IFBB Pro Jessica Clay will be competing at the Arnold for the second time in her career. The first time she stepped on the Arnold stage was as a Fitness competitor but this time around she will compete as a bikini competitor. Jessica refined her physique and found her groove at the end of the 2010 season and she’s looking to pick up where she left off. Many people aren’t familiar with who Jessica Clay is so I caught up with the Columbus cutie to find out more. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this hardbody has more going on than just her looks.
Name:
Jessica Clay
Born in:
Delaware, Ohio
Currently Live in:
Columbus, Ohio
Any pets?
Yes dog Lily, and 3 rescued cats; animals always appear on my doorstep. Really want to rescue a hedgehog.
LMAO! A hedgehog… Can those be rescued and where might one find a hog hedging?
Yes there are several places to rescue a hedgehog, you def don’t want to buy one at a pet store, there are certain problems with some hedgehogs purchased at pet stores.
Pet stores have been known to keep male and female hedgehog babies together past the age of sexual maturity. If you purchase a female hedgehog from a pet store you may run the risk of having an unwanted pregnancy in a very young hedgehog.
Breeders will make sure that hedgehog babies are eating and drinking well after weaning. This will help make a more successful transition to your home. This is not always done with hedgehogs reared in pet stores.
Hedgehog breeders know their hedgehog’s lineage going back through the generations and breed based on a good health history. Most pet stores do not. Lol… I am looking for an albino one 😉 But you see I have 3 cats and that could become a problem.
FYI… check the pet store before you buy any type of animal or critter, this isn’t just about a hedgehog… That adorable puppy in the window… yikes… PUPPY MILLS
Most dog lovers know about the often horrid conditions of puppy mills, the unregulated breeding facilities owned by disreputable breeders. Dogs are often bred far too frequently, are kept cramped together in tight conditions, rather sad, and are not socialized with humans. These breeders do not always care about the health and strength of the breed, which often results in genetic illnesses, poor health in general and unlikable personality traits.
There are some pet stores that buy their puppies from commercial kennels regulated by the Department of Agriculture. However, even these pups tend to be unhealthy and unsocialized. This is partly due to the fact that commercial kennels tend to breed many different breeds in one facility and they breed for quantity, not quality. Therefore, their interest does not lie in the healthy promotion of a certain breed but rather in how many sales they can get. So, before you buy that cute puppy in the window, consider the downsides of pet store pups.
I think I need a nap after that one. That’s what I get for questioning your headhogging.
What kind of dog is Lily?
Cavapoo! She was supposed to be 8lbs but ended up being 18. She goes to work with me everyday along with 5 other pups that are at the office as well!
18lbs? What kind of diet do you have your dog on – or lack there of? Lol
My Mom feeds her a secret food and she won’t tell me what it is, so she won’t eat dog food so I have to feed her Organic Ground beef… Oh my… She isn’t chubby, I believe the breeder fibbed to me though on her actual size.
Lily kick’n it on the couch with some booties.
Occupation:
Owner of Clay Creative an integrated marketing communications agency. Co-creator of EcoChics Earthwear; environmentally friendly clothing line.
“Integrated Marketing Communication Agency” sounds like you wear fancy pants. What type of clients do you work with and how did you get into marketing?
Clay Creative has been in business for over 30 years, I took 51% ownership this year. It is a family-owned business with my Dad. As he begins to consider retirement I begin to take over. We do business with mostly Fortune 500 companies, for instance Abbott Nutrition (Similac, Isomil, Ensure, Pedialyte, etc), Scotts, Nationwide, Highlights for Children, McGraw-Hill and etc. I went to school originally for Psychology and switched over to the communication/marketing side and felt it was a better fit. I love it! I always thought I’d be in NY at a large agency, but my life became established and I decided to stay here and take over the family legacy!
What makes a clothing line environmentally friendly?
All of our products are 100% organic cotton or an organic blend. So it’s good for you and good for our planet.
What is “organic cotton?”
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming. All cotton sold as organic in the United States must meet strict federal regulations covering how the cotton is grown.
How did you come up with the clothing line?
My partner and I were sitting one day drinking some wine and talking about how we can make a difference, and all of a sudden the wine kicked in and we thought of EcoChics Earthwear. It is a way to spread the word… small steps lead to big changes… A percentage of all our profits go to American Forests (planting trees). So we try to spread the word in all angles possible. Clothes with a message, clothes for a cause.
Where can people find out more about it?
EcoChicsEarthwear.com, we are currently in the process of re-branding our message, look and feel.
Will you be wearing your own EcoChics track suit for upcoming competitions?
Yes. I will definitely be wearing an inspirational tee saying EcoCourage! That’ll be a good message for the Arnold! Courage to kick some serious butt!
The Eco Chics having some fun on a shoot.
How did you get into competing?
I am a former gymnast that was unable to compete in college due to an injury so I took a couple years off and during my Junior year of college I decided that I would like to try something new/compete again, so I researched and discovered Mike Davies/The Fitness Factory so I have been training with him ever since and began competing in Fitness.
What other sports / athletics did you participate in during high school college?
