MM: How did you get introduced into fitness?

JH: I was introduced by my friend and current trainer Mike Davies. As a favor in college, he helped me get in shape and also helped me get the freshman 15 off when I was trying out for Ohio State Cheerleading. After college, he stayed on me about weight training and encouraged me after graduation to try fitness. I did it, and here I am 8 years later.


MM: What is the one thing the average person doesn't understand about fitness? The diet? Dedication?

JH: People have no idea. It is a Full time job. If you want to be one of the best in the world, you must live like one of the best in the world. The 2 hours of cardio, routine training, music cutting, costume designing, and eating 8 meals a day is a daily commitment. Then add in sleep, regular work if you have it (I do), weight training and family, and you have a packed life! Out of all of it, I will say the diet is the hardest of it all and requires the most attention.


MM: What has been the most important lesson you have learned since turning pro?

JH: The most important lesson: stay who you are. The industry changes so many people physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I have not changed. I have learned, I have matured, and I have become less patient with people, but overall I am the same little girl who started doing this 8 years ago. I believe in myself and am who I am and if you don't like, then too damn bad. DEAL!


MM: How well do the athletes get along back stage? We hear on the internet of people hating each other, does this play out backstage as well?

JH: Well, this industry is like the WWE/WWF. Everyone talks about everyone and everyone talks about each other, but what makes me laugh the most is when they are back stage and if you approach them or confront them they have no idea what you are talking about. They are instantly clueless. Amazing! So this sport is like every other. Same ol, same ol. I personally like everyone with the exception of those people I was just talking about. If they are so much better then me then why aren't they standing up to me when I approach them? Hum? And my theory is if they have time to talk about me then they are obviously jealous of me. Very sad! I try and keep my mouth shut and I definitely do not have time to sit and worry about everyone else in a chat room. I wish I had that kind of time. But I don't, and therefore I love when people talk stuff about me. It motivates me to kick their butts even more. Bring it on!


MM: I've seen you perform many times. What is it about getting in front of a crowd that puts you "in the zone"?

JH: The fact that I can show off! I love to hear the crowd; it makes me fly through the sky. I was born to perform and it is the number one reason I keep competing.


MM: What is the most difficult move you do during a routine?

JH: A forearm stand to a plange hold is very hard; you transition from one thing to the next without your feet touching the ground. Also, I am known for doing a series of standing back tucks. Standing tumbling is much more difficult then a tumbling pass. That’s why you never see many other girls doing tucks. They all do tumbling passes. The judges don't understand that but the truth is, that it is very difficult to stand flip and land on your feet.


MM: Do you think it is fair for fitness to be judged by people who generally don't have a dance/fitness/gymnastics background?

JH: I think this is fine if they are consistent and open minded. I don't care who judges it but I do care when they automatically give someone 1st in a round because that is what they are known for, or that is what they placed in a previous show. I have judged NPC shows before and I give credit to these judges, it is not easy judging any sport and this sport is so much more difficult because there are little guidelines. It’s very individualized opinions and it can be very difficult to judge.


MM: Should there be a separate judging panel for the routine rounds?

JH: I guess this would help. Again, I am not too concerned with the judges, I am concerned about the way they view the competition. It seems like when someone is off they don't get discredited for it because there name is ­­­­­(?). But I feel that if I show up off or with a slow routine I get nailed for it. I will tell you what, ask me this question again in 5 weeks after the GNC and the Olympia. Because I have a different package I am bringing to the table with my physique and we will see if I get the credit I deserve and with the routines, it doesn't get anymore interesting than the routine I am pulling off at the Olympia 2005.


MM: Why do people say fitness is dying?

JH: Figure. I am excited for Figure girls. It brings more to the sport. It’s for girls who just want to get on stage. It allows opportunities for women of all ages. It’s exciting watching someone who just lost 40 pounds get on stage and strut her stuff on stage in a figure show. I do think it takes away from fitness and I think the rules will have to change in the routines before we can save fitness.


MM: What can be done to bring the sport up to its potential?

