World Physique

Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Photos by: BBPics.com

WP: Wow, James! You are so ripped! Love those abs! Tell us about yourself.

JH: I'm a 27 year old Personal Trainer in Kansas City who is changing lives everyday. I live here with my wife Amber, and my daughter, Alex. I was born and raised in Chicago Illinois, and moved to Kansas to pursue a dream to play professional football. I took a gamble for something that most thought was a shot in the dark. In return, I made a Professional Arena Football Team and met my wife. I have grown as a person and have found the path that I want to walk.

WP: What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?

JH: I would have to say that it was when I left my corporate sales job to pursue my passion for fitness. I've tried different jobs with the idea that I couldn't make money in fitness, but in the end it was the understanding that money isn't everything and happiness is. If you love what you do and you’re good at it, then the money will come. This is where I ran across a photographer by the name of Will Patterson in Kansas City who gave me the confidence to take the next step with Fitness Modeling. From there, it was networking and meeting an agent Rick Steiner and another photographer John Mitchell.

WP: What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?

JH: Maintaining my physique is difficult at times because I am a perfectionist who is always changing. I switch everything up all the time from workouts, cardio, and diet. The goal will depend on exactly what I'm going to do. At this moment, I'm bulking up, working out twice a day, and incorporating sprints. Most people don't do cardio when they bulk, but I do this way to keep my endurance high, plus I get to eat more. The important part is knowing that your body changes all the time. Being aware of this will help you mentally so you don't drive yourself crazy when your abs disappeared because you had a couple of cheat meals. If you are disciplined, and can make sacrifices then your fine.

WP: Where do you reside now?

JH: I live outside of Kansas City in Olathe Kansas were we have just purchased our first house.

WP: Have you ever played any type of sports or activities?

JH: I have played High School football in Chicago for 4 yrs. and then played 3 yrs. at the University of St. Francis in Joliet Illinois. After I graduated from college, I then played 1yr. of Arena Football in Wichita Kansas. The position that I played at each level was Free/Strong Safety.

WP: Sounds like you have been active all of your life! Tell me about your family. You talk about them with a lot of care.

JH: My wife, Amber and daughter, Alexandra and I live in Kansas City along with my wife’s family, but my side of the family live in Chicago. I have 3 sisters, Alecia, Angel, Ashley, and 1 brother, Ronnie, my mother Donna and stepfather, Ron. I grew up in a household of people that had to be active. My mother enrolled us in every sport possible to stay out of trouble. Getting in trouble was easy when you lived on the south side of Chicago. We learned that if we wanted to have something, then we had to work for it and that it wasn't going to be handed to us on a silver platter. It all started when I was picking up dog poop at 7 yrs. old because I wanted a dog, from flipping burgers at McDonald’s to pay for car insurance. If you want it bad enough then you will find a way to make it happen. I lost my father due to seizures and have learned that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

WP: What has modeling taught you thus far?

JH: You have to be the total package. Your inter beauty and work ethic is what makes you successful. Outer beauty alone can only get you so far. You have to be disciplined and sacrifices have to be made. Hard work will pay off.

WP: What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?

JH: Learning how to smile with different face expressions while posing, and flexing without having tension on my face, was the hardest to overcome.

WP: I know your diet has a lot to do with your modeling, also. What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?

JH: Not being able to have as many carbohydrates as you want and not eating candy, REESE PIECES, uummmmmm, I love chocolate!

WP: Step away from the chocolate. Slowly put it down and step away! Ha-ha What are the key factors that dictate the way you model today?

JH: I began modeling to get some exposure for the hard work that I have been showing day in and day out. Another key factor is that it would help my personal training business by giving me some credentials. Modeling also serves as more motivation with training in the gym for yourself as well as others. At the end of the day, I enjoy what I do and the people I meet.

WP: How has your training compared to when you model to when you do not. What do you do differently?

JH: When I am modeling, I will do 15-20 reps per exercise, two to three different muscle groups a day or more total body exercises with days off in between. When I am not modeling, my training will depend on my next goal. I usually concentrate on 1 to 2 different muscles on 1 day. Bulking up is a common one with two different muscles a day with 8-12 reps per exercise. Most importantly, I listen to my body. If I am too sore I will do more cardio and rest the sore muscles.

WP: You're worked with our Senior Photographer, John Mitchell of BBPics.com. Can you tell me how the total experience was with him?

JH: Awesome!!! The guy is Hyper just like me, and we have the same passion and work ethic. He's non-stop always trying to get the best shot and he keeps you motivated all day long. John is not only a photographer, but a great coach. When he shoots with a meat head like me who is new at modeling, you learn pretty quickly with how to use face expression and flexing properly. John is very knowledgeable when it comes to photography and fitness. I wouldn't be shocked if he gave someone he just met a new technique to try with their diet or lifting program. He cares about everyone and wants the best out of them. It was a great experience and I would do it again.

WP: Would you recommend him to your friends and family?

JH: Most definitely! I will send anyone his way that is serious about modeling. He is a very busy man and I wouldn't waste his time with people that weren't serious. He will work you because he wants the best from you. He is a very personable guy and he makes you feel like family.

WP: What is the most impressible thing you will remember about John?

JH: COMMUNICATION, PASSION, and WORK ETHIC!!! When he says he is going to doing something, he will do it. He always keeps you posted with things and always tries to get you better. He cares about everyone's success and puts you in a position to win. He's like a trainer, always holding you accountable. I think John got that from me. Ha-ha!

WP: What titles/accomplishments have you thus far? Tell me about them.

