Future Freaks #Fitspire of the Week: Caitlin Rice: How To Go From Just Some Girl Next Door to Overnight Fitspirer
#Fitspi
re of the Week: Caitlin Rice: How To Go From Just Some Girl Next Door to Overnight Fitspirer
What gives someone 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!
Caitlin Rice, age 22, “Army brat” and recently moved to Canada from Dallas, Texas, 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 started doing fashion modeling at the age of 16 and my diet was absolutely horrible. The industry put pressure on me to be rail thin so my diet ended up consisting of pretty much nothing. I was on the verge of an eating disorder, malnourished and unhappy.
I decided to get away from that lifestyle and focus on my college career. I started doing a bit of cardio and a lot of partying. I was eating again but not very healthy. I gained 15 pounds and was what I call skinny fat. I had no muscle definition and a little belly from all the alcohol and bad foods I was consuming. I decided it was time to turn things around when I met my boyfriend, Braden. He was really into fitness and we were doing long distance so I stopped going out on the weekends and stopped partying. I started hitting the weights and did some research.
With Braden’s help along with the research, I learned how to lift 
weights properly and quite simply fell in love. Lifting became a lifestyle and pretty much the best part of my day. I always strive for progress. Being fit is so much more than just looking good and having a good body.
I’ve learned so many things in the process that I can apply to all areas of my life, including how to be dedicated and really put your all into something, how to persevere and not give up on your goals and dreams, how to motivate yourself and be the source of your own happiness, and how to focus and stay committed to the task at hand. Plus I’ve really gotten to know myself and my limits and how far I can push myself. I didn’t know what I was capable of before.
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: My boyfriend has been my number one throughout this whole process. His constant support and love has kept me going. He saw that I was working really hard and found something that I loved and decided that I should get some recognition. He started by getting me noticed on a few of the bigger fitness pages and then I took off! My following grew from 1500 to 85 thousand in 3 months.
I am blessed to have some absolutely incredible followers. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them! My advice to anyone trying to get their foot in the fitness game would be to just stay humble and always keep in contact with your followers. Talk to them! Help them! Show them the support that they show you. It should be a mutually beneficial relationship.
In my opinion, we’re all “fitfam” and should motivate and inspire each other and hold each other accountable. Just like your body, your success in the fitness industry will be measured on how hard you work at it. Put in what you expect to receive.
Q: Do you consider this as your part/full time job or a hobby?
A: What started as a hobby has become my passion and a full time job. Although I can hardly call it a job when I love doing it! I am in the process of getting my National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Training Certification and my boyfriend and I are starting a fitness company.
I will be doing online coaching and meal plans and eventually I want to design a clothing brand and come out with a healthy but fun living cookbook. I have never been so excited about the future. I can’t wait to see where everything goes! The sky is the limit!
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?
A: I can’t put into words how grateful and lucky I feel to have so many truly amazing individuals follow me. All their love and support has really kept me going. They hold me accountable and keep me going strong. They look up to me and I try to be the best fitness role model I can for them.
Q: How does it feel knowing that somewhere, you are actually helping someone by motivating them to achieve their personal goals, just by posting your personal life and achievements on social media?
A: I always try to uplift their spirits and make sure they don’t get disco
uraged. I try to always be real with them and make sure they know that anything is possible if they put the work in. Consistency is key.
As much as I inspire and motivate them, they do the same for me. I’ve literally cried reading some of their emails. So many inspiring stories and people who are ready to change their lives and have found the courage to get up and make those changes and work hard. Absolutely amazing.
And I am beyond flattered that these awesome people have chosen to come to me for advice. I am SOOO excited and ready to help them change their lives!
I feel like there is no personal achievement more satisfying than helping others. And I plan on doing just that. Not only in helping people reach their health and fitness goals, but helping them feel truly amazing inside and out. Helping them to find happiness within and learn to love themselves for their strengths and well as their weaknesses.
Q: Is there anyone who has motivated or inspired you to become the person you are today?
A: I get inspiration from so many people and so many different areas but the number one person who has inspired me to become the best version of myself is my boyfriend, Braden. He makes me want to really find my potential and work hard to better myself in every area of my life.
He brings out the best in me and I try to do the same for him. I love who I’m turning into and have grown so much. His hard work and dedication to his personal fitness is also a huge inspiration. He’s always excited and motivated to try new things and works his ass off every day. And no matter what, he never gives up and never lets me give up. Like that country song, “He’s not just tough, he’s strong!”
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 incredibly supportive of my lifestyle. I’m currently helping my mom lose weight and she’s been my first official client. My daddy was in the Army and so he was always into fitness. He still lifts every day like a boss. My sister is just graduating from medical school and is a constant proponent of health and wellness. My little brother is an athlete and in incredible shape. He plays baseball and is expected to be in the upcoming draft in the fourth round.
Q: Of all the social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Insta
gram, etc.), what do you think is the most effective to use in order to market yourself in this industry?
A: I really like Instagram. I feel like there are way more people and pages that focus on fitness on Instragram versus Facebook or other social media. Instagram makes it possible to follow all sorts of people that inspire you.
Q: What is your diet like? Do you eat clean all year round?
A: Haha Oh, boy. Well, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE food! I eat six balanced meals in a day. I love to cook, so eating clean all the time is super easy for me. I also bake with protein, so I make all sorts of goodies like protein cookies, muffins, pancakes, mug cakes, etc. that really curb my sweet tooth and make it feel like I’m not on a diet at all!
There are sooo many ways that eating clean can be super fun and not get boring and monotonous. Eating the same thing every day would drive anyone crazy. You gotta make the time to find things that work for you so that you can make a lifestyle change and stay with it and enjoy it versus being on some fad “diet”. I do eat clean all year around. I have cheat meals every once in a while, but for the most part I like to keep it clean!
Q: What is your favorite cheat meal? How do you control yourself from going overboard when you decide to treat yourself?
A: How can I ever choose?! Well, my boyfriend and I usually order a huge pepperoni pizza when we have a cheat meal. And then eat ice cream. Yummm. And I really don’t control myself on my cheat meals. I basically go until I’m full. Haha
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: I do take supplements. I take casein and whey protein, a preworkout, BCAAs, a fat burner, a multi-vitamin, and my absolute favorite product right now is Bio-Gro by iSatori which helps increase lean muscle mass, improve recovery, enhance performance and maximize strength. Bio-Pro Bio-Active Peptides amplify protein synthesis. I have gained 5-7 pounds of lean muscle. It’s literally gainz in a bottle!
Q: What’s your social media/contact information?
A: Caitlin Rice instagram: @hiiighc
Q: Special thanks to:
A: My followers, my family and my amazing boyfriend, Braden. I wouldn’t be here today without all your love and support. I know I can always count on you guys to be there for me and to keep me focused. I love all of you so much!
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