Latest news with #Barreto
Miami Herald
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
FWC Chair evades responsibility after criticism of deadly boat crash investigation
FWC failure Re: Rodney Barreto's June 22 op-ed, 'Herald misrepresented 2022 boating tragedy investigation.' As head of the FWC, Barreto has a vested interest in downplaying his agency's malfeasance in this investigation. If it looks bad, which it does, then he looks bad, which he does. While Barreto is correct that reasonable suspicion is required to forcibly draw blood from a boating under the influence suspect, he wrongfully argues reasonable suspicion did not exist. Pino's admission to drinking plus the accident creates reasonable suspicion. Pino was given every benefit of the doubt, when he should have been treated as a suspect. I have prosecuted many DUIs in Miami. Any police officer, under similar circumstances, would have conducted a DUI investigation, made an arrest and forcibly drawn blood. The FWC is a law enforcement agency, basically Florida Highway Patrol on boats, with officers trained to suspect first and err on the side of gathering evidence. Had this not been a wealthy man with political connections, blood would have been drawn and body cam footage would not have been deleted. Statistically, it is impossible for four presumably well-trained FWC police officers to make the same mistake. Each one should lose their law enforcement certification and be fired, if what Barreto says is true. Barreto only writes to deflect criticism and make himself look better. I hope these families will get the justice they deserve. As a father of four, I am devastated for these families, even Pino, who will carry this with him to his grave. No matter what he says or how many times he shakes his fist in court as a show of defiance, his exceptionally poor decision-making destroyed lives and he should feel it forever. Barreto's op-ed shows that he is merely trying to put some type of shine on his stewardship of FWC. He will continue to obfuscate, hide the ball and otherwise avoid responsibility for his department's — and his own — failings. Michael Galex, Coral Gables Ego decision President Donald Trump said he would take two weeks to determine whether to involve our country in the Iran-Israel conflict. The decision would be based on whether the U.S. would use its heavy weaponry against Iran's deep bunker complex. One might think Trump's decision-making would include an in-depth analysis with persons familiar with the intricacies of Middle East dynamics, but that is not how he works. His process is a self-determination of how the decision will affect him personally, politically and financially and how it will affect his family's business dealings. He has no regard for the welfare of the people of that region nor for our troops stationed in the region. John Falcone, Palmetto Bay No Hope Over the years, many of us have donated time and money to nonprofit organizations like the United Way and Dream Come True. We've done so with pleasure, as Americans are very generous. Hopefully, not too many people were mislead and deceived into giving assistance to the Hope Florida charity where money seems to have gone to shady politicians, golf outings, cocktails and dinners. Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration should be ashamed for what they have done to a program that, at one time, had real potential for doing something good. John Bonano, Gulfport Bombed in Iran President Trump campaigned on ending all wars — only to get us into a mess with Iran five months later. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu played him like a fiddle to achieve his purpose. Was America under immediate threat to start a war without Congressional approval, as the Constitution demands? What's the end game now? Another 20 years of war? Is there an exit plan? What does victory look like? Who feels safer today than six months ago? Mayra Gallor, West Kendall Undeserved prize Pakistan has announced it will nominate President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Seven years ago, 18 Republican senators nominated Trump for that honor. That proposition, which didn't get much steam or any welcome from the awarding body, did not make much sense then and makes even less sense now. The president has failed miserably to achieve his campaign promise to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours, let alone in the five months since his inauguration. Likewise, his assurance that he would bring about an end to the Israeli-Gaza conflict also has not materialized. Now, he threatens to go to war with Iran, in aid of Israel. Trump also has unleashed the military to engage in domestic policing in Los Angeles, an unnecessary incursion that frighteningly bodes more of the same domestically. With that record, Trump deserves a Peace Prize about