How did you get started in fitness?
I have been active my whole life, but it wasn’t until i got my first gym membership in University that I fell in love with strength training. I was obsessed with the fitness magazines and the strong role models that were featured inside their pages. After graduation and getting my feet wet in a corporate environment, I left my job in the investment industry and took the leap with my husband to purchase an Anytime Fitness Franchise.
With the gym open and our wedding date set, I signed up with a coach and my first fitness competition to help me take my fitness to the next level. I stepped on stage for the first time in April of 2011. I was so fortunate to sign on with my supplement company Magnum Nutraceuticals the next year and the rest has been an amazing adventure I could never have forecasted.
My love for fitness and business goes hand in hand. My husband and I have since opened up another franchise location, I have competed on 9 different stages, traveled numerous times with my supplement company, incorporated a new venture Mind Heart Body Enterprises (www.mhbworld.com) and have had the opportunity to work with and meet some of the best photographers in the industry, leading me to publish my first Ebook this past month – Holly Barker Behind The Photo!
How do you stay motivated in your career?
I am constantly motivated to see what is next for me and am driven by the fact that I cannot predict it. If I prepare myself as best as I can, new opportunities will come when I am ready for them. I could never have imagined that I would have had the opportunity to meet, to work with, to adventure some of the things I have been able to since being in the fitness industry.
Having amazing influences in my life motivates me to continually seek out my next successes and to continue to meet new influencers that are living their unique adventures.
My husband continually inspires me to expand my knowledge and grow with each new experience and each new adventure.
I continue to prepare myself for new opportunities and remain open to new concepts. Hearing that I may inspire someone else to live their adventure is the ultimate payoff and what drives me to be truthful and honest and to be my best.
What was your biggest challenge in your fitness journey?
As an opportunist and someone who wants to never disappoint, I have probably had the biggest challenge with managing stress level and prioritizing balance with everything I want to do. I never want to miss an opportunity, but have had to learn to manage my ‘I want it now’ personality.
My coach with www.mhbworld.com has helped me make sure that I am not over-committing myself. He coaches me through any venture, any opportunity or goal I set, but makes sure I am never sacrificing my hard work or mental health along the way. Balance in Mind Heart Body health. I work on this myself every day and hope to help others find their successes through this lifestyle as well.
What’s your favorite music to workout to?
Anything with a beat. Music makes a big difference when I am doing my cardio or training without my trainer. I go a lot further, a lot harder and a lot heavier if I am listening to electric or hip hop.
What’s your favorite cheat meal?
Sushi!
How does your typical week in the gym look like?
I train every morning with my trainer for 1.5-2 hrs 5 times per week. I usually do cardio before or after depending on the next project I am working on and how much cardio I am doing. We try to target my lower body 2times per week and structure our sessions with high sets, low reps. It usually looks like this:
Monday – Glutes/abs/Cardio
Tuesday – Shoulders/Cardio
Wednesday – Back/Cardio
Thursday – Hamstrings/Quads/Cardio
Friday – Arms/abs/Cardio
Sat/Sun – Cardio/abs
Cardio for me can usually mean a yoga session, power mill, walk with my dog and husband or a run.
Which female fit celebrity’s physique do you admire the most?
Oh there are so many! But I especially love Amanda Latona and Paige Hathaway. Both have feminine lines, lean physiques, mature muscle mass and amazing glutes! They are both beautiful!
What does your supplement schedule look like?
My Magnum stack changes with each new adventure I am preparing for. Right now my stack on a training day is:
-AM (before breakfast) – Magnum Acid + Magnum Tonic + Magnum Mimic
-Before Training – Magnum DNA + Magnum Volume
-Intra Training – Magnum Hi5 + Magnum Opus
-PM (post training) – Magnum Quattro + Magnum Tonic + Magnum Acid
-PM – Magnum Acid + Maqnum Tonic
What are you top 10 songs to workout to?
Blast off – Snoop Dogg&David Guetta
Awaken – Jerome Isma-Ae & Justin Michael
All Day – Kanye West & Bon Iver
Flex – Rich Homie Quan
Hood Go Crazy – Tech N9ne
Roadkill – Tech N9ne
Bum Bum – Kat Deluna
Youth Dem – Steve Aoki & Laidback Luke
Heaven On Earth – Steve Aoki & Laid-back Luke
Hide Away – Daya
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my growth in this industry. I have learnt so much from all of the amazing influences I have gotten to meet and work with. I am so proud that I can share my knowledge from the experiences I have had and that the fitness industry has given me so many different platforms to do so. I am proud that my message is consistent with my actions and that I get to wake up each day and live my adventure. I am proud that I have discovered myself through fitness and that I continually grow and appreciate the sport in different ways.
What’s next for you?
Next for me is to continue to grow my presence in the fitness industry, to keep reaching others and inspiring them to live their adventures every day.
Do you have any advice or inspirational words for someone who is aspiring to get into the fitness world?
Many of us think that the only way in to the fitness industry is through competing. However, competing is not for everyone and that is totally ok. If you want to be in the industry, live the lifestyle and share it with the world. You have what it takes and any dream you imagine is possible if you are willing to work for it.
Fitness can take you to places you never could have imagined and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. By being your own inspiration and spreading health and fitness through your actions, you can reach and inspire so many to make a change in their lives.
Most importantly, it has to make you happy and it has to be rewarding. Find your happiness and if it stops being fun, it is time for the next chapter. Always grow and enjoy your journey. <3
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 125 lbs
Born In: Saskatchewan, Canada
Resides: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada
Website: www.mhbworld.com
Twitter: @hollsbarks
Facebook: Holly Barker
Instagram: @hollsbarksfitness
