Who is Athena Vas?

Athena Vas is a Greek-American author, educator, TV personality, bodybuilding champion, and motivational powerhouse with a story rooted in resilience, courage, and reinvention. Born and raised in New York, Athena’s journey began on the ice as a competitive figure skater, where she developed the discipline, focus, and drive that would define her life. Her passion for performing led her from the rink to the stage, where she performed off-Broadway in comedic showcases, captivating audiences with her humor, authenticity, and bold presence.

Athena's Story

A born storyteller with a mathematical mind, Athena became a double major in Theater and Mathematics, following her love for creativity while honoring her mother’s wish for her to have a “serious career to fall back on.” That blend of art and intellect became her superpower — the balance of heart and logic that continues to shape her message today.

At just 21 years old, right out of college, Athena began teaching high school math and special education and quickly rose to excellence. Known for her energy and imagination, she would teach through storytelling and performance, transforming her classroom into an inspiring space where students could learn, laugh, and remember. Her innovative methods earned her the title of a model teacher, with educators from across New York State visiting her classroom to observe her best practices.

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Athena's Classroom Before....

30 days later.....

At 22 years old, Athena’s life changed forever when her mother slipped into a coma and was pronounced dead for 45 minutes before miraculously surviving. Becoming her full-time caretaker, Athena helped her mother relearn how to walk, talk, and live again. That chapter taught her the value of time, health, and purpose — and she made a promise to herself to stop playing small and start pursuing her dreams fearlessly.

After her mothers passing, Athena left the classroom and reinvented her life. Athena went on to win Warner Bros’ The Bachelor, star in the Hulu TV series Got To Get Out (produced by Jimmy Kimmel), and become a 6x Bodybuilding Champion where she competed at the Olympic Level in Las Vegas.

Athena authored "F*ck It: When You Want a Better Life But Don’t Know Where to Start, Start Here" and her upcoming release "This Is My Era: The Glow-Up Blueprint – The Courage to Stop Pretending and Start Becoming" is a self-transformation guide about rediscovering your truth, reclaiming your confidence, and writing your own story.

Athena has also been the host of multiple podcasts, including The Athena Vas Show, Growing Up Greek, and Thought Tub — blending humor, wisdom, and raw storytelling to spark conversation and connection. Beyond podcasting, she is an event host and motivational speaker, captivating audiences with her authenticity, Greek pride, and message of unstoppable self-belief.

Athena is also the creator of Train With Athena, a fitness and mindset movement that helps others build discipline, strength, and self-belief from the inside out. Through her programs, books, and motivational speaking, she empowers people around the world to rise again stronger, wiser, and unapologetically themselves.

How many people do you think it took to create this?
Life is a lot like that bucket of water. We have a plan, but often things will get thrown at us and can sidetrack us for a little while but in the end we always end up where we were destined to be. 💓🫶

📸 @the.glistening
👙 @bombshellsportswear

Being fit is a lifestyle not a destination.
⏰ Only 2 days left to join the November Challenge!
Let’s make this your glow-up era.
Link in bio.

I take Halloween very seriously 😆😆😆
Entire costume handmade by me 💚 💛
@britneyspears

#halloweencostumeideas #halloweencosplay #britneyspearscollection #slave4u

Staying lean year-round takes consistency… and Liporedux 🔥 My morning self-care essential for tightening, toning, and keeping my physique on point.

Use code ATHENA25 for 25% off @sannation 💓

#SANNation #TrainWithAthena #GlowUpEra #StrongIsSexy

Halloween 🎃 Countdown begins. Any guesses who am I dressed up as here?

📸 @remivision
🎥 @dela.smooth
💄 @makeupbygog
💇‍♀️ @damorewigs
Ducati @miketorchia

#halloweencostumeideas #britneyspearscostume #britneyspearstoxic

Be your own motivation @bombshellsportswear ‘ATHENA5’

Your fitness goals ARE attainable! You just need to start ⭐️💓🫶

Time to take action and create your reality. The NEW YOU. 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 the heightened version of You! The BEST YOU YET 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I love Halloween so much 😆😆😆 Name this movie

I’m gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse

What Halloween weekend looks like in Hollywood 🎃

Countdown to Halloween begins 🎃 What will you be this year? #halloweencostumeideas

📸 @remivision
🎥 @dela.smooth
Studio @goldenrosestudios_la
Costume: Created by me 🙋‍♀️
💄 @makeupbygog

💓A new set always makes me feel better @bombshellsportswear ‘ATHENA5’

Getting in the best shape of my life gave me the confidence to do everything I ever dreamed of. It didn’t just change my body; it changed how I saw myself.

Creating feels natural to me. It’s not something I do, it’s who I am. I shot this entire video in one hour. No rehearsal. No plan. The plan existed only in my mind, and the moment the music started, I decided who I was going to be. And I became her.

That’s the power of belief. You can become anyone you want to be if you truly believe it. In that moment, I believed I was Britney, and that’s who I became.

