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World Aquatics Gold Medalist in Water Polo Stephanie Haralabidis reveals her Diet, Exercise & Love for the Sport.

Stephanie Haralabidis
Photo credits: Downtown Magazine Greece.

Stephania Haralabidis is a Greek and American water polo player currently playing for NC Vouliagmeni and the U.S. national team. She is the only left-hander on the USA roster, 2016 NCAA Champion, and Cutino Award winner. Stephanie Haralabidis won Gold Medal in Water polo FINA World Aquatics Champion in 2019.

She has led Team USA with 22 goals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima as a part of her long list of achievements. She has won the twice gold medal at FINA Water Polo World League in 2018 and 2019. She also won a gold medal at FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup in 2018.

Haralabidis has competed on both the junior and senior national teams for Greece. Won a gold medal at the 2011 European Junior Championship in Madrid, Spain. Won another gold at the 2012 Youth World Championships in Perth, Australia. Won gold at 2014 European U19 Championship in Ostia, Italy. She also won a bronze medal with the senior team at 2012 FINA World League in Changshu, China

Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Stephania Haralabidis to talk about the secret to success, diet, and exercise routine. 

Namita Nayyar:

You are the 2016 NCAA Champion and Cutino Award winner, 2019 World Champion in Water polo. Walk us through your spectacular journey and share what draws you the most about the sport?

Stephanie Haralabidis:

For me the journey is all about the people I go through it with. What drew me to the sport is the comradery and team dynamic, finding a sport where my sister and I can work together was something that really appealed to me. I have been fortunate to have had really great coaches in my life. My work ethic and drive motivated me to fight for a spot on the women’s senior national team. My 2016 water polo season is one that I will never forget. My teammates and I worked so hard in the off season to ensure that we could put forward our best performance when it counted. Winning the NCAA tournament was a moment that I will cherish forever. I am so grateful for the Cutino Award, to me it was the perfect end to a decade of hard work. It also motivated me to begin my next decade on the women’s senior national team. Winning the 2019 World Championships is the highlight of my water polo career. I am so fortunate to work with such an incredible group of people. Our success is reflective of the positive culture and the village that supports us.

Namita Nayyar:

What motivated you to take it up professionally?

Photo credits: Downtown Magazine Greece.
Stephanie Haralabidis:

Being given the opportunity to train and compete at the highest level was something that I could not pass up. In Greece it is common to be a professional player from a young age. At the age of 15 I was on a professional Greek club team where we competed with the top teams in Europe. I was invited to my first national team at the age of 15 where I competed with countries all over the world.

Namita Nayyar:

Introduce us to a day in your life. Your morning begins with.

Stephanie Haralabidis:

My mornings begin with a healthy, nutritious breakfast that consists of a protein smoothie to help me get started with the day. I then head downstairs to my home gym and begin a workout that helps me build muscle and stay in shape during this quarantine. Then I get on the exercise bike for 20 to 30 minutes and then jump into the pool. I swim for an hour then pass and shoot with a fellow water polo player.

I am currently studying for my MBA in Business Intelligence and Analytic Management, so I have to study and do homework most of the day. Time management is the key to completing all my essential work for the day, combining workouts with graduate school.

I really enjoy cooking. I really like cooking my grandmothers authentic Greek recipes.

Full interview is continued on next page

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.

All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness

Photo credits: Downtown Magazine Greece.
Namita Nayyar:

5 exercises that essentially comprise your workout routine all through? The therapy you undertake to prevent injury or overcome it? Your advice for beginners in water polo.

Stephanie Haralabidis:

Five exercise that are important to me are squats, pull ups, abs, push press and biking.

The therapy I undertake is yoga. I had a major injury and yoga has helped me remain flexible, find my inner peace but also stay fit. I use yoga as my way of meditating.

My advice for beginner is to work on your flexibility and hip mobility. The basics are fundamental.

Namita Nayyar:

The diet that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit? Two supplements that are key essential for immunity and enhanced performance.

Stephanie Haralabidis:

My diet consists of being as natural as possible, I try and get as many essential nutrients from my food as I can. I do take protein after my workouts, as well as B12.

Photo credits: Downtown Magazine Greece.
Namita Nayyar:

Training in extreme weather conditions can show its toll on hair & skin, Five tips you follow for skin, and hair care?

Stephanie Haralabidis:

Being in the chlorine all day I have to wash my hair daily. I always use Pantene for my hair. I have used a variety of brands but Pantene has kept my hair shiny and soft. I wash my hair with shampoo first, I then put in conditioner and brush my hair. When my hair has taken a toll from the exposure of too much chlorine, I let it sit. I even use a mask once a week.

To get rid of all the chlorinated water I use a specific body wash that clears my skin. Before jumping into the shower, I have to use a make-up wipe to remove all the sunscreen from my body because it doesn’t come off with just soap. I then use a daily facial scrub to wash my face. To keep my skin hydrated, I put face lotion and body lotion.

This is my daily treatment routine to keep my hair and skin healthy and radiant.

Photo credits: Downtown Magazine Greece.
Namita Nayyar:

Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career? Quote, you live by.

Stephanie Haralabidis:

My mom and sister have been the greatest influencers and motivators in my life. My mom not only drove me to practice every day but cooked meals to keep me strong and healthy. She has always been present in my life and constantly pushes me to be my best self. My sister, Ioanna,  has always brought out the competitive spirit within me by pushing me throughout life. I am forever grateful for the endless rides to practice and constant motivation in the pool.

Namita Nayyar:

In the current pandemic situation, how do you keep yourself creatively busy while staying at home? Life with your two sisters? Do share one special moment together.

Stephanie Haralabidis:

During this quarantine I am fortunate enough to be in a home with a gym and pool. I have a daily workout and homework that I need to complete each week for my graduate classes. I do not have much free time but I always take time to journal. If I have any free time, I usually cook, read, play ps4 games, watch tv or play catch.

Namita Nayyar:

Share with us your current home workout routine?

Stephanie Haralabidis:

My USA water polo trainer has provided me with a workout that changes daily. It is 12 exercises that I have to repeat 5 times through. I also bike or run after this workouts for cardio.

I jump into the pool where I swim a set based on a swim set one of my coaches has sent out. I am lucky to have water polo balls and a goal where I pass and shot on my fellow water polo player.

Photo credits: Downtown Magazine Greece.
Namita Nayyar:

Five years from now, where do you see yourself professionally?

Stephanie Haralabidis:

As much as I wish that I could play my sport forever, I honestly see myself pursuing a career in management consulting.

Namita Nayyar:

Social media has gained significance nowadays, how do you use it to inspire your audience?

Stephanie Haralabaaaidis:

My sport has given me the opportunity to travel the world and I like to share the places that I have visited and the experiences that I go through. I have wanted to become a model and have been using Instagram as a platform for reaching the most people possible. I also use my Instagram to share my water polo love and successes in this wonderful journey.

Namita Nayyar:

Share a few words about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors?

Stephanie Haralabidis:

Personally, I love the site and the content. I think it is amazing that you have interviews showcasing a variety of women from all different backgrounds. Nutrition and exercise are essential to healthy living.

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.All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness

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