UPDATED January 2024
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the best in the world, internationally renowned athlete Oksana Grishina!
I’ve been waiting for this interview for a long time. Oksana Grishina is THE reason I expanded my interviews beyond the plant-based world.
It’s not often you can talk to the fittest woman on the planet and ask her about her self-talk to achieve the highest levels of success!
We all know if we change our inner dialogue and our self-beliefs, we can truly achieve greatness.
Learn all about her life – her upcoming competition plans – and her possible future in Hollywood!
Is a baby on the horizon?
How about her autobiography?
We ask it all!
Read on for everything you ever wanted to know about Oksana Grishina – and learn how to transform your mindset along the way!
Meeting Oksana Grishina
You already know if you’re reading this – I only interview people I know personally. That way, we can dig right in and talk about things we both care about.
I first met Oksana at the Fit Expo in San Diego a few years ago. But I first “saw” Oksana in the fitness magazines I used to read during my health journey.
In my humble opinion, she is THE best female athlete ever to grace the stage.
When I was attending the Fit Expo with my sister, and I saw her at a booth, I was completely surprised at my good fortune. I didn’t even know she would be there. I was there to see 4x Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler (future interview guest).
We talked for a bit – and I shared my persimmon and romaine snack with her. 🙂
She was as funny, kind, and generous as you always hope your favorite athletes or celebrities will be when you meet them in real life.
We began working together remotely – and she helped me stay accountable, guided me in my training, and even supported me through my stepfather’s passing.
Even though I was (and am) a high raw vegan, she supported my choices 100% and made gentle macro and calorie suggestions. She never asked me to “increase my protein” as many nutritionists do – and she never questioned my personal dietary choices.
The main keys to achievement of any goal are self-improvement and self-discipline.
Oksana Grishina
Oksana’s Childhood and Gymnastics
Oksana was born in Kaliningrad, Russia. Her family moved often because her father was an officer in the military.
When her father was put on assignment in Riga, Latvia, her mother decided she wanted to put Oksana in gymnastics as a way to direct her energy in a positive way.
At age 7, Oksana was considered a late starter for gymnastics, but the coach saw potential in her, and she was accepted into the rhythmic gymnastics class.
After only a few months of training, she placed 3rd in her first competition!
After three years, her father was reassigned to a new post in Russia.
She was able to pursue her gymnastics in Kaliningrad, but they had to change apartments often, and Oksana moved from school to school.
She spent countless hours commuting back and forth – on foot and by bus between home, school, and gymnastics. She rarely saw her parents.
Fitness became her life’s passion.
Fitness Training, Ballet, and University
Oksana went to University in Kaliningrad and, in 2000, earned her degree as a specialist in Physical Training and Sports.
During her university years and several years later, she organized her own ballet, “Antares.”
She also worked as a choreographer with children at the Tchaikovsky School of Music and Art in Kaliningrad.
When the first gym opened in Kaliningrad in 2002, a friend suggested that she work as a fitness and aerobics instructor.
A few trainers at the gym told her she had a good body structure for bodybuilding.
She took their advice, started training, and, at that point, she found her love of competitive fitness!
She spent several years working as a trainer and manager in sports clubs while quickly rising to the top of competitive fitness in Russia.
In 2005 and 2006, she was awarded the title of “Best Non-Olympic Sportswoman of the Year” in the Kaliningrad Region – won fitness competitions on the international stage at the European and World Championships – and finally earned her IFBB pro card to compete in the 2007 Olympia.
She now lives in the United States and continues to work as a personal trainer, fitness consultant, and fitness model.
In her spare time, she teaches herself to play the piano and has started to do some acting. Her most recent appearance was in a 2023 Super Bowl commercial with Melissa McCarthy.
Music and performance are her passions. She credits them both with having helped to make her stage work in fitness so exciting and rewarding.
You can watch one of her more famous appearances as “The Joker” at the 2021 Olympia Fitness Competition to illustrate the beauty of her combined talents coming together in this perfect moment.
After 12 years of gymnastic competitions and 6 years of fitness competitions, Oksana still feels compelled to improve as an athlete… to do better, to be better.
Competition makes her work harder, and she considers herself a perfectionist.
She loves to compete against the best athletes in the world, and she hopes, through her performances and hard work – she will leave a lasting impression on the professional fitness world and be an inspiration for future fitness competitors.
