Nina Juna, Brunei’s five-time fittest woman, became the latest YOU.C1000 ambassador and became the only Bruneian to make it into the semi-finals of the CrossFit Games 2022. Don’t let her petite frame fool you as the 30-year-old Temburong native can deadlift a weight of 143kg. Despite graduating in Computer Networking from Politeknik Brunei, she decided to take a much different route in her career as a full time personal trainer. She recently took time off her busy training schedule to sit down with YEE CHUN LEONG of BruSports News to tell more on how she got to where she is now.
Q: Hello Nina! Thank you for your time to take this interview. But let’s begin with the basics on how you got into CrossFit?
A: It was in 2015 and I jumped straight into competition with just three days to learn the basics. I was asked to participate in a team category event for the Battle Royale Brunei with zero skill and CrossFit background.
It came as a surprise and was too tough for me to do most of the movements. But with a desire to improve, I began to dig more about CrossFit with the aim to get better at the sport.
At the end of same year, I joined Mayhem Throwdown, at Extremis Gym, and won first place. I became a member of Extremis then and that’s where my CrossFit journey began.
Q: If not CrossFit, which sport would you be doing?
A: I was a Brunei national hockey player since 2011. Besides that, I love to play frisbee and played with the Vikings, one of the top teams in Brunei.
Q: How would you compare hockey to CrossFit?
A: During my days with hockey, we would normally run the same drills and our muscles get used to it.
But for CrossFit there are so many workouts. The programme is always different and you can even no repeat workouts for all 365 days of the year.
I enjoy that challenge and it is exciting for me.
Q: What do you think is the best thing that has happened to you in CrossFit?
A: Gaining physical progress, challenging myself, learning new movements, improving my weaknesses and getting better day by day.
In addition, the CrossFit community reminds me that we are all the same. It doesn’t matter what your fitness level or your age is, we’re all on the same journey. We share the same struggles and we all deserve the same respect.
Q: Any athlete that you look up to?
A: Tia Toomey, the fittest female athlete on earth! She is so consistent with her training. Her passion inspires me to keep going. She's so humble and helps people around her to get better.
Q: What is your ultimate goal in the sport?
A: First of all, I want to become a better, fitter and stronger me. To conquer all the movements efficiently, to overcome all my weaknesses and compete more with strong athletes at international level.
Q: What's your training schedule like? How do you get better?
A: I train twice a day and most of the time it takes around one to one a half hours per session. So I can say I spend a total of two to three hours in the gym each day.
My training programme includes strength weightlifting, weight, gymnastics, cardio conditioning and finishing it off with some accessories workout.
Q: What do you think makes a good CrossFit athlete?
A: Stay focus and consistent! Trust the programme and process, be humble and most importantly is to explore more about CrossFit and have fun!
Q: Is there any specific diet that you follow?
A: I haven’t got any specific diet but I love to eat ice-cream, go out to eat with friends and enjoy my mom and sister's cooking.
I can’t say no to that but I just control my intake, so it can be considered that I do a semi diet.
On training day, I will eat the same food. On the menu is rice, protein (beef, chicken or salmon) and veggie, and then some fruits for snacking.
On top of that, I take protein and some supplements to add on nutrients and for my recovery.
Q: You have quite a busy schedule. How do you normally unwind and relax?
A: Every weekend, I will plan to go out with friends or family just to hang out to have a good catch up session.
I enjoy camping and also like to roller blade too.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: One of my dreams is that I want to become one of the best coaches in lifting and fitness with good experience and rainbow achievements.
Q: Some words you want to share to those looking to start off CrossFit.
A: There is no need to be scared. Like I mentioned, CrossFit is for all fitness levels and age. Getting comfortable when being uncomfortable is one of the processes and eventually you will love it and will get hooked.
Q: Is there any specific type of equipment that is required to pick up the sport?
A: Some of these include the machine (maybe at least a rower), barbell, plates, wallball, dumbbell, wall, gymnastics bar, rope and box jump.
Q: That sounds like a long list. Would you consider it an expensive sport?
A: Initially I felt it was an expensive sport when I first started but it is one of the cheapest in Brunei.
We can basically walk into a CrossFit gym here and having only to pay a couple of dollars.
I had previously been to one in Bali and it was $50 per walk-in.
Q: How do you view the progress of CrossFit in Brunei?
A: The CrossFit community is continuing to grow and I do see the number of members increasing year on year.
I think people start to realise that by doing CrossFit, it can lead to other sports in terms of endurance and strength.
This is also because CrossFit are movements that you perform in your day-to-day life such as squatting, pulling and pushing.
Q: Thank you for your time, Nina. Any words to your followers or our fellow readers as we end this interview?
A: Focus on yourself and enjoy your own journey. It’s only you versus you!
