A former Houston Texans cheerleader first discovered in Austin, Jamie Eason has become a fixture in health and fitness magazines since her foray into modeling about five years ago. Since that time she’s been named “The World’s Fittest Model,” snatched up notable national sponsors along the way and built a fan base rivaling that of any health and fitness model today.

This month, in the spirit of our annual gym guide, we wanted to give you the opportunity to get to know Eason as we have. In the following pages you’ll get a sneak peek into what makes her tick: from her favorite healthy foods, to her battle with breast cancer, to a few easy workouts she recommends when equipment and time are in short supply.

With all of Eason’s success in front of the camera, perhaps her most impressive work has been behind it — as a breast cancer survivor, teacher, speaker, creator of her own swimsuit line and impassioned writer (she regularly contributes to Oxygen and bodybuilding.com while writing her new book).

When you ask Eason about her personal journey into health and fitness, she focuses on a single “a-ha” moment that completely changed her life — the day she found a suspicious lump in her breast at the tender age of 22. Unfortunately, it turned out to be breast cancer requiring a lumpectomy followed by mild chemotherapy. But luckily, it was early-stage, so the prognosis was extremely promising.

“I was so young and it was so unexpected, it was a real epiphany,” she says. “After that, I vowed to take better care of my body and be much more in tune with my health.”

After beating the cancer, Eason sought the expertise of a personal trainer and nutritionist to get her body back on track. “I started eating really clean, cutting out sugar and hitting the gym several times a week,” she says.

Within a few short months, she noticed a dramatic change in the way she looked and felt.

“I really wanted that natural, toned, athletic look. But most of all, I just wanted to be healthy” she says.
By eliminating high-glycemic foods from her diet and mixing up her workouts, the trouble spots started tightening up and her energy levels were consistent throughout the day.

“I’m not afraid to eat, that’s for sure,” she says. “Eating whole, non-processed foods has become so important. Eating clean keeps my engine going all day, and it keeps the weight off.”

Now at age 33, Eason is arguably in the best shape of her life. A self-professed “nerd,” she attributes a lot of her success to understanding the science behind living a healthy lifestyle. Researching topics tirelessly and experimenting on herself before giving advice to anyone, she believes a little knowledge goes a long way.

“It’s funny, there are so many misconceptions out there about fitness and nutrition. My goal is to help people get back to basics and just take better control of their own health.”

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15 Questions for Jamie

How often do you workout? What does a typical workout look like for you?

I typically work out three or four days a week to maintain my upper body tone and to improve my lower body. I train legs twice a week with an emphasis on quads and calves one day, and glutes and hamstrings on the other. Depending on my schedule, the third day includes all of my upper body; a split of chest, shoulders and abs on one day and back and arms on the other.

As disciplined as you are about your diet, what is your mindset at each meal?

Basically, that food is fuel for my body. The key is to find healthy and “clean” foods that you enjoy, then to eat on a schedule. Scheduling prevents you from overeating and keeps your metabolism functioning at its peak. Plus, I don’t do cheat meals. There are too many instances in life where eating “clean” will be out of your control (traveling, dinner parties, weddings, etc.).

How much of your look do you think is attributable to genetics?

Genetics certainly play a role in your overall size and shape. No matter what your size or body type, we all have the ability to improve our physiques considerably. It takes a disciplined diet and training tailored to your weaknesses, but it can be done.

Have you ever really been out of shape? How would you characterize yourself at that time?

I would say that I’ve certainly been out of shape cardiovascularly. And as far as physically, I was always trying to lose those last 10 to 15 pounds. I would have never called myself overweight, but I was “skinny fat,” with no muscle tone to speak of, and cellulite creeping up on my legs rather quickly.

In your opinion, how important is it to train with a personal trainer or in a group?

I encourage everyone to hire a personal trainer at some point in their fitness journey. Trainers are especially beneficial for teaching proper technique and for creating a comfort level with equipment. For the more advanced, trainers can shake things up when your routine gets stale or simply push you when you think you’ve reached your threshold. The same can be said of training in a group. Energy can be contagious and motivation from a group can often get you to achieve much more than you ever thought possible.

What are some of the major misconceptions about fitness modeling?

One is that we go to extremes to look a certain way for a shoot and then fall off the wagon shortly thereafter. Fitness modeling, in my opinion, is about maintaining a lifestyle. There’s no yo-yoing. Models who maintain their physique in a natural and healthy way are the ones who book jobs consistently.

Any advice for those wanting to get into fitness modeling?

Sure, take a grassroots approach. Go to events and get involved. More often than not magazines and companies are there scouting for new faces. People naturally prefer to work with people they like and who genuinely use their products. Show them your personality and give them a reason to remember you. Afterwards, follow-up, follow-up, follow-up!

When do you feel healthiest?

I feel healthiest when I maintain consistency in my diet and training, when I get adequate rest and when I engage in regular prayer and meditation.

How do you maintain balance in your life?