Gymnastics, track, basketball
Anything you do athletic wise besides train for the stage?
I do CrossFit at Rogue Columbus, TGM (Tracey Gardner Method) yoga, Tennis
Jessica kick’n some CrossFit ass.
What was your favorite part about competing in Fitness?
Practicing my routine at the gym, since I grew up in the gym the feeling there is very comfortable and safe. Also, I love the preparation and the nervousness, such powerful feelings.
What made you make the switch to bikini?
I tore my glute right before jr. Nationals before I won my pro card in fitness and figure at Team U. It took FOREVER to heal, it was so frustrating. So I thought it was time to adjust my thinking and give my body time to heal (as far as gymnastics/routine goes) so I tried Figure, but I found that I could not get as hard and as big as others, then just like that, it was fate (lol), bikini came about and I thought this is perfect for me, I love to strut and I feel it fits me perfectly.
A lot of women talk about getting injured from gymnastics. Why do you think that is and is there a way to prevent it?
Well I believe that what we know now with balanced nutrition is so important. The coaches need to be educated in those areas as well, not just gymnastics. Also, I think it is important to have strength training not meaning lifting but rather strengthening the attachments around the muscles. The constant pounding of a gymnasts body is so bad, I think more focus on the muscles around the joints is a good idea. And nowadays there is more padding to cushion the falls and constant pounding, not when I was doing gymnastics, we were lucky to have one spring floor. So kids today have more body support to work with. Gymnastics is an extreme sport, if you have never played this individual sport it is hard to comprehend the intensity of the sport, it takes balance, concentration and athleticism and mental toughness… “never cry†suck it up and do it…
You’re one of the chosen to be part of the Bikini International. How’s it feel competing in front of you hometown fans in Ohio?
Ooo la la I am so stoked, I have so many friends and family coming to see me, I am so excited I could do a little dance! It’s gonna rock!
A little dance – like Elaine on Seinfeld or more of a Rick James dance?
Like Carlton on Fresh Prince 😉
Are you preparing any differently for the Bikini International vs the Fitness International?
The prep is still the same except I don’t have a routine to practice for, the prep is hard work each and every day, but I love it! Hours of work a day of preparation is so rewarding at the end of the day! Woo hoo!
Any tips on making chicken taste better?
Hold my nose, chew really quick and swallow. I can’t stand chicken. That’s how I eat my eggs as well, I pour the amount in the measuring cup, grab a pink straw and drink it super quick.
Any supplements you couldn’t live without?
Met-rx Glutamine, Met-rx Super Green Powder. And I love my Xtreme Shocks!
What’s the one song that gets you pumped in the gym currently?
The Temper Trap “Sweet Dispositionâ€, and Swedish House Mafia “One†and Madonna “Revolverâ€; I also listen to opera during my morning cardio.
You listed three songs instead of one but ok. LOL. OPERA during morning cardio? What’s up with that?
Opera is relaxing yet it gets me moving at a good pace and gets me ready for the day!
Do blondes have more fun?
Well of course!
Will you be at any booths or making any appearances during the Arnold weekend?
Met-rx! Go team Met-rx! Such an amazing group of peeps!
Met-rx booth? Sweet! They are great people & we love Teresa. Have you worked with them before?
Yes I have been with them for going on 2 years, this will be my second year with Met-rx, yes Teresa is a great friend!
Any advice to young women looking to get into competing?
Indeed, what I have learned in this industry is NO MATTER WHAT be yourself and don’t change or lower your standards for anyone or anything. It is important to keep your morals and values strong for you as a person but then it’ll reflect to others, be a role model to yourself and it will reflect to others and don’t let anything get in the way of your vision. Hard work and determination does pay off, it may take you longer to reach your goal but you will get there!
Jessica performing her fitness routine.
Do you carry a gallon jug with you at all times?
No I don’t think that looks very feminine, just a personal opinion.
I hear you’re quite the world traveler – how did you get started traveling the globe?
Life is short and I have quite the bucket list… no time to mess around… I want to hit all continents by age of 40. I am somewhat of a gypsy, I go with what I feel like on a day to day basis, no time to plan rather plan and do it and make it happen asap! I have always enjoyed experiencing new cultures, languages, food, climates and etc., there are so many other things outside where I live to see and experience, it is overwhelming to think about at times… so much to do so little time.
What are some of the adventures have you done over the years?
I lived in Merida, Mexico and London, England. I love to travel to the most exotic places; I visited 4 eco-systems in Brazil where I slept in huts and ate strange plants and fished for piranhas. Did a bike and barge off the coast of the North Sea. Went horseback riding in Albert, Banff, Canada where less that 1% of the population has ever seen, slept in the freezing cold with foil to keep me warm, Most recently, did an excursion through Costa Rica where my boyfriend was bitten by the most venomous snake, yikes. And I will be visiting very soon Borneo, Malaysia where I will be studying climate change with a Science team of experts and snake proof boots are a requirement 😉
Favorite place you’ve visited thus far?
Hmmm each place has it’s own flare, I can’t have a favorite it just wouldn’t be fair to judge. I can only say my favorite thing about each place, all places have its unique quality.
What’s the biggest difference when it comes to eating/food in other countries compared to the US?
Ewww… foods in other countries rock, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t eat… I will eat anything… I have eaten bugs, plants and weird/odd things that I have no idea what it is, as long as it won’t kill me I will eat it!
You’ve fished for piranhas in Brazil…Did you catch any?
Oh yes I was the master piranha catcher!
How do they taste?
Actually you do not eat the actual fish you boil it and eat the broth, the broth is said to be an aphrodisiac! It was very tasty!
“Said to be an afrodisiac” (air quotes) was it?
No it wasn’t, unless I saw an anaconda, then I would of been so excited… That doesn’t really make sense. Oh well … I still explained the soup, huge dork I am…
Piranha Soup (Caldo de Piranha)
This is a typical dish from the Pantanal, flavorful and appreciated for its aphrodisiac quality.
The soup is usually served in a bowl or cup, adding a healthy dollop of hot sauce. Some people prefer to thicken the soup with manioc flour (manioc is like our potato in the states, although it is a poisonous root there is a tough process to extract the poison) tastes like sawdust, yum.
The soup is usually served as an appetizer with a side of crackers, before a fish meal or barbeque.
Have you tried sleeping in foil in Ohio to keep warm?
LMAO… Well since aluminum isn’t the best for a human, I don’t typically, but if my electric goes out I will most definitely do it.
Jessica in Costa Rica.
You mentioned Costa Rica. I was just there and it’s AWESOME. Where did you go and is this about your boyfriend getting bitten by a snake and is he ok?
We (my boyfriend and I) visited the Eastern side of Costa Rica, it was supposed to be an adventure trip sleeping in huts and doing crazy activities, but we only made it to day 3 and we had arrived at Mount Arenal and the sky was overcast so we couldn’t even see the volcano that our hut was in… and I of course wanted wine, chips and salsa at 9pm, we left our hut and headed on the trail, I was a few steps ahead of him and sure enough he yelped and said something bit him, he said he thought it was a lizard, I said they don’t bite, we ran back inside our hut I took a look at the bite and I knew right away it was a snake, I seem to know a lot about snakes… so I packed all the crucial materials, mind you I had just showered so I only had raggedy sweats on and tennis shoes with no socks and most definitely no make-up on… I told him to grab the camera and take photos of the snake to make sure the docs can see the type of snake it is if we need antivenin… so … long story this is, I will make it short… we made it to the lobby like place and I yelled for someone… they came I showed the pic of the snake and right at that point my bf collapsed and started convulsing … it normally takes 10 minutes for the venom to attack a human if it is a venomous snake… it is the top 3 most venomous snakes in Costa Rica/ South America. Yikes 2 options, rush to closest clinic to be treated with the antivenin, made it in time, but then we had to rush no nearest hospital, which was a hour and a half away which was a public hospital or 4 hours to the private… it was life and death so we picked the closest the public… most miserable experience ever. We were there for 5 days… I had to sleep in this ghetto hotel called Lucky’s… I took it as a sign… lol… all the docs could say in English was “he is so luckyâ€. Blah… thank God I speak Spanish or else I would have had no idea what was going on… on and on, we transitioned back to San Jose where we had to keep him bed rest for 3 more days because of the infection… needless-to-say, we made it to the US, we had several scientists following this situation and guiding me thru the process… people were fascinated by this experience… so he almost died in Costa Rica and then back home he almost died again one exact week later with what is call serum sickness… but he made it out alive… whew amazingly crazy experience, one to definitely tell my children someday… if it was me that was bitten, I would of died because of my size. The terciopelo “fer-de-lance†attacks a human thru the blood and nerves, it attacked him evenly… it was a 4.5 foot adult snake, which if it was a baby snake it would of released too much venom that would kill a human because baby snakes can’t control the amount released so again we were lucky! Word of that trip “LUCKYâ€
Any plans to go back to Costa Rica?
Yes, I think I’d like to go back and visit some friends I made there someday and maybe visit the western side to surf… Perhaps I’ll make the trip back there less of an adventure trip.
Why Malaysia as the next trip?
My business partner and I with EcoChics Earthwear are obsessed with the rainforest, so we thought this would be a great opportunity to study with a team of scientists on climate change in Malaysian Borneo and also a great thing to blog about to actually prove “EcoChics†do make a difference!
Climate change?
Climate affects the distribution, diversity, and abundance of species, the pattern of habitats, and ecosystem dynamics. It also shapes human responses to the environment, which ultimately influence economies and social patterns. A sustainable future depends on everyone developing a better understanding of how climate change will affect vulnerable species, habitats, and the ecosystem services that support human life. The time for action is now!
Wow! I’ve gotta say that I had no idea that the quiet bikini competitor backstage had so much going on in life. Thanks for taking the time to share it with the readers of Hardbody and all the best at the Bikini International.
Thank you!
You can get in touch with Jessica through her website and you can follow her on Twitter at @jessclay. Learn more about the Arnold Sports Weekend & the Bikini International here.
Profile photo by mirandi productions and other photos via Jessica’s facebook page.