as much as Miami's favorite son, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, merits an international humanitarian award for eliminating American foreign aid. Marshall H. Tanick, Naples Our flag I want my American flag back! I'm sick of the Republican Party, which has co-opted the flag as if it's their personal emblem. It is not theirs alone; it belongs to all Americans. I come from a family of military heroes (World War II and Vietnam era), who fought for all Americans. We flew the flag proudly at home as a symbol of our belief in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the right of all Americans to be respected. With a heavy heart, I took down my flag at home some years ago. I didn't want to be identified with a vengeful right-wing party. It's time we all flew the flag — not just those of one party. Peg Evans, Biscayne Park End this drama I am so tired of reading complaints about the re-do of the Coconut Grove Playhouse. In a recent plaint, a writer referred to the new space as a 'tiny 300-seat' theater. Many public hearings took place over many years. As an attendee, I can say that all concerns were listened to, all issues were thoroughly discussed, analyzed, vetted and voted on all the way from the county to the state legislature, to the Miami City Commission and historic preservation boards. The 300-seat plan is in line with other regional theaters, which is what the Playhouse is becoming. Larger venues exist at the Arsht Center and in the north and south ends of Miami-Dade County. The ball is finally rolling on what will be a wonderful revitalization of the Playhouse. Enough already! Sylvan Seidenman, Stone Mountain, GA Status indicator The headline in the June 11 Miami Herald online story, 'Should non-citizens be concerned about major sporting events when ICE and CBP are assisting with security?' should be reworded to, 'Should illegals be concerned....' As a retired immigration service officer, I can say that legal residents are not citizens, yet they have legal status. James Oberstein, Kendall Business challenge Small businesses are essential to communities throughout the nation, yet many fail without financial support. Major corporations often receive bailouts when facing financial difficulties. Small businesses, however, continue to struggle with rising costs, disrupted supply chains, surging inflation and rising tariffs. Owners often face credit issues, evictions and rejections from banks, which consider them high risk. The harshest consequence is a 'Closed' sign on the door. As a small business owner and retired U.S. Army veteran, I am angry. Small businesses are the foundation of the economy. Don't weaken us. Ansilla James, Coral Springs Same outcome Will anybody tell the president that a 35% taxation on money sent from immigrants to their countries of origin will add more poverty there, hence more immigration here? Valeria Mastelli, Key Biscayne
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Witness in Florida Senate redistricting trial says race was a major factor in creation of SD 16
U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida Tampa Division via An expert witness testified Tuesday that race was absolutely a major factor in how one Florida Senate district was drawn during the reapportionment process by the GOP-controlled Florida Senate in 2022. 'I think it's clear. I think race was definitely a factor,' said Dr. Matthew Barreto, faculty director of the UCLA Voting Rights Project, during testimony in the federal trial taking place in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa. The ACLU of Florida and the Civil Rights and Racial Justice Clinic at New York University are challenging the constitutionality of the 2022 Florida Senate redistricting plan because they claim that the Tampa Bay area district was racially gerrymandered. 'Race was used and can explain where the boundary lines are,' Barreto added, discussing the report he produced for the ACLU of Florida, which asked him to analyze the 'enacted' map of Senate District 16. The district includes a portion of South St. Petersburg before stretching across Tampa Bay to join a substantial part of Hillsborough County. It's held by Democrat Darryl Rouson. Five plaintiffs who live in St. Petersburg and Hillsborough County testified on Monday that they had their equal-protection rights violated by the Legislature's movement of Black voters into District 16 and removal from nearby District 18, reducing their influence there. The defendants are Senate President Ben Albritton and Secretary of State Cord Byrd. Testimony throughout Tuesday was filled with political science references like ecological inference, racially polarized voting, and cohesion to break down the racial composition of Florida legislative districts. A lengthy discussion of statistics was at times mind-numbing. Barreto emphasized