Maya Nassar is a Dutch-Lebanese competitive fitness model, entrepreneur, and radio host. She gained recognition as Ms. Fitness Universe 2025 in Las Vegas and has a background in various fitness competitions, including winning first place at the 2014 Pure Elite UK Championships.
Maya Nassar was born in Long Island, New York to a Lebanese father and a Dutch mother. She grew up in Nigeria, and spent several years in England before moving to Lebanon for high school, where she has lived since.
Nassar began her fitness journey in 2010, following a training program and diet regimen that resulted in a significant weight loss. She first competed in the Miami Pro European Championships in 2013 and returned to the competitive scene in 2014, becoming the first Lebanese athlete endorsed by the Lebanese government to participate in a bodybuilding event outside of Lebanon.
In addition to her competitive achievements, Nassar has built a substantial online presence through her blog, “Start Living Right,” which focuses on fitness and wellness. This platform led to the development of the Start Living Right fitness application, which has been endorsed by the Lebanese Ministry of Youth and Sports and has achieved high rankings on the Apple Store. Nassar is also a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist. She opened a physical location for Start Living Right in 2017 in Antelias, Lebanon, which offers various fitness services, including personal training and nutrition counseling. The gym is notable for being sponsored by Nike and providing Nike Training Club classes.
Nassar conducts workshops and talks focused on health, nutrition, and fitness. She has spoken at various events, including conferences and initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment and health awareness.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up Maya Nassar an exceptionally talented, Ms. Fitness Universe 2025 and Founder of ‘Start Living Right’ here she highlight her unique life journey, professional milestones, and the values she hold dear.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in New York, grew up in Nigeria, spent years in England, and finished high school in Lebanon. How did that multicultural upbringing shape your sense of identity, discipline, and ambition?
Maya Nassar:
Identity & Heritage
On my multicultural upbringing:
Moving from the chaos of Nigeria to the structure of England and the resilience of Lebanon taught me that adaptability is a superpower. Growing up across three continents forced me to find my identity within myself rather than a single location. It built the discipline needed to start over in new environments and the ambition to make a global impact, regardless of where I am standing.
Namita Nayyar:
You have a Lebanese father and a Dutch mother. Which values from each culture have influenced your approach to fitness and entrepreneurship the most?
Maya Nassar:
On Lebanese vs. Dutch values:
I credit my Dutch heritage for my directness, punctuality, and no-nonsense approach to business and training. From my Lebanese side, I inherit the warmth, the “never-give-up” spirit in the face of adversity, and the deep passion for community that drives my gym and media work.
Namita Nayyar:
Your fitness journey began in 2010 with a significant weight loss. Was there a specific trigger or emotional turning point that made you commit to a training and diet regimen?
Maya Nassar:
The Professional Journey
The turning point:
In 2010, I reached a point where I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. There wasn’t one “trigger,” but rather a realization that I was living far below my potential. I decided to stop making excuses and treat my body with the respect it deserved. That shift from “dieting” to “discipline” changed everything.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
You won Ms. Fitness Universe 2025 in Las Vegas – one of the most prestigious titles in the industry. Walk us through the moment they announced your name. What went through your mind?
Maya Nassar:
Winning Ms. Fitness Universe 2025:
When they announced my name in Las Vegas, my first thought was: “This is for every person who was told they couldn’t do it.” Standing there as a mother of four and a business owner, it felt like a validation of years of 4:00 AM wake-up calls. It wasn’t just a win for me; it was a win for the message that your “prime” is whenever you decide it is.
Namita Nayyar:
In 2014, you became the first Lebanese athlete endorsed by the Lebanese government to compete in a bodybuilding event outside Lebanon. That must have carried immense responsibility. How did you handle the pressure of representing an entire nation?
Maya Nassar:
Representing Lebanon in 2014:
Being the first female athlete endorsed by the government was a heavy mantle. I felt I was carrying the reputation of Lebanese women on my shoulders. I handled the pressure by focusing on professionalism—I wanted to show the world that a Lebanese woman could be strong, competitive, and an elite athlete while maintaining total grace.
