M&F: what got you serious about this lifestyle? AZ: I was chubby, and I wanted to change. I tried all kinds of different diets, and nothing helped. When I started lifting weights, that helped. That got me going, and once I started, I ate clean, so everything began to happen at once. I went from chubby to fit. Now it’s my passion. It’s my life. It’s all I do. I’m in a relationship—with the iron.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when trying to undergo a transformation? They stop eating. Especially women. A lot of people still use the old trick of drinking a lot of water when they’re hungry—and then they’re starving. It’s really bad for two reasons: If you’re starving yourself, you’re not going to reach your goals because you’re not fueling your muscles, but you’ll also be miserable because everyone loves to eat.
So what’s the best piece of advice you can offer? Everyone wants to be fit, but few people want to work for it. There are no pills. Some can help, but ultimately you need willpower. Consistency is really the most important thing.
You said you refuse to be rail thin like other models. Did any photographers or agents pressure you to lose weight? Yes. When I first wanted to start modeling at 13 or 14 years old, I went to some agencies that told me to eat less, don’t gain muscle, and just do cardio, cardio, cardio. I never wanted anyone telling me what I have to do. There are so many models, and to me, they’re all the same. They’re all tall, skinny, with the same hair, eyes, and no smile.
What kind of guys do you typically go for? So much of my time is spent in the gym and preparing my meals, I don’t make time for guys. If I do, they need to have a better six-pack than me. In Switzerland, it’s tough; we don’t have a fitness boom like you do in America. People aren’t into it. I want a cool guy—with muscles, too! I don’t think that’s too much to ask. I think I will move to America one day.
