Find Your Passion & Run With It: An Interview With Ashley Joi

Ashley Joi is much more than a pretty face. This University of Rhode Island alumna is using her experience as a Division I scholar athlete, along with her double major studies in Psychology and Communications, to motivate and guide others towards happiness. Although she initially planned to become a therapist upon graduating, Ashley’s passion for helping others led her instead to a career in health promotion, fitness modeling, and motivational speaking. “I could not see myself being a therapist…I decided to put that aside and start a journey in health and fitness. I had no idea what it would look like, but I knew that I could become whatever I put my mind to.”

In October, just a few weeks after her 28th birthday, the collegiate level sprinter will run her 3rd half-marathon within in her 1st year of long-distance running. “I lost a dear friend last year who had inspired me to live and go outside of my comfort zone. I began running half-marathons in his memory…”. Shortly after resetting her career path, and breaking into new forms of training, Ashley says, “I began to have blessings pour my way…working on set with amazing trainers and talent.” She has been featured in campaigns with companies such as Nike, Activyst, and Lorna Jane, and continues to book fitness modeling gigs as they come. When Ashley is not on set shooting an exercise video or ad campaign, she is training for an upcoming half-marathon. Otherwise, you will find her biking and playing beach volleyball, or simply basking in the sun, as the beach is favorite place to be.

Let’s hear a bit more from the Apple Valley, Ca native herself:

Tell me about an average day in your life.

I don’t think I have an average day anymore! But a day I enjoy the most is waking up at5:30-6am making a cup of coffee grabbing some fruit and heading to set to shoot a workout video or a photo shoot. The day ends around 7pm and all I can think of is showering and going to grab some food a glass of wine.

Another day I will be peeling myself out the bed to go on a 4-6 mile run, then having lunch by the beach, checking emails, texting my family, friends and Mom, posting on my Instagram Facebook and Twitter. Set any meetings or time with friends to grab lunch dinner with my boyfriend.

Sometimes I head off to my grind at a restaurant I work at part time. That place is like family to me; they understand my passion and my big goal in life and always welcome me with open arms if I've been away. I am not training clients right now because my schedule has been very busy with my personal gigs and many life challenges.

How about your training schedule, what does it consist of?

Currently I am training for a half marathon so I run between 4-6 days a week. I also do Santa Monica stairs and body weight workouts. If I was not training for a half marathon I love weight lifting 3-4 days a week and running, around 2-3 days. Running has always allowed me to go into a mental space of clarity.

I love all aspects of fitness, so spin, yoga, and Pilates are also incorporated into my routine when time and my body allow it! But my inner fire inside always pushes me to do challenging workouts. I've been a fan of stadiums since I was a teen and Santa Monica stairs feed that challenge.

On the days when you don’t feel like training, how do you push yourself?

I’m over 5 years removed from being a Division I athlete, so I go back to the mindset and memory of when I did not want to go to practice, but it was my job, I had teammates relying on me. I think the same now. I have a follow base that relies on my consistency. I appreciate them and they keep me going. I also have made sure to make true goals and those goals push me. I am a true believer that if you do not have a true reason why you are doing whatever you are doing in life, anything can distract you.

Do you have a favorite motivational quote?

"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve" -Napoleon Hill

Right now, is there anyone or anything you would consider your biggest inspiration?

Life is my biggest inspiration and God would have to be the individual that inspires me the most. Because, whenever I am in doubt or have fear I can go to him and there is always an answer. Life inspires me because all the people God has placed in, or taken out my life, have made me realize the amount of potential in this world. It’s unlimited and I need to dig deeper

Tell me a little bit about your style. I can see your personality in your style.

Yes! I love a little cleavage and a big pop of color. It’s all about the sports bra! My workout outfits are put together around my sports bra and my sneakers. I love Nike Pro Indy and Nike Pro Rival, also any Lorna Jane sports bra. Long tights and Capri are my go-to. I’m also getting into loose tanks with a cute little knot on the side.

Lastly, what would you like those who you inspire to know about you?

I feel my calling is to help motivate and guide people to their happiness. I am trusting God to lead me and all I have been able to see is prosperity following him. I believe I ultimately would like to study Sports Psychology. And then, I want to be the next Jillian Michaels or Jeanette Jenkins! I can do it all with God behind me.

Follow Ashley's training journey on Instagram @AshleyJoi, and on Twitter @MissAshleyJoi. Her social media space is a great place to find inspiration for your training program, along with motivation to live a colorful and Joi-ful life.