When it comes to Studio SWEAT Trainer Olga, we all know her as the Russian firecracker who keeps workouts relatively simple, while brutally effective! Every class is overflowing with energy, sweat, and often a Madonna classic, but who is “Olganator” outside of her class sessions?

Let’s find out!

1. What is your idea of perfect bliss?

We’ve all seen those pictures in magazines of island getaways that promise clear blue skies, soft sand beaches, and warm breezes and if this isn’t your idea of “perfect bliss”, I don’t know what is! Getting castaway on some private, deserted oasis with my husband would be a great way to escape from reality to restore our sanity and renew ourselves. Some may find it crazy, but the idea of having bad phone reception, dieting strictly on fish and coconut water, and living in pure silence sounds like a life I’d be comfortable with!

2. What historical figure do you look up to?

Obama would have to be one of the few contemporary figures I look up to the most. He always made his family a priority, and I respect that. He had to deal with a lot of resistance from a lot of different sources, but he managed to keep his cool, and managed to pass the Affordable Care Act and pull the country out of a nasty recession. And he and Michelle still seem like they’re very much in love.

3. If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Invisibility. As much as us girls hate to admit it, we all love gossip so the idea of walking into a room and listening in on private conversations to see what people are really thinking is intriguing. Although possessing the power of invisibility is merely fictitious, eavesdropping is a habit I’ve been wired for, especially when it comes to listening in on other Russian speakers that have no idea that I also speak their language. It’s sometimes hilarious, fascinating and mortifying what people say when they don’t know anyone is listening!

4. What’s your favorite kind of music and why?

“Go inside, for your finest inspiration.

Your dreams will open the door”

If you search my iTunes, you will find it is heavy on Madonna. After seeing her live four times, I still can’t get enough of her and I’m hooked for life. I try to share my appreciation for my favorite popstar by mixing in a little Madonna in my cycling classes.

P.S. Madonna is also a huge fan of Obama!

5. Which words or phrases do you overuse the most?

You’d have to ask my husband…

If you took a cycling class for every time I say “chest up”, you’d be an Olympian!

A word that truly sticks out and not for reasons you’re probably thinking, is “bullsh@t.” When I initially came to the states to live that “American dream,” I was greeted by my brother and his boisterous friends who taught me a few words that have become permanently ingrained and part of my vocabulary. Obviously, I avoid the word around my kids and high society but sometimes I’ll let out a “bullsh@t” and I must say…it feels good!

6. Describe the workout that you’ve designed that you love the most.

There isn’t a specifically designed workout that I enjoy best. Every time I teach, I bring something new to the table, whether that be the choreography, the genre of music, level of intensity, warm-ups and cool down, or the amount of time we spend on the floor or bike. My favorite part that comes with diverse workouts, is the feedback received from students and the impact it’s placed on people. As great as it feels to workout health and mood wise, nothing beats the level of fulfillment earned when a Komrade leaves the gym feeling satisfied.

7. Which talent would you most like to have?

I desperately wish I had a photographic memory so that I could ‘photograph’ entire books, to be able to read super fast without missing any details. Honestly…I’d even be happy with reading at normal speed, as long as I can retain everything from a page that I only read once. Some people are capable of such wonders but what blows my mind the most is when I see gym rats reading while running on the elliptical.. It’s absolutely insane and if you are gifted in the department of reading on the elliptical, please come speak to me after class and teach me your ways!

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d want to be smarter for the greater good. I wish I could discover a serious cancer breakthrough, win a Nobel prize in literature, or impact the world on a larger scale. Maybe some people are meant to be one of the “greats” and some are not, but that won’t stop me from cultivating characteristics and attitudes that these type of figures possess!