With her surprise victory at the 5K Carrera de las Chicas run in Asunción, Paraguayan nutritionist Sasha Sborovsky aims to inspire girls and women to pursue and achieve their life goals.
“I feel like I’m living a dream and haven’t woken up yet.” With these words Asunción-born Sasha Sborovsky starts this afternoon, just days after her triumphant 5,000-meter run at the 16th edition of the run in Paraguay’s capital.
The “Carrera de las Chicas” is an annual women’s 5K race, typically held in March to coincide with International Women’s Month. It’s a well-established event that promotes female participation in sports, fitness and community engagement, and functions as a celebration of women’s strength and solidarity, drawing over 2,500 participants this year.
‘To support and motivate’
The fastest among them was 32-year-old Sasha Sborovsky, an experienced runner and professional nutritionist who advises others on food, nutrition, and their impact on health.
“Originally, I wasn’t even planning to compete in this race,” Sasha says with a smile from ear to ear. “I train double shifts at the gym daily, and the day before the run, I had an intense CrossFit session, so I didn’t feel I had the energy to compete seriously. But since two of my nutrition company patients were participating, I went to support and motivate them. I didn’t think winning was possible for me, but I achieved it.”
That sentiment captures the message Sasha wants to share with women across Paraguay. “So many girls don’t believe in themselves. I want them to know they can do it. If I can, why couldn’t they? That’s the core of my work, too – not necessarily for my patients to be first on the podium in races, but for them to win at their own level. Your most important podium is the personal goal you achieve.”
‘Nothing in life comes easy’
This philosophy applies to both physical achievements and life in general, she says. “Whatever your goals, it takes hard work and discipline – nothing in life comes easy. But if you’re doing what you love, nothing is impossible at the same time.”
Sasha is living proof of her own words. “Last year, I earned my degree in Nutrition from the Universidad Autónoma here in Asunción. In October, I launched my nutrition company, and I still can’t believe I have my own space on Moisés Bertoni in San Cristobal. What I love most about my work is that I’m able to help people based on my own life and sports experiences.”
Personal challenges
Her expertise in nutrition didn’t come without personal challenges. Sasha has been managing celiac disease, a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the small intestine and causes gluten intolerance. Gluten, found in foods like wheat, rye, spelt, and barley, is off-limits for her.
“I had to create my own recipes based on ingredients safe for celiac disease to achieve the goals I had set for myself,” she says. “That’s when I learned how to adapt my diet to any situation. My lifestyle is now extremely healthy – not just because I work out or diet, but because I genuinely enjoy food. When you love something, commitment comes naturally.”
Sasha is dedicated to helping others. Winning “Carrera de las Chicas” helps her to get her message out. She loved participating in the women-only run.
‘A helping hand’
“We showed at this event what we can accomplish together. It’s so important for women to support each other. There’s often too much competition among us, and I don’t understand why. We need to lift each other up – working together makes things better and more beautiful. We’ll all feel happier that way. Isn’t it nice and comforting to know there’s a helping hand?”
