411 Movies Interview: Jet (Monica Carlson) of American Gladiators Posted by Tony Farinella on 12.24.2008
411's Tony Farinella sits down with the winner of American Gladiators, Monica Carlson, aka Jet, for an exclusive interview!
Monica Carlson (Jet) is not only an inspiration inside the Gladiator arena but outside as well. She is hoping to raise awareness on health and fitness and encourage mothers to remain fit even if they have children. In fact, she says that you can include your children in your workouts as well. Speaking of workouts, she was recently a part of the brand new fitness DVD released by the American Gladiators, which is currently available in stores. In my interview with Jet, we talked about her role in this DVD, what it's like being a mother and a gladiator, and a whole lot more. I hope you enjoy my interview with Jet.
TONY: How has your life changed since winning American Gladiators?
JET: Well, pretty drastically, actually, from personally to, obviously, in the community to the way I look at things and how my family functions, it's been a drastic change for the good. It's been a really, really neat experience, and it's really fun to be able to walk into the community and have people say hi or feel like they know you or just even little comments like, 'Hey, you were our favorite. We were rooting for you the whole time, and we're so glad you won.' My husband is a football coach, so having his career and those families that are a part of football and high school being supportive and just feeling like they have a closeness or a part of the whole experience has been a really neat thing for me.
TONY: Since this was your favorite show growing up, what was it like being a part of it?
JET: Oh, gosh, when I first heard about American Gladiators even coming back, I was ecstatic. I couldn't wait for the chance to even go to the audition. When I found out I couldn't because there was nothing up here in Portland, I sent in a video as soon as I could. And just even being considered for the spot, I was so excited. But when I actually heard that they were considering having me on as a contestant, I could barely contain myself. And then when I found out that I got the job, it was so fast and overwhelming, and it was such a flood of emotions, but it really was the neatest experience of my entire life. Just to be a part of that was pretty amazing for me.
TONY: Since you're a mother and you have such a busy life, how do you find time to work out?
JET: Oh, gosh, it is so hard to find time, especially when you have kids or you're working full time, or, for most people, especially right now, they're working two jobs or they're just trying to find time to sleep. But exercise, to me, is a way of life. We incorporate it into everything we do, whether it be walking to dinner and back instead of driving, or walking the girls to school. I have children, as you know, and I incorporate them into almost all of my workouts, because they love it, they enjoy it, and they like to be a part of it. It gives them a great feel of what a healthy lifestyle is, even if it's running outside playing tag or football, whatever it is. We always incorporate athletics into everything we do. So, like I said, it's a way of life for us. But, especially with this DVD and the kids being in school, I know a lot of moms have kids that are not in school yet, but it's just fun for them to be a part of it too. They don't have to be doing it right or they don't have to be following along exactly, but even if they get the chance to work out with mom, that, to me, is very special and they feel like they're a part of something. So I say incorporate your kids as much as you can.
TONY: I just got off the phone with Wolf, and he was telling me how he learned a thing or two from watching some of you guys work out on this DVD. For you, personally, what did you learn from watching this DVD?
JET: I am the queen of aerobics, so I think I've been to every different kind of aerobics class they've made or that they've come up with. I absolutely love it, mostly because when I do workout, I have very limited time to do so, so I want to make the most of my workout and I want to get as much as I can in the hour of time that I have. I don't know that I necessarily learned anything about aerobics, but what was great about it was seeing how other people do the same exercises but maybe taking it a step further or incorporating something else so that you're working two muscles at the same time, which was awesome for me, because, like I said, I like to get as much as I can in such a short period of time. So I think, especially from the stronger Gladiators, that was really neat for me to see: the power of what they do. Instead of just going through the motions or getting it done, they would always incorporate something else or they would step it up just a little bit more or make it a little bit harder than it could be. So that was neat for me to see.
TONY: I've talked to a couple of people who have put out different workout DVDs, and all of them tell me that the most rewarding part of the whole experience is meeting people on the street who have used their DVDs and lost weight. What's that like for you, personally?
JET: That means the world to me. Just being on the show alone, people have walked up to me and said, 'Gosh, you don't know how much you've inspired me to do this or to do that.' I'll give you an example. I was standing in the line at the zoo with my kids, and this lady was in line in front of me and said, 'Aren't you the girl from American Gladiators?" I said, 'Yeah, yeah, I am.' She goes, 'Oh gosh, I just can't even tell you, I just got through chemotherapy and I've been battling cancer.' She had a daughter the same age as me ... sorry, it makes me a little emotional. But her daughter was nine, and she just said, 'You can't imagine the inspiration that you gave me to fight through beating cancer, having a child the same age as yours. I knew I could get through it, and I couldn't wait to work out again and feel good and feel strong and healthy again.' So that is just such a huge impact for me. So knowing that it does help people and gets them through the hard times or even gives them confidence in life is so important to me and means so much to me. So, as you can tell, I'm not very emotional usually, but that one struck me pretty hard.
TONY: How did you think modern audiences were going to respond to American Gladiators?
JET: I have heard nothing positive feedback. People cannot wait for this show to come back. They come up to me all the time, 'When is it coming back? We can't wait to watch it! That was our favorite show. We loved it, because it was such a family time and everybody got to be a part of it and it wasn't kids go to bed so we can watch it. It was come out in the living room, because it's time for American Gladiators.' And I loved that. I loved that it was a family event. And it was good, clean fun. So I've heard nothing but positive feedback, and I cannot wait for it to come back. I think everybody feels that way.
TONY: You used to be a cheerleader for the Trailblazers, so I have to ask you, sports-wise, who do you think would perform well on a show like American Gladiators?
JET: That's a good question. I definitely think speed and agility are super important in the Gladiator Arena, as far as a contestant goes. But strength and power as far as a Gladiator goes. So I think you're talking about two different kinds of athletes, but anybody that's a professional athlete knows the determination and effort that it takes. You don't have to be a professional athlete, obviously; I was a dancer. I think it's pure drive, pure determination. I just think it's mostly mindset and definitely you have to be athletic. But I think it's more determination than anything. But as far as professional athletes go, I think I would choose some kind of a track star or a swimmer. The football players, they seem to be a little top heavy or just muscle bound, so I don't know if they'd do really, really great, unless you found some receiver of some sort that's quick and athletic. Basketball, by far, too tall. I don't know, I think anybody could do well, but I think it would take a special type of person to actually be the winner.
TONY: Do you still follow the Trailblazers?
JET: Oh yes. Being from Portland, I always have a hand in what's going on. They've had a couple of great years these past couple of years, and it's really exciting for me to see them grow and be successful. The years that I was on, they were struggling big time to find the players who were going to be reliable or upright, I guess, is a good word. For a long time, we had a few nicknames that weren't so great. But it is really neat to see them succeed. I love being a part of it and having a hand in it at least. And, of course, being from Portland, it's great to see them succeed.
TONY: What's it like behind the scenes of American Gladiators?
JET: I have two different perspectives, because I was a contestant first and Gladiator second. But as a contestant, it was kind of weird, because you become friends with your competitors, so it's kind of this weird, I don't know how much I trust you, but I really like you and you seem to be a really great person inside. You kind of hold them at a distance. However, I've taken away a couple really neat friends from that whole experience that I'll probably be friends with forever, because we have this experience that we shared together. Being on the Gladiator side, I was very nervous to walk into that family or that side of it, but they opened their arms to me. As soon as I walked in, they just treated me with such love and acceptance and welcoming, and I just felt like I was part of their family right away. So that was really neat for me. And then through the year, I've grown to have great relationships, especially with the women. It's really hard to find athletic, passionate women that love sports and love life and just get out there and accomplish their dreams. It's hard to find women that are like that, and to be a part of a whole group of them is really neat for me. So I've made bonds with these women that I will forever cherish.
TONY: I know you come from a very big family, so I have to ask you, how did your family respond to you being on the show?
JET: They couldn't be happier. They still talk about it. People at Christmas, that's all they want is a signed autograph. My family is so excited. Half my family has videotaped every single solitary thing that has been on about American Gladiators or about me or whatever, and half of them, they just feel like it's their entitlement because they know me. It's really funny to watch that. However, they know that I'm just Monica too. So it's been a really fun year, I think, for everybody. Not just for me and my immediate family, but just my extended family as well. They're so supportive and so excited for me, and they're really excited to be a part of it too. So that has been a really neat treat for everyone in my family.
TONY: Finally, what are your plans for the future and what are you currently working on?
JET: That's a good question. I am hoping that this Gladiator thing goes pretty far. I had such a great time with it. It is right up my alley. It is everything that I have ever loved all in one. So it's the performing, it's the athletics, it's the competition, it's the family orientation, and it's everything that I love all in one. So I'm hoping that this stays around for a while. However, my husband being a football coach, that has opened doors for us as a family to be able to move around, because I don't have to necessarily have a nine to five job anymore. So it's opened a lot of doors as far as our success together as a family. Also, I'm hoping to do some sort of hosting or some sort of athletic training or just be involved more with the community and getting involved with some women, especially moms, that want to incorporate time with their kids and time with working out. For a while, we were getting a group of moms together and meeting at a local high school and just doing drills and having that workout time together and sharing time with our kids as well. So that has been a really neat door that's opened up for me and it's been able to allow me to have relationships with other mothers that are affiliated with the schools nearby and just in the community. So that's been a really neat treat for me.
TONY: Thank you so much for your time, Monica. It was great talking to you.
