Fitness and wellness play a significant role in the lives of many artists, supporting their physical and mental well-being while pursuing their creative careers. In this exclusive interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with the talented and trending artist Annissa Murad, known for her captivating music and vibrant online presence. Alongside her musical journey, Annissa recognizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We delve into her personal approach to fitness, discovering her sources of motivation, workout routine, and strategies for maintaining balance. Join us as we explore how Annissa prioritizes her well-being while embracing the demands of a successful music career.
HEY ANNISSA, WELCOME TO BLACKBIRDNEWS! FITNESS AND WELLNESS ARE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MANY ARTISTS’ LIVES. HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING WHILE PURSUING A CAREER IN MUSIC?
One of my favourite things to do is run for 30 minutes a day. I think it’s just such a fun thing to commit yourself to a challenge which you need to complete everyday without fail and for me it’s running on the treadmill.
My brother Sami, is a mini professional footballer (he’s only 11) and he trains 6 days a week so a treadmill is really important to keep his fitness levels up, so I borrow it for myself and run while listening to music. My top music recommendations for running would be anything from black pink or flowers by Miley Cyrus and the music paired with the running really helps you clear your mind and stay disciplined.
WHAT DOES FITNESS MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY? HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT IN YOUR OWN LIFE?
I think fitness means making sure you are well and fit to pursue your daily life in the best shape and mindset possible. When I was younger I though fitness was just muscley guys like Dwayne Johnson who lift 50 kg weights or Usain bolt running super fast and was like this is DEFINITELY not for me. But now I realise fitness is more personal and really about how good you feel as an individual where you’re in top shape physically and mentally to carry out the things you must do.
MANY PEOPLE FIND MOTIVATION FOR FITNESS THROUGH DIFFERENT SOURCES. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES AND MOTIVATES YOU TO WORK OUT AND EAT HEALTHILY?
When I was younger my motivation to keep fit was because I wanted to be so good at gymnastics. I’d film myself doing my mini workouts on the iPad Timelapse camera and I literally have sooooo many videos I have to show u guys it’s too funny. I’d be doing excersises everywhere, at home, sightseeing, on holiday, and the park, honestly everywhere, I had such a gymnastics obsession.
But now I feel my motivation to keep fit is really to be in the best mindset and shape possible so I can stay strong whilst trying to pursue my goals because I feel like we all tend to neglect our fitness but then don’t realise it’s such a vital part of staying healthy and focused.
CAN YOU SHARE YOUR TYPICAL WORKOUT ROUTINE WITH US? WHAT EXERCISES OR ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY INCORPORATING INTO YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN?
I don’t really have a set fancy workout routine to share with you, but I like to keep things fun and different. For example last weekend me and my brother were on the trampoline for hours playing crack the egg and doing all sorts of crazy flips.
I also love going on nature walks, especially in forests when it’s golden hour and the sun is just seeping through the trees like shards of glass. I think nature just grounds you and when I’m around it, everything I’m thinking about just peacefully fades away.
Also I’m about to travel to Italy to visit my cousins and they live in a big plot of acres of land and there are so many caves, rocks and hills to explore, that is my fave kind of fitness. The last time I went to Italy, we went out during sunset just before our pizzas had arrived and we hiked up all the way through their grassy plains to our mini plot of rock and land which we call “casa di cugini” (house of cousins). We also went swimming in the beach and pool everyday and the temperature there is just perfect and the water is so clear, it does not feel like fitness at all but I guess it kind of is!
MUSIC OFTEN PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN MOTIVATING AND ENERGIZING WORKOUTS. WHAT GENRES OF MUSIC DO YOU TYPICALLY LISTEN TO WHILE EXERCISING?
I definitely can’t listen to sad songs when running, I tried one time to listen to a Billie Eilish song and im not kidding when I said the workout felt 1000 times more excruciating. The best kind of music is high energy music so I like to listen to blackpink, but if you guys want a special recommendation from me I’d say you should listen to “Soundtrack to My Life” by Annissa Murad!!!
EVERYONE HAS THEIR FAVORITE MEAL OF THE DAY. WHAT IS YOURS, AND HOW DO YOU ENSURE IT CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR OVERALL FITNESS AND WELL-BEING?
Ooh I dont think my favourite meal of the day correlates to keeping my fitness but I do love dominos veggie volcano pizza (since I’m Italian I cant stay away from pizza) or even a veggie wrap from McDonalds!!!
But usually I try to stay as healthy as I possibly can and something I’m really into now is Caesar salad! I would die for Caeser salad especially the one my mum makes, it’s seriously sooooooo good. It’s got your protein, your carbs, your vegetables (if lettuce counts) and dairy (parmeggiano cheese), it’s the perfect balanced meal and one of my faves!
WE ALL INDULGE IN CHEAT MEALS FROM TIME TO TIME. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHEAT MEAL, AND DO YOU HAVE ANY STRATEGIES FOR MAINTAINING A BALANCED APPROACH TO NUTRITION?
I think my favourite cheat meal is definitely a meal from McDonalds! I usually get a McDonalds after a big event, for example after a massive photoshoot or an 8 hour recording session, an important meeting, or even an exam I always cant resist treating myself.
My strategy for staying balanced is to have junk food in moderation, like don’t completely cut out junk food otherwise you’ll find yourself having a junk food marathon later on, yet don’t eat so much junk food that your poisoning yourself.
REGULAR EXERCISE CAN BECOME ADDICTIVE FOR SOME PEOPLE. HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES PREVENT YOU FROM GETTING YOUR USUAL EXERCISE ROUTINE IN?
I just add my workout to whenever I have free time in my day, I don’t really have the luxury of choosing the timing. For example if you’ve got a lot going on at the beginning of the day I’d then maybe run on the treadmill at night, or if I’m out in the evening I’ll just wake up earlier to complete the workout.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR IDEA OF WORKOUT HEAVEN? IS THERE A PARTICULAR EXERCISE, CLASS, OR LOCATION THAT YOU FIND INCREDIBLY ENJOYABLE OR FULFILLING?
I don’t really feel I can label excerise as heaven, except maybe the exception of swimming in the crystal blue waters of Italy, yet I’m not really sure you’d consider that “excersise”…
LASTLY, WHAT FITNESS AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE OUR READERS LOOKING TO INCORPORATE HEALTHY HABITS INTO THEIR LIVES?
Whatever fitness you decide to do, make sure you stick to it and stay consistent, because it will not only help you to stay fit but also enhance your discipline which is a really transferrable skill to other departments of your life!
You can connect with Artist Annissa Murad on Spotify @Annissa Murad, Instagram @annissamuradmusic and YouTube @annissamurad
Chill Out mini-movie:
Bad @ luv mini-movie:
I’m not ur mother mini-movie:
