I recently conducted an interview with Melissa Allen. She is a certified personal trainer and owner of Optimum Condition - Mobile Personal Training & Exercise Therapy. Melissa has a 1st degree Black Belt in American-Style Kickboxing, a 2nd degree in Mixed Martial Arts, and a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. She is also a published writer and has written hundreds of fitness articles for various magazines and newspapers. I am happy to post the interview below:
Could you tell us a little about your background and how you got started in fitness?
I was a pre-med student majoring in Biology, when I took a summer job at a local gym my senior year. I originally did it mainly for the free gym membership, but soon I discovered that I had a passion for training people and realized this was my calling. I had often been approached over the years to put together training programs for friends, but somehow it had never occurred to me that I could make a living at it. I graduated with B.S. in Biology and an emphasis in Pre-medicine, so I learned a lot about the body. The rest is pretty much history. That was 8 years ago and I have continued expanding my business and increasing my credentials ever since.
What is your current workout routine like?
I weight train 4 days a week--Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri, and train mixed martial arts in the evenings. I try to get in for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training at least 2 nights a week, and work in a boxing or kickboxing class whenever I can. The weekends are reserved for family time with my husband and dog--hiking, surfing, mountain biking, motocross and golf.
What does your nutrition program consist of?
I just try to eat healthy as much as possible. For me that usually means cooking fresh foods at least 3-4 nights a week, and often doubling the recipes so that we have healthy leftovers for lunches. Lots of fresh vegetables & chicken, seafood & lean meats. I allow myself one free day a week to mix it up & satisfy any cravings I may have, and I definitely stay away from processed foods.
Do you feel the use of supplements are necessary to be in good shape?
No, particularly if you eat healthy. However, I take a small assortment of vitamins and minerals in the morning with breakfast, and occasionally if I'm really sore after lifting or training, I'll make a protein shake.
What would you suggest for people that find exercise boring or dislike it?
Try to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. There are a lot of opportunities to stay healthy by taking advantage of your surrounding area. Hiking & biking are 2 simple ways to get started and it's very motivating to train with friends or family. And in our case, our dog, Fender, is always up for a good run or hike. We've even taken him on a 4-day backpacking trip up in the mountains, and he carried his own food, water & supplies in his own backpack, especially made for dogs!
What advice would you give for individuals that have not exercised in several years?
Start off easy & if you're not sure what to do, seek professional advice.
Do you feel a person can get a good workout in their home as well as a gym?
Definitely. I worked out in a spare bedroom we had every morning at 5 :00 am while I was going to school. It worked out great.
How do you stay motivated to exercise?
I set goals for myself & I choose activities that are exciting to me. For example, I'm competing in the 4th annual South Bay Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournament this coming Sunday, the 1st of July, up in Carson City. I hope to place in the top 3 of the women's feather weight division.
You offer a wide variety of fitness programs with your company Optimum Condition. What sets you apart from other personal trainers?
The personalized customer service we offer, all programs are totally customized for the individual, and we're completely mobile.
Is there a fitness myth you would like to debunk?
Yes--more is better. More is not always better. Progression is the key to a safe and effective workout program. If you overdo it & you're out for 3 months with a hamstring injury, then what have you accomplished?
Is there anything else you would like to add?
No, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to interview me. I look forward to seeing it on your site.
Thanks so much Melissa for taking the time out to answer the above questions! Best of luck at the upcoming Jiu-jitsu tournament! To learn more about Melissa and her company, please visit www.optimumcondition.com.
