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What happens when the life everyone admires isn’t the life you want? We sit down with a Milan-based attorney and IFBB pro who’s trading billables for barbells, unpacking the inner voice that won’t quiet down, the pressure of prestige, and the daily signals of burnout that finally force a choice. Her path runs from military academy to Berkeley Law to a top international firm—and yet the gym became the place where she felt most herself. That contrast sets the stage for a candid, high-clarity conversation about meaning, mental health, and the courage to start over.

We dig into why strength training can be a sanctuary, how good coaches translate fear into progress, and what it takes to guide beginners without intimidation. She breaks down the realities of working as a personal trainer in Italy—independent contractor setups, slow client acquisition, and lingering stigma about the profession—while making the case for evidence-based coaching that helps older adults protect muscle and young women embrace lifting without the “bulky” myth. Along the way, we talk programming, recovery, and the quiet discipline that keeps you moving when motivation fades.

Then we open the black box of immigration: why moving to the United States to coach or compete isn’t simple, what “exceptional ability” really means for visas, and how to build a credible, compounding profile through certifications, results, publishing, and community. We contrast social media highlights with the unglamorous grind—6 a.m. training, 12-hour office days, and small wins across time zones—that actually create change. If you’re balancing a celebrated career against a calling that won’t let go, this story will help you map the next step, not just the dream.

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