We had the good fortune of connecting with Bella Trost and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bella, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I prefer to use the word project instead of business.

If I get excited about something I jump in the deep end. I put all my energy into learning and experiencing. I cannot really do anything as a hobby. If I do something, I’m going to do it properly. I don’t really think through the process, I just work really hard and see where it goes.

That’s how I became a world champion bikini model & pro athlete in 3 fitness federations (WBFF – USA, Pure Elite – UK and Miami Pro – UK). 6 years ago I saw one of my friends on Facebook posing in a beautiful bikini on stage. Her body looked amazingly toned and she had achieved an incredible body transformation. I knew straight away I’d found a new passion for myself. Within a week I was in the middle of the unknown world of bodybuilding; within 4 months I had my first competition. I’ve been competing ever since.

My fitness journey and my lifelong sports career (I’m a former gymnast, dancer, qualified aerobic coach, yoga teacher, nutritionist and journalist) taught me a lot so setting up my own online platforms (my wellness magazine – https://www.bellwellgirl.com) and YouTube channel – BWGByBellaTrost) for educating others about physical health, dieting and mindset was an obvious step for me. It took a long time to realize but now I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with the world.

I’m also working on exciting fitness projects in The Academy Beverly Hills owned by the Hollywood celebrity jiu jitsu master Rigan Machado. More details will be posted in my wellness magazine and on my YouTube channel

What is your favorite quote and what does it means to you?

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

I think this quote is the story of my life. In 2004, when they opened the EU to a few Eastern European countries, I left my country and my comfortable life on my own with some luggage and went to England to try my luck.
What was I was looking for? I guess I watched too many Hollywood movies about girls who go to the big city and they become successful and rich… and they also find true love. Well, I had to realize very soon that an immigrant’s reality is nothing like that. The first couple of years I seriously struggled in England: no money, bad jobs and the regular lessons that just because you treat people with respect and goodwill, it doesn’t mean they will treat you the same way.
Life was tough. I had the option to go back to my safe “harbor”. That would have been easy but it would have also meant that I failed to succeed. So I preferred to learn how to stay on my feet no matter what and to be a good ship, out on the open water, exploring the world.

It was a very, very long journey to get here with full of the hardest challenges.

How did you overcome them all?
With hard work and faith. Hard work means that no one will do the work for you, you have to make the effort to succeed. Faith means that you have to believe in yourself and in your project. Religiously. And if you’re prepared you might get lucky. Meeting the right people, being in the right place at the right time doesn’t mean anything if you didn’t work hard enough to be ready and get lucky.

What are the lessons you’ve learned?

When I start something I don’t think about the risk. If I want to do something, I try. I invest the money that I can afford, I put all my energy into it and well… I believe in my luck. If it feels right and it’s something I really want I’m going to do it anyway. The most important thing is to always ensure I have savings set aside and to never rely on any one thing.
No matter what they say about money not bringing happiness, always have at least a few months’ worth of funds in the bank. It’s truly the difference between a relatively stress-free life (when you can actually focus on your projects) and soul-crushing fear when you can’t cover urgent, important expenses.

What do you want the world to know about you?

I don’t live my life thinking about how other people see me. I just try to be as good, positive and productive as possible. My parents raised me to live as a hard working and honest person who has good values in life. That’s my legacy, I guess.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Oh such an amazing idea, it would be lovely if my friends could come from Europe to visit me here!

I would start with the night life. Go for a dinner one the Hollywood places where you always meet so many people and it’s so much fun – Tao, Highlight Grill, Beauty & Essex, Catch LA, Berri’s Cafe, Delilah. Then of course a little party. I love going out in LA! People are open, happy to have you in the city and they invite you everywhere.

Daytime I would go for a few beach days in Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu. Apart from enjoying LA’s amazing weather on the sandy beaches, I would visit the local restaurants and bars.

Many people don’t like Hollywood but I think it has some magic. It is nice to drive/walk around, enjoy the wide roads and the streets with palms. We could go for a hike in Runyon Canyon and I would take them to the little restaurant called Sunset Grill where Friday-Sunday they serve Hungarian foods beside the regular menu.

Of course, Beverly Hills is a must-see. It is nice just to walk around there and enjoy the open bars and restaurants. I love walking around Downtown, too – so many amazing buildings and art works.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents and all my friends who supported me through my journey – telling me clever things when I was down, all the kind words and things that have helped me to run my life smoothly and actually being able to keep focusing on my projects. Sometimes it was a one off help from people who came to my life for a moment and left and sometimes years or life long support. I appreciate it all and I never forget. Thank you

Website: https://www.bellwellgirl.com , https://www.youtube.com/c/BWGByBellaTrost

Instagram: @bellaonlybella , @bwgmagazine

Facebook: Bella Trost

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BWGByBellaTrost

Image Credits
Toby Harrison Photography @azaelvisuals

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