Makeup and Muscles

Makeup and Muscles!  What a combo!  I wanted to share with you all about my recent journey into doing makeup in the fitness world.  I had done makeup for fitness competitions previously but nothing like the World Beauty Fitness and Fashion Inc. show!  I met Jessi Jean with Ledbetter Inc. this past spring when she was looking for a makeup artist for her fitness shoots as well as her debut on the WBFF stage!  We got connected through a friend of hers who happened to be a bride I did makeup for a couple years back.  The first time we met we instantly clicked and became friends….from that point on we called ourselves makeup and muscles!  I was so excited to be going on this journey with her to prove to others that you can compete in fitness competitions while maintaining balance, your sanity, and your health.  Jessi has an amazing, inspirational story that she is very honest and transparent about which I love!  I asked her to share her experience competing on my blog so here ya go……

Photos by Lisa Anne Photography www.lisaannephoto.net

My Health & Fitness Journey:

My journey into the world of fitness and bodybuilding was initiated by heartbreak, depression, and a desire to regain strength, joy, and contentment. In the midst of my heartbreak, the gym became my escape, my medication and the only place I left feeling renewed. The strength and confidence I gained in the gym was like nothing I had ever experienced before. As my passion for lifting grew, I was introduced to the world of competitive bodybuilding and after a year of regularly going to the gym I competed in my 1^st NPC Bikini Competition. A year later I competed in the WBFF – an organization that not only emphasizes fitness but celebrates fashion as well. The WBFF show was an absolute blast. I took 1^st amongst an incredible line-up of athletes and earned my WBFF Bikini Pro Status.  

Not only did the world of fitness develop a new found confidence within me, it also helped pull me from the pit of years and years of various eating disorders. The discipline required to progress physically and compete motivated me to find a way out of the hellish binge and restrict cycles that had become my way of life. I quickly learned that there were two routes to competing – going to extremes to achieve your fitness goals or learning how to train your metabolism and doing things in balanced and maintainable manner. Fortunately, I was coached and mentored by one of the world’s foremost experts in nutrition and training, Dr. Layne Norton. Layne taught me what it meant to live a balanced life, while pursing fitness goals. He never allowed me to go to unhealthy extremes to get ready for photo-shoots or competitions and under his guidance and expertise my physique was always on point. 

Being devoted to a healthy lifestyle and staying physically fit does not mean you have to surrender your social life, live in the gym, and give up all your favorite foods. As long as you embrace balance, consistency, and discipline throughout your journey you can have the best of both worlds. I have learned that disciplining myself to get up early each morning and devote time to training keeps me just as much mentally healthy as it does physically. Eating balanced and refraining from the extremes of binging and restricting and embracing this discipline in both my nutrition and training routine has allowed me to live in a body I truly feel confident in. Never in a million years did I think I would be a Pro Bikini competitor and fitness model. 

Not only did the world of fitness heal me from a devastating heartbreak, taught me confidence, strength, self-worth, and discipline, it also brought the most incredible people into my life. I have had the privilege of having Heather Baker be my personal Make-Up Artist for almost every photo shoot and competition I have done. Her ability to enhance my features and create a specific look for either the stage or a photo shoot has been nothing short of incredible. I remember the 1^st time she did my make-up I told her to do her thing. She handed me the mirror when she was finished and I couldn’t even believe what I saw…”Is that me?” I asked her. From that point on I never wanted another person to do my make-up. She truly has the ability to create a flawless look for whatever the occasion or theme of the photo shoot. The compliments I receive on my make-up from fellow competitors, judges, and photographers reassure me that I have found the absolute best artist in the beauty industry. What’s even better is Heather has become so much more than my make-up artist, she has become my friend. She is one of the most genuine, talented, and kind-hearted people I ever met. I am blessed both by her talents and her friendship.

-Jessi Jean

Thanks so much Jessi for sharing and for being such an inspiration to others!  Be sure to follow her journey even more on Instagram (@Jessi_Jean_fitness)  The fitness industry has been such a fun industry to be able to do makeup in and I have learned so much!  I realized that for me working out consistently also keeps me healthy mentally and is a great way for me to de-stress!  I have learned the value in taking care of yourself even when its not convenient!

xoxo

Makeup by Heather B.

Photo of me by Erin Blackwell www.erin-blackwell.com