gymii - Nutrition tracking made easy and social

Q1: Thoughts on professional volleyball?

Pure love.

I always say that I was born loving this sport, and knowing how to play it. But, I’ve never imagined it will turn out as my job. Now, as retired athlete I can say that the best thing volleyball gave my is experience, memories, friends all over the world, and valuable skills I can now transform and use in life & business. Medals and victories are of course forever part of me, but I really like to remind myself the type of person I’ve become thanks to being a professional athlete.

Pure love.

I always say that I was born loving this sport, and knowing how to play it. But, I’ve never imagined it will turn out as my job. Now, as retired athlete I can say that the best thing volleyball gave my is experience, memories, friends all over the world, and valuable skills I can now transform and use in life & business. Medals and victories are of course forever part of me, but I really like to remind myself the type of person I’ve become thanks to being a professional athlete.

Pure love.

I always say that I was born loving this sport, and knowing how to play it. But, I’ve never imagined it will turn out as my job. Now, as retired athlete I can say that the best thing volleyball gave my is experience, memories, friends all over the world, and valuable skills I can now transform and use in life & business. Medals and victories are of course forever part of me, but I really like to remind myself the type of person I’ve become thanks to being a professional athlete.

Q2. What’s the most challenging aspect of professional volleyball?

First of all, to become a professional athlete, and compete at the highest level, I had to give up an ordinary life and a normal childhood.

Of course, as I mentioned first, I started playing volleyball because I love it, but then when it becomes your job, you need to start understanding the other sides of the medal that is not so spectacular, and sometimes not loveable at all. A lot of challenges, tears, sweat and defeats need to be ‘survived’. Leaving my home at only age 16, and starting to build up a new world and personality.

First of all, to become a professional athlete, and compete at the highest level, I had to give up an ordinary life and a normal childhood.

Of course, as I mentioned first, I started playing volleyball because I love it, but then when it becomes your job, you need to start understanding the other sides of the medal that is not so spectacular, and sometimes not loveable at all. A lot of challenges, tears, sweat and defeats need to be ‘survived’. Leaving my home at only age 16, and starting to build up a new world and personality.

First of all, to become a professional athlete, and compete at the highest level, I had to give up an ordinary life and a normal childhood.

Of course, as I mentioned first, I started playing volleyball because I love it, but then when it becomes your job, you need to start understanding the other sides of the medal that is not so spectacular, and sometimes not loveable at all. A lot of challenges, tears, sweat and defeats need to be ‘survived’. Leaving my home at only age 16, and starting to build up a new world and personality.

Q4. What was the toughest aspect of competing at a high level in volleyball?

First of all, to become a professional athlete, and compete at the highest level, I had to give up an ordinary life and a normal childhood.

Of course, as I mentioned first, I started playing volleyball because I love it, but then when it becomes your job, you need to start understanding the other sides of the medal that is not so spectacular, and sometimes not loveable at all. A lot of challenges, tears, sweat and defeats need to be ‘survived’. Leaving my home at only age 16, and starting to build up a new world and personality.

First of all, to become a professional athlete, and compete at the highest level, I had to give up an ordinary life and a normal childhood.

Of course, as I mentioned first, I started playing volleyball because I love it, but then when it becomes your job, you need to start understanding the other sides of the medal that is not so spectacular, and sometimes not loveable at all. A lot of challenges, tears, sweat and defeats need to be ‘survived’. Leaving my home at only age 16, and starting to build up a new world and personality.

First of all, to become a professional athlete, and compete at the highest level, I had to give up an ordinary life and a normal childhood.

Of course, as I mentioned first, I started playing volleyball because I love it, but then when it becomes your job, you need to start understanding the other sides of the medal that is not so spectacular, and sometimes not loveable at all. A lot of challenges, tears, sweat and defeats need to be ‘survived’. Leaving my home at only age 16, and starting to build up a new world and personality.

Q5: As someone who's transitioned from pro volleyball to work and entrepreneurship, what's your biggest focus with nutrition now?

