Meet Magnum’s sexy bombshell, Holly Barker. Holly traded in her investment job to pursue her passion in fitness, and the payoffs have been extremely rewarding in more ways than one.
- Hometown: Whitewood Saskatchewan Canada
- Current Location: Regina Saskatchewan Canada
- Height: 5’6”
- Weight: 130
- Age: 32
- Favorite Lift: Deadlift or any Shoulder Exercise
- Favorite Music to Train: Hip Hop and EDM
- Favorite Lipstick: Buff by Buxom
Websites and Social Media:
Website: www.mhbworld.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollsbarksfitness/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollsbarks?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hollsbarks
Have you always had a passion for fitness and what led to your transition from an aspiring Investment Advisor to the world of fitness?
I grew up in a small town and participated in a variety of sports. I was never really bad at any of the sports, but I really had no passion for them. When I was 14, I took up long distance running and that’s when I fell in love with fitness. Long distance running motivated me to push myself harder than playing team sports and my ‘chubby’ body started to change. Over time, I moved away to attend college; I got my first gym membership, and my passion for fitness and bodybuilding grew.
After graduating with a Degree in Finance, I tried my hand in the investment field, but found my passion was no longer in managing peoples finances; I actually cared much more about creating an environment where others could invest in themselves, and the dividends would be paid back in health, rather than cash.
I retired my collared shirts, slid into my leggings and sneakers and have never looked back!
Tell us about Anytime Fitness and what you love most about owning it?
I love being a part of Anytime Fitness; it’s an amazing franchise and community. Originally, my husband and I wanted to invest in a proven business plan or franchise; Anytime Fitness fit our vision. When we traveled, we liked the consistency between the clubs, the 24 hour access we were granted and the worldwide reciprocity which allowed us to feel at home no matter where we went. We always felt welcomed and motivated and wanted to bring this feeling into our own community. From the beginning it felt like a perfect fit. Now, we have an amazing staff and community based membership who inspires us each day; it’s really come full circle!
What led you to creating a line of fitness clothing and how did you come up with the name, Mind Heart Body for your company? And what do you wear most from your clothing line?
I’ve been obsessed with fashion and shopping my entire life! When we opened our first Anytime Fitness club, we wanted to provide gym t-shirts to give away to new members. I got bored with cheap generic t-shirts and quickly wanted to provide the clubs with better quality clothing that I would actually wear myself both in and outside of the gym.
My husband and I were doing a trade show to promote our club and were seated next to a successful company, Ten Tree. I loved their apparel and what they were all about. We ended up collaborating with them on a clothing line to promote Anytime Fitness and Ten Tree, Mind Heart Body; it went over well in the clubs. But being a gym, not a clothing store we could not keep up with the demand. MHB had been all about t-shirts and tanks, but I felt we should branch out on our own.
Eventually, we trademarked the company and added nutrition coaching services. MHB is very passionate about helping people get to their healthiest place, in our clubs and in their everyday life. We consider it a lifetime of adventure! MHB is committed to providing a lifestyle brand to our customers that promotes healthy Mind, Heart and Body.
I wear the cute tanks and leggings the most! The crop tanks are probably my favorite and the new Hike Crops are something you’ll see me in a lot if you follow my adventures.
How do you make the time to fit everything into such a busy schedule?
With a lot of help! We have surrounded ourselves with an awesome network of people, and it really makes each and every day feel less like ‘work.’ I am very task oriented and like to see projects from start to finish. I will admit that some days can become overwhelming. But I have learned to prioritize and have a more realistic approach; every day I continue to grow.
How did you become involved with Magnum Nutraceuticals? And what do you love most about the company?
I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot with Pink Elephant Photography when they were in Regina. After our shoot, they had suggested if I was interested, I should contact Markus at Magnum about a possible sponsorship. I was absolutely interested, so I profiled my journey and submitted my request for a sponsorship. My friends Casey and Jojo put in a good ‘word’ for me and I submitted an album of photos. I was ecstatic when I was granted the opportunity to represent the incredible Canadian company. I have been so fortunate to have been introduced to this side of the fitness industry through such a respectable business, and I have really learned so much from Markus and Bert. I feel very blessed to represent Magnum and love their entire line of products.
Backstage at shows, I have spoken with other girls who have had sponsorships with companies that really didn’t believe in the products they represented. As a business owner and an athlete, I did not want to represent a company that I myself didn’t believe in or products that my husband and I didn’t use.
Every athlete at Magnum is proud to represent the company and the products; we are more like family than a company. This is what I love most, the family atmosphere and genuine interest that the company and teammates have towards each other. That atmosphere carries over into the quality of Magnums products. I think you can tell a lot about the quality of a company by who represents it. I have achieved incredible results by supplementing with Magnum. Both Markus and Bert are amazing mentors to my husband and myself, and we have become best friends.
Magnum’s products are amazing and I use nothing else.
What are your favorite Magnum products?
Holly’s Foundational Stack
- Acid
- Tonic
- Hi5
- Opus
- Quattro
- Mimic
Holly’s Growth Stack
- Volume
- DNA
- Limitless
- Holly’s Photo Ready Stack
- Heat
- Rocket Science
My newest favorite is G-Spring. This helps me sleep and grow. I fall asleep quicker and stay asleep for a lot longer.
