33-year-old bodybuilder Nataliya Kuznetsova, a world champion in arm lifting, bench press, and deadlift, has earned the title of the world’s most muscular woman.
Known as the Russian “She-Hulk,” Nataliya wasn’t always this strong. She started as a skinny teenager who weighed just 40kg at the age of 14 and was often bullied for her appearance.
Her father encouraged her to start working out, hoping it would help boost her self-confidence. That decision changed her life forever, introducing her to the world of bodybuilding.
“I was a timid little mouse when I was growing up,” she recalls.
Today, Nataliya weighs between 246 and 275 pounds and has become an icon in the bodybuilding world. At just 15 years old, she won her first bodybuilding championship in her home region of Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia.
“Like everyone else, I started going to the gym without any clear goals. But after three months, my trainer asked if I wanted to participate in a bodybuilding competition,” she said.
That competition marked the beginning of her powerlifting career.
According to The Famous People, Nataliya’s accolades include winning the 2014 Cup of Eurasia in Vologda, Russia, and being crowned the 2015 Cup Eastern Europe (GPA) Champion. She has set numerous records in powerlifting, deadlifting, and the NAP bench press.
On her Facebook page, she shared words of motivation: “It’s not about being perfect—it’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and getting the work done to reach where you envision yourself to be. Every day is another opportunity to move forward a little more.”
Beyond bodybuilding, Nataliya holds a degree from the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture. She has even participated in the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia’s performance of Manon Lescaut.
Nataliya is married to former bodybuilder Vladislav Kuznetsov, who she describes as her biggest supporter. Despite her larger physique, their love remains strong and inspiring.
“Our love story is quite modern. We met on the Internet, more specifically on Odnoklassniki (a Russian social network). For a while, we just talked as friends,” Nataliya said in a 2019 interview.
She also shared with LadBible, “People definitely recognize me. An athletic body stands out even under clothes. Many people ask to take photos with me, and some even know my name.”
Though Nataliya faced challenges finding sponsors early in her career, her success has since attracted partnerships with companies like Oxytropin and RPS Nutrition.
While she acknowledges that her appearance might be “terrifying” to some, she believes the world has moved beyond traditional standards of beauty. “The classical standards and norms are long gone,” she says.
Nataliya says her best advisor is the mirror.
She noted, “Most of my Instagram followers are men—they make up about 75%. The percentage is similar across other social networks. They often write to me, and the compliments I receive as an athlete are no different than those given to non-athletes.”
Now retired from competitive powerlifting, Nataliya focuses on using her platform and fame to inspire others to reach their full potential.