that the Senate drew District 16 deliberately to include more Black voters than white ones, referencing how the drawing left out the city of Gulfport, which sits right next to South St. Petersburg, as one specific example. The other legislative redistricting expert called to the stand on Tuesday was Penn State statistics professor Cory McCarten, who was asked earlier this year by the ACLU of Florida to draw up a version of Senate District 16 that would be located exclusively in Hillsborough County while still complying with the Florida Constitution. McCarten created three alternative maps for the ACLU that changed the composition of several other nearby Senate districts in Tampa Bay while still keeping Hillsborough by itself. Attorney Tara Klimek Price, representing the Florida Senate, was aggressive in trying to poke holes in the testimonies of both Barreto and McCarten, while Mohammad Jazil, the attorney representing Byrd, questioned both men about their objectivity. McCarten initially responded that he wasn't sure whether he was a registered Democrat. When asked by Jazil whether he would like to see more Democrats elected he responded, 'It depends on who the Democrat is.' Jazil got Barreto to acknowledge that some of the organizations he has worked with have done work for Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and the Democratic National Committee. The morning began with attorneys for the ACLU of Florida questioning Jay Ferrin, who served as staff director of the Florida Senate Committee on Reapportionment in the fall of 2021. He testified that GOP legislators never asked him to draw up a Senate map that would have placed a district solely in Hillsborough County while ensuring that parts of south Pinellas County would not suffer from 'diminishment.' Under the Fair Districts Amendment's 'non-diminishment standard' placed by the voters into the state Constitution in 2010, districts cannot be drawn in a manner that 'diminishes' the ability of minority voters to elect their preferred candidate of choice. While Ferrin was never asked to draw up such a map, which the ACLU contends would have avoided this predicament, attorneys for the plaintiffs have focused on former Orange County Democratic state Sen. Randolph's Bracy's comment during the committee meeting in the fall of 2021 that the Reapportionment staff should 'look into the matter.' Daniel Tilley, an attorney with the ACLU, challenged Ferrin that to speculate whether it was possible to draw such a Senate district just in Hillsborough County that would not have protected against diminishment. Ferrin said it was 'hard for me to speculate.' Meanwhile, the whereabouts of former Sen. Bracy has become an issue during the first two days of the trial. ACLU lawyers hoped to bring him to the stand late Monday before acknowledging that he wasn't present. After attorneys again told the three-judge panel on Tuesday that Bracy had yet again failed to appear, Justice Thomas Barber said that in a previous trial when a witness did not appear, U.S. marshals were called to retrieve the witness. In this case, a court officer called Bracy during a morning break, when he reportedly answered and said had not been personally served with a subpoena but had just found it at one of his residences. He then said that he previously told the plaintiffs in the case that 'he did not want to be involved,' according to Justice Barber. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Miami Herald
06-06-2025
- Miami Herald
FWC chair, Miami-Dade State Attorney texted about Pino boat crash, records show
The head of the state agency that investigated the boat crash that killed a teenage girl texted the Miami-Dade State Attorney several times about the case as they were considering what charges to file against the boat operator, even though he said he was minimally involved in the investigation, according to text messages obtained by the Miami Herald. Rodney Barreto, chair of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle exchanged at least nine texts — mostly in the months after the September 2022 crash — according to the heavily redacted records. The Herald obtained the texts when it requested all discovery materials provided to the defense team of George Pino, 54, who has been charged with felony vessel homicide after slamming his 29-foot Robalo into a concrete marker in Biscayne Bay, leading to the death of 17-year-old Luciana 'Lucy' Fernandez. The State Attorney's Office told the Herald Wednesday night that the messages had been accidentally provided to the Herald and were not turned over in discovery. Texting months after the crash In the first message, dated March 14, 2023 — six months after the crash — Fernandez Rundle texted Barreto, 'May I call you today reference the boat accident?' 