This is such an important topic. Nutrition is not only about being ‘fit’ and skinny, but having a balanced and wellbeing lifestyle. Being a pro with 2 practices daily, a lot of physical activity and energy, calorie burning is not easy. And then suddenly all this changes totally! So it means that you need to adjust your habits, nutrition…

Now, I am really focused to learn more about my body and mind because they are so connected. I was never a ‘diet’ type of person and I think it’s not something people should practice. Especially on their own.

I want to learn more about food, to enjoy it in a proper way, to know how to combine meals and to feel good about myself and in my body.

This is such an important topic. Nutrition is not only about being ‘fit’ and skinny, but having a balanced and wellbeing lifestyle. Being a pro with 2 practices daily, a lot of physical activity and energy, calorie burning is not easy. And then suddenly all this changes totally! So it means that you need to adjust your habits, nutrition…

Now, I am really focused to learn more about my body and mind because they are so connected. I was never a ‘diet’ type of person and I think it’s not something people should practice. Especially on their own.

I want to learn more about food, to enjoy it in a proper way, to know how to combine meals and to feel good about myself and in my body.

This is such an important topic. Nutrition is not only about being ‘fit’ and skinny, but having a balanced and wellbeing lifestyle. Being a pro with 2 practices daily, a lot of physical activity and energy, calorie burning is not easy. And then suddenly all this changes totally! So it means that you need to adjust your habits, nutrition…

Now, I am really focused to learn more about my body and mind because they are so connected. I was never a ‘diet’ type of person and I think it’s not something people should practice. Especially on their own.

I want to learn more about food, to enjoy it in a proper way, to know how to combine meals and to feel good about myself and in my body.

Q6. How did nutrition impact your performance on the volleyball court, and how does it influence your business life today?

A lot, for sure! Nutrition makes a huge part of a professional athlete’s life, and performance. It is very important to understand the right way to give your body quality fuel before practice/match and even more important how to recover it in a proper way.

Now, my nutrition is based on lighter meals, especially if I have important meetings and presentations, and then I like my stomach quite empty and easy…

A lot, for sure! Nutrition makes a huge part of a professional athlete’s life, and performance. It is very important to understand the right way to give your body quality fuel before practice/match and even more important how to recover it in a proper way.

Now, my nutrition is based on lighter meals, especially if I have important meetings and presentations, and then I like my stomach quite empty and easy…

A lot, for sure! Nutrition makes a huge part of a professional athlete’s life, and performance. It is very important to understand the right way to give your body quality fuel before practice/match and even more important how to recover it in a proper way.

Now, my nutrition is based on lighter meals, especially if I have important meetings and presentations, and then I like my stomach quite empty and easy…

Q7. During your playing days, how did you adjust your nutrition between pre-season, competition, and recovery phases?

Pre-season is the time we all ‘hate’ a little bit. Because it’s so demanding, full of hard work and practices. So we needed for sure to have a lot of good proteins, fats and carbs to build up those muscles. After, it was even harder because I tried to give up as much as I could those sweets and desserts that were surrounding me. Recovery always was easy… But to be honest, free days were always booked for ‘cheat meals’!

Q8. What inspired you to create your clothing business?

My own need! As a girl that is 1.93 tall, I was always really suffering from not being able to find clothes that fit me and my needs, so this was my starting point – How can I help myself?
And the rest is history, PersonalbySM was born.

Q9. What does it mean to you to help others achieve their athletic goals?

To live their full potential. As a person, athlete and individual.

Athletic life is really full of challenges, but it's amazing. An athlete needs to connect their own mind, body and soul to perform at the highest possible level. I am here to empower and help with my own experience and energy.

To live their full potential. As a person, athlete and individual.

Athletic life is really full of challenges, but it's amazing. An athlete needs to connect their own mind, body and soul to perform at the highest possible level. I am here to empower and help with my own experience and energy.

To live their full potential. As a person, athlete and individual.

Athletic life is really full of challenges, but it's amazing. An athlete needs to connect their own mind, body and soul to perform at the highest possible level. I am here to empower and help with my own experience and energy.

Q10. Favorite part about gymii.?

I am in LOVE with this app.

As mentioned before, it is really important to know how to combine food, to prepare a good quality meal. But especially, I love the possibility of calculating how ‘heavy’ and caloric my meal actually is. It's not that I am obsessed with this, but sometimes putting in a lot of ingredients can make it too much for only one (person) consuming. So I really like to check my meal and understand the amount of ingredients it is good to put inside.