Balance in life is not an easy task with all the unexpected things life throws your way. I find comfort in routine and know that when I’m treating my body right that I’m better equipped to cope with stress. It’s not selfish to take time for yourself because it reflects through your attitude and actions toward others.

How did having breast cancer inform your mental outlook?

I was very fortunate to catch the breast cancer at an early stage. Health problems were the furthest thing from my mind in my early 20s and I was lucky that the neoplasm was superficial enough to feel during a self-breast exam. That experience was the epiphany I needed to realize that I wasn’t invincible nor was I living a very healthy lifestyle. From that point on, I took a proactive approach to my health. Not only do I look and feel better than I ever have, but it’s pointed me towards a career that I’m truly passionate about.

What do you think is more important for a healthy lifestyle: nutrition or exercise? And why?

Of the two, I would certainly say nutrition. What we put into our bodies affects every single one of our systems. Eating proper foods in the correct proportions can not only keep you thin and healthy, but many foods have properties that prolong aging. The best thing I ever did for myself was giving up processed foods.

What are you most proud of in life?

In my life, I’m very proud to be the only female in my family to graduate college, to be a homeowner all on my own and I’m extremely proud of my amazing family.

In your career?

I proudly hold the title of 2006 World’s Fittest Model, in which I won a $70,000 custom chopper. I’m proud to be the female spokesperson for bodybuilding.com and to be sponsored by Iovate Health Sciences and AquaHydrate, the best sports drinking water on the planet. One of my greatest honors, however, would have to be my monthly column for a women’s fitness magazine, Oxygen. I’m very grateful and proud to have the opportunity to share my love of this lifestyle with so many readers.

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What are your five favorite healthy foods?

My five favorite healthy foods would have to be my homemade carrot cake protein bars, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, lean ground chicken breast (for its versatility) and Ezekiel bread. Notice a trend? I love carbs!

Watch Jamie’s recipe video, TOO!
www.jamieeason.com/videos

"Oh Baby!" Carrot Cake Protein Bar

To make Jamie's "Oh Baby!" Carrot Cake Protein Bar, you'll need:

Non-fat no-stick spray
1 cup oat flour (ground oatmeal found in the health section of the grocery)
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp allspice (optional)
3 egg whites
¾ cup Splenda
½ cup fat free Ricotta cheese
2 4 oz. jars or packs of baby carrots (instead of shredded carrots)
2 scoops vanilla whey protein (look for a low sugar, low fat, low carb variety)
1 cup quick cooking oats (optional for added carbs and energy)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 x 8 pyrex dish with non-stick butter spray.
{1} In a large bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.
{2} In a medium bowl, mix egg whites, Splenda, ricotta and baby carrots until well combined.
{3} Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and mix well.
{4} Finally, fold in the quick cooking oats (optional) and stir until just combined.
{5} Pour batter into the pyrex dish and spread evenly.
Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool and cut into 16 4 x 4 pieces.

Nutrition: 2 small squares
94 calories (132 cal with oats folded in)
1.25 g fat (2 g fat with oats folded in)
10 g carbs (17 g carbs with oats folded in)
10 g protein (11 g protein with oats folded in)

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What do you recommend to those having a hard time losing the last 10 pounds?

The last 10 pounds are typically the most stubborn. Many people experience plateaus and overcome them, but to get that last little bit of body fat to melt away takes some serious discipline. Our bodies like a little bit of fat for optimum hormone function, so you have to keep your body guessing — vary your routine and incorporate both high and low intensity cardio. The goal should be to maintain muscle mass, which keeps you more metabolic (burning more calories at rest), while shedding that last bit of fat. I personally like to incorporate plyometrics and sprints. A consistently "clean" diet is also critical to dropping those last 10 pounds, so be real about your dedication.

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Jamie’s Easy Exercises

Arms, Chest, Shoulders
10-12 Reps for one set

{Start} Place your hands on the bench with palms down and knuckles facing forward. Bend at the knees with your legs at a 90-degree angle. Lower your body by bending at the elbow. Exhale slowly as you bend. Lower for a count of two. Elbows should not point out as you lower your body.{Finish} Straighten your arms out. Inhale slowly through your nose as you straighten your arm.

Chiseled Core
10-12 Reps for one set

{Start} Place your hands to your sides, grasping the edge of the bench with each hand. Lean your upper body backwards forming a 45-degree angle with the bench. Extend your legs straight out with knees bent slightly. {Finish} Curl your upper body forward while bending and lifting your knees in towards your midsection. Slowly lower your upper body and legs back down to the start position in a controlled fashion.

Lower Body
10-12 Reps for one set

{Start} Grab two free weights that you’re comfortable holding in either hand. Stand in front of a bench that is knee height and rest your left foot on the edge of it. Slowly lower your body so your right knee bends at a 90-degree angle and your left knee comes close to touching the floor. {Finish} Push yourself back to the original starting position as quickly as you are capable.