'OK,' Barreto responded after he and Fernandez Rundle agreed to speak in 25 minutes. Other parts of the text thread were redacted. Months later, on June 6, 2023, Barreto shared a text with Rundle that he had received from Lucy's father, Andres Fernandez. Fernandez was expressing his frustration with the FWC and State Attorney's Office for not concluding their investigation. By that point — nine months after the crash — Pino hadn't been charged with any crimes. 'It's been close to 3 months since FWC and SAO cancelled our meeting and my understanding was that it was not going to be a significant delay,' the Fernandez text said. 'I'm sorry to bother you with this but I'm really frustrated and out of patience. My family and I need this for closure and no one really cares. Would love to hear your thoughts.' Portions of the text thread were redacted. However, hours later, Barreto texted Fernandez Rundle again: 'Kathy, please call to discuss this.' Joel Denaro, the attorney for Andres and Melissa Fernandez, Lucy's mother, declined to comment on the texts. 'The Fernandez Family is not prepared to make a statement at this time because of the pending criminal litigation and because they need time to process what they are learning,' Denaro told the Herald. On Aug. 1, 2023, Fernandez Rundle texted Barreto, 'GM! Was trying to reach you regarding the boating case.' The other text messages were redacted. Later that month, the State Attorney's Office, working with the FWC, charged Pino with three counts of careless boating in the crash, criminal misdemeanors punishable by up to 60 days in jail for each count. READ MORE: Injured girl's family 'outraged' at minor charges in fatal Florida Keys boat crash probe On May 13, 2024, Barreto texted Fernandez Rundle again, 'He gave consent to remove props and dive the hull,' referencing Pino's consent to search his boat. Fernandez Rundle responded with a thumbs up. The rest of the exchange was redacted. The day after the crash, FWC investigators found 61 empty booze bottles and cans on the boat, which they had pulled from the water after it had capsized in the crash. Pino's attorney, Howard Srebnick, said the empty containers stemmed from five boats tied up that day on Elliott Key, but hasn't disclosed the boaters' names. In a statement Friday morning, the family of Katerina 'Katy' Puig, the now 20-year-old who was seriously injured and is still relearning how to walk after the crash, said they are 'forced to confront the deeply troubling reality that continues to emerge from the handing of this case. 'Katy's parents are still processing these painful recent revelations,' the statement said. 'Their sorrow continues to be compounded by shock, disbelief, and disgust. While we are relieved and grateful that Mr. Pino was finally charged with the appropriate felony—Vessel Homicide—the path to that charge has been littered with incompetence, misconduct and missteps that can only be described as a mockery of justice.' The family is calling on legislators to probe the FWC's investigation of the crash. Barreto: Involved in policy, not investigations On Wednesday, Barreto told the Herald that his involvement in the Pino probe was minimal and said his conversations with Fernandez Rundle mostly involved how the FWC and the State Attorney's Office could work together better on boat cases involving fatalities and serious injuries. At one point, Barreto said he brought FWC's leadership from Tallahassee to meet with Fernandez Rundle's office. Barreto had previously told the Herald his role at the FWC is policy making, not the law enforcement aspect of the agency. FWC police officers investigate boating accidents. 'I do not get in the way of these investigations,' Barreto told the Herald two weeks ago. 'We're gonna call it like it is. We've got no dog in this fight. It doesn't matter who these people are.' Last month, a video surfaced of Barreto speaking on a radio show weeks after the crash and acknowledging to the hosts that he knew Pino personally. Barreto told the Herald that he knows Pino, but not well, and has never spoken with him about the case. Barreto is a Coral Gables developer; Pino is a Doral real estate broker. READ MORE: State Senate confirms Barreto as FWC chair, despite dozens urging senators to block his bid Barreto said he talks to Fernandez Rundle often because they have known each other for decades, since he was a Miami police officer and Fernandez Rundle was a prosecutor under former State Attorney Janet Reno. 'Basically, I've known her my entire adult life,' Barreto said. Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office spokesperson Ed Griffith acknowledged the two have worked together often and said Barreto has also 'often lent the State Attorney his support and voice during the Florida Legislative session.' 