In 2012, Tatiana came to the United States from Moldova on an exchange program to work and pursue her dreams. Not knowing English, she learned the language and culture and decided to call America home. She found love on Galveston Island and continued to pursue her dreams of dancing, eventually opening a studio. Today, Tatiana is on a journey to run the Boston Marathon!

Tatiana is more than just a dreamer. The athlete is known to not only achieve her personal best, but to push known limits. On May 9, 2019, at the Galveston Women’s Conference, Tatiana attempted to break the world record for planking 3 hours and 45 minutes. She succeeded! She is currently on a trek to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and has written a book that is set to release this Spring. With Tatiana, anything might just be possible. We learned more about what is behind her drive.

What motivates you to do what you do?

I want to make an impact. Because of the limited opportunity back home, I know what it is like to not have. And when you don’t have it, you want to go get it. Knowing my family back home doesn’t have the same opportunity and are limited, I want to take advantage of all opportunities around me. It is hard for me to just sit down and do nothing when I think of my family.

You like to push yourself beyond limits set before you – plank world record, Boston marathon, etc. Tell us more about that.

I think that I do want to find my limit. Every time I do something, I always say, “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Then I think, “Really? That’s it?” I did a Half Iron Man in Galveston in 2018. I thought I was going to die in the swim. But I guess the goal is to find out the limits. Today I am flying to Africa to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is like a game from my childhood – I always had to prove what I am capable of. I always had to stand up for myself. In school I had to prove that I could do it without the resources that everybody else had. I always had to find it for myself and work for it. You have to earn it; and I want to earn it for myself. Finding my limits is the best quality that I have. Settling for what I have or what I know is a boring way to live life. I always want to find a way to discover new opportunities, new highs, and to discover this life in general. After breaking a record, there will always be a next, something bigger. I’m kind of afraid. You have to have a little fear—good fear—something that makes you uncomfortable. When you get comfortable, in any area (home, work, relationships, etc.) that means you are not growing.

Tell me about your Boston Marathon journey – where are you in the process? What was your time at the Houston Marathon? What is your next big race that we can check in and follow?

I did great in Houston coming in at 3:44 . Two years ago in the Los Angeles Marathon my time was 3:53. The qualifying time for Boston is 3:30. My next race is on April 4 Las Vegas and my goal is to qualify at this race. If that doesn’t happen, I am already registered in Washington in July 26^th. And I’m planking for another record on May 21^st at the Galveston Women’s Conference.

What kinds of classes are offered at your studio?

I teach fitness classes for adults and dance classes for kids. For a full schedule of classes, please click here.