Jodi Harrison
Personal Trainer of the Month - March 2011
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
Who said you can’t become your best after hitting 40 or even after having children? This story of Jodi Harrison will not only motivate those that believe they can’t, but will also raise admiration for the hard work Jodi has put forward to become the best she can.
Jodi recently turned 50 this past December, which was a big deal for her. She was nervous about this milestone in her life for many reasons, but she has found it to be wonderful and empowering!
After college, Jodi became a Buyer for a large department store and worked with many vendors in the city. It was then that she met a woman around her age who was a bodybuilder. This lady told Jodi that she had the type of body that would do well in bodybuilding competitions. Jodi was very interested in competing, but never knew how to get involved. Since Jodi was always active as a dancer and as a cheerleader, she felt she had a strong body, and could build muscle easily. But, at the time, she and her husband wanted to start a family and that was the priority.
She spent from 1989 to 1993 building the family she always wanted. She gave birth to two beautiful daughters. Even though she gained a lot of pounds during pregnancy, she was determined to remain fit and focused on being healthy. She stayed on track by losing the extra weight.
At the age of 33, after giving birth to her last daughter, she decided then that she was going to get into the best shape of her life. She became a NASM certified personal trainer. In 2007, she got on stage for the first time to compete in an NPC figure competition. Even after all she has been through, she was determined. She came in second in that competition, but there were only 2 people competing. She didn’t feel the challenge that she was craving.
Two years later, in 2009, she won the Fitness Universe Bikini, Masters Division (45+), and in November 2009, she won the Fitness America Bikini, Masters Division. And, just recently in November 2010, she placed second in the Fitness America Bikini Masters Division.
No, this title she won with us, “Personal Trainer of the Month” is not about competing. But, her competing is where she obtained the inspiration to dig deeper into her personal training certificate. Winning those national shows gave her the confidence to challenge herself even more. As a trainer, she wanted to take what she learned and teach others to have fulfilling, healthy and active lives. So, in 2009, she created Jodifit.com, an online training and nutrition site. The idea behind this was to offer a site where men and women can train with her online, making training more affordable than training in person. However, if they were interested, there was the option to train with her in person.
Jodi was 48 years old when she won those shows. If she could do it, then it is possible for anyone else. It just took effort, consistency, intensity and focus to reach a goal.
"...To tell you the truth, my only hobby outside of fitness would be...nothing! Everything in my life is consumed with fitness; my business and my hobby of competing. At one point I was cycling, but I wasn't passionate about it, although it was a great workout. I would love to learn more about wine and would love to do more yoga."
WP: What made you decide to get into this industry?
I went into the fitness industry in 1990, because it was a natural place for me. It has always been a passion of mine. I loved working out and the way it made me feel inside and out, mentally and physically. I wanted to help others feel better, move more and live a healthier life.
WP: What is your educational background? What are your certifications?
I have a BA from Simmons College. I am AFFA Certified in Aerobics, and NASM Certified Personal Trainer.
WP: How long have you been a personal trainer?
I’ve been a trainer since 2003.
WP: What do you feel sets you apart from all other personal trainers out there?
That’s a great question! I believe there are many reasons why I am different from other trainers. In a nutshell: life experiences. It makes me more “relatable” because of where I am in life, what I’ve accomplished, what I’m doing and where I want to be. I have been in the industry for over 20 years. I’m a bikini competitor and champion at the age of 48. I’ve been through the pain of a divorce, raising 2 daughters (with the help of their dad, as well). I know what it’s like to be in my 40’s and dating. I believe that I am a positive role model for women and men, because I am older and have had so many life experiences that a large group of people can relate to. I’ve been through more than a 25 year old trainer, who is just starting out in life. It’s great to be where I am and to embrace it! I feel that being fit and 50 is a fabulous place to be!
WP: Where do you train your clients? Do you train them in a gym, at home, or where?
Presently, I only train clients at the gym I work in. My online clients, who want to train with me in person, can come there, as well. I have found that training people in one place makes my life less hectic and more efficient.
WP: What are you goals?
My goals are to have my own fitness boutique where I can offer classes, personal training and nutrition for men and women who are looking to change the way they live their lives. I want the opportunity to empower men and women to take their fitness levels higher and higher, and to reach their goals. Feeling fit makes you feel more confident, and that confidence leads to opportunities in life that maybe you didn’t think were possible.
My other goal would be to become a fitness model. Given the fact that there aren’t very many “mature” fitness models out there, I would love to be in that role to show others my age and older not to give up. I want to tell them that it’s never too late to get in shape. Most of the women on the covers of fitness magazines are women under 40.
WP: When you first started wanting to compete, you did not know where to begin. Who helped you?
I took the first steps to competing in 2006, when I drove up to Massachusetts to meet Cathy Savage. I heard she was the best and that is who I wanted to learn from. She has, since, become my friend and mentor. Since I met Cathy and began competing, my life has changed dramatically, and I have to thank Cathy for pushing me so hard.
WP: How does your routine and life changes when you go from pre-contest to off-season?
Everything is much more relaxed to my food and my workouts, but not in a huge way. As a bikini competitor, my weight doesn’t fluctuate much. I try stay within 6 to 7 pounds of my competition weight.
