Who Is Courtney Hodges? Maxim Girl & MET-Rx Model Gives Honest Outlook!

Courtney Hodges Interview

[ Q ] First off, thank you Courtney for taking time out of your extremely busy day for this interview. After spending some time with you on a recent visit to Ohio it is obvious that you love this industry and have your hands in a little bit of everything.

Let's start off by letting the readers know a little bit about yourself. Can you give us some background information on what you were like growing up, did you play any sports, your educational background, etc.?

[ A ] As a child growing up I was quite large, had a huge gap in my two front teeth, had issues with my eyes (my eye muscles formed to the middle creating a crossed effect), and issues with breathing. I tried to do sports, however with so many conditions it was difficult. I was introverted and although I loved people, my confidence was lacking.

As I grew I took optometry therapy to strengthen my eye muscles. Without getting braces my teeth actually grew together and straight (thank God). And as I gained more confidence I found the ability to use comedy to reach out to other kids my age. I am thankful for those awkward years because I feel like it made me take things lightly and with a sense of comedic relief, basically not taking anything too seriously.

[ Q ] What made you want to get into the fitness industry?

[ A ] When I was fourteen years old I was working at a movie theater and decided that, although I didn't want the job as a movie star, I did want the health & fitness level. So, I took up a second job at the Westerville Athletic Club, a fitness & athlete center in our city.

Loving the spirit and wellness of that world I immediately knew that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Shedding 75 lbs. and turning Director of Programming and Personal Trainer I entered into the fitness world and never looked back.

[ Q ] You are the General Manager for OM Fitness in Ohio. You also do personal training and teach a number of aerobics classes. On top of that you spend extra time off hours going to client's homes and teaching them about proper nutrition and how to eat healthy. Where do you find time to relax and when you do, what do you enjoy doing?

[ A ] I don't find time to relax. I'm kidding. Honestly, however busy and stressed I get with managing so many aspects of my job and life it all becomes so worth the madness when I get an email or letter from a client telling them how I've changed their life. Although I know it wasn't me, it was all their doing, I still get a feeling that's incomparable to anything in the world. It makes the dedication and lack of free time more than worth it.

When I find that I've actually got a while to relax, I usually go out with my girlfriends or we have an in-night at home. It's a full time job, though, as a trainer. You have to be ready for a client to call with a "snickers SOS", questions, or concerns. The minute they hire you they immediately look to you from then on for nutrition, exercise, life issues.

[ Q ] What do you love most about what you do?

[ A ] You meet so many amazing people. You can help change lives! You get a chance to share your knowledge of a better life with everyone who's interested in listening. Also, sculpting a body into a specific form is, in my opinion, the most amazing form of art in the world. It not only changes what's on the outside of a person, but what's on this inside as well.

You can take an introvert with weight and health issues and change their bodies AND their mindsets. I can honestly say that I would die happy today just knowing the lives that are better because I could help them.

[ Q ] Is there anything about the fitness industry that you would like to change?

[ A ] Each day my list grows longer! I love the industry so much, and the old school gyms are something of a crush for me because there's nothing like them. You know, the "dirty" old gyms where people didn't hang out to chat, they went there to get it done. I feel like you get a better workout in places like that because it's strictly workout, no splash of pretty.

Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that we're incorporating nutritionists and group classes into our facilities. I am a strong believer in these. I just don't get the "spa" centers where there are a few pieces of equipment and yet they can still call themselves an athletic club or fitness center. It confuses people. Finding the right gym for you is already complicated, and now you've got to decipher foo foo from fitness.

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[ Q ] You obviously walk the walk and talk the talk. Can you tell us a little bit about your own workout program as well as your diet?

[ A ] Sure, being that I teach a Sculpting class, Pilates and Dance Cabaret class throughout the week I don't need to do as much anaerobic activity because I get those in when I'm teaching as well as throughout the day when I train clients. Having to show proper form and technique all day long will give you great tone!

I do cardio about 5 times per week for 40-60 minutes first thing in the morning. Sometimes if I'm feeling saucy I'll do some quick high intensity agility cardio spurts in the mid day for just about 15 minutes to get my heart rate up and keep my body burning.

Nutrition is just as or more important. I eat as fresh as possible throughout the day and stick with low sugar on anything that's not natural. I LOVE Worldwide Pure Protein bars and eat about two per day.

Through the morning and early afternoon I eat lots of fruit (apples, grapefruit, bananas) and make sure that anything that's a cereal product has more fiber than sugar per serving. Then around 4 p.m. I stick to veggies and lean meats (skinless chicken, salmon, lean turkey).

Be sure not to eat late at night. Get your caloric intake in throughout the day to keep the metabolism burning and consistent. I stop eating three hours before bedtime.

[ Q ] If there is one point that you want to get across to people reading this interview about fitness and nutrition, what would it be?

[ A ] Don't believe all that you hear! Just because a famous person is telling you they use it doesn't mean that they actually do (it just means that their piggy bank grew larger).

Also, don't believe everything that you read. Big companies have a way of legally manipulating labels and promises to what you want to hear. Just because the juice says 100% fruit juice does not mean that the entire drink is 100% fruit juice, it just means that the fruit juice in it is 100% (naturally) but there could be added sugar and preservatives.

Instead of checking the nutrition label for this (there will be natural sugar because of whatever fruit is in the product) check the ingredients for added sugar. Be careful of the terms, sugar has lots of names. Just because it's "fat free" doesn't mean that it doesn't contain high sugar counts that will convert to fat in your system.

