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Jessica Arevalo

Born in the sunny state of California, Jessica Aravelo has numerous competitions under her belt and millions of followers on Instagram. But it hasn’t always been an easy ride.

From starting training at 17, to reaching the top of her game, she has had to battle with adversity. She has overcome depression, anxiety, panic attacks, alcohol addiction and many other hardships on way to becoming a fitness icon and online sensation.

This is her story:

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“Straight away I fell in love with training and never missed a single workout!”

Athlete Statistics

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Accomplishments

Competitions

• 2015 IFBB San Marino Pro, 11th
• 2015 IFBB Dennis James Classic, 11th
• 2014 IFBB Sacramento Pro, 2nd
• 2014 IFBB Olympia Weekend, 16th
• 2014 IFBB St. Louis Pro Bikini, 6th
• 2014 IFBB Northern California Pro Bikini, 2nd
• 2014 IFBB Dennis James Pro Bikini, 3rd
• 2014 IFBB Europa Dallas, 15th
• 2014 IFBB Europa Show of Champions Orlando, 3rd
• 2014 IFBB St. Louis Pro, 3rd
• 2013 IFBB Irongames Pro Bikini, 5th
• 2013 IFBB Sacramento Pro, 3rd
• 2013 IFBB Olympia Weekend, 16th
• 2013 IFBB St. Louis Pro Bikini, 3rd
• 2013 IFBB Orange County Muscle Classic Pro Bikini, 7th
• 2013 IFBB Greater Gulf States Pro, 8th
• 2013 IFBB Southern California Pro Bikini, 3rd
• 2013 IFBB St. Louis Pro, 2nd
• 2013 IFBB MuscleContest.com Pro Bikini, 7th
• 2012 IFBB Sacramento Pro, 3rd
• 2012 IFBB Border States Pro Bikini, 7th
• 2012 IFBB Houston Pro, 17th
• 2012 IFBB Greater Gulf States Pro, 9th
• 2012 IFBB New York Pro, 8th
• 2011 NPC National Championships, 1st
• 2011 NPC San Francisco Championships, 1st

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“Growing up I had nothing and experienced a lot of hardships and learned at a young age to work hard in whatever I did. I couldn’t give up because I didn’t have anything to fall back on.”

Biography

Early Life and Challenges

Growing up in the heart of California, Jessica experienced a difficult childhood. Her mother was sent to prison, and she was left with only her father for guidance. This led to Jessica having trouble with numerous mental conditions – the future Bikini Athlete dealt with depression, anxiety, panic attacks and alcohol addiction. At the age of 12, in 1997, she resorted to alcohol and self-abuse.

She was on a slippery downwards spiral.

“At this time I remember being so numb to life that I would cut my wrists to feel that I was actually alive still. I never understood why people did it until I was at this point in my life. I took up the habit of smoking nearly a pack a day. I smoked for 4 years as a mean to alleviate stress.”

Entering the gym

However, all hope was not lost.

Jessica’s father stepped in to help her, and it was his influence that led her into the world of bodybuilding.

In 2002, at 17-years-old, Jessica began weight lifting when her father introduced her to the gym. Under her father’s guidance, she began using the Arnold style of training – 5 days a week, hitting every muscle group.

As well as developing her physique, Jessica also developed a bulletproof mentality. She was taught that lifting weights clears your mind and encourages positivity in life – this helped her to overcome her rough childhood.

Through rigorous training, she had unknowingly set foot on the path to success.

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“My motivation comes from how far I have come; I have overcome depression, alcohol addiction, anxiety, panic attacks and every kind of abuse you can think of. The fact that I fought my way out of the impossible lets me know that anything is possible.”

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Success as a Bikini Athlete

For the next decade, through relentless determination to succeed, Jessica had recovered from her conditions. Weight lifting had saved her from dark times, and she was more motivated than ever to make something of herself.

By the time she was 26, she was ready for her first competition as a Bikini Athlete.

In 2011, she entered the NPC San Francisco Championships, and her hard work was on display for everyone to see. She walked away with a trophy, after being placed 1st in the competition. This was a huge victory for Jessica, and things would only get better.

Earning her Pro Card

On the back of her victory, Jessica was riding high for the first time in her life. She was invited to compete in the 2011 NPC National Championship to fight for a Pro Card. She was up against tough competition, with the likes of Krystyn Niespolo, but she managed to take home her second trophy of her career. But, she had also taken home her Pro Card from the victory.

