You have to admire a woman that can quote John Madden in the professional workplace.
Jessica Hopkins is just that kind of woman.
As a personal trainer, she works with all sorts of clients, each with their own definition of what being “in shape” really means. Some want to lose weight, some want to gain muscle, some want to build up their cardiovascular endurance. And Jessica Hopkins has probably experienced just about every definition of “in shape” anyone can imagine; from training for the low body fat percentage ultra muscle-tone physique demanded by women’s Figure competitions to what John Madden defines as “football shape”.
“There is a difference between being in shape and being in football shape. Anyone can go out on the field and run around, but once you start getting hit and have to get back up; then you find out the difference between being in shape and football shape.” — John Madden, as quoted by Jessica Hopkins.
“I always felt a little out of my element competing in Figure competitions; the flashy two-piece swimsuit, the fake lashes, and clear ‘stripper’ high heels. It was all a bit much for me but I was willing to do it in order to show off the hard physique I had built for the previous 4-6 months. And, it’s what the sport required. The thing that was hard for me to get across to people was that Figure competitions are a sport; only instead of showing off your athletic talent and ability, you are showing off your dedication to endless cardio, ass-kicking strength workouts and super strict dieting. What I was really seeking was the competition, and for the time being Figure competitions provided a sense of that. Only after a while did I come to realize that what I really was missing was the actual physical, athletic competition aspect; as well as the sense of team camaraderie that goes along with sports.”
Jessica’s first taste of sports was at the roller skating rink when she was 3. It didn’t take long for her athleticism to become apparent. As a toddler, she was winning races on Friday nights at the local skate deck.
“Some of my fondest memories were crossing that finish line and being handed my pack of Sweethearts candy! I continued roller skating and progressed into speed skating by the age of 8 until my family moved north to Ferndale.”
Once in her new home, she focused on gymnastics, but more often just spent time running around outside, riding her bike, playing tag or shooting hoops until it was dark outside – her favorite thing to do of all – until her mom would yell throughout the cul-de-sac that it was time to come home.
By high school she had experienced a wide array of activities and awards, including winning the Presidential Fitness Award, competing at the Jesse Owens Games in the 200m dash and setting a few records in the weight room at Ferndale High School (which included a 255lb squat max and a 145lb clean) her involvement in volleyball, basketball, and track and field for her school’s teams. She lettered in volleyball and track all four years of high school and in basketball for three, collecting numerous MVP awards and being voted First Team All-NWL her senior year. She was captain of both the volleyball and basketball teams and in track and field, she went to State three out of four years in hurdles and was part of a 4x400m relay team that placed Third in the state. “I lettered in track my freshman year in my very first meet because I earned so many points for winning First place in all of my events!”
She continued her involvement in basketball her freshman year of college, and picked up volleyball her second year because it was the first year that the school offered it as a varsity sport.
Then, in 2008, she became involved competing in Figure bodybuilding because she missed the feeling that competitive sports gave her and needed something to challenge her. With all of the physical training and rigid dietary restrictions that come with the sport, Figure provided the challenge she was seeking. Last year she took Second Place in the championships held in Vancouver, WA; an accomplishment that qualified her for a National show.
She has since decided to put those dreams on hold; choosing instead to dedicate herself to football by training for the LFL.
“Figure bodybuilding actually worked well in preparing me for the LFL. I think that had I never been involved in Figure competitions, I would have been a lot more concerned about what we were required to wear for our football games. The LFL actually was a perfect fit for me. Not only do I get to show off the athletic physique that I have worked so hard for, but now I get to show off my athletic abilities in what I believe is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports out there. Basketball is my main love, but I have to admit that football has stolen my heart.”
“I’m pretty flattered to be named as a Captain for the Seattle Mist this year. I’m a quiet leader; I like to lead by example and by demonstrating that I can transfer the hard work I put in – on and off the field – into our games. I walk the walk and talk the talk and I’m very honored that it hasn’t gone un-noticed by my teammates and coaches.”
“A few of my co-workers’ clients have asked them if they’ve heard of the LFL and once they mention to them that I’m on the team, apparently they have to walk their clients by so they can point me out. Now that I think about it, I did have a random guy wish me good luck before the Chicago game while I was training my client in the weight room. I had no idea who he was but it kind of felt good to be recognized; and kind of creepy at the same time!”
So as a Figure competitor, a personal trainer, a coach, and now an LFL football player, any advice you’d like to share?
“We all are subject to being judged, criticized or stereotyped based on things that we do, say or wear; but it’s how you handle the criticism that will really develop your character. My recommendation would be to ask yourself before you start something, ‘Why am I doing this? What do I want to achieve from this? How will I react if things don’t go the way I want them to?’ If you ask yourself these things first, when the critics come out, and they will; you will have a firm grasp on who you are and what you believe.”
Out of the numerous awards you’ve won on the track, the court, the field, the weight room and the stage, what do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
“My greatest accomplishment is hands down my 9 year old son, Brayden. He is turning out to be one of the most polite, kind, and caring kids I’ve ever encountered. I’m not biased at all! Honestly, I’m so proud of the person he is becoming and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. He’s playing flag football right now; this is his second year playing. I find myself wanting to coach him probably more than I should; considering I’m not his coach! It’s hard – as a Mom who is an athlete, a personal trainer, a coach, AND a football player – to not be lending some sort of advice. It’s in my DNA. Most of the coaching I am offering him is regarding field awareness; seeing the ball, watching the QB or the receivers so you can react accordingly. He is amazing on defense. About a month ago he told me, ‘Mom, I’m going to get an interception.’ And I said, ‘Ok, go do it!’ The awesome part is that the very next play he DID get an interception and almost ran it all the way back for a touchdown. I wonder where he gets that determination? I did the very same thing at practice for the Mist. Coach Rob Long can probably back me up on that. That was a very proud moment for me, as a safety who dreams of picks every night!”
“I do have to remind him from time to time to have fun though, because he can take losing very hard; just like me. He does really enjoy football and sports in general and always looks forward to practice and games. When the day comes when my son brings home a beautiful girl for his first date, I may have to put her through a series of drills; pull out the tackle dummy, agility ladder, and stopwatch and see what she’s made of. I’ve asked my son out of curiosity what type of girls he thinks are cute, since he is at that age when girls no longer have cooties, and he told me he likes smart, athletic girls. Atta boy!”
Spoken like a true athlete. And a mother.
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You can watch Brayden’s mom and the rest of the Seattle Mist play the Dallas Desire in The Cotton Bowl on January 21, 2011, with a tape-delay broadcast on MTV2 the following Friday. Visit LFLUS.com for details.
Tags: football, Jessica Hopkins, LFL, Seattle Mist, Troy Whigham
