Jay and Anh Campbell are co-owners of the ever growing and popular site TheMuscleCouple.com. Both are former college athletes who converted into 30 something fitness competitor/models. Blessed with two beautiful daughters, Alexandra and Gabriella, their focus in training together continues to build a lifelong bond going beyond their wedding vows.
Driven to impart their wisdom and advice through their site’s unique articles and impassioned content, Jay and Anh hope to inspire couples and families to embrace the fitness lifestyle together.
Featured writers for Gym Technik, Muscle Mag Fitness and My Best Health Portal, you will also find them scattered throughout the inter-web as informed voices on numerous forums and social networking communities.
Jay and Anh are living proof it’s possible to balance challenging careers, a loving marriage, the trials and tribulations of parenting and maintaining a visible 6 pack
The Interview
How did you get started as a fitness model/bodybuilder?
Jay: I was lead to bodybuilding and training at the age of 22 after being a college basketball player. Quickly absorbing information from the various muscle mags, my interest grew quickly into the scientific realms of resistance training and nutrition. By the age of 28 I became an ACE CPT and held a CSCS with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Anh and I met at the age of 29 and her love of fitness grew from our training together. Blessed with incredible genetics, Anh was quickly on her way to modeling for various companies in Southern CA. In the last two years since we launched our blog, her image and likeness has grown tremendously on the web. We are are now focused on appearing in 2 contests for the next couple years to see how they acclimate to the rigors of the competitive lifestyle.
Give us a view into your weekly diet/workout/supplementation routine looks like.
Right now we’re in training for a bodybuilding competition (Musclemania/Fitness America Weekend in Las Vegas) so our diets, supplementation and workouts are very structured.
We each eat 5x per day on Non training days (1 Early Morning Protein Shake after Cardio and 4 Solid Meals consisting of Lean Protein, Complex Low GI Carbs, and EFA’s from Healthy Fats and Oils)On training days we’ll share an additional Protein Shake (The Muscle Couple Mix)before, during and after training.
Currently we train in HIT Fashion and have it broken down over 4 days. Chest/Triceps, Back/Abs, Delts/Biceps, Legs, Calves. You can read much more about our workout and HIT Training on our site.
Our supplements come in the form of VPX Meltdown as a Thermogenic, Casein Protein Powder from Optimum Nutrition and various Muscle Milk 2 Pound Canister Mixtures. We both take a lot of vitamins and minerals daily. We also supplement with Fish Oil and Green Tea Capsules, Acetyl-L Carnitine caps and Udo’s Oil.
How does your Pre-contest workout routine and Diet change from your normal routine?
Our workout routine doesn’t change very much. We definitely still train to failure but will reduce frequency and intensity techniques. Right now is perfect example- 4 weeks before our show, moving to 3 Days Training only. Both of us will do two-a-day cardio sessions on days we don’t train. Moderate intensity for 25-45 minutes per session making sure not to do too much and start burning muscle tissue.
Diet stays very similar with the main exception we drop our kcals. The last couple of weeks, we’ll also drop all starchy/complex carbs by 5PM daily.
What is your favorite recipe?
We both love The Muscle Couple Protein Pancakes.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 Cups Egg Whites
- 1 Cup of Oatmeal or 1/2 cup of Oatmeal and 1 packet of the Instant Low Sugar Oatmeal (your choice)
- 1 handful of Raisins or more
- 3 scoops of Muscle Milk Protein Powder (We like the Cinnamon Bun Muscle Milk protein powder)
- 2 scoops of Whey Protein(We use Optimum’s Pro Complex)
- 1 Apple(cut in small cubes)
- 2-3 tablespoons of Udo’s Oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all of the above ingredients into a blender. Spray pan with Non-Stick Olive Oil Cooking Spray. Poor the pancake mix into a pan and put raisins on top. Cook at Medium temperature for about 1 minute per side.
Quick Fact:
Jay and Anh are competing in their first show this weekend, November 21-22 at Fitness America Pageant in Las Vegas
Tell us about some accomplishments that you’ve had in your fitness career.
Don’t really have any yet. Our blog is continuing to gain notoriety and both of us have been asked to model various clothing lines. We also have written numerous articles for other sites. Our site’s content has been picked up by health and fitness new aggregators multiple times.
What are some projects that you are working on today? Short/long term goals?
We’re always working on making the blog better. Good content isn’t always easy to create. We’re very helpful to be able to monetize our site shortly. Long term we’d like to be able to completely make our lingo
What keeps you motivated?
The mirror, ourselves, our two beautiful children aka “The Muscle B’s” Alexandra and Gabriella, and wanting to be healthy and live forever looking great!
What are the top 5 tips you recommend to stay in shape?
- Avoid Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Fast Food like the plague
- Do Cardio on an empty stomach first thing in the morning 4days a week for 20 minutes per session minimum
- Always eat small meals every 3-4 hours ensuring you get lean protein, some healthy fat and clean carbs
- Weight train 2-5 days per week and make sure you practice progressive overload to avoid boredom and to continually challenge your physique.
- Learn the basics about food and nutrition. Know the difference between a protein, carb and fat. Know how they combine when eaten together.
What tips would you give to someone who wants to get into the fitness/bodybuilding industry?
Ask questions, listen, be outgoing, respectful and engaging when talking to other folks inside the business. Make sure your physique is tip top as much as possible. Be knowledgeable and do your homework. Never stop reading and researching.
Last words.
Please continue to visit our site for incredible information about health, fitness and many other interesting subjects wholly unrelated.
Where can we find you on the internet?
Read Part 2 of our interview and Learn their Shredded Body Secrets while Managing Parenthood:
The Muscle Couple Jay & Anh Campbell, Round 2: Shredded Body Secrets while Managing Parenthood
Check out their videos:
Jay and Anh Performing HIT Back Training 10 Days Before Fitness America Weekend
Tags: fitness