She doesn’t consider herself the best of the best (although I do!), but she says she is always focused on her goals towards constant improvement and her next competition or challenge.
Read more about her next competition below.
How to Transform Your Mind and Finally Reach Your Goals
The main inspiration for this interview was to find out how the best of the best talk to themselves vs. how regular people talk to themselves.
I had to ask Oksana how SHOULD we talk to ourselves to FINALLY reach our personal fitness and health goals?
In this excerpt from the full Oksana Grishina Interview, she shares her “secret sauce” on overcoming injuries and overcoming anything that stops you from fully reaching your goals.
I asked her to clarify her views about removing fear and doubt in one’s mind. I asked if she meant that we needed to catch our mental chatter at that moment. Remove the fear once any doubts creep in.
“Yes! Because not many people believe in themselves. I understand it’s hard, really, but just especially when it’s a really difficult time. We all have life happen, and we all have difficult times. And when the time comes, people just must believe in themselves, not just blame themselves.
And this belief sometimes goes down deep inside you, and you even forget about it. But no, get it back. Get it back, this belief. Don’t hide it, don’t push it down.
Doesn’t matter what happens in your life. Please just believe. Believe in this idea which you had five years ago. Believe in this idea which you had when you were a kid.
Find it.
This belief is only yours. And it’s going to happen. It’s going to happen because – just don’t lose faith. Don’t lose faith.”
America’s Got Talent 2016 Appearance
Oksana Grishina’s appearance on America’s Got Talent received nationwide praise and adoration. Even Simon Cowell liked it!
AGT is a reality TV show where contestants showcase their talents in various categories, such as singing, dancing, magic, comedy, and more.
Oksana performed a stunning dance routine (to Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life”) that helped introduce her to a wider audience beyond her bodybuilding endeavors.
Oksana Grishina International Classic
She now helps to run her own IFBB pro show in Russia, NPC Worldwide, the Oksana Grishina International Classic.
The show welcomed athletes from 14 countries around the world, including Iran, Iraq, Ukraine, Belarus, and Dubai, to name a few.
Oksana wholeheartedly cares for these athletes, as she once walked in their shoes herself. She understands the challenges of learning a new language, traveling, and handling the necessary paperwork to compete, all while ensuring they maintain peak physical condition leading up to the day of the competition.
Athletes will have their chance to compete on stage and earn their Pro Card through the IFBB Pro League and NPC Worldwide competitions. As a result, they can earn their chance to compete in Mr. Olympia.
She’s also helping to promote the NPC Regional Worldwide Moscow show in September of this year while … you guessed it, she’s preparing for a comeback on the Olympia stage!
Is Oksana Grishina Competing at Olympia This Year?
Yes! To the delight of all her fans, she DID compete at Olympia this year in Florida Nov. 2-5, 2023!
Due to a calf injury earlier this year, she had to pull out of the Arnold Classic, so she was extra motivated and excited to return to the stage at Olympia. At the time of this interview, Oksana was a 4x Ms.Fitness Olympia winner!
BREAKING! Olympia Update – November 4, 2023
After returning to the Olympia stage at age 45 and overcoming an injury, Oksana WON!!!
I must admit, I cried more than a few tears of joy! What an astounding comeback to the stage!
She is now 5x Ms.Fitness Olympia!!!
You can read more about it on her Instagram post here.
This may have been her last Olympia performance – what a treat to witness!
Oksana’s Workout Routine
I had to ask her (off camera) about her current workout routine in preparation for Olympia. I’ve seen a lot of clips on her social media, and I encourage you to check them out.
It’s truly a rare opportunity to witness the impossible become a reality. Every time I watch, my next workout is better – and there’s zero complaining.
As of August 2023, her current workout split involves a “mix of weights, acrobatic, strength and balance movements, dance and flexibility.”
What’s Next for Oksana?
In my recent interview with Oksana Grishina, she spoke about wanting children in her near future, about a possible career in Hollywood, her Superbowl commercial, and many other paths her life can take.
After Olympia, she’s certainly open to new acting opportunities, but her focus will be on expanding her family.
She plans to continue her online and in-person training, making guest appearances and supporting competitive bodybuilding athletes all around the world.
In the past, I’ve asked her about writing a book – about her life, training, experiences, family, and mindset. She’s open to the idea, but it’s not her current focus.