'Years of interactions have made State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Chairman Rodney Barreto both friends and effective working associates, so I would naturally expect numerous conversations between the two on a wide range of issues and topics,' Griffith said in a statement to the Herald Wednesday. No sobriety test On the night of the crash, FWC investigators did not give Pino a sobriety test, even though they are trained to do so in boating accidents with serious injuries. Investigators on the scene knew that four of the 14 people on the boat were airlifted as trauma alert patients by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, including Lucy Fernandez, who died the next day in the hospital. In addition, Pino told FWC investigators on the scene that he had 'two beers' that day. The Pinos were celebrating their daughter's 18th birthday and she had invited 11 of her close girlfriends — all underage — to go on the Sept. 4, 2022, outing to Elliott Key in Biscayne Bay. The FWC has maintained it did not have probable cause to get a warrant to force Pino to take a sobriety test. But the FWC could have contacted the State Attorney's Office, which has a prosecutor on call 24/7 to help officers get a search warrant, arrest warrants and court orders in these types of cases. In fact, the second page of a State Attorney Office's slideshow for the FWC on vessel homicides gives the hotline number for the prosecutors. The FWC didn't call. READ MORE: How investigators, prosecutors bungled probe into boat crash that killed teen girl Missing FWC body camera footage In recent weeks, the Herald reported that John Dalton, a Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office detective who was on the scene of the crash, said in a deposition that he suggested that FWC officers test Pino for alcohol that night. 'Well, yes. Obviously, you can do a blood draw,' Dalton told one of the FWC officers on the scene, according to the testimony he gave to a Pino attorney and prosecutor. 'I mean, [Pino's] involved in a crash that has potential for a fatality or serious bodily injury. You can force a blood draw on him with a warrant. And you can take one right now, with exigent circumstances. You have fire-rescue here. It's something you might be able to do right now.' READ MORE: Miami-Dade cop suggested FWC should do alcohol test at Pino boat crash scene, testimony shows The Herald also reported that the body camera footage of four FWC officers who were in close proximity to Pino that night — Julien Gazzola, Keith Hernandez, Hanna Hayden and Jesse Whitt — was deleted. Gazzola told an attorney for Pino that Pino smelled of alcohol, had 'bloodshot eyes' and was disoriented. None of the officers, aside from Gazzola, reported seeing signs that Pino was impaired. The FWC says the officers' footage was deleted after the officers classified it as 'incidental,' not criminal, when they uploaded it into the FWC's computer system. 'Incidental' footage is automatically deleted after 90 days; footage from a criminal investigation has to be retained five years for misdemeanor charges and 13 years for a felony charge, according to the FWC's policy. Rep. Vicki Lopez, the Miami-Dade state House member who sponsored 'Lucy's Law,' which calls for tougher penalties for boat operators in crashes with serious injury starting July 1, has called on her colleagues in the Legislature to investigate how the officers' footage was deleted. Pino was initially charged with three misdemeanors but those charges were upgraded to a felony vessel homicide charge on Oct. 31. The State Attorney's Office reopened its investigation after a Miami-Dade firefighter at the scene came forward and said he observed Pino showing signs of intoxication that day. The firefighter spoke up following a series of Miami Herald articles detailing flaws in the investigation, including FWC officers never following up with eyewitnesses. Pino has pleaded not guilty and is tentatively scheduled to stand trial in September. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
News18
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sameera Reddy's Fitness Coach Reveals Her Tailored Fat Loss Program
Last Updated: Sameera Reddy's fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, talked in detail about the training program, including her 'no-fad' diet. Sameera Reddy, known for her roles in films such as Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Race and Musafir, had an incredible weight loss journey. The actress has never stopped documenting her journey on social media, from weighing over 90 kg to shedding kilos within a few years and living a healthy life. Wondering what helped her through this process? According to her fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, she follows a very meticulously tailored programme based on her body's needs. In a candid conversation, Sameera Reddy 's fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, CEO and co-founder of ThatLifestyleCoach (TLC) in Goa, revealed that the actress initially took part in various rigorous training programmes. However, they were not meeting her body's demands. She turned to professional training programmes that boosted her resilience, energy, and confidence. 