Intense Workouts for Intense Results: Olyasha Novozhylova

Olyasha Novozhylova is a model, blogger, author, entrepreneur and podcaster. This month, we talked to her about what it was like going to modeling school in her native Ukraine and how her daily diet and exercise routine has evolved.

Dennis Postema: When did you get into modeling?

Olyasha Novozhylova: I was thirteen years old. Back in Ukraine, I went to modeling school, did training, and went to boot camps, so I started early.

Dennis: What do you have to learn to get into modeling?

Olyasha: I have done modeling boot camps and schools in the United States too. They teach you about the industry, what to do, what not to do, how to apply makeup and how to do your hair yourself.

You need to make sure you follow the rules and walk correctly.

Dennis: Is modeling really big in Ukraine for younger people?

Olyasha: It was, but there were a lot of scams. There are a lot of scams here, too, because there are so many modeling schools that promise to get you somewhere after you buy their packages, and then there was never anything to begin with.

You shouldn’t pay to sign up. The agency should be paying you when you sign up.

Dennis: What does a workout day look like for you and how frequently do you work out?

Olyasha: I do highintensity training, yoga, Barre, and power walks. I mix it all together, because when your body gets used to one type of workout, it might become less effective.

I often take classes because they do all the work for you. It’s easier, in a way, because I don’t have to think about what I’m going to do next. The teachers in those classes are on you. There are maybe 10 to 20 people per class. It helps with accountability, because you’re trying to keep up, it’s fast-paced, and the workouts are hard. You’re quickly switching from one thing to another. Barre classes are good for keeping a toned body. I have learned that if I work out in the gym too much, I lose flexibility, so I mix yoga and Barre into my workout routine to keep my muscles lean. I don’t like being bulky.

I usually do three or four workouts a week, and if

I have time in between, I will take power walks to a park.

Sometimes I don’t like working out at the gym by myself because it’s not as intense as classes are.

My high-intensity workouts are an hour long. That kind of training makes your muscles burn more fat for three days, so even if I don’t work out the following day, I’m still burning fat.

Dennis: What was it like dieting at such a young age? How did that work out and what happened?

Olyasha: I have struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. I started modeling at thirteen, and models at that time had to be a size zero to a size two, and I was between sizes two and four. I felt bad and I felt left out, so I would diet like crazy, to the point where everything I ate was fat-free and sugar-free.

It came to the point where walking around made me light-headed and I had to hold the wall. I’m 5’11” and I was probably 130 pounds. My mom was concerned. It took me a few years to realize that you can eat whatever you want, as long as you do it in moderation and stay in shape.

I love food, but I’m not too crazy about sweets or carbs. I naturally don’t like much bread. I don’t buy any sweets.

I have tried all the possible diets, from keto to a Mediterranean diet.

Back when I was dieting, fat-free and sugar-free diets were trending. I don’t see that as much these days. I think it’s changed, but seventeen years ago, everyone was crazy about fat-free stuff.

At that time, I was always cold. I wore sweaters in the summer because I wouldn’t eat, and when you don’t eat, your body has no insulation, so you feel cold all the time. I felt light-headed, and I was always hungry.

I would binge and then not eat for days.

As I got older, I learned that wasn’t healthy. You should do what works for you. The best diet is eating everything in moderation. Everyone’s body is different—there is no one diet that fits everyone.

I learned that I could lose weight and keep myself in good shape when I ate a lot of healthy, nourishing foods. I eat maybe three or four times a day.

Dennis: You wrote a children’s book to help make a difference in the world. Can you tell us more about that?

Olyasha: In 2020, I wrote Cutie the Unicorn—It’s OK To Be Different.

My main goal was to inform young people that it’s OK to accept others who look different and it’s OK to be different. It’s OK to be yourself. Don’t let anyone dim your light. You don’t have to fit in any boxes.

I was bullied in school for my fashion and for my height—not just by students, but by teachers and even the principal.

When I went back to Ukraine last year, I found my old principal on Facebook. I messaged her, saying, “Thank you so much for doing that to me, because I turned all of those obstacles into success, and I made a

career out of it. Now I’m in fashion and I wrote a children’s book.” So bullying is a bad thing, but sometimes you can turn obstacles into success.

Many kids are shy because they’re hurt inside. Sometimes they’re so hurt that they feel like they can’t share it with anyone, and that’s when issues come up, because deep down, they’re damaged. Dennis: Are you a foodie?

Olyasha: Yeah, I love food and I love good restaurants.

I like to try healthier options, or sometimes I get whatever I like, because sometimes it’s better to get what you really like or what you really want. When you crave something, you have to have it, so sometimes it’s better to have it, because otherwise, you will end up eating more of other stuff and getting full on something that you didn’t really want and still won’t feel satisfied. Have what you want in moderation.

I don’t like to eat late, though. I kind of naturally do intermittent fasting, because the latest I eat is about 8:00 p.m. You’re not supposed to eat four hours before sleep. It’s very unhealthy for your body.

Dennis: What do you do on a daily basis to stay confident?

Olyasha: Working out definitely always gives me confidence, because it makes me feel good, and not just feel good about myself, but in general. Doing things that you love and spoiling yourself are important too.

Keeping my hair, makeup, and lashes on point helps me stay confident as well. Dennis: Do you have any other advice for our readers?

Olyasha: The best advice by far is working out and eating. Don’t deprive yourself of things you like.

If I know a holiday or a celebration is coming up, I’ll eat the worst foods at the beginning of the day, so it will burn off by the end of the day.

Not eating at night helps me stay in shape too.

Find out more about Olyasha on her Instagram @notbasicblonde_, check out her podcast NotBasicBlonde on any major podcast platform, read her blog at notbasicblonde.com, and check out her children’s book, “Cutie the Unicorn— It’s OK To Be Different” on Amazon.

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