This interview is part of the Real Talk Real Women interview series, where we bring you the life-changing, heart-warming and inspirational stories behind the most successful women in health and fitness. Make sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest interviews! For this installment, we are joined by Lindsey Greeley.
Let’s start off with a general introduction. How would you describe yourself, what are you all about and how did you get involved in health and fitness?
My name is Lindsey Greeley, I am 24 years old. The best way to describe myself would be outgoing and determined. I'm all about moderation in life I like to have fun but I also like to stay focused on my goal.
It's a funny story actually, I was working at Planet Fitness of all places. Prior to that I had always been an athlete, track, cheerleader, gymnastics, and a dancer. But working at planet Fitness is where I met my first trainer who got me started in competing.
Where does your motivation come from?
Honestly my motivation comes from myself. I am a very competitive person so I do get hard on myself. So I always motivate myself to be better than who I was the previous day, or the previous show I did. I always look to be better than myself and no one else.
As you decided to make a career out of your passion - what were your biggest stumbling blocks along the way?
A lot of failure, it's hard sometimes I became a trainer when I was only 17 so the biggest issue for me was people always looking at my age.
What’s your perspective on the importance of self-care?
It's so important, your mental well being along with physical those are the two things that should take top priority in your life. Without yourself, realistically who do you have?
What are some of the biggest misconceptions about women lifting weight?
The common misconception is " I'm afraid to get too bulky or manly."
Many young women who want to lose weight believe that not eating is the way to do it, without realizing the consequences of that kind of behavior.
Why do you think this is and what’s your perspective on educating society on healthy nutrition habits?
That's easy, society paints this picture for girls to be 110 lbs, to be "skinny", to look like the typical Victoria's secret model. Teaching girls and educating them on the importance of health and nutrition is so important it should be mandatory to teach as a class, not an elective. Not just the typical health class, that's too broad. And in my opinion realistically one chapter in a text book isn't going to do the job.
What are the most unexpected lessons you’ve learned on your health and fitness journey this far?
The most unexpected lesson I learned on this journey, was self love. I used to be very insecure growing up. So from the day I started to compete up until today I'm constantly learning myself. Figuring out who I am and most importantly learning to love myself. I'm a firm believer that this industry can make you or it could break you. Let's face it we go in front of a panel of people. We go on stage against other girls that look just like us, that eat just like us, that work out just like us.
We all do the same thing but everyone looks different. So yeah it could diminish you as a person if you don't look at every outcome as a positive. Learn to love yourself and how hard you work to get there. You can’t compare yourself to every girl you go against you have to compare yourself to your last package and progress from there. It took me many years to learn that.
What do you do to maintain balance in your life?
Moderation is key, So I have to balance family, friends, my love life. It's hard sometimes but it's amazing I have everyone's support.
How do you stay productive?
I am a workaholic so I am CONSTANTLY staying busy and keeping occupied. I currently am a Fitness manager of Retro Fitness Ronkonkoma. I also do demos for Optimum Nutrition so I always have my hands full!
If you could only choose one thing, what would you tell your younger self?
Time heals all. If I only knew what I knew today back then I would have saved myself a lot of tears, a lot of mistakes, a lot of heartbreak. If I could tell little Lindsey one thing it would be time heals all life is in no rush to get you to where you need to be.
Can you give a breakdown of your current diet, training and supplementation regimen and the thinking behind it?
So I'm still off season, I work with my amazing coach Fakhari. So right now I carb cycle my meals, on day one I do 3 meals of carbs, on day two I cut carbs in half day three and four I do no carbs and then repeat. I keep a high protein diet.
As far as supplements I do the very basics, Lipoic Acid, green coffee bean extract, raspberry ketones, digestive enzymes, and vitamin C.
As far as my training I'm focusing on a combination one week I go very heavy looking for quality reps not quantity. Then the following week I go for high volume not so focused on the weight but for repetitions. We are constantly changing the game plan every two weeks that's why he's the best in the business!
What are your biggest life goals for the year?
My biggest life goals for this year is that I really wanna make it. I want to stand out this year, I want to be the new IT girl. I'll be focusing a lot on myself this year I will be working my butt off to try and get a big name sponsor.
Where can people go to learn more about you online?