I’ve always been an artist. I create from truth, from pain, from passion. And in this video, I got to live one of my earliest dreams: recreating Britney Spears’ Dream Within a Dream rain performance. I was just a little girl watching her thinking, “One day I’ll feel that powerful… and I’ll have Britney’s perfect body too.”

And now I do.

Getting in shape wasn’t about perfection. It was about reinvention. About taking back my power and proving it’s never too late to start over.

This isn’t just a transformation. This is my rebirth. This is Athena 3.0. This is my era.

🎥 @dela.smooth

If you’ve read this far, you’ll be the first to know my secret 🤫 My new book “This Is My Era” is coming soon, and in it, I show you exactly how I became her and how you can reinvent yourself too. Pre-orders available soon! Keep following for the official release 💓

🤫 tag @britneyspears She may see it hehe 😉

Let me help you reach your fitness goals! Grab your spot now before registration closes. Comment “TRAIN” for the link.

The Greeks are very passionate. My number 1 & 2 things to always get me through any hard time is the GYM and ZEBEKIKO. Even the Greek Soldiers would dance before battle to give them strength. My mom would replay the videos of me dancing over and over again to get her through the hospital nights. It made her happy to watch me dance. I hope it makes you happy too. May you find peace and find the answers you need to keep pushing and succeed in your life. 💙

If you’re ready to get started with your fitness journey, comment TRAIN and I’ll show you how 💪 it’s never too late to start 💓

Don’t be scared to try new things! You may like it. What’s one new thing you’d like to try next?

Your person will find you when the time is right

May all the blessings you need come your way. Spreading love & joy to all!

Walking the Pink Carpet for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with @nalubayswimwear 💗 To every woman who has faced cancer , you are our hero, our warrior, our inspiration. And to all those we’ve lost… you are our angels. 👼🏼
When I was just 4 years old, I’d visit my Aunt Evie — my mom’s sister, who battled breast cancer so bravely. Each time, I’d bring her a rock 🪨 to “protect her.” She passed at only 42, but my mom told me something I’ll never forget, she never told me she died, in fact I wasn’t even allowed in the funeral home as my mom always wanted to protect me. My mom told me this…
“Athena….God saw Aunt EVIE was hurting, so he sent his angels down and brought her to a special place to give her wings so she could heal others and protect us.” 💞

From that day, I never felt I lost her, I felt I gained an angel.

So tonight, I walk in honor of every warrior, survivor, and angel among us. 💖

Thank you @babesintoylandcharity for having me as your special guest and holding this beautiful event in honor of those strong women.

📸 @chadcedricphotola

#BreastCancerAwareness #PinkCarpet #WarriorWomen #NeverGiveUp #ForTheFighters #ForTheSurvivors #ForTheAngels

Yes, for those who don’t know, I was a high school math teacher at 21. 👩🏼‍🏫

Now I’m just teaching a different kind of lesson — in the gym. 💪

You can’t walk in like “la la la” with no plan. You need direction.

It doesn’t even matter if your workout isn’t perfect.

What matters is that you’re doing something effective, consistently, and fueling your body right.
Results don’t come from luck. They come from showing up.

My body changed the moment I started taking this one thing seriously: consistency. And when you master that, everything changes.

Wearing @bombshellsportswear — use Code ATHENA5

🔥 Follow my fitness-only page @TrainWithAthena for workouts, mindset tips, and daily motivation.

🎉 Exciting new things are coming soon. Big announcement on the way. Stay tuned.

#TrainWithAthena #BombshellSportswear #ConsistencyIsKey #ThisIsMyEra #GlowUpEra #AthenaVas

Every step you take is a reminder you’ve survived everything that was meant to break you.

You’ve rebuilt, you’ve risen, and now… it’s time to shine.

Let this be your season of power, purpose, and full-blown glow-up.

💋 Tag a woman who’s stepping into her era. It will bring her good luck for her new life 💙

Nothing gets me more excited to hit the gym than a new workout set from @bombshellsportswear 💪
It’s crazy how a good outfit can boost your mood and motivation.

Check out my last REEL for a chance to win your own set! 💖

It’s your time. This is your era baby. I completely transformed my life the minute I stopped accepting mediocrity for myself. I knew I was meant for more and I started going after it. Even if I didn’t know the how, I knew the end goal. Give yourself that chance to be happy.

Can’t believe it’s been over a week since I stepped on an Olympic stage! So many lessons, so much clarity and realizations since then! Can’t wait to share with you what I’ve been working on for my next moves. In the meantime, here’s a fun photo dump of the Olympia Week :)

Always empowering women everywhere I go 💪✨
Every woman deserves to feel confident and beautiful no matter where she’s at in her journey.
This babe stopped me on my way out and asked me to help her pose, and I LOVED it. That’s what it’s all about, women supporting women.

And yeah… Coke can in hand because I’m enjoying my life right now after competition. Balance, baby. You can chase your goals and have a little fun. I wanted to have a nice little buzz while I was out.

#EmpoweredWomen #ConfidenceIsPower #GlowUpEra #ThisIsMyEra #AthenaVas #WomenSupportingWomen #BossEnergy #BalanceNotPerfection

So much fun walking the @moxyswim show in Los Angeles, such an empowering experience 💙

To every woman reading this:
✨ You are beautiful.
✨ You are powerful.
✨ And you deserve every dream in your heart.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t prove that you can.

