Mel Mills joins Muscle & Fitness’ Mr. Health & Fitness 2022 competition.

Mel has been hand-selected to compete for the 2022 title of Mr. Health & Fitness. The title winner will receive a 2-page feature in Muscle & Fitness Magazine and take home a $20k prize.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic to be granted the chance to compete around something that motivates me day in and day out. To be able to inspire and even equip people along the way. I’m being accountable with what I’ve been blessed with and to my/our collective future,“ said Mills.

Starting April 26th at 1p, supporters of Mel will have the chance to vote for this year’s Mr. Health & Fitness. Follow along on Instagram for competition updates.

Update

May 9, 2022: Five Minutes With … Mel Mills, digital marketer, flexes muscles in fitness competition

Competition Interview

What first fueled your passion for fitness?

My passion for fitness was first inspired by heroes, athletes, and men in action. Later on, I was inspired by centenarians that not only made it to live past 100 years old but lived active lifestyles with a quality of life that's typically only seen in our younger years.

As someone who battled mental illness, I also became fascinated and fueled by the holistic health benefits of fitness. Over time, I was saddened by countless people seemingly dying before their time and living a less-than quality of life because of poor health choices.

Along the way, as a follower of Christ, I wanted to be spiritually AND physically healthy – understanding that they work together for the impact that we’ll make. When I began to understand that health and fitness extended my time and impact on Earth, it became critical to the mission. It meant that I could achieve more for God and help others to do the same.

What inspires and motivates you to be fit today?

Longevity, quality of life, and impact. And Kingdom impact specifically. Our bodies are the vehicles that we’ll fulfill our purpose through and accomplish anything that we put our hands to on this Earth. So it goes that being in the best shape that we can be, helps us to go the distance and maximize our impact.

On quality of life: Why settle for anything less than great when great is an option? We’ll all age eventually and with age comes physical limitations and adjustments. But fitness enables our bodies to be their best selves and we get to enjoy the benefits that come along with that, like being pain-free, having energy, stable moods, etc.

On mental health: Along with Christ, fitness became a legitimate and practical medical treatment for my Bipolar II diagnosis. Good nutrition and physical activity helped foster healing for me through a sustained and manageable level of symptoms. I’ve been fortunate enough to be medication free since 2009.

What words or mantra do you live by?

As an artist and communicator, I have several words and mantras that I live by. 🤣

1] Be accountable to your future. Why settle for good when great is an option. 🙌🏽

2] Every new level will require a different you. Stay relentless. 💯

3] Be the hardest worker in the room.

4] My prayer: Lord, I want what You want for me. No more, no less. 🙏🏽

If you win, what will you do with the $20,000?

This prize will help me promote my new book, Faith & Fitness: Stewarding Your Life For The Journey that I hope will inspire, equip, and impact many lives to take their health to the next level. It'll help fund additional scholarships that I give away through my grandmother's memorial fund. As a tither, I'll be donating that portion to my church. The rest will be invested and used to pay down student loan debt. Oh and of course: I'm gonna have one crazy cheat day. 😋

Learn more about the 2022 Mr. Health & Fitness competition.