to involve itch day to a better version of “I am NOW”. She moved to Hawaii over 2 years ago and successfully inspire other people around the world to be a better version of themselves.
She says “What separates me from other fitness nutrition coaches is my focus on plant-based whole food. You do not need to eat animals to grow muscle, you can become muscular and healthy on a vegan diet and feel great! I am the only nutritionist and bodybuilder I KNOW THAT stopped eating meat at the age of 6 and successfully become a professional bodybuilder. OS I am an example of the possibility become a professional athlete without drags and on plants!”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born and raised in Ukraine, in a small industrial town called Zaporizhia. Please refrain from trying to pronounce the city name unless you’re familiar with it, as it can be quite challenging. My family was considered normal: I had a dad, mom, and older sister. I was the youngest and thinnest child, and also the sickest and weirdest. I caused my mom to twist her belly three times before she delivered me into this world. At the age of 6, I refused to eat meat. Ukraine, being a city in Europe, has a cuisine heavily based on animal meat, so it was difficult for my mom to accept my decision.
You might be wondering why I decided to stop eating animal meat at such a young age. Well, at that time, I wasn’t aware of veganism or vegetarianism, especially in a small Ukrainian town. The story is simple: my family had a barbecue party, and everyone fell ill afterward. There was probably something in the meat that made everyone sick, though I’m not entirely sure. Since I already had some health issues, this affected me significantly, and I couldn’t even stand the smell of meat after that. Moreover, I had vivid memories of my dad’s village, where they would kill animals every time we visited my grandparents. When I witnessed my dad and grandfather killing a bull, I immediately ran to the corner of the house, covered my ears with my hands (as I didn’t want to hear the bull suffering), and cried all day long. This experience made me realize that I no longer wanted to consume animals. My mom was scared and took me to many doctors to check if something was wrong, but fortunately, she eventually gave up on pressuring me to eat meat.
That being said, I still consumed fish, dairy, and eggs on a regular basis. Since I was too young to make my own decisions, I did what I could by simply refusing meat and consuming everything else that was offered to me.
A lot has changed since then, and I am now a vegan for ethical reasons. It’s interesting to reflect on how I arrived at this point. My more comprehensive decision to switch to a plant-based diet came much later, in 2006, when I moved to the United States. It’s worth mentioning that I never dreamed of living in America or leaving my beloved country, Ukraine. I cherished every aspect of my culture. However, in 2004, a war broke out between Ukraine and Russia, which changed the way I thought about my future. While many people didn’t take it seriously, my family and I personally experienced attacks and persecution in Ukraine. I didn’t want to deal with the political turmoil, so when the opportunity arose to stay in the USA, I took it. Of course, no one could have predicted that it would escalate into a huge war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022. Looking back now, I believe that was the only way to put an end to the terror. Nevertheless, this book is not about politics at all, so let’s continue with my health and fitness story.
When I arrived in New York, I was shocked by how poor the quality of food was and how unhealthy people’s meals were. It was challenging to find real whole foods in restaurants. At that time, I considered myself a vegetarian, as I still consumed dairy and eggs occasionally. However, to be completely honest with you all, dairy in America was subpar compared to Europe. In the village where my dad is from, my grandmother used to make cottage cheese from fresh cow milk she obtained that same morning. Naturally, I had high standards for dairy products. When I bought cottage cheese and regular milk from a local New York store, I immediately became sick and experienced stomach upset. I tried different brands of milk, but it didn’t help. Then I asked people around, and they all recommended drinking alternative milks like almond, oat, or soy. Have you ever wondered why 90% of Americans drink alternative milks even though they are carnivores? Why do they continue eating cheese and eggs if they cannot drink regular cow’s milk? Humans are the only species on this planet that drinks milk from other species’ mothers. It sounds strange, doesn’t it? A cow is not your mother, so why do you think you need to drink their milk?
