SPOTLIGHT: MACY EGERMAN INTERVIEW

Macy's goal is to improve her overall shape and strength.

When Macy graduated from college with an art degree, she didn't have to abandon her hobbies, didn't have to forget about her years of competitive soccer.

By signing up one the world's largest fitness website, she has been able to use her talents and skills and still keep her creativity alive.

Now that she helps coordinate supplement branding in the Digital Publishing Department, even more doors will open up for her. 

She recently finished the employee transformation challenge and has opened her eyes to the world of competition.

Take a moment to read about her experience and learn why she is standing in this month's team member spotlight!

Q.

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION AT THE COMPANY YOU WORK FOR - BODYBUILDING.COM? HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?

In February 2013 I started working as a Customer Service Representative going by the name of MindSetMacy. Six months later I joined "Team Recon" a.k.a. The Support Team.

Six months after that I was selected to join the Digital Publishing Team as a Brand Media Coordinator.

HOW DID YOUR SOCCER CAREER AT THE COLLEGE OF IDAHO HELP IMPROVE YOUR PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE? CAN SOCCER SKILLS CARRY OVER TO BODYBUILDING?

College soccer is definitely a higher level of training than most. Overall it teaches your body how to endure different types of training. From two-a-day practices to indoor games and weekly lifting sessions, you're practically at your peak physical condition.

I think some soccer skills can carry over into bodybuilding in that almost everything you do in soccer is on one leg. If you are passing, shooting, or dribbling, you're constantly using stabilizers to balance just like you do when you lift free weights. It also gives you thunder thighs.

DO YOU FEEL YOUR RECENT COMPETITION HAS MADE YOU STRONGER, AS AN ATHLETE AND PERSON?

The transformation challenge definitely made me stronger as an athlete and person. This is the first time I have trained with a program that requires a level of discipline different from anything I've done before. It was challenging physically and, no doubt, mentally.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR TENURE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE?

In customer service I learned how important and one-of-a-kind our company is. It's truly life-changing for the customers and employees. We can make differences in people's lives, just by giving advice, encouragement, or information. We can help make a better life for someone we don't even know.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO FURTHER HELP CUSTOMERS IN YOUR NEW POSITION?

Although I'm not directly working with customers anymore I plan to do my very best every day at work to help Bodybuilding.com be successful. It may be a smaller role in comparison, but it's all for the customer.

"ATHLETICISM HAS ALWAYS BEEN ESSENTIAL, BECAUSE I LOVE BEING ACTIVE AND PLAYING SPORTS, AND I'M SUPER COMPETITIVE."

WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU: AESTHETICS, STRENGTH, OR ATHLETICISM?

They are all important. I like to have an aspect of each. Athleticism has always been essential, because I love being active and playing sports, and I'm super competitive.

Strength is important in the sense that I like to know I can do something by myself if needed. Aesthetics is becoming more relevant to me now due to the fact that I'm thinking of competing in a show for the first time next year.

HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO USE THE NEW CORPORATE GYM? IS IT MISSING ANYTHING?

The corporate gym is easily my favorite place in the whole building. I love working out there every day after work. The gym really has everything I need, however I wouldn't be opposed to the addition of a lap pool, indoor basketball court (for the winter months), or soccer goals (hint hint).

But on a more serious note, I would love to see a "motivation wall" in the gym where anyone who comes and workouts could sign their name and an inspirational quote. I think it would be amazing to look up and see that type of support, especially if you were having a rough day.

ARE THERE ANY NEGATIVES TO THE COMPANY YOU WORK FOR? IF SO, HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE THEM?

"I'M NOT ALONE. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING TOWARD THEIR GOALS. IT INSPIRES ME TO KEEP GOING."

To this day I have yet to find one negative, but how can you when there are so many exciting things happening? There is always something going on at my job to keep things fun and interactive.

We have barbecues, lifting sessions with athletes, ping pong tournaments, transformation challenges, vendor trainings, company parties, fitness expos, supplement giveaways, yoga classes, etc. This is the best place to work. It's refreshing and I love it here.

WHAT ARE YOUR CO-WORKERS LIKE?

My co-workers are unlike any other. I don't even know how to describe them. They are all so unique and different yet somehow make the best team. They have a great balance of business and fun. There are no bad days. Work hard, play hard.

DID SOMEONE FROM YOUR WORK INSPIRE YOU TO REACH YOUR GOALS?

I wouldn't say there is a specific person who inspires me. It's really everyone who has anything to do with my job. Being surrounded by the fitness industry all the time makes it easy.

Whenever I'm having a rough day with my diet or workout, I can just look around and see that I'm not alone. There are so many people working toward their goals that it inspires me to keep going.

DO YOU THINK WOMEN ARE PROPERLY REPRESENTED IN THE FITNESS WORLD? WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IF ANYTHING?

There are so many different categories of women represented in the fitness world and I feel that no single group should be seen as the "proper" representation of a fitness woman.

That's the great thing about being a female, we have the option to be anything we want and the only opinion that should matter is our own.

WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK, OUTSIDE THE WEIGHT ROOM?

Where to start? In college I was an art major so I love anything crafty—painting, baking, drawing. I also love being outdoors, doing things like camping, biking, and long boarding.

THE ANNUAL BODYBUILDING.COM TEAM MEMBER TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE BEGINS IN JANUARY AND ENDS IN APRIL. AS OUR CUSTOMERS TRANSFORM, WE DO TOO.

HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE? HOW DID THAT EXPERIENCE AFFECT YOUR LIFE?

I just finished my first transformation challenge. After college I wasn't sure what I would do in place of sports but this whole experience has shown me that training is something I have developed a passion for. It has made me want to take training to the next level.

DOES PRACTICING THE BODYBUILDING LIFESTYLE IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF YOUR CLIENTS? IF SO, HOW?

I think living a fit lifestyle does improve the productivity of all my clients. When you can relate to your customers, it's easier to understand and distinguish what people are looking for. It becomes more personable and fun.

"WHEN YOU CAN RELATE TO YOUR CUSTOMERS, IT'S EASIER TO UNDERSTAND AND DISTINGUISH WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR."