Future Freaks Meet Johnny Starr: Zyzz-inspired real estate professional and “Neverhome” Entrepreneur!
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!
Johnny Starr, age 24, and hailing from Melbourne, Australia, 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: Like most I was a young boy who was inspired by such greats like Arnold and Ronnie. Being an extreme ectomorph I dreamt of having a body I could be proud of.
So I trained 5-6 days a week, had an okay diet and took supplements like most... and had a physique like most. It was not until I had a life changing experience where I was nearly murdered which drove me to change my mindset, focus and discipline and really aim for that dream of having a world class body that people would look to as inspiration.
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: This is a very good question. Many people start Facebook pages but only certain people can grow their collective following and have people who support them.
I really do not have a large following compared to many others, so it’s humbling to even be answering such questions to be honest.
I believe the key to this is really just to be yourself, not to take things too serious and keep putting out original content. Very rarely will I repost a picture I have found anywhere else. Also it is important to interact with people, reply to their messages and questions and give back.
Q: Do you consider this as your part/full time job or a hobby?
A: My full time job and career currently is selling residential real estate. So I wear a suit every day. I am not a fitness instructor or P.T. I don’t really want to work in this industry in that regard as I love dealing with people and helping them find and sell homes.
However, a dream of mine which has been brewing since the tender age of 17 (I am now 24) has always been to start a clothing line. People told me I could never do it and it was just a stupid idea which has been done by everyone, so I shouldn’t. That only drives me more and has led me to create my own clothing line “Neverhome” which I will be launching in the coming weeks.
The brand represents us – the people getting out there and making things happen for ourselves... hence why we are ‘Neverhome’.
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: This to me is still mind-blowing and humbling. To me I am just doing what I love every day with great passion and sharing my knowledge and motivation with people.
It actually motivates me more and drives me to keep reaching towards my dreams; I want to thank everyone who has shown me love over my journey.
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: Once again, I feel blessed to be making a difference to someone’s life. To receive messages from young people telling me that I inspire them to do and be better puts a smile on my face. Just this morning a young kid I sent a poster to, sent me a screenshot of an assignment he did about motivation and wrote about me. He truly touched my heart… I nearly cried!
Q: Is there anyone who has motivated or inspired you to become the person you are today?
A: I have been inspired by Zyzz (who isn’t?), Arnold, Ronnie and my biggest inspiration is actually my mum. That woman is one of the most amazing people I know. She was brought up in a small village in Fiji, literally with nothing.
She had a dream of leaving the country and one day traveling the world. Her brothers would tell her she was an idiot and dreaming to think that a little girl in Rakiraki, Fiji could one day be on a plane. Right now she is on a cruise with my father traveling to New Zealand. She is living her dream as we speak and seeing her smile makes me the happiest son on earth. I want to make her proud and I know I will.
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 knows I have a great career in real estate, I guess this question was based on the fact that most athletes work in the fitness industry. To be honest my parents have no idea about myself on social media, as mum and dad are both computer illiterate in a sense. Dad still uses an old Nokia and doesn’t know how to send a picture message.
They are religious and know God will guide me in the right direction and will always support anything I do.
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: Facebook is where is started for myself, then I touched into YouTube which I really need to start making more use of. I don’t even know how to use Twitter so don’t even go there but we will be on there soon with Neverhome! But Instagram is clearly the biggest thing at the moment and where anyone can grow a following if they put in the time and effort.
Q: What is your diet like? Do you eat clean all year round?
A: My diet is well balanced. I eat clean all year round. When I lean bulk I will only have a cheat meal ever so often to reboot my body. Otherwise it varies dependent on my future upcoming goals or events.
Q: What is your favorite cheat meal? How do you control yourself from going overboard when you decide to treat yourself?
A: OHHH MAN! Okay, I love ice cream and I love frozen yogurt. I was lucky enough to release my own protein-frozen yogurt here in Australia, which has been selling out during the summer months. So my favorite cheat meal is that with some mixed fruit!
I don’t stop myself from going overboard. If I am going to have a cheat meal I will go all out and make it a cheat day. Usually gnocchi goes down pretty well!
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 have recently started having cold pressed juices most mornings to start my day. The benefits of this are incredible and I feel more alive than ever! I go to Pressed Juices, which is located in Sydney and Melbourne, but offer Australian wide delivery.
As for supplements I take BCAA’s, creatine, L-Glutamine and standard protein. Sometimes a weight gainer if I want to put on some size.
Q: What’s your social media/contact information?
A: http://www.facebook.com/jstarrofficial
http://www.faceboook.com/teamneverhome
http://www.instagram.com/johnny_starr
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