Today we’d like to introduce you to Iulia Baba.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am originally from a small village in Translyvania, Romania called Cratuinel in the County of Alba. I spent my college years earning several degrees at a major Romanian University in the Capitol of Bucharest. I spent my summers from 2014 through 2018 on a student and tourist visas in the United States where I met my husband and not only fell in love with the country but also him.
While in Romania I earned a European Personal Training Certification because of my love for exercise and sport. I was very involved in physical fitness and found I had a passion for it. I also became fascinated , via social media, with physique sports and the worldwide federations that support them. There are many but the one that most people are familiar with, even if they don’t know the federation is the IFBB Professional League and their amateur arm the NPC (National Physique Committee). This is the “major leaque’s” of physique/bodybuilding federations in the world by far. Many well know bodybuilders (male and female) have been and still are associated with this federation. The most well known being Arnold Schwarznegger, Ronnie Coleman and for my division Ashley Kaltwasser and Jennifer Dorie.
In 2019 I said to my future husband at that point, I want to compete in a NPC show. He fully supported the idea, and I began researching the federation and what it takes to compete. Upon stepping on stage for my first show in 2019 , I knew I was in “my place” with the most amazing, supportive and caring community I have ever been introduced to.
So begins my career and love with bodybuilding. I compete in the Bikini Division generally considered as the least muscular development with emphasis placed on balance and conditioning. I earned my IFBB Pro card in 2021 at the 2021 North American Championships. I debuted as a Professional Athlete in September 2021 and continued with five more shows in 2022. My focus has always been to put a better physique on stage each time I compete, and I know that listening to the judge’s feedback is the part of the path to progress and growth.
When I took the stage in 2023 achieving notable placements, including Winning the 2023 Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro and, with this win, I earned my place on the 2023 Mr. Olympia stage. This was my first Olympia and certainly not my last. I entered the 2024 season with even more success, including back-to-back wins at the 2024 Florida Pro and the 2024 Daytona Pro. The Florida Pro secured my qualification for the 2024 Mr. Olympia and Daytona earned my qualification for the 2025 Mr. Olympia which will be my 3rd consecutive Mr. Olympia. These achievements reflect my relentless commitment to improvement, embodying the values of hard work, resilience, and dedication. Each stage has taught me valuable lessons that I carry forward with the aim of presenting my best every time I compete. Just recently I placed 6th at the prestigious IFBB NY Pro as a practice run for the upcoming Olympia 2025.
Going hand in hand with my personal passion of competing and maintaining, living and promoting a healthy lifestyle I started my own personal training , posing and competition consulting business in 2021. This has come to be the most gratifying time of my life so far. Clients range from lifestyle clients to fellow competitors and in between. With many years of experience in the industry and offer a range of services, including personal training, coaching, lifestyle weight loss, nutrition guidance and bikini contest posing and prep. Whether you’re looking to build muscle, lose weight, or simply improve your overall health, I have the knowledge and expertise to help you achieve your goals…with proven results to back it up.
I truly love connecting with people that are serious about their individual fitness goals, beginner or experienced. I have a true love for the industry and sport. Also, a love for my 3 year old big boy Charlie the Mainecoon cat…he even has a Instagram page 🙂
Now that I reside here in the most beautiful state in my adopted country of the USA I do take immense pride in my Romanian heritage. Representing my country on the international stage is a privilege that I deeply cherish. So, if you see me in a show or at the Olympia they will state “from Romania” but I am here in beautiful South Florida!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggles are with the immense distance between myself and my family in Romania, my mother, sister , brother in law and nephew Sergiu who will be 11 in August. I haven’t seen my family in 6 years and find this the biggest struggle I contend with. Other than that, the road has been relatively smooth. With competitions and competing at the highest level there are ups and downs and very strict diet protocols. But I truly enjoy the process of shaping your physique and overall health.
We’ve been impressed with TrainWise Fit, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have many years of experience in the industry and offer a range of services, including personal training, coaching, lifestyle weight loss, nutrition guidance and bikini contest posing and prep. Whether you’re looking to build muscle, lose weight, or simply improve your overall health, I have the knowledge and expertise to help you achieve your goals.
As a professional athlete (IFBB Pro Bikini Division), I also offer specialized coaching for those looking to enter the world of competitive fitness. With guidance, you can develop the skills and confidence needed to excel on stage and achieve your dreams.
What sets me apart is not just adding personal trainer to my Instagram profile and selling boilerplate plans or AI generated content. What sets me apart is I will teach you personally about what it takes diet wise and training wise to reach whatever fitness goal you may desire. All I ask is that my clients are as committed to the “process” as I am to them. What sets me apart is that I am a three time Olympian and 3 time IFBB Bikini Champion generally placing in the Top 5-6 in every professional contest I have been in in the last 2 years. The women I compete against are the TOP Tier of physique athletes in the world. To even qualify for an invite to the Olympia you must win a show. This is what sets me apart…..I know, live and breathe fitness. It is my passion.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is meaningful connection—with my husband, my family, and the world around me. My husband is my closest companion, and I treasure the quiet moments we share—whether we’re walking through the woods, kayaking together, or simply talking by the ocean.
My family in Romania also holds a deep place in my heart. Even though we’re separated by an ocean, our bond remains incredibly strong. We faced a lot together—losing my father to cancer when I was twelve changed everything. My mother raised my sister and me on her own with strength and grace, and I carry immense love and respect for her, and for the family my sister has built.
Those relationships, and the time I spend being fully present with the people I love and in nature, keep me grounded and remind me what truly matters
Pricing:
- One on One Training $110 a session
- 4 week lifestyle plan $189
- Bikini Comp Prep $250 month
- Posing Sessions $55 1/2 hour
- In Home Training $1,300 4 weeks
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iuliababa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iulia_baba/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baba.iuliamaria/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@babaiulia9594
- Other: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Trainwise+Fit+-+Iulia+Baba+IFBB+Pro/@25.9601117,-80.5369147,10z/