WP: What do you like and dislike about competing?
Honestly, I love everything about competing, except that it takes time away from other things, like a social life! But, it’s worth it! I love the fact that my daughters have seen me work hard and keeping my diet clean. They see that when you work hard, you get rewarded; effort equals success! My daughters, and family, were not on board when I first told them I was going to compete, but after they saw me on stage, they saw why it was important. It wasn’t about having big muscles, but it was about being healthy and fit, taking care of your body and skin and feeling beautiful inside and out.
WP: What would you change about the judges in the competitions?
The only thing I would change is that I would like the men and women judging to really have knowledge of the sport. I find that many times the judges don’t understand the criteria, and that’s when it becomes a problem. I would like for the judges to truly understand what they are looking for in their champion.
WP: From your past contests, what have you learned you need to correct or work on for the physique you are aiming for?
Since my first show in 2007, I learned that my stage presence is what helps me win. That’s what I go for every time I’m on stage and that is why I have won on a national level. I used to be obsessed with my tummy, because it’s not flat. Even when I weigh 107 and have 10 percent body fat, my stomach still pokes out a bit. I am curvy, short and muscular, so getting as lean as I can is important to me.
Cathy Savage has always told us that it’s not the girl with the best body who always wins the show, but the girl with the whole package. It’s the confidence, the smile, the sexy (but, not too sexy) walk. It’s the look you give the judges and the attitude on stage. It’s friendly and confident. Confidence; not cockiness, wins the show. Obviously, you need to be in shape, train hard, crush your walk and keep your diet very tight, but at the end of the day, its confidence.
WP: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My strength in bikini is my stage presence; especially my walk. Cathy and I worked hard to make it my own, and it’s been a lot of fun!
My weakness; was not always believing in myself. I’m good with it now. I love being on stage!
WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?
Change! If fitness doesn’t change, then it gets boring and I want to stop doing it! I’ve got to find different ways to move and challenge my body, or everything stays the same. That includes the foods I eat. Variety!
WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It’s just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.
Ha-ha is right! Hmm, ok. Here it goes! I constantly text backstage and even while we are lining up! I hold on to my blackberry until the girl before me goes on stage. I know I got into this habit to distract me from the competition. I block everything out. I just stay focused on a conversation. I am usually having with Lexi; she wishes me good luck. I put the phone down on the table next to the announcer and walk on stage without thinking. I practice so much that it becomes very natural for me to do my walk. If I could get paid to compete, I would love it!
WP: How have you changed over the years?
Wow! My confidence has grown tremendously and I have learned to embrace my age, and life experiences, to help others in the fitness world.
Any shout outs?
Of course! My shout outs go to my girls, Lyss and Lex, for their incredible love, support and honesty; to Cathy for the kicks in my butt when I needed them, and most importantly for her friendship and belief in me when I didn’t believe I could do it: and to my amazing clients who work hard every time we meet.
WP: Explain your workouts to me.
My workouts, for me, are mostly full-body workouts with 4 to 5 days of cardio; unless I am getting ready for a show. In the month’s prior to a show, I work on specific body parts about 4 times a week. Then do a functional workout, where it’s full-body doing moves that really challenge me. It’s like boot camp, but harder! I do about 4 to 5 days of cardio, and eventually, it all becomes full-body, with cardio twice a day about 2 to 3 weeks before a show.
WP: What is your diet?
My diet includes 5 meals per day. All meals include a lean protein and green vegetable. The first 3 meals include a starch and a fruit, as well as, 2 to 3 servings of a healthy (good) fat. Meals 4 and 5 do not include a starch or fruit. My diet changes when I get closer to a show.
WP: What were you like in high school?
In high school I was a cheerleader. I cheered from eighth grade through twelve and loved it! I was out-going and happy. I was the cheerleader whose boyfriend was the captain of 3 sports. Ha! My daughters give me a hard time about that! I wished I had gone to a large college, because I would have loved to have been able to cheer in college. My Dad always told me to do that, but instead, I ended up going to a woman’s college.
WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
To tell you the truth, my only hobby outside of fitness would be...nothing! Everything in my life is consumed with fitness; my business and my hobby of competing. At one point I was cycling, but I wasn’t passionate about it, although it was a great workout. I would love to learn more about wine and would love to do more yoga.
WP: What supplements do you take and why?
I only take a multi-vitamin. I eat well but, I get most of my vitamins from the foods I eat.
WP: What are your future projects?
My personal training website and my health and fitness Studio to open in fall, 2011.
WP: Anything you would like to mention before we close?
I absolutely love where I am in my life and what I do for a living. I am lucky to have incredible daughters who push me to keep doing what I’m doing and to believe in me. I am so grateful for their love and support. I feel that with my life experiences, I can help change the lives of people, who come to me to feel better and live healthier lives. I want to empower them with the knowledge to live, and look, the way they imagine themselves. If I can do it, so can they. It is never too late to get fit and feel sexy, confident, and healthy.
WP: It’s been a pleasure interviewing you. What a great story you have behind you. We wish you so much luck for the future.
