By Kelly Bellucci

Greetings BELLA readers! Sooo, you have been quarantined. Stuck in a vicious cycle where the days of the week have become positively pointless, and the thought of going out to the local diner for a good burger and conversation is equally as exciting as the thought of winning the lottery. You've probably been staring at the same four walls for almost a month now, and although you have tons of free time on your hands, you've lost the motivation to go about your daily routine. Well my friends, that all ends TODAY!Allow me to introduce you to Nastassia Ponomarenko.

Nastassia Ponomarenko is an absolute force to be reckoned with. At just 20-years old, she is the Founder/CEO of Nasty Fit athletic apparel, the proud author of self improvement book titled From Dust To Discipline: Achieve Your Fullest Potential, and a YouTube sensation with over 650,000 subscribers. Her fierce work ethic, utter passion for her craft, and ceaseless determination have made her truly unstoppable, and it is Nastassia’s mission to instill this same kind of discipline in her followers as well.

As a business owner and a leader, Nastassia is always producing high quality content that resonates with her audience. Her book serves as a blueprint for those looking to improve themselves on more than just a physical level, and has received high praise from all who have experienced it. Readers not only learn how to effectively deal with obstacles and overcome fear, but recognize their genuine worth through the practice of self-love as well. In addition to her kind and authentic words, Nastassia continues to motivate her audience through YouTube videos and vlogs. Her page is filled with at home workouts (perfect for quarantine), advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and tips and tricks on how to be successful in all areas of life.

Eager to speak with the Girl Boss herself, BELLA connected with Nastassia to discuss motivation, success, and how to maximize time in quarantine…

How are you staying motivated during this quarantine, and what are your top tips to maintain that motivation?

 Discipline is something that is now rooted in me through consistent and daily effort of completing my responsibilities. Just because something becomes “less convenient” like gyms closing, doesn’t mean that I can’t or shouldn’t workout! My tip to stay motivated is to look up to extremely disciplined people like David Goggins, Grant Cardone, The Rock, and anyone else who inspires you to stay consistent. They are a prime examples of who you should follow to help keep you motivated.

What inspired you to write your book?

My inspiration came from simply wanting to share the same kind of awareness that I have been so blessed to gain from reading books. Looking up to thought/motivational leaders and taking ownership of all areas of my life made me want to help others to do the same. My book shares a strong message with young adults about the importance of discipline and believing in yourself.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start their own brand?

1) Know what you want to create.

2) Know your intention, this is the why behind the why.

3) Know how you will stand out from other competitors. 

4) You have to be in it to win it and give it 100% of your effort. 

How can our readers make the most of their day while staying at home?  

Set a plan or schedule and follow it. It’s easy to let our time go to waste when we are in the comfort of our home without a plan, so I really recommend to set up a schedule and put in what you need to get done. 

How do you define success? 

I would define success as an internal fulfillment in the form of peace, happiness, and contentment. Which eventually manifests to the external in the form of financial freedom and limitless opportunity.