Donnie Jarvis
Bodybuilder of the Month - January 2011
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Donnie Jarvis grew up in a small southern Ohio town called Wellston. He has always been active in sports, ever since 1st grade. From Baseball to Track and Field, Donnie has done it.
While in the military, he became a Master Fitness Instructor through the army and led their physical training exercises daily. During deployments, he was the go-to-guy for soldiers that wanted to increase their fitness and improve there overall health. But, still at this time, Donnie was more into running and cardiovascular training and had not really touched weights yet.
During his last deployment to Afghanistan (2006-07) was when Donnie found his passion for weight training. He had tons of knowledge on this area but, never implied them to his training. He went from a 130 pound stick man to a 200 pound athletic build in no time and this is where his real journey as a bodybuilder and personal trainer began.
"...The reason I believe I renewed it (my certification) was just the pure satisfaction of helping others. I love to see when someone hits a goal. There is just something in there emotions that really hits me good in my heart."
WP: You have always been active in sports. In fact, you were one of the top 800m,1600m 3200m and 5000m runners in your state and also won several slam dunk contest. Tell me more about this.
When I first started track, I wanted to be a sprinter. My coach said nope; he said I was not fast enough. I almost quit in disappointment but, decided to try my first meet in the mile. Somehow, I won and set a school record for my seventh grade year and I had never run a mile before in my life. So, from that point on, I made running my life. I trained hard and pushed myself passed any limits I ever thought possible. My weekends were a 12-15 mile night run; while my friends were at the movies, or bowling.
By my senior year, I was running very fast, (9:18 for 2mile, 4:12 for 1 mile, 1:53 for 800m, and 0:49.3 for 400m and 14:23 for 5000m). I always felt like I could go faster but, needed better competition to do so.
WP: You actually were planning to go to college with a runner’s scholarship. What happened to keep you from going?
My parents divorced and my father raised us; it was rough. I used to have to mow grass, shovel snow, rake leafs, and any other work just to buy school cloths and to help buy my brothers school things. So, after high school, I knew that my family needed me there to help take care of the house and watch my brothers, so I decided to throw in the towel on school.
WP: That is a great thing you did for your family though. Since you had to stay home to help take care of your family, you enlisted into the army later. Tell me about that time in your life.
That time in life was very scary. I had turned down school and my area where I grew up is very poor. No great paying jobs and I knew I had to do something. The day I went to sign with the military, I thought I signed with the Air Force; wrong! I signed with the army. Ha-ha. But, looking back, it was the best thing I had ever done and it got me in positions to do things that I never thought possible.
WP: That is horrible and I can only imagine how scary it was! Somewhere, your direction changed in life. You became a Master Fitness Instructor. When and how did you decide to embark on that career?
While in the army, I was known for my running and my healthy eating by everyone around me, I gave it my all during physical training and most soldiers said I was an inspiration to them for that. In the army you have to score perfect on your physical training test to be a Master Fitness Instructor, so this came with ease for me. Once you are labeled that, you are the one that gets to lead exercises, which for me at the time was very interesting and is actually what made me want to be a personal trainer.
WP: How long did you remain in the army?
I spent 8 years in the army.
WP: What did/do you like most about the army?
I think, looking back now, I loved everything; the hard training, the discipline and the best thing was the team building. It was like one giant family to me.
WP: Are you still in the army? Are you in reserves?
I’m not now. I have been out since July 2007. I have had several thoughts about going back in.
WP: When was the first time you experienced lifting?
The very first time I ever touched a weight was 2004 while in Afghanistan. We had a small FOB. FOB is a fire operating base maybe 200m wide and 300m long that 300 of us lived at in the middle of a desert. We build benches out of plywood and 2x4’s. Used fence post welded together for barbells and sand bags as weights for a few months until a general had sent us some actual weight training equipment.
WP: You guys were creative! After the army, you moved to Mexico. What happened there?
