Christina Noelle Jones performs in Cirque du Soleil’s production “O” at the Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip.
She is the Host and Producer for “Cirque Stories,” an exclusive Cirque du Soleil YouTube series which highlights artists’ journeys to the circus. Christina also hosts and contributes as an emcee and panelist at events including SPARK by Cirque du Soleil, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Christina graduated Magna Cum Laude from UNLV in 2014. She majored in Journalism and Media Studies, with a concentration on News and Media Studies, and a minor in Communications.
Christina is a 2015 World Champion and a 2008 Olympic synchronized swimmer. She and her duet partner, Bill May, brought home the gold from the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, Russia. Together, they made history when they won the inaugural Technical Mixed Duet event.
Women Fitness President, Namita Nayyar, joins her to know more about the Olympian.
Namita Nayyar:
People in general know very little about synchronized swimming. What inspired you pick this sport and pursue it as a career?
Christina Noelle Jones:
Although synchronized swimming is not extremely common in the United States, it is popular in other countries. I love whenever I have an opportunity to educate someone about our beautiful yet grueling sport. As a child, I participated in a multitude of sports: gymnastics, soccer, figure skating, swimming, dance and the list goes on. When I wasn’t practicing one of these sports, I was playing the piano or choreographing dances with my friends to perform for our parents or anyone else we could get to watch us.
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area which just so happens to be the mecca of synchro in the United States. When I was five years old, my mom saw an ad in the newspaper for a synchronized swimming performance in Santa Clara, Calif. I was so captivated by this experience, I wanted to try it myself!
I joined the Santa Clara Aquamaids when I was six, and the rest is history. Synchro encompassed everything I loved: water, swimming, performance, music, and most importantly, a team full of my best friends. When it was time to choose which sport I wanted to stick with, it was a no brainer.
Everything unfolded organically from there. The Santa Clara Aquamaids just so happens to be the strongest club in the nation. Before I knew it, I was traveling all over the country to compete at various national competitions. When I was 14, I made my first National Team. I competed at the Olympics when I was 20. Directly following the Olympics, I started my career as performer for Cirque du Soleil.
Namita Nayyar:
Currently you perform in Cirque du Soleil’s production “O” at the Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip. Host and Produce “Cirque Stories,” an exclusive Cirque du Soleil YouTube series which highlights artists’ journeys to the circus. You also hosts and contributes as an emcee and panelist. How do you go about efficiently managing being a multi-tasker? Which role excites you the most?
Christina Noelle Jones:
Juggling school and synchro in my youth taught me how to manage my time and multitask. Sometimes I would train at 5:30 AM, attend a full day of school and go right back to practice from 3:30 – 9:00 PM. These days were long and tough, but worth it. Any spare minute would be dedicated to my schoolwork and I knew I had to make it count.
I have been able to apply these skills to my adult life. I was able to attend and graduate from University of Nevada, Las Vegas while maintaining a full-time position with Cirque du Soleil. I am forever grateful for the invaluable lessons synchro taught me.
It is impossible to decide which role excites me most. The variety between these roles is what keeps things fresh and inspiring!
Full Interview Continued On Next Page
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All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
Your diet comprises of.. Foods you like to eat and/or those you tend to avoid? Your 5 favourite restaurants?
Christina Noelle Jones:
When it comes to nutrition, my best advice is to eat what makes you feel and perform best. Intuitive eating is the way to go! I refuse to count calories or cut anything out of my diet as restricting simply doesn’t work for me. Instead, I eat when I’m hungry and like to focus on adding superfoods to my meals.
I have a superfood smoothie recipe which I swear by. When I drink it, I have an immense amount of sustained energy and focus which lasts through the day. This smoothie consists of: coconut water, spinach, organic frozen berries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, spirulina, chlorella, açai berry powder, goji berry powder, maca powder, cacao nibs, collagen peptides and bee pollen. It can be pricey, but investing in my health is a priority of mine. I prepare portion controlled batches in containers and keep them in my fridge so when I’m on the go, I dump the ingredients in the blender and run out the door!
With that being said, I also love munching on cheese, prosciutto and sipping on a glass of wine after work. Additionally, my guilty pleasure is Taco Bell! Life is all about balance.
Five of my favorite Las Vegas restaurants that come to mind are Ferraro’s, Settebello, North Italia, Naked Fish and Taco Bell (sorry, I had to!).
Namita Nayyar:
You are 2015 World Champion and a 2008 Olympic synchronized swimmer. What all goes into the preparation for a competition? Share what all goes behind the making of an Olympian? Tips on how one can balance career & sports?
Christina Noelle Jones:
Synchronized swimming requires some of the most involved and difficult training there is. Achieving simultaneous perfection for eight athletes is not an easy task! Our team trained 8-10 hours a day in the water, an hour or two on land – six days a week.
In order to be a successful synchronized swimmer, you have to be incredibly tough – both mentally and physically. Most importantly, you have to be a team player. Even on the most difficult days, I always had my team to lean on. We are still very close to this day!
Behind every Olympian are dozens of family members, friends, coaches, trainers, sports psychologists and everyone else in between. Without a strong support system, we are nothing.
