Athlete Name: Jill McCoy

Pro Division: Bikini

Social Media:

Instagram: @jilllynnmccoy

Facebook: Jill Cadwallader McCoy

Where did you earn your Pro status?

NFF Texas Shredder in Austin, Tx

Tell us a little about yourself….

I am a wife, mother of 3, and work full time as a paralegal.  Fitness and a healthy lifestyle have always been part of my life whether it was competitive swimming, horseback riding, running, obstacle course racing, and now bodybuilding.  Not so much when my kids were smaller but I always tried to make time for fitness. I enjoy having a goal on the calendar and having a supportive husband and family is a huge asset in this sport.  My husband and I do all my workouts together when I’m preparing for a show, unless it’s personal training time.

How did you get started with bodybuilding?

I’ve always been active, but I originally started training in the gym when I was about 23 and quit smoking.  I needed to replace those “craving times” with something positive and I thank my 23 year old self for that now.

Where does your motivation come from?

I am motivated by others overcoming challenges, but I am also motivated from within.  I’m one of those people who has made this a lifestyle and being active and eating right is just something I do daily.

What are some of your greatest achievements?

My family, of course.  I am grateful for my big crazy happy family.  Other than competing in obstacle course race championships at some pretty cool locations, earning my NFF Pro card of course.  I’m pretty grateful for some courageous decisions I made when I was younger.  My life would probably be much different right now had I taken a different path.

What is your current training philosophy?

Train and eat for your goals not for the scale.

What are 3 tips you would give to someone trying to reach their goal physique?

Someone told me a few years ago at an OCR finish line after I was frustrated with my performance that day. They said, if I wanted to get to the next level I have to be willing to make a change do something different, go that extra.  We all know this, I knew it, but yet it’s so hard to flip that switch. What is that something more you can give?  For me at that time, it was fitting in extra training early before work.  It was rough at first, but it got me to the next level and I still do implement 2-a-day training.

What is your diet like? And does it differ on-season v. off-season?

I follow a specific diet while in prep – I don’t count macros because I’m lazy.  I have a maintenance diet I try to stick to, but I allow myself to eat like a normal person more often in the off season

When trying to cut down what type of cardio do you do and why?

Mostly walking.  My body likes it and it’s relaxing.  I like to listen to podcasts while I walk.

What’s your Favorite Quote?

Strength does not come from what you can do.  It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.