There are just so many things that you need to lookout for in fads and society today. It's all about the dollar and they'll take yours whenever they can trick you into it.

Listen to your body. Your trainer, your nutritionist, your doctor, none of these people can know your body like you can. Once you become better acquainted with yourself it will be easier for you to understand your needs, cravings, etc.

[ Q ] Where do you think most people fail when trying to execute a proper nutrition plan?

[ A ] I think that a lot of people do something that although helps their neighbor, isn't concussive to their specific body needs and activity levels. What works for someone else may not work for you.

The grocery store doesn't help, either. You've got a million different diet companies promising a million different things and pulling you into a million different directions. This just confuses you more!

Things like "100% fruit juice", "Fat Free", "whole wheat" are promises that can be manipulated. That 100% fruit juice means that, naturally, the fruit juice in the bottle is 100% but is doesn't mention the added sugar.

Instead of checking the nutrition label on this, check the ingredient list and look for added sugar as there is natural sugar in fruit so the nutrition label will have this listed.

Check the first thing on the ingredient list for "whole wheats". The first ingredient should be whole wheat or it's not 100%. Fat Free products don't have to tell you that, although it is fat free, the sugar that's added in will convert to fat when it's going through your system.

All of these things create false promises and a wider waist line. Stick to the outside isles at your grocery store, look for certified organics, stick to things that are containing the least amount of ingredients and the freshest.

[ Q ] You got hooked up with MET-Rx last year when you helped out at the Arnold. Can you tell us a little bit about your experience at the Arnold and what it was like working with a supplement company?

[ A ] Normally I actually wouldn't have contracted myself with a supplement or fitness company, however I have always used Met-Rx and am a big advocate of their supplements.

I have my male clients use these products and my female clients use Worldwide, and they all love it with great results. This years Arnold was my first event that I worked for Met-Rx and I was just helping out a friend. Since I knew so much about the product they asked me to be a part of the team. The company has such a huge client base and rightfully so. They're the only supplements that we carry at my facilities.

[ Q ] They enjoyed your energy and love for the industry so much that they brought you on board to work demos for them. What has that been like?

[ A ] Working events is amazing because you meet so many people in the industry and you can help people understand the benefits and great effects of each product, as well as steer them away from the product companies who dilute their supplements to the point of no point.

I feel comfortable and have fun with that team. They're all genuinely interested in bettering everyone and helping each and every person better themselves. I love that. You don't see that much in any industry anymore, so this company is a huge breath of fresh air for me.

[ Q ] Do you yourself use their products? From what I hear you are addicted to Pure Protein Chocolate Deluxe bars.

[ A ] YES. I give my entire product away through to my clients and my staff's clients and go home mad because I'm out! Chocolate Deluxe is my FAVORITE, and then there's chocolate chunk, and chocolate cookie dough... I'm a chocoholic.

The great thing about it is that the chocolate deluxe only has 3 grams of sugar and it tastes amazing! How they make a protein bar that has 35 grams of protein and only 3 grams of sugar taste so good is genius.

I always have a bar with me and a shake in my car (I got that idea from you, Matt). It's cool because it's so diverse. I can have a male client who needs to gain weight take the size up, have a client who needs to lose weight take the thermos, and have a client who needs to add muscle tone take the protein. It's literally a one stop shop.

[ Q ] A few years ago you posed for and were in MAXIM magazine. What was that experience like?

[ A ] It was actually for the Maxim campaign. I was in Montreal walking down the street and some woman came running out of this bar saying that there were Maxim reps dining who wanted to speak with me. I went back (the waitress told me I could get a drink on the house) and gave them my contact information.

When I got home I had a message waiting that they wanted to have me come out to have a dinner and discuss possibilities. I did and for two years I was a Maxim Girl, going to Canada every weekend and doing parties with the gorgeous girls of Maxim and taking pictures with people.

It was crazy because we each had a body guard and nobody could put their arms around us or touch us in any way. They just had to lean in and take the picture.

It's neat doing things like that and Met-Rx because you can be a total geek Monday through Friday and then Saturday through Sunday be a sex kitten. You feel like a super hero.

[ Q ] Have you ever thought about going into modeling on the side? From your pictures it looks like you would have a bright future in that industry as well.

[ A ] Thanks! I wouldn't make it a full profession. For Met-Rx it's a given, and I love doing anything for them so that doesn't bother me at all. I'm loyal, so I would have to know that it was something that wouldn't affect my job or my responsibilities with this great company.

[ Q ] Is there anyone you would like to thank for shaping you into the person you are today or that gave you the motivation to push yourself to become the best in your profession?

[ A ] My Met-Rx boss is pushing me to do more. I guess he sees more potential than I had for these things. I prayed a lot growing up and feel like I've gotten more than I had hoped for, and it keeps coming, so that answers that.

[ Q ] Before we wrap up this interview, is there anything else you would like to add?

[ A ] Don't be a baby. No excuses. Listen to your body. Outsmart the salesmen. Motivate yourself. Don't rely on others to push you. Get a good trainer at least once to see where you are, where you need to be, and the proper programming for your specifics. Be positive and you'll receive positive. Get off you're a$$ and move.

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[ Q ]After meeting you in person I can say first hand that you are an incredible person and one of the most knowledgeable people that I have met in the industry. Your love for your profession shows with the amount of time you devote to your job and clients.

Thank you again taking time out of your day to do this interview. I wish you continued success in everything that you do!

[ A ] Same to you! Here Here!