Today we’d like to introduce you to Roxanne Jacquelyn.
Roxanne, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up with my father being really into bodybuilding, almost obsessed. There were muscle magazines and work out books all around the house. My dad even builds a gym in the basement equipped with all the equipment a bodybuilder would need. My dad was a really handy guy and could build anything. He built what he would like the squat rack, leg press, and purchased the rest. I also grew up with older brothers who were always in the basement gym working out with their friends. I would hang out with them because I thought they were so cool and really looked up to them. They taught me a lot about lifting weights. So, I guess you could say, I started lifting and exercising around 5 years old.
The bikini division is fairly new in the bodybuilding world. When it first came out I started working out with hopes to compete in one. Unfortunately, I was in a near-fatal boating accident that left me unable to walk for a few months and then having a long road to recovery before I could even dream about training for a bikini competition. I sort of lost that dream in the process. It wasn’t until 4 years ago, I had a moment where I was feeling like I wasn’t living my life to its true potential and changes needed to be made. I just wasn’t happy, I didn’t have any concrete goals, and I felt lost. I began to do some real soul searching and came back to my goals and dreams I always had. My goal of competing in a fitness competition was never accomplished and I that’s when I started training for my first one. It took me about 3 years to get my body to where it was at now, and I feel like I have only just got started. I like to tell my clients and to constantly remind myself, the workout doesn’t get easier, you just get better. There is no better feeling to me than accomplishing a goal and moving on to the next goal! It takes hard work, discipline, and a LOT of believing in yourself. I was very lucky to have my boyfriend and his family be really encouraging as well. It’s important to surround yourself with positive people who help you believe in yourself on days you doubt yourself.
The most difficult part about doing a fitness competition would be the self-doubt moments I encounter from time to time, the times I want to give up on myself. I really have to dig deep and push myself on days you don’t want to go to the gym. I go through a bit of seasonal depression during the winter months when its cold and the days are short. It’s on those days, I have to push myself even harder. Competitions take a lot of discipline too. I can’t go out to eat all the time. My social life gets cut down a lot. It can be a little isolating at a time, but I have learned over the years how to have more balance with that.
During my off-season, I go to the gym about 4-5 times a week. Offseason is a time for me to grow and focus more on lifting than cardio. The bikini division in fitness competitions looks for a well-proportioned physique with a big emphasis on the glute muscles and shoulders. So, for me, I had to build my glutes and shoulders more. Once I am 16 weeks out from a show, I start my competition prep where I begin lifting 6 days of the week and add in 20 minutes of cardio 3 of those days. The closer and closer I get to the show the more cardio I add until I am at 40 minutes of cardio a day on top of the resistance training. My training sessions range from 1.5-2 hours a day 6 days a week. Diet is a big part of it too. I have always eaten pretty clean, I’m about 80/20, that’s 80% clean unprocessed food. During a prep, I keep dairy and fruit to a minimum. My carb intake doesn’t lower but I make sure the carbs I do take in areas close to unprocessed as possible. I stick to white meat and fish for my protein and keep red meat to a minimum. Vegetables have no restriction. During Peak Week, 7 days leading up to the show, I am very strict about what I put in my body. Everything is measured and prepared days in advance. What I put in my body or take out could make or break my physique on show day. I took a leap of faith and created a Peak Weak diet and exercise regime for myself this past show, not knowing how my body would respond for show day. Sometimes, you have to jump into the unknown and just take a leap of faith and I’m glad I did!
One of my biggest dreams in life was to get my IFBB Pro card (International Federation of Body Builders). Becoming a pro in the IFBB is not easy at all. First, you have to do a Regional NPC show (National Physique Committee). There is one held in the Spring and one in the Fall in Boston, so I didn’t have to travel far. Only the top two in a regional show can advance to a National NPC show. Depending on which National Show, 1st place and sometimes second place receive there IFBB Pro Card. This year, I did the Jay Cutler Classic in Boston where I placed 1st. I knew I had to do a National show as soon as possible after that because I couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by to get my Pro Card. So, in July, I drove to Teaneck, NJ for my first National show, Team Universe. I placed first in my division and won my Pro Card! That was my 3rd show done in the NPC. I put my heart and soul into both of the shows, coaching myself through training and nutrition.
Next up is to compete in my first IFBB competition. Definitely lining up some shows for next year but I’m also contemplating doing a show this Fall. The ultimate goal in the IFBB is to accumulate enough points to qualify for Olympia. That is another dream of mine and even harder to do! So, time will tell. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all! There are so many struggles along the way. There are days you are too tired to go to the gym, but you have to. You have to make sure you are eating properly and not giving in to food temptations. I have to eat every 3 hours. You have to be willing to eat out of Tupperware and in your car if you have to. Oh, and many people will comment on what you are eating. Lots of Chicken, fish, rice, and veggies for me. I can’t tell you how many times people asked me “what are you eating?” Going through a prep took a toll on my social life. There’s not much going out to eat. Most of my time is spent working and in the gym working out. After that, I’m too tired to even go anywhere. There are many times I wanted to give up questioning why I am even doing what I’m doing. because it can be exhausting physically as well as mentally. It’s hard work. It is not a cheap hobby. The cost of travel, hotel, coaching, spray tans, makeup, hair, and custom made bikinis smothered in Swarovski crystals adds up! I coached myself and did my own hair and makeup, so I saved some money there. I’m thinking about getting a coach for the Pro stage though. Coaching is important. Most girls have one. I’m just crazy and decided to do it myself, lol.
My advice for women wanting to do a bikini competition is to prepare for hard work. You have to make a commitment to doing it and be 100% in. You will be tested physically and mentally. Don’t be hard on yourself if you have bad days, tomorrow’s a new day. Get posing lessons. Posing is a big part of competing in the bikini division. How you present yourself on stage and the angles which look best on you is very important. I got many lessons from posing coaches. Practice posing every day for 15 minutes, with and without a mirror. Record yourself posing so you can see what you need to work on. Go to a show if you have never seen one in person. More than anything believe in yourself because that is what is going to get you through your hardest days and not just for fitness competitions but anything in life! Although it is hard work is is all worth it. The feeling of accomplishing a goal is one of the best things in the world!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
I am a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist in Newburyport and Online as well. I also teach bikini posing. What sets me apart from other personal trainers is that I coached myself through all my competition and to an IFBB Pro card. I also put a lot if an emphasis on glute training with clients.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
Ashley Kaltwasser, Angelica Teixeira, and Megan Markle. Ashley and Angelica are two IFBB Bikini Pros, who have won one of the biggest shows in the sport, Olympia. I had the chance to train with Ashley a few years ago in LA. Megan Markle because she travels the world advocating for women. I love her drive and ambition.
Contact Info:
- Website: roxbodyfit.com
- Email: roxanne@roxbodyfit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roxbodyfit/ and https://www.facebook.com/roxbodyfit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roxanne.jacquelynn
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qPXDlX0ta573v7ht06sTQ?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Chris Hayden
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