Train To Inspire: #Fitspire Of The Week – Justin Miale
What gives som
eone the right to consider themselves a successful fitness model or personality in the industry? Is it the amount of covers one can land because of their physique? Could it be how many sponsors they are able to grab to help support them? Or is it the amount of money one can make between different modeling/ fitness gigs?
Everyone will tell you something different, but if there is one thing that is hard to disagree with, it’s the ability to promote and market yourself to others. Social media has begun to play a huge role in self-marketing as an athlete, competitor, fitness model or personality in the Industry. These days, you don't need a modeling agency to help promote you, or a company to take you on as a sponsored athlete in order for you to be seen in the industry.
Someone who once could have been just an average fit person now has the ability to transform themselves into a “Social Media Fitness Star!” If you put in the time, the effort, and truly have a passion for fitness, you can change yourself from just a face with a body, to a bona fide personality – someone able to inspire and motivate others on their own fitness journey!
Justin Miale, age 21, and hailing from Long Island, New York, is proof that if you put in the time, effort, hard work in the gym AND the kitchen, and use social media as a tool to self-promote, you can turn your average health/fit lifestyle into a network that reaches out to endless amounts of people who want to take the time out to follow your journey.
Q: Tell me about your competitive history.
A: Plan to compete in 2014.
Q: When did you get started on your fitness career/journey? What made you want become more than just the average person living a healthy and fit lifestyle?
A: Growing up I was constantly made fun of about my weight. I never really saw myself as overweight but I never watched what I ate or worked out. Although I did play sports up until college I was never “fit”. About two years ago my mother decided to do Weight Watchers and me not knowing much about fitness or dieting, I also did it because I wanted to get skinnier because summertime was around the corner.
So the weight was coming off but I wasn’t getting that six pack I always wanted or that big chest that I always see in magazines. I didn’t want to be that average guy at the beach let alone the average guy anywhere. At this point in time I was around 160lbs. I then started hitting the gym harder and eating harder. Within a few months I saw improvements and from that point on I have not stopped and I do not plan on stopping anytime soon!
Q: Do you consider this as your part/full time job or a hobby?
A: Is this my actual job? No, but it is most definitely a full time “lifestyle”. It’s not just go to the gym for an hour or two a day and call myself fit. It’s waking up early just to get a meal in, eating every 2.5-3 hours, doing cardio daily, prepping your food and on top of all of that then getting to the gym and busting your ass!
Q: There are many people that motivate and are inspired by you. How does that make you feel knowing that there are people who take the time to see what you are doing day to day?
A: I love it; the fact that people take the time out of their day to see my daily updates is so humbling. One of my sole purposes to my fitness journey is to inspire and motivate others. In all honesty, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. Knowing I affect others’ lives daily leaves me speechless.
Q: How does it feel knowing that somewhere, you are actually helping someone by motivating them to achieve their personal goals, just by posting your personal life and achievements on social media?
A: My goal through social media is to inspire and motivate. Helping others through social media is priceless. If I can change someone’s outlook on their day by posting a happy/funny picture that is amazing. Whether it’s some kid in the gym asking me training advice, or an email from a follower, I am always willing to help. Everyone started somewhere, I love giving my opinions and advice to anyone that is willing to listen!
Q: Is there anyone who has motivated or inspired you to become the person you are today?
A: Absolutely, there are tons! When I first got into fitness, I was lucky enough for Michael Sidor to basically take me under his wing. Training together every day and working together we became very good friends aside from just training partners. I was going through a rough patch in my life and ever since meeting him everything has been on an upward spiral for me! Without him I would be nowhere near where I am today.
Moving to New Jersey for work has changed my life drastically. Going from a suburban area to a city is tough on anyone. Everyone at SHREDZ welcomed me better than I could have asked. Both of my bosses, Ankur Garg and Arvin Lal, are awesome. Hardest working people I have ever met along with the most genuine. They put themselves second to all of the Shredz employees and team. I couldn’t have asked for a better blessing than to be a part of this amazing movement!
Meeting new people and getting new friends is never easy. When I came to Jersey I didn’t meet too many people right away. I was luckily introduced to my now good friend Mike Crowson. One of the most motivational, humbling, genuine and determined people I have ever met. I am lucky to say that he is my training partner, coach and best friend. No one pushes me harder in the gym than him and he keeps me on top of everything at all times.
Q: How does your family feel about your lifestyle? What would you say to someone whose family does not support their lifestyle?
A: My family has always been supportive of me no matter what I do. I am blessed to say so because I know there are tons of kids out there with parents that are not the same. My mother was actually one of the few people that got me started on eating clean. Two years ago she started Weight Watchers and I decided to give it a try with her and wound up losing a good amount of weight and got “lean” for the first time in my life. Before I moved out to Jersey, my mom would always cook my meals for me and prep my chicken and veggies for me, I couldn’t ask for a better mother.
For all the kids without a supporting family, it’s just another obstacle in your journey. In the end you can’t rely on anyone but yourself to achieve your goals. Some people simply don’t understand the “fit” lifestyle and don’t think you should be eating out of containers all the time or going to the gym seven times a week. It’s not something many people do understand. Even my parents always tell me, “You know you don’t have to go to the gym today” or “You don’t always have to watch what you eat,” but I do have to train that day and I do have to watch what I eat.
Q: Of all the social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), what do you think is the most effective to use in order to market yourself in this industry?
A: I personally think Instagram is the best tool to market yourself in the 
fitness industry. I can safely say that is my biggest following and has gotten me to where I am today. I don’t think people understand how powerful social media is. It changed my life, and I am sure it changed many others. I just recently started back up a fan page on Facebook because I think it is always good to be well rounded and just another tool in your arsenal to market yourself and get yourself out there!
Q: What is your diet like? Do you eat clean all year round?
A: I think I can safely say that I eat clean all year round. Although there are plenty of times I indulge and have cheat meals, my overall diet is clean. I am so accustomed to eating clean that I naturally go for the healthier option. And to be honest, eating fast foods or any type of food like that upsets my stomach at this point.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE going out for sushi or grabbing a slice of New York brick oven pizza, but as long as you keep it in moderation you will be fine! I do fully believe that you can’t outwork a shitty diet and that is something I live by. No matter how much cardio and how hard you train, if you don’t eat clean your results will not be where you want them.
Q: What is your favorite cheat meal? How do you control yourself from going overboard when you decide to treat yourself?
A: I am definitely guilty of cheating, and possibly going overboard as well. But I do not do this very often. I also know that if I eat “X” amount I will be feeling it in every workout this week, so I know what I can and cannot eat! Like I said earlier, just keep it in moderation and you will be fine. If you go overboard on a cheat meal that is perfectly okay, just don’t go the next day and get a few more slices of pizza! Be SMART!
Q: Do you take any supplements? What do you think is one of the most important supplements someone should take who is training constantly?
A: I do indeed take a few supplements! I take the Alpha Male stack by Shredz daily, and see great progress from it. I also take a pre workout every once in a while and I stick to what works for me, which is Performance by Shredz.
But keep in mind people, there is no magic pill! Working your ass off in the gym and eating clean is what will get you your desired results! Taking any type of supplementation will only aid you in your hard work!
Q: What’s your social media/contact information?
A: Instagram: @justinfit
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmialefit
Q: Special thanks to:
A: Special thanks to everyone that supports me day in and day out. From my mom and dad, my best friends Evren Yuteri, Mike Crowson and Will Connaughton, my brothers Micah and Jon-Michael, my bosses Ankur Garg and Arvin Lal and to ANYONE that supports me via social media because you guys inspire and motivate me to get my ass to the gym every day!
Thank you guys so much!
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