Future Freaks #Fitspire of the Week: Jen Mercer: “I love trying to inspire people to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.”
#Fitspire of the Week: Jill Dunn Trains To Inspire!
What gives som
eone the right to consider themselves a successful fitness model or personality in the industry? Is it the amount of covers one can land because of their physique? Could it be how many sponsors they are able to grab to help support them? Or is it the amount of money one can make between different modeling/ fitness gigs?
Everyone will tell you something different, but if there is one thing that is hard to disagree with, it’s the ability to promote and market yourself to others. Social media has begun to play a huge role in self-marketing as an athlete, competitor, fitness model or personality in the Industry. These days, you don't need a modeling agency to help promote you, or a company to take you on as a sponsored athlete in order for you to be seen in the industry.
Someone who once could have been just an average fit person, now has the ability to transform themselves into a “Social Media Fitness Star!” If you put in the time, the effort, and truly have a passion for fitness, you can change yourself from just a face with a body, to a bona fide personality – someone able to inspire and motivate others on their own fitness journey!
Jill Dunn, age 29 and 5’1” with a contest weight of 110 lbs. and 115-120 lbs. during the off season, is proof that if you put in the time, effort, hard work in the gym AND the kitchen, and use social media as a tool to self-promote, you can turn your average health/fit lifestyle into a network that reaches out to endless amounts of people who want to take the time out to follow your journey.
Q: When did you get started on your fitness career/journey? What made you want become more than just the average person living a healthy and fit lifestyle?
A: I have always been pretty athletic and was always very involved in high school sports. After high school, things slowed down and I got pretty out of shape. I did not lead a very healthy lifestyle. I did not eat right. I decided to make some changes so I got a gym membership. I quickly fell in love with working out. After a few months in the gym, I decided to start training for a competition.
Q: Can you tell us about your competition history?
A: My first competition was in November of 2010, where I took 3rd place, and I was instantly hooked to the competition life.
Q: Being that you have a loyal social media following, what is some advice that you would offer someone wanting to increase their popularity in the Fitness industry? What tip can you give someone to help them build their following as well?
A: You have to be very active on social media to keep your followers interested. Have quality posts. Be informative. And most importantly, be real, someone they can relate to and a positive role model.
Q: Do you consider this as your part/full time job or a hobby?
A: I have been fortunate enough to be able to turn my passion for fitness into a full time job. In ad
dition to competing, I am also a personal trainer and competition prep coach, both one on one training and online.
Q: There are many people that motivate and are inspired by you. How does that make you feel knowing that there are people who take the time to see what you are doing day to day on social media?
A: It is such a great feeling knowing I can make an impact on someone else’s life, even if it is just a small one. I love inspiring people to make positive changes in their life.
Q: How does your family feel about your lifestyle? What would you say to someone whose family does not support their lifestyle?
A: My family is very supportive of my lifestyle. I have had a huge impact on them. After my first competition, my Dad was even inspired to do a show of his own. He completely transformed his lifestyle, and we even got to do a competition together. It was a great experience!
Q: Of all the social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), what do you think is the most effective to use in order to market yourself in this industry?
A: For me, Instagram has been the most effective. It has been a great way to promote my online training programs. Followers get a glimpse of my life and training through my progress pictures, workouts, and videos.
Q: What is your diet like? Do you eat clean all year round?
A: I eat very clean all year round. I try to stay away from sugar and processed foods in my off season, so I stick pretty close to a 40% protein / 40% carbohydrate / 20% fat ratio. In competition prep, I have found that carb cycling works best for me.
Q: What is your favorite cheat meal?
A: I allow myself one cheat meal or treat a week. I love Italian food and have a huge sweet tooth. Chocolate and peanut butter are my favs.
Q: Do you take any supplements? What do you think is one of the most important supplements someone should take who is training constantly?
A: Morning: Multi-Vitamin, CLA, L-Carnitine, Fish Oil
Pre-Workout: 2 scoops eFlow Nutrition eNrage Pre-Workout
Intra-Worko
ut: BCAA’s - Scivation Xtend
Post-Workout: 1 scoop Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey; 1 scoop Waxy Maize powder
Evening: Multi-Vitamin, Fish Oil, Melatonin, 1 scoop Optimum Nutrition Casein
Q: Special thanks to:
A: I would love to give a special thanks to my sponsors eFlow Nutrition and MAX OUT OR GET OUT Apparel @ http://www.maxoutorgetout.com/ Thank you for believing in me and being such an amazing source of motivation and support. I’m proud to represent both companies.
Q: What’s your social media/contact information?
A: Instagram: @jillmariedunn
Twitter: @jilldunnfitness
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jillmariedunn and www.facebook.com/jilldunnfitness
Q: Where may prospective clients contact you?
JillDunnFit.com (Personal Trainer and Competition Prep Coach)
eFlowNutrition.com (eFlow Nutrition Athlete and Spokesmodel)
MAXOUTorGETOUT.com (MAX OUT OR GET OUT Sponsored Athlete)
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