Working It Out With Isabela Staycer Creator of " Bela's Brazilian Bootcamp" !

Isabela Staycer

Isabela Staycer is a woman on a mission...and that  mission is to change " The world one fit body at a time". Isabela Staycer is a personal trainer and runs " Isabela's Brazilian Bootcamp" which is guaranteed to get you in the best shape of your life! Isabela is a friend of mine and I wanted to share her story as well as her  enthusiasm for health, wellness, and fitness with you all! Isabela is one of those people who lives her life with passion ...truly savoring all the best that life has to offer! She is smart,  funny, sarcastic, open minded , and we became fast friends! I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did and that's the way I see it !

Xx Billy Charles

BC: Tell me about your background and where you grew up? 

IS: I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and grew up in front of the Beach – my parents still live in the same place where I spent my childhood – Barra da Tijuca – the best surf spot in the city.

BC: What was living in Brazil like and do you miss it?

IS:  I miss my parents, I miss Barra Beach and Buzios. My parents have a beach house there where we spent the weekends. It has since become a destination where you can spot celebrities like Gisele and Tom Brady looking for some peace, sun in a very chic and cosmopolitan setting.

BC: You are living in San Fran now what led up to that? 

IS: One of my favorite stories: my now husband and I met in the OC (cue the many Real Housewives encounters!) but were fed up with the very conservative ways of the area. We decided to get married at the City Hall here in San Francisco as a protest against Prop 8!

BC: Have you always had a passion for health and fitness? 

IS: Yes. My parents are my greatest inspiration: they were macrobiotics before Madonna, took me to the gym as a teenager and encouraged me to dance and body board (I ended up a champion of the state of Rio de Janeiro at 16 years old in body boarding; and have danced for companies in many cities and countries).

Graceful in her movements

BC: Tell me about your training or schooling... 

IS: I became certified in Pilates to improve my ballet career. I was certified by a PMA endorsed studio, worked in a hospital and physical therapy facilities with Pilates for rehab. However, my real passion is using my trademarked workout Bela’s BrazilianBootcamp, Pilates, pure fitness moves to maximize performance and minimize risk of injury in athletes: from the pros to the " average joes" .

With Bravo TV's Emily Morse from Miss Advised

BC: What workouts are you doing with your clients currently?

IS:  I always do a fusion of all of the techniques I have in my bag of tricks. Unlike many trainers that provide somewhat similar workouts for many of their clients, I design specific workouts to address specific goals and needs. In fashion terms: it is the difference between buying off the rack and buying Haute Couture.

BC: What type of workout would you recommend  for people who are just starting out ?

IS: I recommend purchasing at least 1 session with a trainer. That trainer should be able to design a workout that the client can do on his/her own. I encourage my clients to walk/hike for cardio, and give them mini-workouts that they do when they don’t get to see me! I’m a control freak, hands-on trainer, but that quality has allowed me to train clients all over the world. Next: Skype sessions with your favorite Brazilian.

BC: What kind of foods do you eat and what would you suggest to someone just starting out on a healthy lifestyle change?

IS: I recommend what I call 5/2 ratio: 5 days of clean eating (proteins, lots of veggies, whole grain carbs, some healthy fats) and 2 days of allowing yourself to indulge. My clients and I train harder so that we can eat a little more.

Another Bela Tip: when you indulge, you get to pick 1 thing – make it good, make it your favorite. Mine?Cheesecake, pizza, 1 glass of red wine (not all on the same night!).

BC: What are some misconceptions/obstacles about working out and how do you help clients overcome them?

IS: The biggest obstacle is building the rapport with a client. Trust me, I’m the “Butt” Doctor (a well earned nickname), I will deliver results. Don’t deprive of your favorite things; instead make a calorie budget that you can choose from.

BC: Tell me about your personal workout routine ... 

IS: I workout 6 days a week: doing one of my classes with my people (very often, I’m like: all my god, you’re such a crazy bitch, this is hard, I want to stop, but I don’t. My people look up to me!); I hike and do longwalks 2+ hours with my husband on the weekends.

People: if you just walk to and from work or during lunchtime, you are already ahead of the game!

BC: What are some of your favorite things? 

IS: Sports: I’m a total jock and will watch as many games as I’m allowed (especially my football and my Philadelphia Eagles); the arts (dance, museums, photography…); causes (gay rights, animal rights, HIV and cancer cures); traveling (East Coast and Europe); wine, laughing, being silly with my husband, the color grey (thunderstorms, winter, overcast skies – the only Brazilian who detests the sun!)

BC: What are a few things that bother you? 

IS: I cannot stand bigotry, people who are mean to animals, older people or kids (pick someone your own size, bullies!), dishonesty, lack of authenticity. I dislike people who are dull, obsequious, fake and who overall try to hard. If you’re cool and lucky, we may be friends. Maybe.  

BC: So what do you Like to do for fun?...what are your other passions besides working out? 

IS: Hanging out with my husband (when you’re paired up with the right person, you don’t have to do much); Going to the movies, watching my Reality TV and my sports, being a tourist in our own city and exploring; watching my husband cook (I cook NOTHING because I hate knives and fire – my story and I’m sticking up with it); studying French.

The ever chic Isabela Staycer

BC: What do you want people reading to know about whoIsabela Staycer is? 

IS: I’m a Brazilian/Portuguese/American who has 3 passports, but is not a spy. I moved here as a teenagerand was able to make my own American dream a reality. My soul animal is a cat: don’t come to me, I’ll come to you, maybe, in my own time. I’m like the Mafia: if I like you, you’re MADE for life; if I don’t like you, yeah, I wouldn’t want to be you either.

Isabela takes many of her workouts to the outdoors!

BC:  ( Both laugh) Where can we find you and how would someone contact you to be trained by you? 

IS: You can contact me via email istaycer@gmail.com on Facebook at Isabela Staycer (I post workouts periodically to all of my friends as a gift to the world) or Twitter at @iStaycer.

I’ll find a way to make you fit me in your budget and schedule anywhere in the planet!

My Goal: CHANGE THE WORLD ONE FIT BODY AT A TIME.

BC: I wish you continued success and thank you for sharing your story with me!

IS: Thank you for sharing my story and if your readers ever need tips you know where to find me!