Namita Nayyar:
You also won first place at the 2014 Pure Elite UK Championships. Looking back, how did that early win change your self-belief compared to your victory in 2025?
Maya Nassar:
2014 vs. 2025:
Winning at Pure Elite in 2014 gave me the belief that I belonged on the stage. Winning in 2025 gave me the certainty that I could lead an industry. The first win was about proving it to myself; the second was about inspiring others.
Namita Nayyar:
Your blog “Start Living Right” evolved into a top-ranking fitness app endorsed by the Lebanese Ministry of Youth and Sports. What was the hardest lesson you learned when transitioning from content creator to tech entrepreneur?
Maya Nassar:
Transitioning to Tech:
The hardest lesson was learning that content is easy, but systems are hard. Transitioning Start Living Right from a blog to a top-ranked app required me to learn the language of developers and user experience. I realized that to help people at scale, I had to be a CEO first and a trainer second.
Namita Nayyar:
In 2017, you opened a physical gym in Antelias, Lebanon, sponsored by Nike – no small feat. How did you secure that sponsorship, and what does Nike’s trust mean to you personally?
Maya Nassar:
The Nike Sponsorship:
Securing Nike’s sponsorship for my gym in Antelias was about shared values. I didn’t just ask for money; I showed them a vision of a community that empowered women. Their trust meant the world because it signaled that my “Start Living Right” philosophy met a global gold standard.
Namita Nayyar:
You’re a certified personal trainer, sports nutritionist, and radio host. How do you balance being on air, running a business, training clients, and competing at an elite level?
Maya Nassar:
The Daily Grind
Balancing the roles:
I don’t believe in “balance”; I believe in prioritization. My secret is a rigid schedule. My training is a non-negotiable appointment, my business tasks are batched, and I use my platform as a radio host to amplify the very work I’m doing in the gym. It’s all one ecosystem.
Namita Nayyar:
Looking ahead to International Mother’s Day 2026, what message would you send to mothers who have lost themselves in caregiving and want to reclaim their health, fitness, and confidence?
Maya Nassar:
Message for Mother’s Day 2026:
To the mothers: Caregiving is not a reason to disappear; it is a reason to be stronger. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Reclaiming your health isn’t “selfish”—it is the most responsible thing you can do for your family. Start with ten minutes; just start.
Namita Nayyar:
If your mother or a mother figure in your life influenced your drive, could you share one lesson she taught you about strength – physical or emotional – that you carry into the gym and the boardroom?
Maya Nassar:
Lessons on strength:
A key lesson I’ve carried is that emotional strength is the foundation for physical strength. You don’t lift the weight with your muscles; you lift it with your mind. That resilience in the boardroom comes directly from the grit I learned through physical struggle.
Namita Nayyar:
Your success story is not just about trophies. You’ve rebuilt your body, represented Lebanon, built a business, and now stand as Ms. Fitness Universe. What is one failure or rejection you experienced that later became your greatest gift?
Maya Nassar:
On failure:
Early in my career, I faced rejection from sponsors who didn’t understand the “fitness model” niche. That rejection forced me to build my own platform—Start Living Right—which eventually became more successful than any single sponsorship could have been.
Namita Nayyar:
Many women struggle with body image despite being fit. How do you define “success” in fitness beyond aesthetics or competition placements?
Maya Nassar:
Training & Nutrition
Defining Success:
Success is functional freedom. It’s the ability to move without pain, to have energy for my four children, and to feel a sense of mental clarity. The trophies are just the “extra credit.”
Namita Nayyar:
As a competitive fitness model, your training changes throughout the year. Can you describe a typical week of training during peak competition prep versus off-season?
Maya Nassar:
Peak Prep vs. Off-Season:
- Peak Prep: 6 days a week, split routines focusing on muscle isolation, plus 45–60 minutes of fasted cardio. Very high intensity.
- Off-Season: 4–5 days a week, focusing on heavy compound lifts (squats, deadlifts) to build strength, with minimal cardio to allow for recovery.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you prefer morning or evening workouts? And what is your non-negotiable exercise (the one you never skip, even when exhausted)?