I became a corrections officer. I was placed over the prison’s fitness program, and not to mention, gave lots of prisoners workout tips. Ha-ha. Also, while there, I trained as a freelance trainer at Defined Fitness and started a fitness boot camp.
WP: While in Mexico, you decided to renew your certification. What made you decide that and where has it lead you?
The reason I believe I renewed it was just the pure satisfaction of helping others. I love to see when someone hits a goal. There is just something in there emotions that really hits me good in my heart. I’m not a perfect person and I make mistakes, but maybe this will count as a good daily deed to the man upstairs.
WP: So, what did you do next?
I moved back to Rock Hill, SC to be a police officer, but during my interview, I was rejected due to my tattoos. They said it was a new hire policy that no new recruits can have tats below the elbows. I honestly think its crap but, it did lead me to keep training here in the Charlotte area. The tats are from my last deployment that I did to myself after ordering a kit.
WP: You now work for Omni Health and Fitness. Tell me about that.
Omni is a great club in Rockhill, SC that I love! It’s somewhat small compared to most gyms but it’s a very nice and friendly atmosphere. They have pretty much anything you need whether its cardio, cardio cinema, machines, free weights and several classes like spin, body pump and zumba. The staff is very helpful and almost like family. If you are ever in Rock Hill stop in and see Eric or Mark and say Donnie sent you! Ha-ha I’m now working at another gym that’s owned by the same people in Charlotte, NC called Club Fitness that offers that same as Omni so, stop in and see Rich.
WP: What do you eat in a normal day?
It depends. Most of the year I eat pretty clean such as chicken, lots of fruits and green veggies, brown rice and baked and sweet potatoes. But, from thanks giving until January 1, I don’t have a diet. It’s all and everything for me.
WP: What do you eat on your cheat day?
Usually, if I have a cheat day, it’s pizza, Chinese, and of course a few beers with my friends on a Saturday night.
WP: What supplements do you take?
I take ISO Pro Protein, GNC Mega man Vita Pack, fish oil, CLA, CQ 10, a pre-workout at times, volumizing carb supplement during my training. During cutting phase, I’ll take a thermo and maybe a water pill with L-Carnitine and vitamin C.
WP: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
I would love to still be here in this area of charlotte. I want to have my own fitness boot camps throughout the area for all types of people, a kids camp, a elderly camp, weight loss camp, and of course, a extreme camp. Maybe own my own gym.
WP: Tell me about your future projects. Have any in sight?
As of now I plan to get back into body building, and maybe do a show in a year. I have been a fitness model the past few years and I feel I need to branch out more.
WP: Are you married, dating, or do you have kids?
I’m single. I do have 3 wonderful kids. My daughter, Skylar, is 9 and my sons; Bryce and Gaven are 6 and 4. Already amazing athletes I may add. Skylark is running 12 minute in 2 miles at her age.
WP: She’s taking after her dad already. Any shout outs?
I would like to thanks everyone I’ve meet in the army; too many names to add. Ha-ha. Jerry’s Do It Center in Wellston Ohio, my fitness camp people in Wellston Ohio, all my friends in Rock Hill, SC and Charlotte, NC. Also, a shout out to Luis Machichao, Jaime Smith, Rich Colton, my family in Ohio and all my clients that give me the motivation through their hard work.
WP: What are your interests outside of bodybuilding?
I love to walk, go hiking in the mountains, lying on the beach, hang out with my friends at local pubs, rent movies and lay in bed on a Sunday all day.
WP: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Honesty, I don’t think anything. I wouldn’t take away the hard times in my life because I feel those things are what made me the person I am.
WP: Is there anything else you would like to add? Now is the time!
Just that I’m thankful for what I have and glad that I have to work hard to get what I have and that nothing comes easy, and if it does come easy, it may not be worth having.
WP: Thank you for allowing us to get to know you better! You have been a pleasure to interview! Thank you for your time and good luck in your future bodybuilding endeavors!
