Bodybuilding.com Employee Spotlight: Erika J.

There is no dollar value we can place on customer service at Bodybuilding.com. Our employees are also our customers and our inspiration. The service is simply priceless, and our employees get out as much as they get in, if not more.

This month's Fit Employee Spotlight is fixed on Erika, an agent in our Live Support initiative. Her history in swimming and tennis and other training helped her body prepare for what lay ahead. The flame for the fit life cannot be extinguished unless we let it. Although she is unsure about competition, Erika has a future in fitness both professionally and personally.

Learn about her experience and you'll understand why she is this month's fit employee!

I am a customer service representative here at Bodybuilding.com, and I work doing Live Support. I have been here almost four years, and it has been the best job I've ever had. Not only have I gained knowledge on supplementation and how to handle and process orders, I have been privileged to work with customers in order to help them achieve their goals in fitness and health. It has been a great experience, and still is!

Before working at Bodybuilding.com, I had a general idea about working out and a vague knowledge base on supplements. But it was not much. Most of my knowledge came from my training as a youth, with all the sports I did outside of school. I was always a competitor and enjoyed being physical. I just never focused much on what it took to really "diet" and chisel an aesthetically-pleasing physique.

I have yet to compete. I am not sure if that is what I will do in the future or not yet, but I definitely have experience with preparation for a show. It just is a matter of "proper timing" at this point and mental readiness. Doing a show not only takes physical discipline and toughness, but mental focus and drive. Also, you have to be able to set aside insecurities, so it won't hinder your presence on stage. One of the things I have found, is stage presence is a huge part of the scoring for a show. So if you aren't totally ready, then it is something you need to wait on doing. When you're ready, then it will be a rewarding experience from start to finish.

Working at Bodybuilding.com is comparable to a computer geek working for Apple. The resources here are incredible. You are surrounded by motivation via our website, and other people who have similar interests. It really is a great place to be, not only to work, but to be inspired to improve yourself. I really feel the mentality and morale here is extremely positive, and uplifting. It is hands down one of the best places to work in Idaho.

I feel just being here, and looking at our website for eight hours each day is influential. We have members on our site who are faithful to making progress posts, and sharing information. Sharing is key here at Bodybuilding.com; we want ourselves to succeed, but we also care about the success of others. For myself, I feel good inside when I am working toward a goal and getting closer to it day by day. Bodybuilding.com is just there for you, not only through the information provided on our site, but through others who are willing to give out information that has worked for them, in order to get others there too. It's just a good thing.

My co-workers are just cool. We have a wide variety of people on staff, with different interests and goals—no judgment at all here. We really support each other, and hold each other accountable toward reaching our goals. We work hard, but also have a good time, and try to enjoy the goodness of being alive and healthy. Everyone is just really laid back. It's not uncommon to see a couple of guys outside playing catch with a football during lunch time.

I don't think it would be fair to name just one particular individual, because really there were so many people who showed interest and helped inspire me to work hard. It meant a lot just to be asked how it was going, and that I was making noticeable progress. Just people taking the time to talk about what I was working toward was inspiration in itself. My workplace really is a huge part of where I have gotten thus far with my fitness and has given me lots of tools to get it done properly.

I hope so! I would like to do that for people. I think that would be the ultimate rewarding experience for my hard work: to inspire and to see others succeed.

Wow, that's a tough one! So much of it is excellent material, and very useful! I think right now my personal fave would be the "Find A Plan" page on our site.

This one is so amazing because I can give customers plenty of options to choose from, with one link. You can select a diet/training plan based on your gender, age, and specific goal. Each program is designed with a timeframe in mind for reaching desired results, as well as daily meal planning and workout regimens. I have used it for myself in the past, and love recommending it to those who are searching for a direction. I also got started on an amazing program that I found via this link on our site: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/10-fighter-diet-foods-for-cheese-grater-abs.html. It's talking about some of the foods that are approved for the "Fighter Diet" concept. I have been following Pauline Nordin's plan for a little more than 4 months now, and it's phenomenal. I would highly recommend checking it out; the diet really works.

Yes, that is what I strive to do, ultimately. I feel that by helping improve a customer's mentality and knowledge of health and wellness, it can impact all other areas of their life in a positive way.

By being in a positive and health driven environment five days per week really helps set the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. I find I set goals for myself more frequently, and get the help I need here at work to achieve them. Rubbing shoulders with good people each day makes a big difference. Talking to people each day about how to be healthy helps to hold me accountable. You know, "practicing what I preach" sort of thing.

Yes, most definitely! A person who lives it can better relay information to others who want it too. One thing I have heard over and over again from Bodybuilding.com customers, is how fascinated they are to be speaking with representatives who take the exact same products, or follow the same articles and training advice given on our site. It really makes people feel they are in trustworthy hands, dealing with others who want the same things. It creates a common bond that other companies might not have with their customers.

My future goals ... Hmm, now that's a loaded question! I think that if I can become a better person, not only on the outside but also on the inside, I can really make a difference in lives of other people as well as my beautiful family at home. Working for a company whose main goal is helping others achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle really gives way to employees who take it outside of the workplace and into their personal lives. Healthy thinking breeds healthy living. I'm grateful to be employed at Bodybuilding.com, and I have no plans of going anywhere else! I look forward to many more years here, and hopefully Bodybuilding.com will be able to witness me transforming into someone better each day.

To break it down in a nutshell, I usually aim to do at least 4-5 exercises per muscle group, with around 12-15 reps each set (during a cutting phase). I try to perform 3-4 sets of each exercise, based on how I am feeling that day. If I need to lift heavier, I will do 3 sets of each exercise, around 8 reps each. I usually do heavier lifting during muscle-building season, since I am eating more calories and have the ability to recover quicker.

For Cardio, I will work my way up to 45 minutes doing HIIT. I definitely like to mix it up, by alternating the equipment per week, using the Elliptical, Stair Mill, and Spin Bike. I have recently thrown the Treadmill into the mix as well, also performing HIIT and alternating between running and walking, all on an incline of at least grade 3. I really am not one to have everything all written down and planned out when I go to the gym. I try to put my focus on paying attention to my body and how it is feeling on that particular day. If I am getting a good pump doing a particular exercise, I might eliminate one other exercise and substitute it that day with the one that is working for me. I'm not a believer in doing the same things all the time. I believe in doing what your body is telling you based on feeling and visual progress. You won't be misled that way, and are certain to get the results you are after, with persistence and dedication.

• Monday: Shoulders/Abs/Cardio
• Tuesday: Off
• Wednesday: Chest/Biceps/Cardio
• Thursday: Cardio
• Friday: Cardio
• Saturday: Legs/Abs
• Sunday: Back/Triceps/Cardio

Ever wonder if we actually practice what we preach? Well, look no further. The Bodybuilding.com Fit Profile Of The Month feature has been created to share the successes and determination of each employee selected.

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