JH: Like I said; change the mandatory routine to one routine that every girl does in the IFBB and again it’s all creative with the 6 mandatory moves. They should make this round/routine a mandatory routine where every girl does the exact same routine. The girl who performs that routine the best should win that round. They could have non -tumbling and tumbling divisions in fitness. They could put limits on skills you can do and can not do. I am amazed when people compare my routine with Kelly Ryan and Adela F. because we are nothing alike. We each have our own style and that’s how it should be judged, people forget there are no mandatories in this round, but yet people sit around and say, "well I did or she did 5 strength moves and Kelly only did 4 or Jenny took a pause to breathe and my girl didn't breathe at all," Give me a freaking break already. There are no rules on the 2 minute so why is everyone comparing strength moves or tumbling.


MM: Since you will need a source of income once you retire from fitness, what type of things are you doing now to prepare for the future?

JH: I can always go back and teach Kindergarten, that is what I had originally planned, but right now I am hoping to start a family with my husband soon and work from home. I have started my own business so I can be a stay at home mom and raise my kids and still have some money and freedom to live.


MM: What is the biggest change you've seen in the sport since turning pro?

JH: The physiques. Holy crap! I saw pictures of the first fitness international and couldn't believe my eyes. If I could show up like that now, my life would be so much easier when it came time to diet. Now its how little, how hard, how tight, how ripped can you get. It is very difficult without going to extreme measures and this also bothers me. I know that there are girls in the sport going extreme and I am not saying I am perfect but I am saying I do have my limits. This has gotten out of hand and I don' t know what the long term effects will be, but I do know I will not be one of those girls who will have to worry about the later effects in life after abusing my body.


MM: You have finished in the top 5 many times. What do you believe is holding you back from earning that 1st place trophy?

JH: Geez, great question. I am not sure. I will say, time! I feel I have earned the right to win a couple shows thus far and haven't. But I also know that there are other girls who should have won shows and didn't either. I do want to win every time and winning isn’t everything to me. But I do compete to win like everyone else so eventually winning would be nice. I have been top 5 at almost 10 shows and top 3 many times as a pro, so I think in time I will get what I deserve. I have faith in the judges and the sport. I am looking to go top 3 at the GNC and the Olympia.


MM: I asked a similar question to Art Atwood. When you feel you've had a bad placing, what keeps you from cussing out the judges?

JH: That’s funny! Again, judging is hard and if the judges are not consistent with each other, then this will happen more than it should. It happens all the time when I judge cheerleading and dance team competitions. I honestly might want to cuss out the judges but I never would. I am not that type of person. I would handle myself in a professional manner as I have in the past. Judges are human, they have feelings too. I am sympathetic to that and respect them. If they make the wrong decisions they have to live with the guilt, not me. I can only do my best.


MM: Looking forward to the Show of Strength and the Olympia, have you changed your conditioning or routine since the Arnold?

JH: I have changed many things. I have a few secrets but I am not telling. I just did things differently in the off season. As for routine, you know I don't say anything about that. Everyone will have to wait and see.


MM: Who do you look at as being your biggest competition?

JH: I never discredit anyone for any reason. I think my biggest competition is myself. How do I look better then the last show, how do I do a better routine then last show, etc. I am there to be consistent with my placing and/or to improve. The girls I compete against are all good or they wouldn't be on that stage. I try to consider myself my biggest rival.


MM: This year at the Olympia, BulkNutrition.com will be giving $2,500 bucks to the fitness athlete who is voted as having the best routine. This will be voted on by the fans, not the judges. You planning anything special to wow the crowd?

JH: Well, even though there is money out there I am definitely going a little over the top like last year. I always come up with something good and this year there will be jaw- dropping again. It will create talk, but I don't care. It will be hilarious, fun, and by far the most entertaining. There is no doubt. I am excited the fans will get to take part in this and I hope they judge it fairly, since the fans always want the judges to judge fairly, here is their chance to be fair


MM: For fans that want to learn more about you, do you have a website?

JH: My website is www.jennyh.com and I do try and keep it updated as much as possible. I love email and helping people achieve there goals so anyone is free to email me.


MM: Who do you feel has been your strength getting you where you are today in the sport?

JH: Very simple. Many people. I never forget the people who believed in me from the beginning and still today. My sponsors have been amazing, my family has supported me and loved me no matter what, my friends have been supportive and patient with me, and my trainer Mike Davies and I have been through a lot and no one can ever touch the Love we have for each other. My biggest strength is at home with my hubby Brian. God Bless him and his patience and unconditional love. He is the best.