SEAM Magazine: IPL Pro Samantha England - Young Mom & Fitness Influencer - Natural Bodybuilding Competitions - Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Virginia & Alaska

IPL Pro Samantha England

YOUNG MOM & FITNESS INFLUENCER

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS BY BEN YOSEF

In this captivating interview, 24-year-old IPL Pro Samantha England shares her journey of navigating motherhood while making waves in the fitness industry. With infectious enthusiasm, Samantha reveals her secrets to managing the delicate balance between personal life and professional aspirations. Early mornings, meticulous planning, and a dose of self-acceptance are Samantha’s key ingredients to success, proving that with determination, anything is achievable, even amidst the whirlwind of motherhood.

As a Professional Fitness Competitor, Personal Trainer, Coach, and Contest Promoter, Samantha wears multiple hats with grace and passion. Driven by her lifelong dream of impacting lives in the fitness realm, she finds inspiration in empowering others to discover their strength and confidence. Samantha’s dedication to fostering inclusivity and support within the competitive sphere echoes her vision for the future, where every individual is celebrated for their journey, regardless of experience or background. Samantha embodies resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to inspire the next generation of fitness enthusiasts and young mothers alike.

"Getting up early and getting to the gym, getting meals prepped and a majority of things accomplished before my little boy wakes up has by far been the best way for me to get stuff done."

SEAM MAGAZINE: As a young mother in your twenties, you’ve achieved a remarkable balance between your personal life and your professional endeavors in the fitness industry. Can you share with our readers how you manage to juggle motherhood and your thriving career?

SAMANTHA ENGLAND: I definitely would say finding balance is a challenge every day. Getting up early and getting to the gym, getting meals prepped and most things accomplished before my little boy wakes up has by far been the best way for me to get stuff done. But I’m far from perfect when it comes to having all things always accomplished!

SM: You’re not only a fitness competitor but also a personal trainer, coach, and contest promoter. What inspires you to wear so many hats within the industry?

SE: It’s always been my dream to be involved in the fitness industry. I love helping people feel confident and seeing them succeed. Having the support and help from the IPL to be able to promote a show and being given the opportunity to help so many, I feel super blessed and inspired. Not only to wear so many hats, but hopefully to go further and continue growing!

"...I try very hard to motivate and inspire. I definitely think the biggest thing I try to do is reach women that have kids."

SM: SEAM celebrates real women who are both inspiring and stylish. How do you incorporate your personal style into your fitness regimen, and how does it empower you in your daily life?

SE: I definitely feel like being stylish does give you a new level of confidence. I definitely aspire to be stylish, but it doesn’t come easy for me! Ha! I look at a lot of pinterest pictures for gym fit inspiration. It definitely makes me feel more confident, empowered, put together and strong in the gym!

SM: Your Instagram is filled with motivational content and glimpses into your fitness journey. How do you use social media to connect with and inspire other women in their fitness and lifestyle pursuits?

SE: Thank you and yes, I try very hard to motivate and inspire. I definitely think the biggest thing I try to do is reach women that have kids. I competed 5 months post-partum and got my stomach back to normal in that time. I feel like after having a baby, women feel that their stomach and body will never recover and that’s not true at all. You can even shape your body better than before your baby! Not to mention, eating right is the first thing to get hormones back to normal and enjoying your baby!

"Competing is far from easy! I think my biggest challenges that have really made me question everything were post-show."

SM: Being involved in fitness contests, you likely encounter various challenges. Can you share a particular moment that tested your determination?

SE: Absolutely! Competing is far from easy! I think my biggest challenges that have really made me question everything were post-show. I felt so great leading into the shows. Having a plan, routine, being lean, and just having a set goal. Then, post-show, being without a plan, having more freedom to eat in a calorie surplus and seeing lines disappear is very disheartening after working so hard and looking your absolute leanest and absolute best.