Maya Nassar:
Workout preference:
I am a morning person. My non-negotiable exercise is the Deadlift. It engages the entire body and reminds me of my raw power.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you structure cardio, strength training, and flexibility? Do you incorporate any specific methods like HIIT, Pilates, or Olympic lifting?
Maya Nassar:
The structure:
I follow a Hypertrophy model for strength and incorporate HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) for cardiovascular health. I don’t do much Pilates, but I prioritize active recovery and stretching to maintain mobility.
Namita Nayyar:
You are also a sports nutritionist. Walk us through a typical day of eating – what does Maya Nassar consume for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks during contest prep?
Maya Nassar:
Typical Day of Eating (Prep):
- Breakfast: Egg whites with spinach and a small portion of oats.
- Lunch: Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and a small portion of sweet potato.
- Snack: Whey protein shake or a handful of almonds.
- Dinner: White fish (like sea bass) with a large green salad.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you handle cravings, social dining, or Lebanese family gatherings (which are famously rich and generous) without guilt or derailing your goals?
Maya Nassar:
Handling Cravings & Social Dining:
I don’t “cheat”; I choose. If I’m at a Lebanese gathering, I focus on the grilled meats (Mashawi) and salads (Tabbouleh/Fattoush). I enjoy the social aspect without the guilt because I know one meal doesn’t define my progress, but my habits do.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you follow any specific dietary approach (macros, intermittent fasting, paleo, plant-based) permanently, or does it vary by season?
Maya Nassar:
Dietary Approach:
I am a firm believer in Macros (Flexible Dieting). It allows me to adjust my fuel based on my training volume and avoids the metabolic damage that comes with extreme, restrictive fads.
Namita Nayyar:
Fitness models often deal with sweat, frequent washing, and styling damage. What is your hair care routine – products, masks, or treatments you swear by to keep your hair healthy and shiny?
Maya Nassar:
Beauty & Wellness
Hair Care:
Frequent washing is a reality. I swear by sulfate-free shampoos and a weekly deep-conditioning mask containing argon oil to combat the dryness from sweat and styling.
Namita Nayyar:
Skin care is critical when you wear competition makeup and train daily. Walk us through your morning and evening skincare routine. Any specific tips for preventing breakouts from sweat and supplements?
Maya Nassar:
Skincare:
Morning: Gentle cleanser, Vitamin C serum, and SPF (non-negotiable).
Evening: Double cleanse (to remove sweat and makeup), Retinol, and a heavy moisturizer.
Tip: Change your gym towel every single session and wash your face immediately after training to prevent “sweat acne.”
Namita Nayyar:
Do you have a pre-competition beauty ritual (tanning, skin prep, hair styling) that helps you feel mentally ready on stage?
Maya Nassar:
Pre-Competition Ritual:
The professional spray tan is the final “suit of armor.” It highlights the muscle definition I’ve worked months for. Mentally, it tells me the work is done and it’s time to perform.
Namita Nayyar:
You’ve achieved the title of Ms. Fitness Universe 2025. What is the next mountain you want to climb? Another competition, a global expansion of Start Living Right, or a completely new venture?
Maya Nassar:
The Future
The Next Mountain:
My focus is now on the release of my film, Patina, in summer 2026. It’s a transition into a new kind of storytelling where I can highlight social justice and human rights issues, which are just as important to me as physical health.
Namita Nayyar:
Your app and gym are successful in Lebanon. Do you plan to bring Start Living Right to the UAE, Europe, or the US in the coming years?
Maya Nassar:
Global Expansion:
Yes! We are looking at expanding the Start Living Right brand. The goal is to make the app a global household name, specifically targeting the UAE and the US markets where there is a high demand for structured, science-based wellness.
Namita Nayyar:
Finally, if you could leave one sentence on a mirror for every young woman who wants to start her fitness journey tomorrow, what would it say?
Maya Nassar:
Mirror Message: “Your only competition is the woman you were yesterday—give her a reason to be proud.”
Maya Nassar Social Media Presence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayanassarfitness/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nassarmaya86/
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness