SHALLA MINGLES with Mr. Fitness, Alex Cristo

“Writers: Get Fit!”

by Shalla DeGuzman

First off, who’s Alex?

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger the governor from California, Alex Cristo is from Austria--half Austrian (father) half Croatian (mother).  Alex is a “Natural-Athlet” won 2007  4th place in Mr. Universe fitness performance and 2nd place in the Austrian Championships figure bodybuilding.

He has appeared in movies and TV-Series in Austria, Germany and the USA. An animal-wellfarist and vegetarian, Alex lives healthy and supports companies like PETA, Vier Pfoten-Europe, and Animal Spirit.

Some of the languages Alex speaks are Austrian-dialect, German, moderate Croatien and English.

Shalla: Hello Alex, how’s your fit-self doing?

Alex: I am in a very good shape right now because in a couple of months I will have the Mr. Universe in fitness and figure bodybuilding in Petersberg.

My diet will start soon. So I hope I will be in the top 8th of the world again this year.

Shalla: Remember when we did Spellbound Fashion Show? Wasn’t that a blast? Sharon D. and Roger Fojas are so talented, putting all that together.

Alex: Yes they are very talented.

And it was a very nice special event, especially for animal-wellfarists like me and we had much fun too. Sharon and  Roger are great people! Hopefully I will work with one of them again in the future, we will see.

Watch the Video What is Spellbound? starring Alex Cristo (Schroll)

Shalla: Have you been doing any modeling lately?

Alex: Yes I did some print modeling for different companies in Austria, Slovakia, Germany. But the business with my body in Austria-Europe is very difficult because I have too much muscles for Europeans. It would be much easier to make good money for me here in the states but without a greencard really tuff.

Shalla: You have a gorgeous face, I think you can be the next Fabio. Do you have modeling goals? Would you consider posing for covers of romance novels?

Alex: Thanks for the compliment Shalla. If I get the chance to be on a cover for romance novels etc…you know my email! RIGHT?

And if anybody ask for my email they should check out my webside to get in contact with me as soon as possible.

Shalla: I know you’re pretty smart too. What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

Alex: There are millions of books out there, I like believe it or not, fantasy like Lord of the Rings, the brothers Grimm, mysteries, historicals/sci fi like those on Atlantis, UFOs, etc.

Shalla: Do you like poetry? Would you happen to have any favorite lines from poems you’d like to share with us?

Alex: Of course I will share some lines with you and your readers!

                                    
                        Summer’s breeze in the afternoon

                                    Waves are running down the shore
                                               Birds are chirping
                                          I hear the distant surf roar
                                       The sun shimmers on the sea
                                          It looks like heaven to me
                                      The rainbow cross the blue sky
                      A summer’s breeze blows through my long brown hair
                       The bloom of an miracle flower is flying with the wind
                                I catch it, it smells like sweet harmony
                                          I’ll take you home right now
                                    Sweet harmony stay forever with me

                                              I hope it is not a dream            

Alex Cristo 2008

And my favorite statements are “no pain no gain”   and
                                              “One good turn deserve another”
 

Shalla: And you’re a musician too! Dear multi-talented one, do you write your own music? What’s your inspiration?

Alex: Yes, I am a singer too and I wrote a couple of songs but after the band split, I just sing in the kitchen, car or in the shower.

My goal is to learn more about acting and play a part in a big movie. My inspirations are Spartacus with Kirk Douglas, Tarzan with Johnny Weissmuller and Steve Reeves in Hercules, Sindbad and Sandokan.

Beside that many people told me I should be an comedian because I am a really funny guy and my favorite actors are Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy and Kevin James from “King of Queens”

Shalla: What we’d also like to know though is, do you have any fitness tips for writers?

Alex: Sure. Every person is an individual and each of us has a different lifestyle, metabolism, but one of the best things you can do is drink at least two litters water every day, eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, and, especially after 4pm, no carbs like rice potato or noodles. Fish and meat are ok--and salad.
The dressing for the salad at late afternoon should be not to fat, olive-walnut oil is ok.

Walking or slow running would be great, and if possible some weight training too.

Shalla: It’s true. Exercising even at a moderate pace for only 15 to 30 minutes can make any writer feel a lot better, mentally. It’s a great way to unclog the writing flow.

Do you have any easy exercises you’d recommend? Something we can do first thing in the morning?

Alex: Fast walking, maybe with weights in the palms, swimming if possible, yoga and fresh air if you are sitting the whole day in an office for the brain.

Shalla: What do you think of exercising before having breakfast? Personally, I feel you need some sort of breakfast, even just a glass of juice for energy. What’s your take on this?

Alex: Of course you should have at least an energy drink or a protein shake. It is not necessary to eat lot of carbs at this time. Vitamin C and magnesium/calcium would be great too for the start in the day.

 After you are finished with the workout you can eat a bagel with honey or jam "low fat" because after the workout you’ll need fast carbohydrate and some kind of protein too, so remember whole food is not so good after the workout, but during the day you should eat whole food like cereal,wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta, etc.,.... salad and some kind of fruits, I prefer apples and bananas and in the morning a fresh orange or kiwi.

That's a good combination for a long healthy life! For more info/questions about healthy food/training your readers can contact me via EMAIL!

Shalla: Any exercises writers can do while sitting on their computer?

Alex:  Moving toes, fingers, shoulders--you can make crunches too on a chair, push-up. These are easy exercises and anyone can do them.

Alex's modeling picture

Shalla: Any other easy exercises you can share with us? (you can give us a long list, where you can give steps on what to do, you can send us pics of you doing the exercises, or whatever you have)

Alex: We should make a photoshoot in a gym the next time when I am in California so I can explain everything better for your readers!

Shalla: A photoshoot? Ooh, better get ready, but sounds good! Last thing, you’re now Alex Cristo? Wasn’t it Alex Schroll?

Alex: Yes, this is still my name in real life but when I was in Hollywood I went to an acting school, and my coach IVAN MARKOTA told me I should change my name for acting. And I told him ok but which one, he looked at me and said “Alex van Cristo” because I am a mix of Jesus-Tarzan, so this is now my stage name.

By the way, thanks for your time Shalla and your nice interesting interview, I hope your readers will enjoy it!

Shalla: Who says you can’t have it all: looks, fitness, smarts, talent… I heart celebs :)

For more on Alex Cristo: http://www.alexander-schroll.com/

Shalla DeGuzman's short stories have appeared in Poetic Diversity, the Mosaic Literary Journal, the Mad Hatters Review; her articles in The Scriptorium and L.A. Freepress; her skits at the Stella Adler Theatre. Her flash fiction The Fish In My Bed recently won the FISH AND PLANE Competition and is featured in Issue 6 of Mad Hatters Review. Shalla, a former writer and producer of a health and fitness cable show, is currently writing a new novel. She is President of The ShallaDeGuzman Writers Group where she interviews literary agents, publishers, editors, etc. News! Shalla has been nominated for the prestigious Pushcart Prize. SHALLA Magazine, which features short stories and excerpts from top, award-winning writers, is here! For more on Shalla: www.shalladeguzman.com