All of this made me quickly realize that I should give up dairy as well and transition to a completely plant-based diet. During the same period, I was fascinated by the number of overweight people in the USA. I met a few Ukrainians who had moved to the US and became obese, claiming that they hadn’t changed their diets at all and couldn’t lose weight. I became determined to understand the cause of the obesity problem in the US and why the food was so different from that in Europe.
In Ukraine, I used to be an actress and dancer, but I couldn’t pursue those paths in New York due to my limited English proficiency. My vocabulary was limited to a few basic words like “hi,” “bye,” and “thank you.” Consequently, I focused on dancing and joined a gym because it was the only establishment open 24/7 that could accommodate my hectic work schedule. Since I didn’t know how to use the machines and was too shy to ask for help due to my poor English, I relied on internet research, created my own workout plan, and mainly did cardio exercises. Slowly, I started seeing changes in my physique, which inspired me to learn more about bodybuilding. I began reading books, watching instructional videos on proper exercise form, and browsing Instagram for inspiration from fitness models with perfect bikini bodies.
One day, I came across a video of a girl in a sparkling bikini suit, looking perfect and commanding the stage like a star. It instantly reminded me of my love for performing on stage. After six years of working in the Ukrainian theater, I desperately missed having a platform for performance and an audience. So, I thought to myself, “That’s it! That’s what I can try to do! It’s a combination of being on stage like an actress and pushing yourself physically to look that good.” And of course, I wanted to look as good as those bikini competitors. But I had a question lingering in my mind: “How can I achieve that on a plant-based diet?” I couldn’t see myself consuming meat or dairy anymore.
I began researching vegan bodybuilding, but back in 2006, there wasn’t much information available. However, that sparked an idea within me—to become a pioneer in the field, to do something new and test myself to see if it was truly possible. Coincidentally, I met a girl who was already competing in bikini bodybuilding, so I asked her to train me. When I told her that I wanted to prepare for my first bikini show as a complete vegan, she told me it was impossible. But her doubt ignited a spark within me to prove her wrong, as well as anyone else who doubted the possibility. So, I embarked on my first preparation for a bikini show, completely vegan, and I ended up winning. Yes, I took home the overall title in my very first bikini bodybuilding show as a completely vegan natural athlete. It was a moment that inspired me to continue pushing forward.
I felt like I had received a blessing from above, reaffirming that anything is possible if you work hard and truly believe in what you’re doing. I know it may sound cliché, but trust me, it’s the truth. I’ve been through it all, making mistakes and trying various approaches, but I always held onto the belief that it would work. And in the end, it did!
I hope to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and pursue your deepest desires. It’s one of the paths to happiness. But enough about me; let’s move forward and explore what this book is all about and how it can help you.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I am an accomplished fitness coach and esteemed nutritionist, driven by a deep desire to help people transform their lives through the power of health and well-being. Recognizing the vast potential of social media as a platform to reach and inspire individuals worldwide, I embarked on a journey to build a prominent online presence, focusing on providing invaluable advice for beginners in the fitness world.
Understanding the challenges faced by novices, I empathize with their struggles and aim to guide them towards sustainable success. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise, I meticulously curate captivating content across various social media platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. My posts and videos are crafted with precision, designed to resonate with my target audience – beginners seeking practical guidance on their fitness and nutrition journeys.
Through insightful and relatable content, I share my expertise, addressing essential topics such as designing effective workout routines, demystifying macronutrients, and debunking prevalent fitness myths. Here are some key pieces of advice I offer to beginners:
Start with small, achievable goals: It’s important to set realistic goals that are attainable within your current fitness level. Begin by focusing on gradual improvements and celebrate each milestone along the way. Small steps lead to significant transformations.
Prioritize consistency over intensity: Consistency is the key to long-term success. Rather than pushing yourself to the limit sporadically, strive for regularity in your workouts and nutrition. Consistent effort yields lasting results.
Seek professional guidance: Consider working with a qualified fitness coach or nutritionist who can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and goals. They will help you navigate through the overwhelming amount of information and ensure you’re on the right track.