SM: As a fitness influencer, your image is crucial. How do you maintain a healthy body image and promote body positivity within the competitive fitness industry?

SE: This is a great question! It’s definitely hard. I try to follow the 80/20 rule. When I’m not on prep, during the week, I try to really stick to a plan and then have scheduled refeeds on the weekends where I can relax and enjoy the foods I love in moderation while knowing I’m still on track! But I try not to stress too much when I’m not in a cutting stage and stay confident. Remembering the leanness WILL come back.

"I try to be as 'go with the flow mom' as possible. But it definitely requires some time management!"

SM: Balancing a demanding career and motherhood requires effective time management. Can you walk us through a typical day in your life, highlighting how you prioritize your various responsibilities?

SE: Absolutely! I try to be as “go with the flow mom” as possible. But it definitely requires some time management! In the morning, I usually wake up pretty early and get my fasted cardio and lift in and then immediately get my first meal in during my metabolic window! I shower, hop on my laptop, respond to emails, and update my online client plans. Then typically by that time my little boy is waking up, so I make his breakfast and get him ready for the day. I’m an eyelash extension tech, so I typically have lash clients and personal training clients lined up.

The past week I have been working on a rental property that I bought some time ago that I’m just getting finished painting and renovating to rent out! I have in-person personal training appointments setup in between working, so I take breaks, head to the gym, train my clients for an hour or two, then go back to working! I usually just always keep containers and a gallon of water in my car so I can grab my meal and go, no matter what I’ve got going on! By the end of the day, I usually do a 20-minute walk with my little boy as my evening cardio. Then we make dinner and have our bathtime-bedtime routine.

SM: SEAM covers a mix of fashion, beauty, culture, lifestyle, and glamour. What beauty or fashion tips do you swear by?

SE: Definitely eyelash extensions and skincare! I don’t wear makeup everyday, so wearing lashes and looking awake and having clear, taken care of skin is definitely important to me!

"I’m sure new trends will evolve every day! I will definitely try to stay up on trends, but I’ll do my best to set the trend for the show I want to represent."

SM: In the world of fitness, trends evolve. As a contest promoter, what trends do you foresee shaping the future of fitness competitions, and how will you stay ahead of the curve in your role?

SE: I’m sure new trends will evolve every day! I will definitely try to stay up on trends, but I’ll do my best to set the trend for the show I want to represent. I envision a show where contestants come into a place where there’s tough competition, a good audience, tons of good vendors with small businesses to support. But, more importantly, I want a show where backstage everyone is treated equally. Whether you’ve competed for 20 years, or it’s your first time. I want everyone to support one another. And, as I can’t control everything that happens backstage, I’ll make sure that all my helpers and I are there to make sure everyone feels celebrated for their hard work and good sportsmanship. I plan on making each contestant feel valued with goodies and having a show that contestants remember, come back to, and spread the word of what a great league the IPL is!

"...I'll just let God lead me and allow me to help people where he wants me!"

SM: How do you envision using your platform to inspire and empower other young mothers who may be aspiring to achieve a similar balance between family and career?

SE: I hope to inspire young mothers to keep moving, be active, involve their kids and don’t let being a mom stop you from achieving your dream body. Take your kids with you. If that’s to the grocery store, on a walk, doing a hiit workout at home or cooking dinner. They learn from what you do. I rest a lot better at night knowing I spent that time with my son and he’s watching me be active!

SM: Finally, as a multifaceted professional in fitness and a young mother, what aspirations do you have for your career, both in terms of personal achievements and contributions to the industry?

SE: Moving forward, I definitely see myself competing again. I want to compete as a Pro in the future and I hope to continue to grow as an influencer in the fitness world, as a posing coach and personal trainer. I look forward to being a judge again for the IPL at future competitions and hopefully continuing to promote shows here in Virginia that grow bigger and bigger each year! I definitely hope for brand sponsorships as I grow. But, until then, I’ll just let God lead me and allow me to help people where he wants me! SEAM