I am in LOVE with this app.

As mentioned before, it is really important to know how to combine food, to prepare a good quality meal. But especially, I love the possibility of calculating how ‘heavy’ and caloric my meal actually is. It's not that I am obsessed with this, but sometimes putting in a lot of ingredients can make it too much for only one (person) consuming. So I really like to check my meal and understand the amount of ingredients it is good to put inside.

I am in LOVE with this app.

As mentioned before, it is really important to know how to combine food, to prepare a good quality meal. But especially, I love the possibility of calculating how ‘heavy’ and caloric my meal actually is. It's not that I am obsessed with this, but sometimes putting in a lot of ingredients can make it too much for only one (person) consuming. So I really like to check my meal and understand the amount of ingredients it is good to put inside.

Q11. What advice would you give to young volleyball players who dream of playing professionally?

Oh… It is something I have understood only after quitting… So I love to say to young champions – Try to enjoy every single moment and play it like a child. We become so serious very soon, and we lose the capacity to have fun while playing. Yes, it becomes a job for us, but it’s still sport, it should bring you more joy than worries.

Rapid Fire Questions!

Pre-match ritual that you couldn't play without?

Espresso, dark chocolate and music! ☕️ 🍫 🎧

Favorite memory from professional volleyball?

Becoming a European champion with the Serbian national team, while hosting the championship. 🏆 🇷🇸 🏐

Go-to recovery meal after an intense match?

Cheat meal – don’t judge - Gelato, ravioli, brioche…. 🍦 🍝 🥐

Favorite quick snack between sets?

Actually we didn’t have it so much, sometimes banana or protein bar 🍌 🍫

What comfort food reminds you of team dinners during away tournaments?

Pizza! 🍕

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Gibanica! (It’s a Serbian traditional meal ) and if I can add one more – parmigiano reggiano! 🇷🇸 🧀

Pre-match ritual that you couldn't play without?

Espresso, dark chocolate and music! ☕️ 🍫 🎧

Favorite memory from professional volleyball?

Becoming a European champion with the Serbian national team, while hosting the championship. 🏆 🇷🇸 🏐

Go-to recovery meal after an intense match?

Cheat meal – don’t judge - Gelato, ravioli, brioche…. 🍦 🍝 🥐

Favorite quick snack between sets?

Actually we didn’t have it so much, sometimes banana or protein bar 🍌 🍫

What comfort food reminds you of team dinners during away tournaments?

Pizza! 🍕

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Gibanica! (It’s a Serbian traditional meal ) and if I can add one more – parmigiano reggiano! 🇷🇸 🧀

Pre-match ritual that you couldn't play without?

Espresso, dark chocolate and music! ☕️ 🍫 🎧

Favorite memory from professional volleyball?

Becoming a European champion with the Serbian national team, while hosting the championship. 🏆 🇷🇸 🏐

Go-to recovery meal after an intense match?

Cheat meal – don’t judge - Gelato, ravioli, brioche…. 🍦 🍝 🥐

Favorite quick snack between sets?

Actually we didn’t have it so much, sometimes banana or protein bar 🍌 🍫

What comfort food reminds you of team dinners during away tournaments?

Pizza! 🍕

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Gibanica! (It’s a Serbian traditional meal ) and if I can add one more – parmigiano reggiano! 🇷🇸 🧀

Volleyball Olympian and Entrepreneur:
gymii. ambassador Sanja Malagurski on Athletic Excellence and Mindful Nutrition

Nutrition track the right way
with gymii.!

Nutrition track the right way
with gymii.!

Nutrition track the right way
with gymii.!

Volleyball Olympian and Entrepreneur:gymii. ambassador Sanja Malagurski on Athletic Excellence and Mindful Nutrition

Nutrition track the right way with gymii.!

Nutrition track the right way with gymii.!

Nutrition track the right way with gymii.!

Volleyball Olympian and Entrepreneur:
gymii. ambassador Sanja Malagurski on Athletic Excellence and Mindful Nutrition

Nutrition track the right way
with gymii.!

Nutrition track the right way
with gymii.!

Nutrition track the right way
with gymii.!