About James
James's Transformation Story
James Ellis's transformation story is an impressive one! In high school he was a skinny 135 pound nerd and was bullied consistently. He then went through a huge mental and physical shift. Just a few years later in college, he was 195 pounds of rippling muscle and had a body of steel. He captured one of the most esteemed awards at Indiana State University, "Mr. ISU" bodybuilding champion, and then he moved on to capture the "Mr. Wabash" bodybuilding champion title. Several years down the road he became known as one of the top male fitness cover models, the 2011 WBFF Fitness Model World Champion, and a sponsored athlete of Magnum Nutraceuticals, Schiek fitness gear, and ONFood. Despite his vast physical transformation and impressive resume`, James has never forgotten where he came from, his childhood roots, and Who has faithfully brought him through each season of life.
James came from a small, country town in Indiana where many of his classmates' after-school activities consisted of feeding cows and plowing cornfields. His after-school activities consisted of running up to 80 miles a week for cross-country and visiting the dance clubs on the weekends with his break-dancing crew. James was a high school slacker - barely holding a 2.0 GPA, and he was often the target of much ridicule from his peers. James was raised in a two-parent home with strong Christian beliefs, which instilled many of these same conservative values in him. James is the youngest of four siblings, and he is the youngest child with three older sisters. High school dances and "Drive your tractor to school" days taught James all about “country charm."
Upon graduating from high school, James made a decision that shocked all that knew him by enrolling in college. While many did not expect James to succeed in college, James took some motherly advice and used their doubt as fuel to succeed. It was while in college that James discovered his new-found obsession of weightlifting. He developed a workout regimen and self-discipline to go along with it, and to this day, James is as consistent in the gym as ever. One of James's favorite quotes is: "Success is my only option; failure is not."
While in college James became a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, which helped him hatch out of his ‘nerd’ shell. He was also one of the leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ during his first couple years of college, which kept him grounded and focused. He wrapped up his last two years of college as a collegiate athlete on the Indiana State University cheer squad, and the icing on top of the cake was competing in the National Championship both of those years as well. His several hours of training in the gym per day allowed him the opportunity of participating in a few bodybuilding shows, Mr. Indiana State University and Mr. Wabash, both of which he took first place. James applied himself and ultimately graduated with a 3.5 GPA with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor/endorsement in Physical Education. However, upon graduating from college, James instead felt compelled to pursue a dream of modeling as opposed to becoming a full-time teacher. He decided to kiss the country life goodbye and moved to California in pursuit of his dream of becoming a successful model and actor. Little did he know the great plans God had in store for him in California.
While in California James’s fitness modeling career exploded. He became one of the top fitness models in the world! To date James has landed well over 50 fitness magazine covers nationally and internationally, and he is featured on the inside spreads of several different fitness magazines every month. Additionally, you may even see him on your TV in countless infomercials for fitness products.
James’s success as a fitness model blessed him with several opportunities to work with 4-Time Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler, on various fitness projects. Working with Jay encouraged James to take his career from fitness model to fitness competitor.
As a result, James took home the title of WBFF (World Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation) Fitness Model World Champion in 2011. James is currently a sponsored athlete of Shields of Strength, Schiek Fitness gear, and Versa Gripps.
James managed to have success with acting too. He has been featured in roles on the following shows: Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Bones, Scrubs, Party Down, Mayne Street, Rizzoli & Isles, All My Children, Young & the Restless, Days of Our Lives, Bold & Beautiful, General Hospital, Happy Endings, Breaking-In and many more.
James has also appeared on several talk shows: The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brian, The Queen Latifah Show, The Marie Osmond Show, The Real, and Chelsey Lately. He has had more than five appearances on both Late Night with Jimmy Kimmel and The Talk. Furthermore, James has had over 30 appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
James also landed several commercials and is most recognized for his two AARP commercials with Betty White.
Perhaps one of James's favorite projects was filming as a "Spartan soldier" on the movie 300 Rise of an Empire. However, working as a referee on the CW’s game show Oh Sit certainly gave the 300 film a run for its money.
James's passion for fitness continued to expand into different avenues. In 2011, James started his own online diet and training company called 'Scientific Body Sculpting' with his genius coach Michael Orr. Through that company, this dynamic duo helped countless people attain the body of their dreams. James later took that a step further by creating his muscle-specific workout videos which show the secrets of his ‘Scientific Training Methods.' You can purchase those workouts for yourself by clicking HERE. If you would like to hire James as your personal trainer and get the body you have always dreamed of having, click HERE.
James's most recent passion has been traveling and speaking/preaching
at churches, schools, conferences, retreats, and more. He not only shares the importance of staying Spiritually healthy as Christians, but also "treating our bodies as temples of Christ" and staying Physically & Mentally healthy.
James is passionate about sharing the depth and fullness of his testimony, and he loves talking about the importance of seeking out the Lord's healing through James 5:16. He was also blessed with an opportunity to share his testimony on TBN's Praise the Lord television show.
Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)
James's love for the Lord and the next generation made for a great match as he was a youth pastor for Redeemed Life Church in Azusa, California, before getting married and moving to Atlanta. He also enjoyed speaking at after-school youth programs and working with youth on his mission trip to Uganda, Africa.
Prior to meeting his wife and moving across the country, James served as a leader/mentor of LA Men's Group (an adult Christian men's group of 150+ men from the greater Los Angeles area). James helped arrange and organize monthly meetings, retreats, and ultimately poured encouragement into men to help them grow in their walks with Christ.
In June of 2020, James married the love of his life, Jasmine, who was Miss Nebraska USA 2017 and is a former model. Their love for Jesus and for helping people brought them together, which would ultimately lead to the creation of their James and Jazz website in upcoming months. Two months after getting married, they made the cross-country move from Los Angeles to Atlanta.
In September 2020, James and Jazz launched their website www.JamesAndJazz.com and Youtube channel where they produce videos discussing Jesus, Bible studies, fitness, life, and relationships. Their passion is helping people become the best version of themselves possible by helping them thrive spiritually, physically, and mentally. James and Jazz's mission statement in life is to save souls, grow souls, and thrive souls.
James's Family
James and Jazz currently reside in the suburbs of Atlanta with their fluffy white cat, Viva.
James looks forward to connecting with you whether it is spiritually through mentorship or physically through personal training (in-person sessions or virtual training).
"This is the year for you to be at your best mentally, spiritually, and physically! Let me know what I can do to help you get there and reach your goals, my friends!"
- James Ellis