Of course, I’ll be first in line to purchase a copy when she’s ready!
Secrets to a Happy Marriage
I also asked her about her long-term marriage to Boris Ivanovog and tips for a successful relationship.
“He’s my everything. My best friend. We respect each other a lot.”
Respect, communication, wanting to share good things with one another, sharing happy moments, laughter, and kindness.
She said if anything challenging is going on in your head, “Sit with your other half and TALK. Talk, talk, talk. Anything that’s bothering you. Because that’s the person that can help you. If you respect each other.”
Appearances
She recently appeared at the Anaheim Fit Expo on Aug. 5 and 6, 2023. And if you’re reading this article after that date, keep an eye on their website for future dates. I plan to see her in 2024 at the Fit Expo in San Diego, as well.
She recently promoted the NPC Regional in Moscow on September 23, 2023, and competed in Olympia in Florida from November 2-5, 2023.
Follow Oksana’s Instagram because she’s always up to something new and exciting!
My Full Oksana Grishina Interview
Check Out Her Training Programs – Virtual Support
Check out her website for more details on products and services, but she works with everyone, online and in person.
I worked with her personally (as a raw vegan), and she was incredible! She provided the recommended macros for the goals we outlined together – and she created a personalized training program.
Each week, I would send her a photo of my progress along with my weight and all my measurements. From there, she would tweak the program as necessary.
She was available by email and text throughout. And as you’ll hear in the interview, my father passed away during our training together – and she was unbelievably supportive.
Regardless of your diet, I cannot recommend Oksana enough!
She also offers competitive bodybuilders customized nutrition, training, and choreography.
Why not learn from the BEST in the world?! Check out some of her programs here:
One-on-One Personal Training – In Person with Oksana!
Training takes place in Los Angeles at either of these two locations:
*Granite Gym in Beverly Hills, CA
*Private Fitness Gym in North Hollywood, CA
Learn more on her website or contact her through one of the methods listed below.
Follow Oksana on Social Media
Oksana Grishina’s Titles
1993 “Master of Sports of Russia” in Rhythmic Gymnastics
2000 Kaliningrad State University Diploma DVS, Specialist in Physical Training and Sports; Teacher
2004 “Master of Sports of Russia” in Bodybuilding
2004 “Master of Sports of Russia of International Class” in Bodybuilding
2004-6 Russian Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2005-6 Awarded Best Non-Olympic Sportswoman of the Year in the Kaliningrad Region
2005 European Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2006 World Championship, Overall Fitness Champion
2007 All-Star Pro Fitness, 3rd Place
2007 Europa Super Show, Fitness, 16th Place
2007 Olympia, Fitness, 7th Place
2008 New York Pro Fitness Classic, Fitness, 7th Place
2008 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), 10th Place
2009 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), 9th Place
2010 Phoenix Pro, Fitness, 4th Place
2010 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), 5th Place
2010 Olympia, Fitness, 5th Place
2011 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), 9th Place
2011 Olympia, Fitness, 5th Place
2012 FLEX Pro, Fitness, 2nd Place
2012 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), 3rd Place
2012 St.Louis Pro, Fitness, 1st Place
2012 Olympia, Fitness, 2nd Place
2012 Arnold Classic Europe, Fitness, 1st Place
2012 Ft. Lauderdale Cup, Fitness, 1st Place
2013 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), Fitness, 2nd Place
2013 Olympia, Fitness, 2nd Place
2013 Arnold Classic Europe, Fitness, 2nd Place
2013 IFBB Europa Phoenix Pro, Fitness, 1st Place
2014 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), 1st Place
2014 Olympia, Fitness, 1st Place
2014 Arnold Classic Europe, Fitness, 1st Place
2015 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), 1st Place
2015 Olympia, Fitness, 1st Place
2015 Arnold Classic Europe, Fitness, 1st Place
2016 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival), 1st Place
2016 Arnold Classic in Australia, 1st Place
2016 Olympia, Fitness, 1st Place
2016 Arnold Classic in Europe, 1st Place
2017 Ms. Fitness International (Arnold Sport Festival) 1st Place
2017 Arnold Classic in Australia, 1st Place
2017 Olympia, Fitness, 1st Place
2020 Olympia, Fitness, 2nd Place
2021 Olympia, Fitness, 3rd Place
2023 Olympia, Fitness, 1st Place
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