The hardest part of my journey was believing in myself. I only know this today because I didn’t see what others saw. My view was valid, but it only appealed to my own emotional side, not the real world. I started my love for fitness when I was a young pre-teen with boxing and circuit training. Then over the years, I would continue to be involved in hiking, biking, walking, and exercising at home. I tried a few fitness classes and hired a coach a few times. Then I had my son, and I never lost my mommy’s tummy. I wasn’t as active and gained weight. I weighed up to 190 lbs. at my heaviest which was only in 2022. Today, I am a healthy 130 lbs, and I love it all. I am now coaching and inspiring people alike to feel good in their own skin, and with their body too. I hired my current coach to hold me accountable and help me get fit. After we started training and changing my diet around, I started to lose weight, and have more self-esteem and confidence which helped me stay on track and get my goal of getting fit. It wasn’t until a few months prior to my first professional competition that we made the actual decision to sign up and become a certified coach. My first competition was the NPAA in Calgary, Alberta, in Nov. 2022. At this show, I could not have imagined or predicted the results. I was so nervous about who my competition was, and how I was going to compare and be judged. It was stressful. The show started, and I was as ready as I was going to be. They made the call, and I went up in the open classes and placed first in Open Bikini, went to the second class which was Wellness, and placed there also. So now I had no choice but to keep levelling up in the classes. I made it through to the Elite Class that night. It was such an honour to stand on stage with Elite Pros as a newcomer. From the NPAA show, I gained 2 pro cards, 3 hours of on-stage practice, and 7 medals. My second show was only 1 week later, and it was the WNBF, in Edmonton Alberta. I was in the Bikini Class there as well. As the show went on and the time neared for my class to head up on stage, I was more relaxed and not as stressed. The more I did, the more I learned and the more I became comfortable. I went up on stage, did my routine and walked out of that show with my WNBF Bikini Pro Card after placing first/gold. As I neared the end of my 2 shows and got the name “Dark Horse” from the judges, I saw how many people I inspired from my weight loss journey to becoming multiple pro cards, and category winner, who is off to World next. I was so excited to get certified and start helping people win their own battles, and gain their health, wellness, and confidence! This is what keeps me motivated and working so hard today! I am now specializing in Bodybuilding, Sculpting, and Competition Show prep. My next show personally is the Pro NPAA in Nov. 2023, the WNBF Pro Show in October 2023 and then the WNBF Worlds in Seattle in Nov 2023.
Age:
39
City/Country:
Calgary, CA
Occupation?
Fitness Coach/Business
Share your unique training/coaching methods
My coaching method starts with motivational coaching methods, then transitions to nutrition, and a combination of different fitness styles. Strengthening, conditioning, and bodybuilding.
Training Plan:
My minimum training plan and program is 3 months. This is due to the time it takes to form new habits, learn, develop and grow physically, and mentally.
Nutritional Plan:
My nutrition plans teach the client how to eat what they enjoy. All plans are tailored to teach healthy eating, nutrition and proper structure for exercising.
Supplement Plan:
I am a natural competitor and trainer; I don’t believe in supplementation. A good diet, and maybe a multivitamin is all that we should need.
Do you prefer to take and recommend all-natural (no sugar, no artificial colours/flavours/sweeteners) supplements or supplements with artificial flavours and sweeteners? And Why?
I am not a chip-and-pop type of girl; I enjoy my bread, carbs and pastries. However, we can enjoy all the treats and sweets with the right plan and knowledge. I prefer natural ingredients over manmade processed goods, even when it comes to supplements and protein powder. We want to strengthen to body, not stress it out or disable it from unnatural ingredients and sources. There is always a right time and place for everything.
Please describe the importance of mental health
It’s almost fair to say that mental health is 50% of the journey because you can eat great and work out but mentally if you are stressed, not sleeping, or causing stress from overthinking, your body will react and shut down slowly causing all kinds of health issues. Your mental health is so important, and a huge part of being healthy. Your mental health can also be impacted by your own thoughts, friends, family, strangers, the public, our routine. It is important to have a goal and know that it is okay for things to get off track or vary from the original plan because things will change, but keep the goal and focus on the endpoint.
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor-in-Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
How many people have you interviewed that have made it to where they are today because they did not have a personal goal/hardship that they overcame themself? Or what is the best thing you have taken away from your position/job?
Status Fitness Magazine runs model searches across North America including the largest one at the Arnold Classic for the Status cover. As part of the Status family, you will receive a special participation invite. How excited are you for this opportunity?
Very excited, and honored!
What does the future hold?
A lot of clients’ transformations and making it to the Olympics/International shows. Inspiring, befriending, and coaching many!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Self-control, the right plan and the process will achieve success.
What does success look like for you?
Success to me is accomplishing what I set out to get, and knowing how I got it done.
Connect with Jade: IG