What does your current training look like?
Holly’s Typical Routine
I am active 7 days a week. I lift 5 days a week and perform some type of cardio 7 days a week. I train with a personal trainer at my club every morning, Monday – Friday. I know the split that we are working on, on a weekly basis. But I never know exactly what we will be doing on that day. Right now, I am two months post photo shoots and am training towards a lean physique with an increase in muscle mass for my upcoming Olympia shoots for Magnum.
Monday – Sunday: Cardio
- Incline Treadmill, Cross Trainer or Stepper 45 Minutes Fasted Cardio
- Incline Treadmill, Cross Trainer or Stepper 15 Minutes Post Workout
Monday: Hamstrings
- Stiff Leg Deadlift 10 x 10
- Lying Hamstring Curls 4 x 12-15
- Sumo Squats 4 x 12-15
- Dumbbell Single Leg Deadlifts 4 x 12-15
Tuesday: Posterior/Upper Body
- Wide Grip Pull Up 3 x 8
- Seated Row 4 x 15
- Bent-Over Row 4 x 6
- One-Arm Dumbbell Row 4 x 10
Wednesday: Quads/Glutes
- Lying Glute Bridge 10 x 10
- Kick Backs 4 x 10
- Squats 3 x Failure
- Front Squats 4 x 10
- Plyo Box Step Ups 3 x 20
- Seated Leg Extension 2 x 5 Quick Reps/5 Resisted/ 5 Quick + 2 x Stripped Set
Thursday: Anterior/Upper Body
- Dumbbell Hammer Curls 4 x 10
- Cable Lateral Raise 4 x 10
- Ropes 4 x 30 Seconds
- Straight Bar Cable Bicep Curl 4 x 12
- Seated Press 4 x 8
- Javelin Press 3 x Failure
Friday: Total Body Fitness Challenge
This is my app that is coming out in September 2015! This finishes of my week with a blast of cardio! It is a free app and it populates exercises with demonstrations and how-to photos; it also times you while you perform each move.
The hardest level challenges you with 10 exercises starting with 100 down to 10 with a 10 minute finisher. The easy option challenges you to do 50 repetitions of an exercise moving down to 10 with a 5 minute finisher. This app ensures I have a stimulated and intense session without having to think about it.
The total Body Fitness Challenge launches September 2015 on iTunes and depending on feedback, hopefully it will be available in all app stores. I hope you love it!
What is your favorite ab exercise and why? And do you have any secrets you’d like to share for getting amazing abs?
I have a lot of favorite moves for abs! My go to ab exercises are ball crunches, Bosu ball sit ups to stand up, cable crunches and hanging leg raises. I typically stay away from weighted side ab movements. I have short torso and am very straight throughout my midsection with an hourglass shape, so I avoid any movement that might add size to these areas.
My secret is to breathe throughout the movement and to exhale all air at the top of the movement. I don’t extend the abdominals, but contract them as you would any other body part. Another secret tip, I never count my ab reps! I focus on performing each crunch, raise, sit up with intensity, and when I start to feel the ab muscle burn, I perform 10 more!
Tell us about your nutritional philosophy.
My nutritional philosophy is to feed my Mind, Heart and Body, so I perform and feel my best every day. I do not believe in fueling my MHB with processed foods. I have realized what works best for me is to stay away from processed foods, high in sugar. I believe in a balanced approach that can meet my goals, but that is maintainable for my lifestyle. Quick fixes may work for my physique, but the mental repercussions it causes are not worth it for me. I want to live this lifestyle for a lifetime. 
I work very closely with my coach at mhbworld.com; we are constantly improving my physique and fueling my body for what in it needs, and I love it!
What does your current diet look like?
Holly’s Daily Diet
My typical day right now leading up to photo shoots looks like this:
- Meal 1: 6 ½ Ounces Egg Whites, ¼ Cup Oats, Water and Cinnamon
- Meal 2: 1 Scoop Quattro, ¾ Cup Oats, ½ Delicious Red Apple and Cinnamon
- Meal 3: 3 ½ Ounces Tilapia and 3 Rice Cakes
- Meal 4: 3 ½ Ounces Chicken and 3 ½ Ounces Sweet Potato
- Meal 5: 3 ½ Ounces Extra Lean Ground Turkey, Green Vegetable Stir Fry or Salad
- Meal 6: 3 ½ Ounces Tilapia and 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
Holly’s Tip:
Meal 2
The night before, I mix the oats, water, diced apple, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. I let it sit and soak overnight in the refrigerator. The morning of, I add a scoop of protein before leaving for my workout. Post workout, I enjoy!
What’s something that not many people know about you?
I put cinnamon on everything!
Beastly Note
Photo credits:
- Noel Daganta
- Harry LHGFX
- Eva Simon
Did you love this interview? Leave a comment below and share it with your friends. Thanks!
Love it Holly..Great Interview xo
Thanks Kimber! Holly’s awesome and I enjoyed interviewing her!