Interview with “GirlWithNoName” Jackie

Community Outreach Series: Jackie’s story about how Truth About Abs helped her find her six pack. Read more…

What got  you started blogging and video-blogging about your lifestyle of health and fitness?

• Funnily enough, I’m actually quite a private person, but I spent a lot of time surfing the internet in my quest for knowledge about fitness and getting six pack abs, eventually, and once I’d actually succeeded in getting my six pack, I found and made friends with another video-blogger that was so inspired by my story and journey that she convinced me I should try it.  So I made a few videos just for her and found that it was actually quite fun.  So I started the blog on a bit of a lark and soon discovered that there were a lot of people that found my story and tips and tricks to be quite inspiring and helpful.  So, I’ve decided to grow it and keep going with it.  Helping others get to their goals really fills me up emotionally and it also helps ME to keep going with my own workout insanities!!  Knowing there’s people out there who count on me for inspiration can, in itself, be an inspiration.

Where does your blog’s name come from?

• As I mentioned, I’m quite a private person, so when I decided to start up the blog, I already had this handle I was using to Tweet over on Twitter, and it’s one I’ve been using for years for other internet sites and email lists that I sign up for just to maintain my anonymity … Originally when I started the blog, I wasn’t going to use it, but another blogger friend convinced me it was unique, which would help people remember how to find me, and had cache and enough quirkiness that I should keep it.  So I did and I became the fitness fanatic known as “Girlwithnoname”.  What do you think?  Was he right? I would say he certainly was.

You’ve named endurance running as your first love. When did you start endurance running?

• Many years ago.  The day I quit smoking was the day I went for my first run.  I was pretty out of shape and I was only able to make it one city block.  Not AROUND the block, either, just from street A to street B.  The next day I went again and made it around the corner, so two blocks.  By day 4 I had gone all the way around the block.  I just kept building on that until I could honestly call myself a runner.  I run about 8km on the days that I run now.  I can go a lot further, and have, but 8km is slightly less than a 40 minute run, which I find adequate for keeping in great shape.  I also incorporate interval training into my running days quite often these days.  It’s a great way to change things up and really gets you ripped pretty fast.

You’ve also stated that you don’t enjoy working out in a gym. That’s pretty unique for a personal trainer! How do you manage to stay in such incredible shape (and get your clients into shape) while avoiding the traditional gym work-out?

• Well, I specialize in In-Home Training and Online Fitness Coaching.  So I really don’t need a gym for either of those kinds of training.  For in-home I insist my clients gear up with at least the bare essentials for their own homes and quite often I’ll have my clients come to me and we work out on my equipment.  In case you’re wondering what I consider the ‘bare essentials’, it’s a pair of adjustable dumbbells (I have a full set, but if a client wants to just get a pair of adjustables to save on money, that’s fine with me), a few different strengths of fitness bands, and a jump rope. Plus something to act as a flat bench.  I use a coffee table in my own apartment.  It’s the right size and it’s sturdy so I don’t need to have an additional bench taking up space in my tiny home. I also recommend a pull-up bar once a client gets a little more advanced.  A TRX isn’t a bad idea either.  Anything that doesn’t take up tons of space and stores well will make great in-home training gear.

Nutrition is also a part of your blog and obviously, your lifestyle. Can you share a few of the diet and nutrition rules that you live by and recommend for your clients?

• For sure.  EAT CLEAN.  No packaged foods, no foods with additives, shop the perimeter of the supermarket… this means PRODUCE, DAIRY & EGGS, MEATS & SEAFOOD (and maybe some healthy sprouted grain bread from the bakery section, but nothing else from this section).  I usually only head into the aisles to pick up some rye-crackers or some canned seafood.  Otherwise I don’t usually go into the aisles of the supermarket.  I like the bulk section for things like brown rice, raw nuts, quinoa, or quinoa or brown rice pasta (and oatmeal of course…. everyone should eat lots of oatmeal all the time) … and make sure you aren’t living under the misperception that limiting fat intake will help you lose body fat.  It’s not the same thing.  Eat adequate fat, but make sure it’s the good fat found in seafood, avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, etc.

Have you heard of the benefits of chocolate milk as a sports recovery drink? Do you ever use it yourself for this purpose?

• I certainly have heard about the benefits of chocolate milk as a recovery drink.  Lots of protein and some good, fast digesting carbs makes it a great recovery drink. I personally don’t use it, but only because for me “drinking my calories” just doesn’t work.  I find that I can only really feel full and satisfied if I limit my consumption to whole, solid foods.  The only things I actually drink are water, green, white and oolong teas and the occasional wine treat when out for dinner…  But I do recommend chocolate milk as a recovery drink for others…. and now that I think of it, it’s time I started using it with my shredded wheat & bran cereal, instead of plain skim (thanks for making me think of it just now!)

Finally, I’ve heard that you refuse to train “whiners“. Who then, is your ideal client to work with as a trainer?

• It can be anybody really… as long as they’re willing to put in the WORK (and it IS work) and don’t just hand me a pile of excuses as to why they couldn’t get the work done or couldn’t stick to their nutrition plan.  I want committed people who are willing to do what it takes to get the results they want.  I’m not interested in listening to people who only complain that its too hard or that they didn’t have time (MAKE TIME) or have whatever other excuse for not doing what it takes to get the results.   Those are the people that really don’t WANT IT BAD ENOUGH… and if THEY don’t want it bad enough, why should I knock myself out trying to help them… for nothing?  It’s a waste of my time and energy… and theirs, too.

To read more about Jackie:

Visit her Website www.girlwithnoname.com

Visit her Coaching Website online-fitness-coaching

Follow her on Twitter @girlwithnoname

Want to be part of our outreach program? If you’re an athlete living in BC and are sharing your experiences online, please contact social@poweredbychocolatemilk.com.