Fitness Files: Ashley Horner
Bodybuilding.com is one of my favorite resources when it comes to finding new workouts and fitness tips. The site has a plethora of inspiring stories and trainers, ideal for a motivation boost! One of their trainers Ashley Horner is an inspiration to all women. Horner is a wife, mother, and unbelievably talented athlete that owns a training facility in Virginia named American Sled Dogs. She is also the Editor-In-Chief of "Train For Her" magazine.
Naturally I had to interview Ashley for the Fitness Files series, it takes serious focus to balance so many responsibilities and still make fitness a top priority! Continue reading my interview with Ashley below for your weekly dose of inspiration.
NMF: Has fitness always been a major part of your life or was there a catalyst/point in your life when you made it more of a focus and priority?
Ashley Horner (AH): I played soccer all through my early childhood and into my youth where I played competitively and participated in ODP in high school. I also played college ball and trained with the Guam Women's national team missing my eligibility by 2 weeks to play against Japan. Even then I was an athlete however, I didn't understand how weight training would affect my life. I struggled to see my friends throughout high school that were thin and with that they had eating disorders. I was never thin, I was thicker having muscular shaped legs from soccer. Fitness has been a part of my life ever since I can remember, but it wasn't until after my first son I made the promise to myself to get my body back. I was so afraid of having the stereotypical ‘mom bod’ that everyone taunted me with that I worked so hard to get my physique back, and not only did I get it back, I trained with weights for my first time and found beauty in my strength.
NMF: What are a few of your go-to healthy snacks/drinks that help keep you on the straight and narrow?
AH: I try and drink as much water as I can, some days are more than others, but on a good day I get a gallon in of straight H2O. I love Gatorade (G2) when I’m doing endurance runs to replenish electrolytes or coconut water. I never skip out on my coffee in the morning. I add half & half and raw sugar or agave.
Some of my favorite snacks are Quest Nutrition bars & Ostrim Jerky.
NMF: At Nadia Murdock Fit our motto is “Train Your Mind, Change Your Body” so we must ask: How do you train your mind and stay motivated?
AH: This is so important and I’m glad you asked this question. Training the mind is so important because it's the first thing to doubt you (your own self doubt) We, especially women, can be so self destructive and mentally defeat ourselves before we even give ourselves enough time to achieve those goals.
NMF: How do you change your body? What are your fitness favorites?
AH: When someone comes to me and says, Ashley I want to change my body.’ Then I tell them that they’d have to change their lifestyle. In order to change anything, something must change. Nutrition must change and training must change. I would also capitalize of the fact that changes take time, no quick fixes if you want the changes to last forever. Never do the same thing for more that 4-6 weeks and always keep learning new techniques of training.
For more information on Ashley click on one of the links below.
- http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ashley-horner-charlie-mike-6-week-fitness-plan
- http://www.ashleyhorner.co
Training minds, and changing bodies!
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