Hello, who are you and what sports/fitness routine do you play?

Hello I’m Julianne Hodges and I like to participate in almost all things physical activity! I used to play softball, swim, golf, and cross country and now I regularly exercise in a variety of different ways. Sports and fitness have always consumed a large part of my life and after I quit playing competitively, I had to shift to recreational and lifestyle fitness. I used to do a lot of running, swimming, and biking because that’s what I was comfortable with but within the last year I’ve taken up lifting and calisthenics while still doing cardio. I like to participate in a variety of different training styles to prevent boredom, burnout, and to stay healthy overall! I’ve been able to build muscle while still being able to maintain a consistent running pace and flexibility. I think it’s so important to find an exercise that you enjoy rather than participating in the exercise you feel like you have to do simply because it works for others. 

How do you get ready to train for your sport/how do you train?

I’m currently training for a ½ marathon that’s in 4 months. The ½ marathon is simply for fun so my performance is not extremely important but I’d like to do well! My goals are to run at an 8:30-9-minute pace during the race and maintain muscle mass while I’m training. I like to run 5 days a week anywhere from 3-7 miles depending on the day and strength train 2 days per week minimum. I like to run outside when it’s nice out but I find myself on the treadmill often because I like the recovery equipment at my gym. It’s convenient to run on the treadmill and use the foam roller, bosu ball, and bands to stretch and recover after my runs. For strength training, I like to use free weights with simple compound movements. I try to challenge myself but I’m not trying to build muscle or strength right now so lifting heavy weights is not high on my priority list at the moment. 

After a workout/game, how do you recover your body? What do you do to get your body in shape? What type of diet do you eat? 

I’ve always been involved in sports and exercise so I’ve never had to worry about getting in shape, I’ve simply always been in shape. As for recovery, it’s extremely important to stretch, foam roll, rest, sleep well, and eat a balanced diet. Recovery is a huge part of marking progress and muscle growth/endurance. I’ve recently been incorporating more hip mobility and stretching after my workouts to ensure proper flexibility and this also allows me to perform better when running. Diet is another huge thing in recovery. I make sure I’m getting in at least 1g of protein per pound of bodyweight because I’m trying my best to preserve muscle mass while running. I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods because it helps me feel my best and recover quickly. I also incorporate protein powder almost every day to fill in the gaps of missing protein and for convenience. 

How do you prevent injuries when you’re training? What type of stretches do you normally do? What’s your routine look like?

I like to prevent injuries by properly warming up and cooling down before each workout. This includes foam rolling before and after as well as stretching before and after. The types of stretching are different depending on what exercise I’m doing that day and also differ from before and after exercise. I like to do active and dynamic stretches before my workouts. Mainly focusing on legs and hips if it’s leg day or a running day. I like to do static stretching after all workouts. 

If there is someone wanting to get to your level, what type of advice would you give them?

My advice would be just to start! Everyone starts somewhere and you can’t get better at anything without starting, being a beginner, and making mistakes. Learning, progressing, and  growing will happen if you start and stay consistent. Getting 1% better every day is so much more important than trying to be perfect. If you’re looking to be all-around athletic and practice fitness in your everyday life, you just have to start and make it a habit! The looks, aesthetics, and improvement will come with consistency. 

How do you structure your day now? What projects are you busy with?

I’m a full-time student who also works for two websites, manages social media accounts, as well as personal trains. My days are very busy, every day. The thing that helps me get all of my tasks done is making a list of things that have to get done. I spend a lot of time on my phone/computer because that’s where I get a lot of my work done. I also spend a good chunk of time in classes, at the gym, and hanging out with friends. I think time management and prioritizing important things is key to getting everything you need to get done, done. 

How has your journey on social media been? Future plans?

I started my fitness account when I was a beginner myself. I did this because I knew the earlier I started, the earlier I would start learning and growing. This paid off incredibly and 1 year later I have almost 20k followers on Instagram, 40k on Tiktok, and so many opportunities have arisen from this. I’m able to help so many people, build a community, and work with amazing brands. 

I’m not 100% sure where I want to take social media but I want to work for myself in the future and having a following will allow me to do that easier. I love the community I’ve built and I’m so excited to see how it continues to shape and grow. 

Anything else you would like to share?

If there’s something you’re thinking about doing, trying, starting, etc. Just start! Starting as quickly as you can is the best way to learn, grow, and create the life you desire. Do your best to ignore the opinions of others and do whatever makes you happy. 

Knowing what you know now, what do you wish you could tell yourself 10 years ago?

Since I’m only 19 years old, I would tell my 9-year-old self to go out for gymnastics! I was so consumed with other sports when I was little I never got to try it out and it’s something I enjoy so much now I wish I got into it at a younger age. 

How can our audience find you online? 

All of my social media handles are @juliannedhodges 

Julianne Hodges likes to participate in almost all things physical activity. She used to play softball, swim, golf, and cross country and now regularly exercise in a variety of different ways.

Link to Julianne Hodges Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliannedhodges/

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