Developing a balanced athlete is key. It’s imperative that children in sports still have time to be kids. Above all, a child needs to follow their own dreams – not the dreams of their parents! Every year, my parents would ask me if I was having fun and if I wanted to continue to participate in synchro. I never felt pressure from them to continue doing something I didn’t want to do.
Namita Nayyar:
Your present day fitness routine? 5 must do exercises for anytime fitness.
Christina Noelle Jones:
Performing 10 shows a week keeps me in shape, but I’m always sure to do additional exercises to make sure my body is ready to handle the performances. Stretching is incredibly important! I’m also big on strengthening my core, shoulders and hips as synchro swimmers use these body parts the most.
Cirque du Soleil provides some of the very best Physiotherapists and Trainers who give us a variety of exercises on a daily basis. It’s hard to choose five exercises as switching things up is what keeps me fresh!
Namita Nayyar:
Injury in sport becomes unavoidable in some instances. How did you go about managing the physical challenges of the sport? What is your advice for upcoming competitors to cope with the stress of competition? 2 top stress-busters.
Christina Noelle Jones:
Nutrition and preventative exercise are both important for athletes in order to avoid injury. If you have a strong base, and if your body is getting the nutrients it needs, you are much less likely to get injured. If you do suffer from an injury, you will make a speedier recovery if you’re healthy to start with!
As a team, we reduced stress by using visualization as a tool. Before we would arrive at a competition, we would close our eyes and imagine being in a massive arena packed with a rowdy crowd. We would even imagine cameras in our faces and any other potential distraction we could think of. Then, we would imagine a perfect performance. When we got to the competition, we had already been there countless times in our minds.
Individually, it is important to continue participating in an activity that brings you joy. It could be reading a book, seeing your friends and family, going out and dancing the night away or staying in and watching a movie. Emotional balance creates whole athletes, and whole athletes become champions.
Namita Nayyar:
Charity and support groups you are presently working with?
Christina Noelle Jones:
I’m currently working with the USOC’s Athlete Career and Education Program (ACE). This group prepares and supports athletes to transition to life after competition.
I genuinely believe in this purpose. A misconception about Team USA Olympians is that they have financial stability. Sure, there are the few athletes who make a nice living through endorsements, but the truth is that the majority of athletes don’t. We are amateurs who have sacrificed everything to represent our country.
ACE aids athletes by providing them with tuition grants, job applications, help with their resumés and invaluable tools and courses to build their network and knowledge as they transition out of the world of athletics.
Namita Nayyar:
Pursuing goals and dreams calls upon a lot of sacrifice and missing out on small things. It’s true no goal comes without hard work. Share your experience on perfection.
Christina Noelle Jones:
At times, (particularly during my teenage years) it was difficult to make some sacrifices. I didn’t go to prom, and I remember being disappointed about that. However, while prom was happening, I was representing the United States abroad. In retrospect, I’m undoubtedly grateful for the unique experiences I was afforded through sacrificing smaller things that seemed important to me at the time. I was able to travel all over the world, and I always had my incredible team to experiences these trips with!
Striving for perfection is necessary in elite sports, but I have had to reprogram my mind in this area in life after athletics. I’ve learned that everything in life isn’t scored out of 10.0 and that sometimes things aren’t always black and white/ pass or fail. Finding balance in the grey area is something that I’m still working on, but I’m grateful for the new challenge!
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and beautiful hair. What is your daily care routine to maintain youthfulness & charm? 2 instant rejuvenation tips.
Christina Noelle Jones:
Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition! And hydration! If your insides are healthy, it will translate into your hair and skin. I have found that collagen peptides make a huge difference in my hair, skin and nails.
Also, I add my own oils to my lotions. I like to use CeraVe for my face at night, and Cetaphil for my body. I make my own concoction and add argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamin e oil, sweet almond oil, and rose hip oil.
Last but not least, sunscreen! I trained outdoors for a lot of my life and was very careful about applying multiple types of sunscreen. We would even wear diaper rash ointment on our faces for complete protection (the Burt’s Bees kind smells like lavender)!
Namita Nayyar:
Team sport require team spirit and patience to achieve a win? In your case its been you & Bill May. Tips for youngsters playing any team sport?
Christina Noelle Jones:
I have been blessed with many incredible teammates throughout my career who are now my lifelong friends and adopted family. I absolutely adore being in a team sport. My teammates have always supported and encouraged me through every aspect of life – in and out of the water. When you’re defeated, you’re not alone. And when you succeed, it makes it so much sweeter to have your best friends by your side!
My best tip to youngsters playing in team sports is to graciously accept constructive criticism from your teammates. Always remember they want what’s best for you!
Namita Nayyar:
Women Fitness works relentlessly with a goal to reach out to women all over the world providing them with best in health, fitness, nutrition, beauty & fashion. What do have to say about the website (Womenfitness.net) and message for our readers?
Christina Noelle Jones:
I always jump at any chance I get to support other women, and I am in full support of any organization that does just that! Embracing every woman’s unique beauty and qualities is a cause that is near and dear to me.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http:// www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness