Everyone who knows me knows that I workout often and it’s something that I enjoy doing. I even became a certified personal trainer in 2006, while I have not been training anyone for some time now, if ever I was motivated to start back again it would be after watching Mike Jones The Trainer!! Mike is not only someone who motivates and trains his client to achieve results, but he practices what he preaches. Mike recently became an IFBB PRO which takes a lot of determination and focus, so without further ado I present to you the month of October’s “The TaLL TaLLk” with, Mike Jones The Trainer!
Name: Michael Jones
Age: 36
Height: 6’6
Marital Status: Happily Married
Location: Atlanta
Occupation: Fitness Instructor/ Model/ Professional Bodybuilder
Who is Mike Jones The Trainer?
Mike Jones The Trainer is a “Man of God” Husband, Father, that loves sports, fitness, and has benefited tremendously from what it has done for my life.
When was the moment you took notice of your height or that you were tall?
8th Grade. I hit a serious growth spurt the summer going to the 8th Grade. I went from 5’8 to 6’2 in like 3 months.
Do you feel your height has made you different?
My height has definitely made me stand out and built my confidence over time. I love being tall and feel that with height comes a lot of responsibility.
How often do you get asked questions about your height?
Almost every day I get the stares or the “Who do you play for?”, questions. I laugh and reply with “I’m retired”.
Did your height/size impact your life differently over the years?
Like I stated earlier I always felt that my height brought about a lot of responsibility because people never believed my age thinking I was older than I really was.
You recently received your IFBB pro card describe how that felt?
The feeling of receiving my IFBB Pro status was amazing because I worked my ass off. This has been a 3-year process in which I got closer each and every National Show that I did. Competing for me is like a fast in which I purge my body from all sugars and pleasurable foods for about 12-16 weeks eating nothing but lean meat, vegetables and drinking nothing but water while working out sometimes twice per day and 45min-1hour of fasted cardio 6 days per week.
I’ve seen your gym grind at LA Fitness as we are both part of the 5am workout crew, your work ethic when it comes to working out is truly admirable, what keeps you focused?
Thanks, bro and I myself admire anyone that is willing to get up before sunrise to workout. I am always pushing myself to be better and fitness/working out is where I free my mind and push my mind, body, and spirit to another level.
A big part of obtaining the goals you have reached is diet how do you maintain a healthy eating regimen?
Diet is the number one key to any fitness goal. I tell people all the time that it is 80/20 Diet/Fitness. Everyone works out but there are only a few people that can be DISCIPLINE for months in and out to see true results. For me, during this process, I feel euphoric and closer to my superior being.
How long have you been personal training? What brought you into the personal training world?
I have been training for about 7 years now and have had several transformations and testimonies which I have found to be my ministry. I have always worked out but I started training post-basketball career due to a knee injury. I tore my meniscus and damaged my knee cap and the doctor stated: “It will be another year before you get back on the court”. That was the best thing he could have ever said to me because I left there motivated to prove him wrong. Long story short I was back dunking and playing in leagues in 4 months!!!
What advice would you give someone considering stepping into the competition world?
I would ask them if they were MENTALLY READY for what they will have to encounter. This is a sport that demands DISCIPLINE on all levels. This is a very selfish sport because you have to consider everything that you put in your body which means limited date nights and social gatherings with family and friends. Also, the pressure of being judged by a panel which is very subjective can be damaging to some people’s self-esteem.
What are some of your biggest challenges when it comes to shopping?
FINDING STYLISH CLOTHING THAT FIT!!!!
How would you describe your style?
My style varies. It depends on the season, how I’m feeling and what everyone else is wearing (I tend to do the opposite). I like a variety of styles that are clean cut with a nice fit. I wear suits, I love jeans, I wear Jordans and I will also put on some cowboy boots and a flannel shirt on.
What are some brands that you always wear?
Nike, Adidas, Polo, Jordan, Levis, and almost anything that fits well. I feel like I can wear an outfit from Walmart and it will look like I just stepped out of a magazine. (LOL)
If you had to wear a uniform daily what would it consist of?
Nike Track Suit (something comfy)
Married Life: Correct me if I’m wrong, but you married your high school sweetheart right?
Yes, I did. She worked at the Cookie Factory at Greenbriar Mall and when I saw her my heart dropped. I finally built up the nerve to ask her to the prom and told her she would be my girlfriend and she surprisingly said YES. We dated, separated and got back together in 2014 and been together ever since. She is my rock.
Was it love at first sight? How soon did you know that you would one day marry her?
I fell in love with her at first sight. I believe it took some time for her to fall for me because I was popular in High School because of basketball and she thought I was the typical jock. I proved that I was totally opposite of her thoughts and gained her trust and eventually her heart. After we separated due to my immature acts we went on to date other people but I always knew she was the one because she loved me for me and not Mike Jones the Basketball Star.
Three words that best describe your wife the way you see her?
Beautiful, Loving, Driven.
We are living in a time where reality shows and social media can sometimes misrepresent what a relationship is supposed to be. What qualities do you think is important to have in order to build a strong relationship?
1. You have Communicate, compromise and be intentional about loving each other. Social Media and reality tv can clog the mind into thinking that your life is not together which can ultimately lead to depression. The only reality that one should be concerned about is there on reality because what we see on TV and Social Media is not reality.
Recently singer Fantasia caught a lot a flack for saying that a lot of women are single because they are not willing to submit to their men, what are your thoughts on that?
I totally agree with Fantasia and I think that a lot of people took what she said in the context that a man is over a woman or that she has to do what the man says. I think it all starts with communication and respect. In order to have a positive relationship, the man has to build the woman up to submit to him. I think due to the fact that most women today were not raised with a positive male image in the house (Father) it is unnatural for them to automatically submit to a man but it is up to the man to reveal the King inside of him in order for that women to feel comfortable enough to submit.
As we get older we take on many different roles in our lives, your role as a father how has that changed you?
Man, this role along with being a husband has changed me for the better. I am more aware, careful and concerned about myself because of them. I no longer go to the same places and hang with the same people because of them. My wife taught me patience. My daughter has brought out my sensitive side and my son has brought out the King in me.
What are some of the most important values you want to instill in your children?
Discipline, Respect, and Willingness to work hard for everything they want.
You’ve also been doing some modeling and we ran into each other at the Shaq & JC Penney auditions, have you done any other modeling, acting, or video work that we may have seen you in?
I have been in a couple of local ads for Fashion shows here in Atlanta. I was the Fitness model for an online magazine called Vitamin C but my daughter is the real star. She was the face for Osh Kosh for the 2017 season and has done several toy commercials and ads. She is currently on the ad for Aaron’s Rentals.
What are some goals you would like to accomplish outside of bodybuilding?
I would like to Open up my own gym and affordable health food store.
Are you currently doing any boot camps or training classes? If someone were interested in getting trained by you how would they contact you?
I have a boot camp that I conduct every Saturday called “Fit In 50”. It is a High Intensity 50 min session where we go all out. There are 2 classes with the first one being for all females that starts at 9am and the second session is for men and it starts at 10am. The location is Gladiator Fitness 668 11th St. NW Atlanta which is owned by my good friend and business partner Julius Miles. I can be reached on Social Media @MikeJonesTheTrainer (Instagram)
Speed Round:
- Are you usually early or late? Early (only fashionably late to parties)
- If you could eliminate one thing from the daily routine, what would it be and why? Driving (this atl traffic is CRAY CRAY)
- If you had a talk show who would be your first three guests? Kobe Byrant, JZ, The Rock
- What age do you wish you could permanently be? Hahahaha 35 (Grown and Sexy)
- What’s your dream car? Chevy Silverado Pickup Truck (coming soon, I’m a simple man)
- Do you collect anything? Shoes….I did have all the Jordans until they started to Dry Rot
- Favorite food? Pancakes, Rice, Steak, Mac and Cheese (my grandma mac and cheese though)
- What’s the most valuable piece of career advice you’ve been given? People don’t care how much you know but how much you care.
- What skill do you think everyone should have? Self-control
- Nike or Adidas….Nike
What’s next for Mike Jones The Trainer?
Brand, Build, Motivate, Inspire the next!
Is there anything else you would like for readers to know about you?
That I am a product of a single parent with Mental Illness (Bi-Polar disorder) that lived in the Atlanta Projects but was taught and believe that I can overcome everything and that my current situation has nothing to do with my future. Keep God first, love thy self and live life to the fullest.
Noted photos by Rah Mosley
Others Mike’s personal photos
Styling by: Rah Mosley
