Alexandra Jekova was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. She is a snowboarder from Bulgaria. She competed for Bulgaria at the 2010 Winter Olympics in snowboard cross and parallel giant slalom. Jekova was Bulgaria’s flag bearer during the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. At Winter X Games XVI, Jekova became the first Bulgarian to win a medal at the X Games, capturing silver in Snowboard X.
She began snowboarding at age eight. Her father was one of the first people in Bulgaria to get involved in snowboarding. He bought equipment for Jekova so she could join him as soon as she was old enough. She found she enjoyed the speed and loved to carve. Her ambition was to compete at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi which was fulfilled.
She includes water sports, running, cycling and weight sessions at the gym into her training regime. Her hero is Austrian snowboarder Doresia Krings.
She has a joint initiative with sport label ‘Amerfoot’ supporting children with an impairment. The brand was created by athletes, for athletes. She has also worked as an ambassador for the organisation.
Alexandra Jekova is Silver Medalist in Snowboarding X at 2012 Winter X Games Aspen. She was Bulgaria’s flag bearer at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have started snowboarding at young age of eight years and you reached the pinnacle of success by winning 13 medals at FIS Snowboard World Cups 2007-2012 and winning a silver medal at the Winter X Games XVI in Snowboarding X. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
When I was little I worked out with my family in the weekends for pleasure, to keep myself healthy and to spend more time outside in a natural environment. Later on, I started competing, and in the beginning the purpose of my participation was purely educational. I believe that it’s very important for kids to have the support of their parents, have a field where to show their abilities and a good environment to grow in, since this environment is what helps build their character.
I liked winning competitions in Bulgaria but I was aware that if I wanted to become one of the best in the world I had to be goal-oriented, have the best coach, the fastest snowboards, but most importantly – I had to improve my snowboard riding technique and skills, build up personal qualities like discipline, willpower, concentration, a strong and resistant character, physical strength and endurance. I later found out what life was like in the World Tour, the work dynamics and the challenges I faced every day turned out to be to my liking.
The successes and the misfortunes that are an inevitable part of the career of any professional athlete made me a very strong person. The joy that my victories were bringing to the Bulgarian people became my main driving force. The main reasons for my successes are my father (who has been my coach from the very beginning), my family and the different sponsors I have had over the years, and the personal qualities which I managed to build up in myself… I think that each success is due to 1% talent and 99% work… I have still a lot of things to learn, but the good news is that I have the energy and a great desire to do just that 🙂
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel on winning your first World Cup podium in Kronplatz Italy in 2006?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
It was a great breakthrough! I remember that competition vividly, the fact that I was on the same podium as Karine Ruby was a dream come true. I can safely say that this was a key moment that inspired me to continue moving forward.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
The preparation period and the dry training sessions are a rather long and important period for a professional athlete. Usually in the period between April and September we build up consecutively our endurance, strength, speed and specific other qualities, for this purpose we ride bikes, we do track and field exercises, cross fit programs, we use TRX, various devices that help develop static force (Pilates ball, slag line), play different types of sports for the building up of specific qualities: motocross, skateboarding, wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, kayaking, climbing, trampoline, team sports like volleyball, basketball, badminton, tennis…
Whenever I go on a holiday I always take with me: a pilates ball, TRX, a jump rope, elastics… if I travel by car I sometimes take an EZ bar with 15 – 20 kg of weights, one 20 kg disc… you can use these simple devices almost everywhere to perform exercise complex to keep yourself in shape.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
Over the years I read quite a few books about food and biochemistry. I know exactly what my body needs during a build-up, competitive or rest period. I try to eat often and only eat good quality and diversified products. I do not eat convenience food (packaged food, canned food), I don’t eat white bread, I avoid sugars (I use “Stevia” or sometimes brown sugar), I do not drink carbonated soft drinks and alcohol, I avoid gluten-containing foods.
I eat moderate amounts of dark chocolate and nuts (but almost every day since those things are part of a well balanced diet), I eat all kinds of fruit and vegetables in large quantities. As for meat, I eat mostly fish, lamb, beef and duck meat (I try to buy the meat directly from farmers), I eat pork and chicken less frequently…
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hairs. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hairs to make them look so stunning?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
Thank you! Daily care is important since I expose my skin and hair to extreme conditions almost all year long. For my skin I use treatments that contain Bulgarian roses, I prefer medicinal cosmetics. When I put on make up, I use only established brands. I use professional hair treatment products for my hair.
Alexandra Jekova on Women Fitness:
Your website is very interesting, useful and inspiring! I wish you to keep being as successful, full of smiles and amazing. Never forget that in order to have a healthy and beautiful body, one needs to have a well balanced mind ! It’s a pleasure for me to give an interview for your wonderful website. Thank you for the kind words and the respect and attention you have given me
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding professional Snowboarding girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of Snowboarding ?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
There are several key things that we need to strive towards in order to be successful, regardless of the nature of the professional field where we want to succeed. We need to have inspiration, to like and love what we do, to be totally dedicated, to work purposefully and with discipline, we need to strive towards daily personal improvement, we need to keep hope and remain motivated. Of course, the road is long and full of challenges but it is important to enjoy the journey! Enjoy what fate has given you!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after winning a silver medal at the Winter X Games XVI in Snowboarding X being the first Bulgarian to win a medal at the X Games?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
When I was little I watched the Winter X Games on TV, I was filled with admiration and dreamt of participating. I could hardly believe it when I got my first invitation to participate. When I won a medal –it was a dream come true and a great joy for everyone in Bulgaria.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive Snowboarding ?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
I have always watched the best male athletes, although I monitor the development of the careers of all my female rivals and I learn from all those people every day. I think that the person who has had the biggest influence on my professional and personal development is my father.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You performed at the show “Dancing with Stars”. Tell us about this endeavor of yours?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
Learning to dance in front of so many people, allowing the cameras to get so close to me, allowing myself to wear such skimpy and pompous stage-outfits… was serious challenge for me. Generally, I am not somebody who enjoys being in the spotlight and for me this was an experiment. I had a lot of fun, this experience was unforgettable!
Dance is an art, but we had 3 or 4 days to prepare for each one. For example, it was really difficult for me to remember the steps, to achieve coordination with my partner and to look like a professional dancer despite having no experience whatsoever. We did very well and captured the hearts of the audience, which for me is a victory in itself.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Alexandra Jekova:
Your website is very interesting, useful and inspiring! I wish you to keep being as successful, full of smiles and amazing. Never forget that in order to have a healthy and beautiful body, one needs to have a well balanced mind ! It’s a pleasure for me to give an interview for your wonderful website. Thank you for the kind words and the respect and attention you have given me.
To know the latest from Alexandra Jekova, Check her out at: https://twitter.com/alexandrajekova,https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alexandra-Jekova-Pro-Snowboarder/131754130264302 and https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.jekova
Women Fitness Team thanks Alexandra Jekova for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.