Interview with Newsletter Subscriber Jo Anne Burns

As I've said in my OPERATION: Burn Fat FAST! E-course, I want this newsletter to be a community group. There are even some subscribers getting involved with helping me out with information for my sites.

I've actually interview 2 amazing women from this list and I will be giving you both interviews (both very inspiring).

Today's interview is with Jo Ann Burns from Minnesota. Enjoy and if you have any questions for Jo Ann let me know and I'll make sure you get your answers :).

Interview with Jo Ann Burns



Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you're so involved in fitness?

I truly believe that how fit you are is a reflection of your self-respect for yourself. I also believe there is a direct correlation, obviously, to how well you live your life.

We are given one body - why not respect it and give it 110% everyday? I grew up loving fitness - I was big into basketball and was an all conference player - and really have always been intrigued by the entire facet of eating well and training hard.

I coached JV basketball for 2 years - and loved working with kids and instilling in them the "champion chant"....Now, with 2 small girls - who are 5 and 9, I watch the state of our world and fitness has become an even greater purpose in my life - trying to instill in kids the importance of fitness and controlled meals.

I am 42 years old and am an active competitor in figure bodybuilding. I love the discipline and results that come with training so hard - and being so determined about where I am going.

How many days a week do you workout?

I train 6 days a week - I saw a quote once - that said - girls workout - women train. I definitely consider the time I spend in the gym as training. My trainings are 60 minutes max and I work extremely hard and I'm done....the key is remembering that 80% or more of your results happen outside of the gym....yes, I certainly train hard, but I eat succint, smart, controlled food that compliments my training. Once you get the combination down - it's so simple.

What are your goals and why are they important to you? My goals are to "get better every single day"....positive attitude is a must. I am one of those people that wakes up every morning and I, quite frankly, talk to myself.

But my mantra is this - I tell myself how lucky I am to be where I am right now and how fortunate I am to have the discipline to know where I am going. I tell myself that I will train harder than the day before, be more focused and touch every life I can to empower them to be more healthy.

I will continue to compete every year - this year I'm competing at least twice, if not three times....next year I'm planning on going to the Cayman Islands to compete......and possibly go for my pro card.

I also am proud to say, I know I'm a great role model for my girls. They train with me, they watch me - they eat healthy foods - they understand the difference between foods that feed your body and those that really don't....I am setting in place for them my legacy and that is truly the most important part for me.

What's your training philosophy?

I have so many quotes I live by - "get better every day" - "if you believe it you will become it" - "lift heavy or go home" - "be the miracle".....I believe it's my job to inspire others...and, I know I do that everyday.

There is not a day that goes by that people don't ask me - "how long did it take you to get where you are at and how do you train"....I have to say most are skeptical when they hear my regimen. Women, by nature, are cardio queens.

My training philosophy is - lift heavy and hard, supersets and dropsets - smart cardio which is short sprints and intense and you're done. Cardio and too much of it - especially steady state just eats your muscle - which you need to burn fat - any so many don't realize the more cardio you do - simply you just become good at it and you need to do more...who has time for 2 hours of cardio???

I sure don't - and I would not look the way I do if I did that much cardio. I love having muscle - I love being super strong - and I love the fact that my training is less than 60 minutes.

My best advice is "stop the cardio" and "start lifting weights and heavy" - there is no such thing as bulky and heavy weights....and if you are getting bulky there is no correlation to the weights - it's the amount of carbs you are putting in your mouth - so check out your diet.....

Train hard - no looking back - no regrets....just living life incredibly fit, happy and fulfilled!

Thanks Jo Anne!!!

Remember, if you have any questions for Jo Anne you can email them to me and I'll get those questions to her.

Next week I will release the other interview with Lisa.

Keep ROCKIN' IT!

Dan Grant
The Vitality Coach

PS - Do YOU have a story you think will inspire the list? Let me know and we'll set up an interview with you too.