📸 @g.tographer

#MoxySwimwear #BossBabeEnergy #GlowUpEra #ThisIsMyEra #AthenaVas #WomenEmpowerment #NeverGiveUp #LosAngelesFashion #RunwayDreams”

Walking for MoxySwimwear in DTLA 💋
I’m so grateful for moments like this, not because they just happened, but because I became the kind of woman they could happen to.

There was a time I didn’t believe in myself the way I do now.

But once I started doing the inner work, healing, growing, and rebuilding from the inside out, everything around me started to shift.

The truth is, your glow-up doesn’t start when people finally see you.

It starts in silence, when you decide to rise again, even when no one’s watching.

✨ The more you work on your inner world, the more your outer world will align.
✨ Confidence is built, not gifted.
✨ And if I could rebuild from nothing… so can you.

This is what rebirth looks like.
This is what reinvention feels like.
And I’m just getting started.

If you’re ready to rebuild your confidence, find your light again, and step into your own era… stick around. I’m about to show you exactly how I did it. 💫

#GlowUpEra #ThisIsMyEra #AthenaVas #Reinvention #Rebirth #MoxySwimwear #DTLA #HollywoodGlow #NeverGiveUp

Sometimes happiness is just being.
No pretending, no performing — just peace.
You’re not weird. You’re not broken. You just haven’t met the people who get you yet… and that’s okay.
Love them from afar, keep glowing where you’re celebrated, not tolerated.
Because the right ones will never dim your light — they’ll dance in it with you. ✨🇬🇷 🇨🇾

#Authenticity #InnerPeace #GreekSoul #GlowUpEra #BeYourself #ThisIsMyEra

Back day for me is about building that hourglass. The secret? A tiny waist + wide, sculpted lats. That’s what gives you that illusion of curves.

Here’s my small waist back workout I swear by 👇
🔹 Lat Pulldowns – 4 sets of 12 (focus on full stretch + slow squeeze)
🔹 Seated Rows – 4 sets of 10–12
🔹 Single-Arm Dumbbell Rows – 3 sets of 10 each side
🔹 Cable Face Pulls – 3 sets of 15 (posterior delts = posture = hourglass)
🔹 Hyperextensions – 3 sets of 20 (add a plate if you can)

I always sip my @sannation BCAAs during training, they keep my muscles hydrated, help me recover faster, and honestly make me push harder.

Use code ATHENA25 for 25% off @sannation

#SANNation #TrainWithAthena #SmallWaistBigLats #StrongIsSexy #GlowUpEra

I’ve dreamed of this since I was a little girl. Posters of strong, beautiful women covered my walls at 14 — I wanted to be one of them. I trained for years, but for the longest time, I never saw results. I was doing everything “right,” but not the right way.
Then I learned. I grew. I evolved. And everything changed.

From lifting my first dumbbells at 6, to walking into my first gym at 12, to stepping on the Olympia stage… this isn’t just fitness — it’s my rebirth.

I’ve completely transformed — body, mind, and soul. This is my Glow-Up Era. I’ve never felt better, inside or out.

Thank you for following my journey. I promise to keep inspiring you every single day and show you exactly how I did it — so you can do it too.

Because this isn’t just my era… this is your era too, baby. 💖🔥

Happy Heavenly birthday Mommy ♾️
I was born a day before her. She always said I was her birthday present. Her last words to me before she passed were “I don’t know what good in my life I’ve done to deserve a daughter like you.” “Go live your life and make all your dreams come true and remember one thing, NEVER GIVE UP.”

If anyone else lost a loved one… you are not alone. I feel it’s my mission to help others overcome their struggles and find their peace and happiness. I feel I am supposed to be strong for others….to set the example….

One thing I always do each year is buy a birthday gift for myself and write a card to myself as if my mom wrote it, in her voice and sign it “love always mommy in heaven.” It helps me cope and makes me feel as if she’s actually saying those words. Maybe it can work for you. I also do that on Mother’s Day and Christmas or any holidays. I like to deliver it to myself with that “specialized note card.” It always feels like it was hand delivered from heaven and motivates me to continue striving for greatness.

Confidence isn’t about being the loudest in the room it’s about believing you belong there.

Repeat after me:
“I am a queen.
I am worthy.
I am powerful.”

Don’t wait for the world to tell you you’re enough —tell yourself first.

💫 #AthenaEra #Confidence101 #ThisIsMyEra

Every setback, every heartbreak, every ‘you’ll never make it’ became part of my foundation.

I’ve been knocked down, counted out, and told to shrink… but I don’t do small.

I turned pain into power.
I turned pressure into purpose.
I stopped waiting for permission and became the woman I used to dream about.

This isn’t luck. This is work. This is faith. This is evolution.

I’m Athena Vas — and this is my era.
Follow my journey. Watch the glow-up in real time.I’ll be sharing things I’ve done and still do to continue to transform & glow up each day.

Red carpet behind the scenes representing @nalubayswimwear

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