#Fitspire Of The Week – Jamie Michele AKA "JM MACHINE"
What gives som.jpg)
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!
Jamie Michele AKA “JM MACHINE”, age 33, originally from Northeast Missouri and now residing in Central Florida, 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: I am not a competitor and currently have no plans of ever competing.
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: I've been active and have exercised consistently since the age .jpg)
of 16. However, it wasn't until the past two years that I became more serious about incorporating weight training and clean eating into my routine. I love the "natural high" I get from training and the confidence I've gained from building and transforming my physique.
Training puts me in a better mood, keeps me positive, gives me energy, and makes me stronger both physically and mentally. All of this was definitely something I wanted to help others experience and achieve as well. This passion lead me to earn my personal training certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine earlier this year.
Q: Being that you have a loyal social media following, what is some advice that you would offer someone wanting to increase their popularity in the Fitness industry? What tip can you give someone to help them build their following as well?
A: Be yourself, be honest, always stay positive, and share your journey. Most importantly, be sure to acknowledge and interact with your followers. Their support helps you toward reaching success and you must definitely show appreciation. Each and every follower counts!
Q: How do you handle negative/rude/hateful comments within the social media settings?
A: I personally choose to ignore the comments and go about my day. You cannot let negative comments from others control your mind, feelings, and emotions. Don't waste an ounce of energy worrying about it! Don't get angry, just keep smiling!
Q: Do you consider this as your part/full time job or a hobby?
A: Training is now my full-time job yet also my second job! I assist a retina specialist and have been working in ophthalmology for the past 10 years.
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: It is a big responsibility but I absolutely love it. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing every day if I wasn't passionate about it.
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: I do the best I can to be positive and hope it makes a difference. It leaves me with a great sense of accomplishment when someone posts or comments that I have inspired them to train harder that day or to take that extra step to reach their goals. One of the greatest feelings ever imaginable is knowing that you helped change the life of another.
Q: Is there anyone who has 
motivated or inspired you to become the person you are today?
A: There is no single person who has inspired me to reach where I'm at today. I have always been self-motivated. A lot of this is due to reading my favorite book, Maximum Achievement, by Brian Tracy. It contains great principles to help reach your individual potential. You can't just "read" it, though. You must be willing to actually utilize what you learn to make it all happen!
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 is extremely supportive. My brother also has a passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. My parents build prototype fitness equipment that my family is working on developing for future sale. For someone's family who is not supportive, my best advice is that you have to follow your heart and your dreams. Whether or not anyone is behind you cannot be the reason you make your decision.
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: Facebook has not been as effective for me as I had hoped. Instagram has been amazing for networking and interacting with training clients. I have not yet started utilizing Twitter to its potential so I cannot comment on it.
Q: What is your diet like? Do you eat clean all year round?
A: I eat 5-6 meals a day. My diet consists of clean foods such as the following: oats, eggs, berries, almond milk, plain Greek yogurt, lean meats, protein powder, lots of veggies, sweet potatoes, and brown rice. I do drink black coffee and at least a gallon of water a day. Thanks to consistent clean eating, I maintain my physique year round.
Q: What is your favorite cheat meal? How do you control yourself from going overboard when you decide to treat yourself?
A: I don't necessarily have a favorite cheat "meal" but my fave cheat "treats" are M&M cookies and Whipped Vodka. I always remind myself that the key is moderation. Ask yourself this question: "Would I rather have the junk food that I've been craving for an hour or the body I have wanted for years?" It's your choice!
Q: Do you take any supplements?
A: For the most part, I've relied heavily on clean eating alone since I began training more seriously. However, I now also rely on my BCAA's and Post-Workout Recovery Shake from 360CUT. These are the most important to me in order to help support these muscles I've worked so hard to build!
Q: What’s your social media/contact information?
A: Instagram: @jm_machine
Facebook.com/pages/Jamie- Michele/146652128700765
Website: jamie-michele.com
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
