👋 Hi! Tell us about yourself and your training
Hey! So my name is Christine Phan Perrella, I am a 24-year-old living in NYC. I was born and raised in Florida. I grew up playing competitive soccer since I was five and that’s where my love for fitness started.
I was a social media manager for a supplement company called Campus Protein but now moving on to do more freelance work, influencing and broadening my opportunities.
While studying at the University of Florida, I played competitive club soccer and every year we placed in the top 20 at Nationals, one year we placed 5th. In recent years, I’ve been a lead scorer for the competitive women’s league I play for in the city.
I started my passion for working out in the gym after I sustained injuries from my sports. I realized strength training was crucial and it’s helped me so much since.
⏱ Describe a typical day of training
I mostly do HIIT workouts and recently got into yoga.
I played soccer five to six days a week and went to the gym/practice six to seven days a week, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve given myself more rest days to allow myself time to heal. 🙂
During my off-season, I focus on agility and strengthening more so than anything. I mostly do HIIT workouts and recently got into yoga. It’s crazy how your body builds so much better when you actually take care of it. haha.
I start off my days by taking a multivitamin, echinacea, having caffeine and also taking fish oil. Throughout the day, you can find me using a mass gainer, regular whey, a preworkout, casein and occasionally a BCAA.
Currently in my pantry is Rule 1 Super Mass, ON Casein, Syntha-6 Protein, FUEL Preworkout and Kodiak Coma.
I don’t really have a preference as to when I train or where, but I do prefer training alone so I’m not distracted. I like being in a gym that’s busy because I flow with the energy, but I don’t necessarily like working out with someone else.
I was notorious for doing leg day everyday, but have finally switched it up to include more upper body haha.
👊 How do you keep going and push harder?
I use to be bullied when I was younger for being “too skinny”
I’m comfortable in my own skin now, but do see the benefits that come from working out so whenever I feel unmotivated, I think of those times that I felt small and weak.
My best advice for people starting off at the gym is DO NOT WORRY ABOUT OTHERS AROUND YOU. You are there to better YOU and if you’re always worrying about what they’ll think of you, you’ll never reach your potential.
It’s definitely hard sometimes making time for the gym and training when working full time, but you have to make sure you block off time and remember that your mental health has to be put first sometimes.
In terms of my biggest challenges, it’s always been injured. I started getting injured at an early age and healing is so hard afterwards.
🏆 How are you doing today and what does the future look like?
I’m currently trying to gain weight and increase my speed at the same time, so it’s going to be a hard challenge but definitely pursuable.
I hope that one day I’ll be able to pursue working in a non profit.
🤕 How do you recover, rest and handle injuries?
I avoid injuries nowadays by stretching properly and icing/heating when necessary.
I also make sure my protein intake is there. I use Coma by Kodiak to help me sleep more, Optimum Nutrition Casein for overnight muscle recovery and I also enjoy taking Optimum Nutrition BCAA for recovery too.
Anytime I’m injured I rehab it as quickly as possible.
🍎 How is your diet and what supplements do you use?
My diet is pretty balanced. If I eat something crappy, I make sure to balance it out. I don’t really track anything or have “cheat days”
When it comes to drinking alcohol, I make sure I don’t consume it the day before a game just to make sure I’m not dehydrated or hungover.
👍 What has inspired and motivated you?
The most motivation I’ve ever received was from bullies and coaches who told me I wasn’t good enough. I’ve always pushed to make sure that I know that I’m doing my best.
✏️ Advice for other people who want to improve themselves?
My recommendation for those who are starting off working out is to take it slow but consistent. You don’t want to get bored or scare yourself off, so just be patient. The first weeks will be hard because of you getting tired or sore, but you got to push through that. Make sure your form is good, that you’re stretching, eating properly and staying hydrated. Build up weight instead
🤝 Are you taking on clients right now?
I’m actually starting up personal training again. My specialty is definitely HIIT, agility, speed, physical rehab training and soccer training.
I think a lot of people seek my expertise because I’m not too intense. I adjust every workout to people’s abilities and goals making it more comfortable for them.
I do take mostly clients in person, but can do online training.
📝 Where can we learn more about you?
If you want to learn more about me you can always check out my insta @thechristinep I do have a fitness insta too @christinepfitness but I’m slowly building back into that.
