Name: Samaiyah Council
Age: 36
Home location: Currently resides in Phoenix, AZ
Sport: basketball player turned marathon runner turned physique competitor
Profession and educational background: Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Spanish.
Currently owns and operates a personal training & nutrition company.
Samaiyah Council
Jaron: Hi Maya, Thank you for taking time out to do this interview with us.
Maya: Hi Jaron. No problem. I'm honored to be featured on the site.
Jaron: So have you been an athlete all of your life? Did you participate in sports growing up?
Maya: I've been playing basketball since I was 10yrs old. I began lifting weights when I was 16 yrs old to help improve my performance on the basketball court and lose weight. I competed in my 1st physique competition when I was 16. I won Miss Teen Fitness Alaska! It was before the figure category was created. They had fitness and bodybuilding only.
Jaron: oh wow! Started as a teenager...
Maya: hahaha, yeah but I competed in my first figure competition as an adult in 2010. In August 2014 I competed in my 1st Women’s Physique competition in Hermosa Beach, California and I won my IFPA Pro card.
Jaron: Wow, so you have a few years in the game... hahaha...What got you started
Maya: I began resistance training because I wanted to lose weight and improve my performance on the basketball court. Once I noticed the changes in my body, I made the decision to enter into a fitness competition.
Jaron: oh, you a baller too? hahaha
Maya: yeah, I played semi-pro basketball for the Scranton Scream in 2002 & the Colorado Chill in 2004.
Jaron: Whoa...semi-pro ball... that’s awesome! Would you consider that your biggest accomplishment in sports?
Maya: Well, probably earning a scholarship to a Division 1 Ivy League college. And earning my Pro Card as a women’s Physique Competitor.
Jaron: Those are awesome accomplishments! Congrats!
Maya: Thank you.
Jaron: What would be your ultimate achievement?
Maya: Oooh... there's so many!! But definitely continued growth and success within my fitness business. Winning the "Overall" category in my 1st NPC women's physique and ultimately earning my IFBB pro card.
Jaron: Cool... Cool.. So how do you set your goals?
Maya: I set measurable goals, both short term and long term. I reevaluate my goals every month based on my progress. I generally set my goals based upon improving my areas of weaknesses both physically & mentally.
Jaron: What are one or two things that you do currently in your training that are keys to your success?
Maya: I pray often for God to guide my training. I prepare and log my foods daily.
Jaron: So on that note... lol.. How long have you been a Christian?
Maya: I was raised as a Christian. I was baptized at a young age. I definitely drifted in and out of a consistent relationship with Christ as a teenager. However, every athletic team I played for I always formed the tightest bond with the one Christian on the team. And when I relocated to Az, my very first client as a Personal Trainer was a pastor of a church. I knew God was trying to communicate with me & bring my heart and mind back to focusing on him.
Jaron: So when you say you always formed the tightest bond with the Christians on your teams... So do you feel that they were pulling you toward God? Or you pulling them?
Maya: I defintely feel that they were pulling me. I mean, at the time faith was not at the forefront of my life.
Jaron: Isn't God awesome at how He puts people in our lives at key points to direct us toward Him!?
Maya: Oh yeah!
Jaron: So, Maya... what is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Maya: My biggest Faith based challenge would be leaning not onto my own understanding but leaning & trusting God. I stay surrounded by Christians, I pray and I goto church. I need to study the Word more often.
Jaron: Yeah we all need to get in that Word more! hahaha. And it good to surround ourselves with like-minded people.
Maya: Yeah, I changed the people that I hang around. And I've definitely learned in [dating] relationships to not be afraid to say what you want to say.
Jaron: Can you elaborate on that?
Maya: Just in meeting guys. When they say they are spiritual or whatever... Just exploring that and seeing if they really are following Christ. Before I would just stay quiet on that topic and... you know... not want mess things up.
Jaron: I feel you...
Maya: yeah.... and my greatest fitness challenge is not over training & maintaining a balanced & healthy relationship with food.
Jaron: Hahahaha... Yes! Food! Hahaha. What is your regular (not pre-contest) diet like?
Maya: I honestly eat the same all year around. During improvement season aka off-season, I sample foods more often. During prep, no extras, no samples are permitted; macros are tight!
Jaron: How has bodybuilding impacted your faith?
Maya: It has not impacted my faith however it has introduced me to other Christians in my sport that I probably won't have met otherwise.
Jaron: How has your faith impacted you as an athlete?
Maya: It has humbled me and made me more appreciative about life and blessings in general.
Jaron: Do you have any recommended resources to share like books, seminars, websites, or coaches?
Maya: I think Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer is an excellent book.
Jaron: Have you experienced a breakthrough, and if so, what led to it?
Maya: Honestly, trials and tribulations have definitely helped me find my breakthroughs and brought me closer to God.
Jaron: Wow yes. As the Word says, "All things work together for that good..." What was the best advice you were ever given?
Maya: My mom told me, "When people tell you that you can't do something, you better prove them wrong."
Jaron: Do you have a Bible verse that you live your life by?
Maya: Yes, Philippians 4:13
Jaron: That is an awesome verse! Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Maya: I draw inspiration from daily affirmations, faith based affirmations, pictures and video of my moments of success thus far.
Jaron: Awesome... Wow! Time has flown!!! Hahahaha...We need to wrap up. Anything else you’d like to share?
Maya: Just that health and fitness is a lifestyle. It's not about a competition, a vacation nor a wedding. It's about loving yourself, trusting God, helping others, working hard, thinking positive, enjoying life and never giving up.
Jaron: Well, Amen to that! Thank you so much for all your time. God bless you on your future endeavors. Let's stay in touch.
Maya: You are welcome. Thank you for featuring me on your site. God bless you too!
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