Nataliya Kuznetsova, a 33-year-old bodybuilder, is renowned as the world’s most muscular woman and a champion in arm lifting, bench press, and deadlift.
Once a skinny teenager weighing just 40 kg at 14, Nataliya faced bullying due to her slim frame. Her father encouraged her to start gym training to boost her self-confidence, sparking her journey into bodybuilding.
“I was a timid little mouse when I was growing up,” she recalls.
Today, Nataliya, often called the Russian “she-Hulk,” weighs between 246 and 275 pounds.
By 15, she had already won a regional bodybuilding championship in Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia.
“Like everyone else, I went to the gym without a goal, but after three months, my trainer asked if I wanted to compete in bodybuilding,” she said, marking the start of her powerlifting career.
Nataliya has claimed titles like the 2014 Cup of Eurasia in Vologda, Russia, and the 2015 Cup Eastern Europe (GPA) Champion. She has also set records in powerlifting, deadlifting, and the NAP bench press.
“It’s not about being perfect—it’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and moving toward where you envision yourself to be. Every day is an opportunity to move forward a little more,” she wrote on Facebook.
In addition to her bodybuilding achievements, Nataliya holds a degree from Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture and has performed in the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia’s production of Manon Lescaut.
Nataliya is married to former bodybuilder Vladislav Kuznetsov, whom she met on the Russian social network Odnoklassniki. Despite her larger physique, their relationship thrives on mutual support.
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“People definitely recognize me. An athletic body can be seen under clothes. Many ask for photos and know my name,” she told LedBible.
Initially struggling to find sponsors, Nataliya now collaborates with companies like Oxytropin and RPS Nutrition. Aware that her appearance might be “terrifying” to some, she asserts, “The classical standards and norms are long gone.”
She values the mirror as her best advisor and shares that about 75% of her social media followers are men. “Compliments to an athlete are no different than compliments to a non-athlete,” she noted.
Having retired from powerlifting, Nataliya now uses her fame to help others achieve their potential.
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