JH: I have reached Master Trainer Status at the Gym I train at. I competed in my first competition as of June 21st. Model Universe 2009 in Miami, Florida. I've had the opportunity to take pictures with well known photographers and excited to see what the future holds.

WP: Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?

JH: In 10 years, I want to be a very successful fitness model that has won multiple fitness recognitions and owning my own gym. I want to be comfortable with life and living by a large body of water. I'm sure I'll be blessed with one more beautiful daughter and five big male dogs. Ha-ha.

WP: Can you tell me any photographers you've worked with, or someone you'd like to work with?

JH: The first photographer that I've worked with and also got me started is Will Patterson. Will is a great guy who is very passionate about his work and he cares about the individual’s success. Another photographer that I have worked with is John Mitchell. He is another photographer that is very passionate about his work and will go out of his way to help you. You also learn a lot being around photographers as they coach you with different face expressions and poses. Andrew Holden is another photographer out of Kansas City that is works extremely hard to get you the best shots. He gives you different looks with lighting and props. There are many photographers that I would like to work with but one that I have seen a lot of is David Ford. He is a photographer that is well known in the fitness industry and I would like to work with him after seeing his work.

WP: What supplements do you currently take?

JH: The only supplements that I take are multi-vitamin, Whey Protein and Glutamine. I will take caffeine occasionally for energy to burn fat, but usually stick with the carbohydrates and fats for energy. Supplements are good if you can afford them, and your life is like a expressway. I'm always on the go, and only have 10minutes between training clients to eat, so it’s got to be fast. My fastest record is 7 minutes with two cups of brown rice and 8 oz. steak, 16 oz. of water.

WP: You have me beat. My best time is 9 minutes! And that was a Healthy Choice meal! Ha-ha! What are your pet peeves?

JH: I would have to say when people try to workout and talk on the phone. I can see walking on a tread-mill to burn fat, while texting on your phone, but your phone deserves to break when you think you are lifting at a serious level. When you are at the gym lifting, people sit on machines and won't let you work in, or if they do and take more than a minute to finish the exercise.

WP: What do you consider to be important in life and why?

JH: I think God is important because if it wasn't for him then we wouldn't be here. Family is always important and it is the reason why I get up in the morning to do what I do. My career is important and I love what I do and you have to enjoy it to keep doing it. Most importantly, you have to be happy with life to enjoy it. It is important to stay positive and surround yourself with people like you as this will keep you away from negativity and will force you to focus on your goals and make you successful.

WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?

JH: I used to always think about money, but is all about being happy in what I do and spending time with my family. I used to work extremely hard at everything that I do, but now I do the same, but smarter. I used to get very frustrated with life in general and have learned that things happen for a reason, and to move on to the next thing in line. I used to be very uptight and anxious when it came to multi-tasking. Now I have learned a new way to prioritize and use effective time management skills to help me get tasks done in a timely manner in order to train, work, network, travel, and spend time with my family.

WP: You do look outstanding! What are your stats such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?

JH: My height is 5'11, weigh is 190 lbs., my biceps are 15.5 inches and my waist is 32 inches.

WP: Any shout outs?

JH: To my wife Amber, and daughter Alexandra, who have been very supportive through this whole process of fitness modeling. Without you, this wouldn't be possible. To all my family from nieces, nephews, sisters, to brothers, to in laws, for supporting me, as well and staying positive since I have started. To my father Jim and Godfather Al who are with me in spirit, but have always believed in me ever since I was born throughout listening to my big goals. To my mother Donna, and stepfather Ron who I've inherited my work ethic from along with never giving up on things you want. To my bros Ronnie, Sean, Rey, Law, and Ed and all my clients for fueling my fire everyday and being my motivation. To all the photographers I have worked with from Will Patterson, John Mitchell, and Andrew Holden. Especially to my Agent Rick Steiner for believing in me and looking out for my best interests exposing me to greater opportunities. Thank you to all.

WP: Give me an example of your workout.

JH: Chest-4sets of DB incline close press
Chest-4sets of DB bench alternating arm press
Chest-4sets of cable cross over kneeing on a Airex pad
Chest-4sets of Wide Incline Smith machine press
Chest-4sets of reverse crunch w/med ball


I do 1 exercise for all 4 sets before moving to the next X 8-12reps, 60 sec rest for all exercises with a 2-2-2 tempo.

WP: Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?

JH: I eat 6 meals a day, maybe 7. It starts when I get up at 4:00am.

Meal#1 8 egg whites, 1 whole Omega egg, with 1 whole wheat bagel, 16 oz. water

Meal#2 2scoops of Isopure Protein shake with 1 tbsp of all natural peanut butter

Meal#3 10 oz .cube steak, with 12 dried almonds, 1/4 cup brown rice

Meal#4 1cup of nonfat cottage cheese, with 4oz of extra lean ground turkey

Meal#5 12 oz. Salmon, with 6oz of salad greens, 1 tbsp. of Balsamic Vinaigrette

Meal#6 1scoop of Casein and 1scoop of Isopure Protein

WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?

JH: I have plans to start up my own website in the next 6 months. Until then, I want to work with as many photographers as I can to get great pictures. I have plans to compete in the in model portion of Fitness America in Las Vegas in November 2009. I have competed in my first show in Miami in June 2009 and I'm hungry for more. Ultimate goal is to bulk up to about 200 to 210 lbs. and come in at a lean 190-195 lbs between 6-10% body fat.

WP: Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to bring to light?

JH: No! I think this interview said it all!

WP: Thank you so much for a wonderful interview. It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!