Embrace variety in your workouts: Engage in a diverse range of exercises to target different muscle groups and prevent boredom. Incorporate cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises into your routine to maintain a well-rounded approach.
Focus on nutrition: Remember that a healthy body is built in the kitchen as well. Pay attention to your nutrition, aiming for a balanced diet that includes a variety of whole foods such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables,
By following these pieces of advice and utilizing the resources available to them, beginners can establish a solid foundation for their fitness journey and pave the way for long-term success.
To amplify my impact, I seek collaborations with esteemed fitness influencers and industry experts. By participating in podcast interviews, contributing guest blog posts, and hosting live Q&A sessions, I solidify my presence in the fitness community while expanding my reach. These strategic partnerships allow me to connect with a broader audience, empowering more beginners with reliable advice and valuable resources.
Recognizing the importance of fostering meaningful engagement, I actively cultivate an online community that is supportive and interactive. I respond diligently to comments, address individual queries, and encourage open discussions within my digital realm. By forging personal connections, I aim to cultivate trust and loyalty among my followers, who rely on my guidance and turn to me for inspiration.
As time passes, my social media influence flourishes. My unwavering commitment to authenticity and genuine care for my audience resonates deeply with beginners, and my following continues to grow steadily. People from all walks of life find solace in my guidance, crediting my expertise and motivation for their transformative journeys.
Buoyed by the popularity of my social media platforms, I am excited to unveil a comprehensive e-book tailored specifically to meet the needs of beginners. This meticulously crafted publication encompasses structured workout plans, well-balanced meal ideas, and actionable tips, providing beginners with a definitive roadmap to kickstart their fitness and nutrition transformations
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
For me, a vegan fitness story represents a journey of aligning my values of compassion for animals and environmental sustainability with my passion for fitness and overall well-being. It is a story of transformation, not only in terms of physical health but also in how I view and interact with the world around me.
The decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle was not without its challenges. Initially, my path to veganism began with a realization of the ethical implications of consuming animal products. I became deeply aware of the suffering endured by animals within the food industry. This awareness sparked a desire within me to make a change and led me to embrace a vegan lifestyle.
One of the significant challenges I faced was the societal and cultural conditioning surrounding the consumption of animal products. As I transitioned to a plant-based diet, I encountered skepticism and misconceptions from friends, family, and even some fitness professionals. They questioned whether I could maintain proper nutrition and achieve my fitness goals without animal-derived foods. Overcoming these doubts required me to educate myself extensively on plant-based nutrition, ensuring that I was meeting all my dietary needs through a well-balanced, vegan diet.
Another challenge I encountered was the availability and accessibility of vegan options, particularly when it came to convenience foods or eating out at restaurants. However, I approached these challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. I delved into experimenting with plant-based recipes, discovering new ingredients, and exploring alternative sources of protein to ensure I was fueling my body optimally.
Additionally, I sought out vegan communities and online resources that provided support, guidance, and inspiration. Connecting with like-minded individuals who shared similar values and faced similar challenges helped me stay motivated and provided a sense of belonging during my transition to a vegan lifestyle.
Throughout this journey, I discovered the power of perseverance and self-reflection. I continuously evaluated my choices, learning from my experiences, and adjusting my approach as needed. With time, I witnessed remarkable improvements in my fitness performance, energy levels, and overall well-being. These positive changes reinforced my commitment to the vegan lifestyle and provided the motivation to overcome any obstacles that came my way.
Ultimately, my vegan fitness story is one of empowerment, resilience, and personal growth. It is a testament to the incredible transformation that can occur when we align our values with our lifestyle choices. By overcoming the challenges and embracing a vegan lifestyle, I have not only found greater harmony within myself but also become an advocate for compassion, sustainability, and the limitless potential of plant-based fitness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://avroraprofit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avroraprofit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvroraProFit/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvroraGunko
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKTzmIluY8VkY2mD0tp5joA