'Sameera and I began working together when she realised her previous approaches—like Pilates, yoga, and running—weren't delivering the results she hoped for. Despite her consistent, rigorous training, she struggled with fat loss and felt frustrated. That's when she sought professional help instead of continuing on her own," Barreto told the Indian Express. Barreto revealed that his structured wellness programme, which worked for Sameera's body since 2022, was made after assessing her age, lifestyle, past training history, dietary methods, and hormonal challenges. 'Sameera's programme is tailored to her energy levels and her history of stiffness and fat retention," he added. During the initial four weeks, the diva focused on mastering movement patterns, establishing proper form and technique to practise those movements regularly, boosting proprioception (body awareness), enhancing joint stability and mobility, and nurturing healthy eating habits in her lifestyle. He shared, 'Weeks five to eight transitioned into strength and hypertrophy (muscle growth), with progressive overload and a protein-rich diet to support recovery and lean muscle development." By the ninth week, the routine led to changes in her body, including improved muscle tone and posture and noticeable fat loss. Talking about her training programme, Barreto mentioned that it includes- Strength buildup three times per week through exercises such as deadlifts, squats, TRX rows, and presses that focus on the whole body and core. High-energy functional interval training once every week, concentrating on core stability and full-body agility. Daily work on mobility and flexibility to improve posture and prevent injuries. Low-impact cardio rather than high-impact moves like jumping and sprinting. The workout focused heavily on unilateral stability in the first month. Key Aspects Of Sameera's Diet Barreto shared, 'Like you may have guessed, Sameera follows a high-protein, high-fibre, and balanced nutrition plan to support her training and recovery," adding, 'We've also tailored her plan to include supplements based on her blood work to address specific deficiencies." 'Her nutrition is designed to be sustainable, such that it is built around real, whole foods rather than short-term fixes. It is adjusted based on activity levels, hormonal health, and recovery, and flexible such that nothing is entirely off-limits unless it's ultra-processed and devoid of nutritional value," said the fitness coach. He mentioned that earlier, Reddy tried cutting out carbs like rice, bread and all-purpose flour from her diet, but these turned out counterproductive for her energy levels and overall progress. 'We encourage mindful eating, not a reward-restriction cycle. She enjoys all foods in moderation, with portion control, and avoids unnecessary ultra-processed foods," Barreto elaborated. According to Barreto, her 'no-fad' diet includes – Lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, and tofu for muscle recovery and strength. Complex carbohydrates like quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes to fuel her intensive exercises. Healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocado to maintain a balance of hormones and reduce inflammation. Antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods to manage oxidative stress and elevated cortisol levels. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : health and fitness lifestyle Sameera Reddy Weight Loss Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: May 05, 2025, 13:29 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness Sameera Reddy's Fitness Coach Reveals Her Tailored Fat Loss Program
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Sameera Reddy's fitness coach Ashwyn Barreto reveals her lifestyle, fitness, and diet routine: ‘Despite her consistent, rigorous training, she struggled with fat loss''