She had finally realized her dream of becoming a professional Bikini Athlete. However, she wasn’t to taste the same success in the pro divisions.

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“I like to go in there, lift heavy and isolate each muscle group!”

Training

Jessica has not changed the way she has been training since the start. She has continued training in the way that she began – training 5 days per week, covering every muscle group.

She only trains cardio if she is preparing for a photo-shoot or show, where she’ll do 20 minutes after each workout. In her off-season, she focuses on building as much muscle as she can.

Workout Plan:

Jessica’s weekly plan would look something like this:

Monday: Chest/Triceps

• Warm Up Push Ups 3 x 20
• Flat Bench Press 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Incline Bench Press 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Dips 3×12
• Cable Pull Downs 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Overhead Cable Pulls 3 x 12, 10, 8

Tuesday: Back/Biceps

• Pull Ups 3 sets to failure
• Lat Pulldowns 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Bent Over Rows 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Dumbbell Curls 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Barbell Curls 3 x 12, 10, 8

Wednesday: Legs/Glutes

• Squats Smith Machine or Free Weights 6 x 15-20
• Sumo Deadlifts 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Weighted Lunges 4 x 20 each leg
• Leg Extensions 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Lying Leg Curls 3 x 12, 10, 8

Thursday: Rest

• Recovery

Friday: Shoulders

• Lateral Raises 4 x 15, 15, 12, 10
• Dumbbell Single Arm Raises 3 x 15, 12, 10
• Dumbbell Shoulder Press 3 x 12, 10, 8
• Arnold Press 3 x 15, 15, 12
• Bent Over Lateral Raises 3 x 15

Saturday: Rest

• Recovery

Sunday: Legs/Glutes

• Straight Leg Deadlifts 4 x 15, 12, 10, 8
• Weighted Lunges 4 x 20 each leg
• Sumo Deadlifts 4 x 15, 12, 10, 8
• Swiss Ball Hamstring Curls 4 x 25
• Bulgarian Split Squat 3 x 25
• Lying Leg Curls 3 x 15

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“My personal transformation is much more than just skin deep.”

Nutrition

Jessica eats 6 small meals a day, in order to keep her metabolism high and feed her muscles. She mainly consumes lean protein, complex carbs and healthy fats.

Diet Plan:

A typical day of eating would look something like this:

• Meal 1: ½ cup Oats, Fruit & 6 Egg Whites
• Meal 2: 6 oz. Red Meat, 4 oz. Yams, ½ cup of Vegetables
• Meal 3: NLA Her Whey Protein, 1 Banana & 1 scoop of Cashew Butter
• Meal 4: 6 oz. Chicken or Fish, ½ cup of Brown Rice, ½ cup of Vegetables (Asparagus/Broccoli)
• Meal 5: 5 oz. Chicken & 4 oz. Yams
• Meal 6: 6 Egg Whites or NLA Her Whey Protein

Supplements Stack:

• Whey Protein
• Pre-Workout
• Fat Burners
• Pro-biotic
• Multivitamin
• CLA
• ALA
• BCAA

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“My father taught me the Arnold style of training which was basically going to the gym 5 days per week and hitting every single body part. He taught me how to train my mind and never listen to the negative thoughts that would keep me from the gym due to laziness or excuses.”

Idols and Influences

The Californian native takes most of her inspiration from her father, who encouraged her to begin weight-training. Without him, she may have never found success as a Bikini Athlete.

Although she mother was absent for most of her life, Jessica also includes her mother in the list of people who have influenced her career:

“My mother is the most amazing and beautiful person. She has so much potential but was just dealt the wrong cards in her life. Women such as my mom and I, want other women to know that there is hope for them to live out their fullest potential and dreams – and I won’t stop until my mission is completed.”

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“I have survived it all and came out stronger than ever and if I can do it so can you! Never give up!”

What can we learn from Jessica Arevelo

Jessica has taught us that anyone can make something of themselves, regardless of what issues they are facing. She beat depression, alcohol abuse and a range of other problems to come out at the other side as a stronger person.

One thing we can learn from Jessica, is that you should never fix something that isn’t broken – The professional Bikini Athlete has stuck to her guns and continued training in the same way that she began. Putting your faith in something and seeing it through can lead you to great success.