With temperatures dropping and fall now in season, the desire to get in shape is greater than ever, as the weather outside gets colder.
Naturally, the motivation to stay fit tends to wane because of the mercury dropping and people naturally wanting to stay inside, causing those who do want to work out to not keep up their healthy routine of working out, eating right and being active.
With all things nutrition, fitness and style, one needs to eat, dress and look their best when working out in the cold. Thanks to the rise in the number of certified fitness and personal trainers, the new ‘athleisure’ culture and a more body-conscious society, staying in shape is no longer just about one’s health, but also a booming business.
Thanks to the likes of famous fitness trainers such as Jillian Michaels and the rise of Insta-famous fitness coaches/models such as Emily Skye, Lyzabeth Lopez, Michelle Lewin and Kayla Itsines, people have many different forms of fitspiration to choose from.
Could Tampa-based fitness model and Founder/Owner of health, fitness and apparel brand TaylorFitFL, Jessica Rivard be the next one.
Born and raised in the Detroit-area town of Romeo, Michigan, the 27-year-old Rivard is a ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) certified Beachbody fitness trainer and coach, who offers advice on eating, fitness and workout regimens.
When she is not offering tips and motivation on how to get fit and eat healthy on her website, the stunningly sexy and curvaceous Rivard can be seen in the octagon as a MMA ring girl, doing modeling shoots for fitness and activewear brands such as Vistory Fitness and hard at work in developing her own line of sexy—and affordable—workout activewear.
Below is my Q and A with Jessica as we discuss working out, staying in shape, modeling and being her own boss in the ever-changing world of fitness.
Name: Jessica Rivard
Age: 27
Height: 5’6
Birthplace: Romeo, Michigan
Measurements: 36D-33-37
R.C. What brands have you modeled for? Which one do you enjoy modeling for the most?
J.R. “Brands I have modeled for has been my own apparel brand (TaylorFit)—which I really enjoy! Also, the most recent one is out in Utah called Vistory Fitness.”
R.C. Where has been your favorite place to shoot?
J.R. “My favorite place to shoot was in Las Vegas out in the desert! Amazing views and great experience. It was very hot, but well worth the shoot. I would do it all over again!”
R.C. What is the most exciting aspect of modeling?
J.R. “The most exciting aspect of modeling would be being front of the camera, just being you and showing the world what you’re made of.”
R.C. What is the most exciting part of working out and staying in shape?
J.R. “The most exciting part of working out is finding what you like in your daily workout also a good routine you enjoy. That’s the key to being able to enjoy working out on a daily basis, staying in shape, being able to eat healthy and seeing your results and how far you have come makes you proud.”
R.C. For those who aren’t familiar, you have your own designer line, TaylorFit, tell us more about it, and what inspired you to create it.
J.R. “TaylorFit was created this year. I absolutely love my brand and go hard with it.
Everyone asks me how did I get the name “TaylorFit”, well I’am into fitness so “Fit” works perfectly and “Taylor” happened back in 2012, when I modeled more, I had a photographer come up with “Jessica Taylor”, so I ran with it and continued to use it throughout my brand.
Creating my brand, I know I have more potential than just being a coach or fitness trainer, which I’m working on my (ISSA) certification now.
R.C. Model, Beachbody fitness coach, business entrepreneur, which are you most proud of and why?
J.R. “I say Business Entrepreneur! Why? Because you don’t work for no one and many people can’t just quit their jobs and take that leap of faith it takes a lot, but it pays off. It takes time and I’am very proud of every step that I have made.
Not only did it make me a strong person, but a go-getter and I work every day for my business. I found myself, and it has helped me grow to be the person I have become.
R.C. What motivates you to succeed?
J.R. “Being on my own and standing alone sometimes it takes only you to be that person to motivate you. I set a goal and make sure I accomplish it
Also to see many of my friends that are wealthy helps push me harder to go harder with my brand and being consistent. They say you are known by the company you keep; it becomes who you are as a person.”
R.C. What is your opinion of the growth and popularity of “athleisure” Fitness or fashion fad?
J.R. “I think fitness fashion will never go out of style, as the growth of it is getting bigger within time. I highly believe that the fitness world has grown so much the past couple of years.”
R.C. Where do you see yourself and your brand in the next 5-10 years?
J.R. “I see myself opening a boot campy gym, traveling, having my own recipe book or just book on life and growth. I also see myself giving back is always a plus in my book, as in doing charity events.”
R.C. With fall now here, what fitness and workout tips and tricks do you suggest to keeping in shape?
J.R. “With fall being here, I don’t think any person should let a season discourage them in what they want. In fitness, you have a goal, you will accomplish it.
I say write down all your fitness goals in a notebook or journal every week, set a new goal that will help out a lot and stay focused.
Sign yourself up to a gym workout with a partner or friend. Make that an everyday or every other day habit based on a time that works for you”
R.C. What fashion and style tips and trends do you have for looking good when the temperature drops?
J.R. “A fashion tip for warmer weather would be to dress warm. High flat boots are cute, skinny jeans are super cute. Whatever you feel comfortable in.”
R.C. Within the industry, who is your inspiration?
J.R. “I really don’t have anyone that’s an inspiration of mine. If anyone, my sister Michele, has always been Miss Fitness Queen, in always finding new recipes and always doing her research on workouts sending me updates on new things in the fitness world as in clean eating tips or new and better workout routines.”
R.C. What is your secret to staying in shape?
J.R. “There really is no secret to staying shape, it’s all about what you put in it that you get out. As a good result is clean eating. I‘am not big on saying “diet”, I don’t really care for that word, so “clean eating”, not eating to heavy drinking of water and getting your cardio in.”
R.C. Outside of modeling, what are your hobbies?
J.R. “Outside of modeling, I love the gym, as you can see that. I like shopping, cooking, traveling and going out on the town dancing with some friends to some good music.”
R.C. Sports question: Who are your favorite teams and clubs?
J.R. “I’m not such a sports freak, but I do enjoy football and attending the games. My team would have to be the Detroit Lions of course, my hometown team, and will forever rep them, and the New York Giants.”
R.C. What are your favorite cities to travel to?
J.R. “One of my favorites would be New York and Las Vegas are such fun places and always something new to do.”
R.C. What advice would you give to women aspiring to get into modeling?
J.R. “Advice that I would give to a woman that wants to pursue a modeling career would be to stay consistent, build yourself a name, make sure you build a portfolio, go to events and network even through social media posts. Post and make blogs, it make take months, but just make sure you’re connecting with the right people, look to research them before working with them.”
Special thanks to Jessica Rivard for her time and cooperation during the Q and A. Images used with permission. Follow Jessica on Instagram here, on Twitter here and on Facebook here. Check out TaylorFitFL here.