Having recently placed 1st in the IFBB KZN Provincials and 3rd in the SA Nationals for the Ladies Bikini under 166cm division, fitness fanatic, E-retailer, and SPORT Rx ambassador Jamie - lee Glazer is a true force to be reckoned with, both in and out of the gym!
We recently caught up with Jamie-lee in an exclusive interview, where she opened up about her daily routines, healthy habits, and the motivating factors behind her success in the realm of bodybuilding. Of course, we also had to know what she carries in her gym bag and what motivates her to keep showing up to be the best version of herself every single day.
Dreaming big
Growing up in a home where everyone was passionate about bodybuilding laid the foundations for Jamie-Lee to start dreaming about the stage one day. “My parents were huge bodybuilding fans and took me along to shows since I was about six years old. We never missed a flex-fest! I'd bug my mom with endless questions about the girls on stage, dreaming of becoming like them one day,” she explains.
A growing desire to compete…
Fast forward a bit, and Jamie- lee started hitting the gym with zero clue about what she was doing. Fitness challenges, personal trainers—she tried them all, but nothing truly clicked. However, once she found her coach, things turned around. “She was the missing puzzle piece for me,” laughs Jamie-Lee.
She goes on to explain that at every check-in, her coach would hint about competing, planting the seed in her head. “However, during this time my home life was crumbling, and training also became my escape. It was my solo time, away from all the chaos. But at one show, things shifted. Instead of feeling in awe or motivated, I felt a bit of resentment.
I chalk it up to finally training properly—it felt like an achievable goal. That resentment? It came from a deep belief that I had the potential to be better. Maybe not the healthiest mindset, but it lit a fire under me. I told my coach then and there that I wanted to compete. Sure, my competitive streak pushed me, but the core of it was seeking control amongst the chaos and finding my peace in the storm. It was a mash-up of the bodybuilding world I grew up in and the need to escape the turmoil at home.”
Lessons from the world of bodybuilding
There’s no doubt that this competitive sport brings out unparalleled resilience. It transforms you into someone who is intensely focused and determined, says Jamie-lee. Seeing what can be accomplished in such a short time by having a plan, working tirelessly, and staying on track is incredible.
When it comes to organisation, Jamie-lee admits that she’s always been a bit of a chaos magnet, but competing has instilled positive habits and structure into her daily life. “It's woven forced habits that have become second nature—I mean, eating habits, for one. You get so used to a specific type of food or way of eating that it becomes your daily fuel, whether you’re in season or out of season for shows.
Plus, it makes you hyper-aware of what goes into your body and how it affects you. This isn't a switch you flip on and off; it's a genuine lifestyle shift (as cliché as that may sound). Eating becomes fuelling, gym sessions are about getting stronger, molding your body with intent and let's face it, healthy eating and training is great for your mental and physical health,” she says.
The truth is that the process and the end goal remain constant throughout the year. Jamie-lee is proud of how her mindset and healthy habits have spilled over into every aspect of her life. “Your discipline and organisational skills get transferred into your work habits, daily planning, meal schedules—basically, everything you do gets a sprinkle of this sports-inspired structure,” she adds.
“The most amazing thing,” she says… “Is how far you can truly push yourself. There are moments during competition prep when everything goes wrong around you and life is throwing those lemons, yet the strength of your mind and heart pushes you further than you ever thought possible. The resilience here is genuinely empowering, and the self-reward at the finish line is indescribable!”
Small habits bring about big successes
One undeniable truth: when it comes to bodybuilding, you can't cheat the outcome. Every tiny choice in your day matters, from what you eat to how you train. It's a 24/7 commitment where every bit contributes to the bigger picture. Jamie-lee admits that she’s never necessarily enjoyed team sports because they rely on other people’s performance. Bodybuilding, on the other hand, is all about your effort, dedication, and hard work and that’s what she loves most that you reap what you sew.
When asked about her biggest motivation for pushing on, she says, “Pinpointing what truly drives me is tough because my ‘why’ has shifted constantly since I began, and that's part of the journey in this sport. Right now, my ‘why’ is to feel confident in my body, build a strong mind and honestly, just to be better every day and for every show.”
Her advice to anyone starting out in the gym… “Just keep at it. Take it one day at a time, but consistently show up. It might sound basic, but that's the essence of it. Once you fall into a stop-and-start routine, it becomes easier to skip, your body struggles to recover, and training feels like an uphill battle. Consistency gradually chips away at bad habits and helps build healthy ones. The moment you start noticing changes, that's when the motivation kicks in. But the key to reaching that point is to simply to keep showing up, day after day.”
What you’ll find in Jamie-lee’s gym bag
Every athlete, regardless of what age or stage they’re at in their sport, relies on certain staples to keep them at the top of their game.
Here are Jamie-lee’s top three gym bag staples that she simply can’t do without:
My SPORT Rx WHEY Rx
My SPORT Rx WHEY Rx is a permanent resident in my gym bag just in case my post-workout plans change and I need a quick protein top-up on the go.
(Formulated to deliver the highest possible quality and bioavailability of protein, SPORT Rx WHEY Rx is derived solely from a blend of whey protein isolates, concentrates and hydrolysates. It’s packed with naturally occurring l-glutamine, branched-chain amino acids (l-leucine, l-valine, l-isoleucine) and all other essential amino acids needed by sportsmen, gym goers and fitness enthusiasts to enhance muscle recovery and help maintain and build lean muscle tissue.)
My SPORT Rx Shaker
I’ve also got to have my SPORT RX Shaker for mixing up the good stuff!
My hair claw clip
Gym's a blast until I start feeling like a walking sauna—that's when my hair claw swoops in to save the day!
Follow Jamie-lee on Instagram @jamieleeglazer_ifbb
