Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Archer.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been obsessed with health and fitness since I was eight years old. I remember finding The Body Principle by Victoria Principle at a used bookstore and I practiced the exercises daily. I played soccer my whole life and was captain of my varsity high school team. In high school, I would beg all of my friends to meet me at the local Tae-bo Center for Saturday morning workouts. I would pop in a Billy Blanks’ VHS tape on my VCR every day after school.
I entered my first bikini competition at the age of 22. I competed on and off in various organizations for several years. Unfortunately, at that time, I was an insecure wreck and competing only fueled my neuroses and insecurities. I obsessed over my body fat percentage and believed the way I looked in a thong determined my value and worth. It took years of difficult inner work to break through that disordered thought pattern.
Recently, after modeling for a local bikini competition suit designer’s catalog, the competition bug has bitten me again and I am looking forward to strapping on my heels and donning a sparkly suit and rocking the stage. This time, it will be a positive, empowering experience and I will be in the Masters’ division (35 and up).
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have had many setbacks and struggles in my life, but I view them as learning opportunities and lessons. A major one of mine was being diagnosed with ADHD and being prescribed Adderall. I quickly dropped below 100 pounds. After the severe side effects, I withdrew from the drug and rapidly reached 200 pounds. I was miserable and depressed and felt disconnected from my own body. Not to mention, I was terribly out of shape and would feel winded just from one flight of stairs. The highlight of my day was binging on a large Dominos pizza in bed while wallowing in self-pity and self-loathing.
I decided enough was enough and returned to my one true love, the gym. I used the gym as an anti-depressant and stopped eating my feelings. I regained my strength, physically, mentally and emotionally. I focused on how I felt and not how I looked and I started feeling better! I became empowered, capable and confident! And I’ve been manifesting my dream life ever since!
My advice for young women is to believe in yourself. If you can dream it, you can do it, you can achieve it! Stop caring what others think because it doesn’t matter. They are too busy worrying what others are thinking about them to give you much thought anyhow!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a mobile and independent personal trainer and yoga instructor. I visit clients at their homes, office buildings and apartment fitness centers. My philosophy is centered around the concept of no gym required! I focus on body weight resistance training because it is always available. It’s fantastic to have access to fancy gym equipment but not necessary.
My main goal is to teach my clients to believe in themselves. I act as a head cheerleader and president of their fan club. The only limits we have are the ones we place upon ourselves. When someone starts believing in her or himself, that’s when the magic happens! I like to teach to forget motivation because it is a fleeting, mythological creature and to focus on cultivating self-discipline and consistency. Those two things will have you over half of the way towards achieving your fitness goals!
My passion is to empower others to live their best lives through the powers of health and fitness. I believe we should all be our own superheroes. One of my hobbies is cosplaying strong powerful women superhero characters are comic conventions.
I am currently filming my own TV show called Archer’s Galaxy, a full body, mind, spirit experience that will air on Houston Live TV Network. I can’t give too many details but it’s a very exciting time!
Who have you been inspired by?
My mother taught me that I am an unstoppable force of nature and I can do anything I put my mind to. Both of my grandmothers taught me that women can be intelligent, successful, eloquent, and fun.
I have been inspired by the likes of Frida Kahlo, who poured her pain out on her canvas and Selena, who sang & danced her soul out to entertain us.
Contact Info:
- Email: goddessjess1116@gmail.com
- Instagram: JessTheArcher1116
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessthearcher1116
Image Credit:
Black champagne & yoga tee shot, Brian Vogel photography, Prayer hands purple leggings, Trish Badger Photography
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