When Sameera Reddy, 46, decided to pull the plug on her 'unfit' lifestyle, she turned to fitness coach Ashwyn Michael Barreto. 'Sameera and I began working together when she realised her previous approaches—like Pilates, yoga, and running—weren't delivering the results she hoped for. Despite her consistent, rigorous training, she struggled with fat loss and felt frustrated. That's when she sought professional help instead of continuing on her own,' Barreto, CEO and co-founder of ThatLifestyleCoach (TLC) in Goa, told A mutual connection suggested she work with someone who could take a scientific approach, considering her age, lifestyle, and past challenges. 'When we first met, we assessed her training history, dietary methods, lifestyle, and hormonal changes. Then we built a structured programme that worked with her body, not against it,' said Barreto, 28. Barreto's own fitness journey began in 2013, when he walked into a gym as a skinny teenager. 'That was the start of my understanding of strength, movement, and performance. Over time, I realised fitness isn't just about aesthetics, it's about resilience, energy, and confidence.' He founded TLC in 2021 as a personal training brand and expanded it to corporate wellness in 2022. What does Sameera Reddy's fitness routine look like? According to Barreto, 'Sameera's programme is tailored to her energy levels and her history of stiffness and fat retention.' The first four weeks focused on learning movement patterns, building solid form and technique, improving proprioception (body awareness), joint stability and mobility, and cultivating healthy eating habits. 'Weeks five to eight transitioned into strength and hypertrophy (muscle growth), with progressive overload and a protein-rich diet to support recovery and lean muscle development,' he said. By the ninth week, visible changes included improved muscle tone, better posture, and noticeable fat loss. Training breakdown: Strength training (3x per week) – Focuses on compound movements that engage the whole body and core, including deadlifts, squats, TRX rows, and presses. Functional interval training (1x per week) – Strength training alone can sometimes make the body feel sluggish. 'So, we incorporated one day of high-energy interval training designed to enhance body awareness (proprioception), core stability, and full-body agility across all planes of movement,' said Barreto. Mobility and flexibility work – Daily as movement prep to improve posture and prevent injuries (primarily on rest days). Adjustments based on past issues: Reddy had stiffness in her shoulders and hips and left-right imbalances. 'We focused heavily on unilateral stability in the first month to restore symmetry,' said Barreto. Low-impact cardio focus: High-impact moves, such as jumping and sprinting, were avoided. 'Instead, the team included moderate-intensity activities such as agility ladder drills and treadmill jogging to boost endurance without stressing the joints,' he said. What's her diet like? 'Like you may have guessed, Sameera follows a high-protein, high-fibre, and balanced nutrition plan to support her training and recovery,' said Barreto. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sameera Reddy (@reddysameera) Key aspects of her diet: Lean proteins: Chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, tofu, to support muscle recovery and strength. Complex carbohydrates: Quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes to fuel her workouts. Healthy fats: Nuts, seeds, and avocado to balance hormones and reduce inflammation. Antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods: To manage oxidative stress and elevated cortisol levels. 'We've also tailored her plan to include supplements based on her blood work to address specific deficiencies,' said Barreto. Reddy isn't following a 'fad' diet or extreme restrictions. 'Instead, her nutrition is designed to be sustainable, such that it is built around real, whole foods rather than short-term fixes. It is adjusted based on activity levels, hormonal health, and recovery, and flexible such that nothing is entirely off-limits unless it's ultra-processed and devoid of nutritional value,' said Barreto. She had previously tried cutting out carbs (such as rice, bread, and maida) and not eating after 7 PM, but the trainer found that these restrictive approaches were counterproductive to her energy levels and overall progress. What's working for her? According to Barreto, the focus is on hormonal stability, joint health, and recovery, with movements that protect and improve joint function. Here's what to note (/Thinkstock) No workouts on an empty stomach: To ensure proper fuelling and sustained energy. Adequate rest between sets: Allows focus on technique, reducing injury risk. No 'cheat meal' mindset: 'We encourage mindful eating, not a reward-restriction cycle. She enjoys all foods in moderation, with portion control, and avoids unnecessary ultra-processed foods.' Barreto also pointed out that Reddy experiences skin breakouts when her diet slips. 'So we've worked on identifying and eliminating what doesn't suit her body,' he said. Praising Reddy's mindset and willpower, Barreto said she approaches fitness with an unwavering determination, and once she commits to something, she gives it her all. 'She is committed to long-term progress, not quick fixes. She is open to learning and adapting, and takes accountability for her efforts,' he said, adding unlike those seeking shortcuts, Reddy understands the power of consistency and structure, and embraces the process fully.
