To be a truly great performer it is necessary to have one thing, the
ability to stop time. A great performer can make you forget about the
past or quit imagining the future just long enough to focus on them
and only them. Not only must they do this for their audience but also
for themselves as they bring thousands of hours of practice and effort and all thoughts of yesterdays and tomorrows into the preciousness
of now.  It is more than just the precision of movement. It’s the feeling
of connection we get as we watch the performance. As we are drawn in
we understand that something difficult and important is happening, and it is happening right now. Whether she is executing a fitness routine or performing with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings Dance Team, Jennifer Santich is a master of now. The passion she has for what she does
has led her to develop her talents to the level that causes us to stop what we do and watch. As an NPC Fitness and Figure competitor she has left her mark on the Northern California competition scene. Now she is positioned to take her act to the next level and test the National waters. She knows what she needs to do in order to succeed. The almost non-stop way in which she lives her life and seizes every opportunity is preparing her for the future. And when that future arrives don’t be surprised when she captures the moment. Just like any great performer would.   

Bodysport: How long have you been competing in Fitness competitions and how did you first get started?

Jennifer: I have been competing in fitness competitions for about 6 years.  I took a year and a half off within that time and just recently began competing again in May 2008.  I remember watching a competition on ESPN years ago and thinking I could do really well at this sport with my gymnastics background.  It was always in the back of my mind as something I would like to try.  My first trainer, ‘Big Dog’, was the one to give me that push to get me started.  He approached me at the gym one day and offered to train me for my first competition. 

Bodysport: You’ve also done Tri-Fit competitions which require a lot of athleticism as well as figure competitions, do you have a preference among these?
  
Jennifer: I enjoy doing competitions where I can showcase my talents.  I think that’s why I choose to do the Tri-Fit and Fitness competitions.  Tri-Fit is great because it includes every category of fitness from figure and routine rounds to fitness skills and the obstacle course.  But I do have to say that I prefer Fitness competitions.  My favorite part of the Tri-Fit is the routine round so why not just focus on that?

Bodysport: Obviously you have an extensive dance and gymnastics background, were you involved in any others sports growing up or was your time pretty limited?

Jennifer: Gymnastics took up most of my time.  I spent most of my childhood in the gym.  We would practice 4 ½ hours a day, 5 days a week and then weekends were reserved for competitions.  I did that for about 10 years and decided I wanted to get involved in high school sports.  I quit gymnastics and joined the song/cheerleading squad, the volleyball team, and was the first member of the women’s diving team at my high school. 

Bodysport: You’ve also been a member of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings Dance Team for 8 years now, how did that first come about?

Jennifer: I danced and cheered through high school and college.   I went to school in San Diego where I danced for a competitive dance team as well as a professional soccer team.   When it was time to move back to Sacramento, my mom was the one who encouraged me to audition for the Sacramento Kings Dance Team.  Most people don’t know that I didn’t make the team on my first try.  I dislocated my knee at the audition and was told that I was a liability and they couldn’t allow me on the team.  I had knee surgery, went through 5 months of rehab and returned that next year.  Look at me now!  I always say that I don’t believe I would have had the dance career I’ve had without that surgery.  Things happen for a reason!;-)

Bodysport: Not only are you a dancer but the Dance Team Manager.  What does your job entail and about how many appearances do you make a year outside of basketball games? 

Jennifer: As the Dance Team Manager I’m responsible for every aspect of the team from scheduling rehearsals and appearances, costume design, poster design, as well as other duties that pertain to the overall game entertainment.   The dance team in general makes over 150 appearances throughout the year so a lot of my time is spent at fundraisers and community events.

Bodysport: Is it a big difference being onstage by yourself versus performing with all of your teammates? 

Jennifer: It’s not a huge difference to me.  Performing is performing.  It’s what I love.  So whether I’m by myself or with my team, I’m having a great time no matter what.  It’s nice to have the other girls out there with me so I can feed off their energy but I also like knowing that the outcome of the performance lies solely on me when I’m by myself. 

Bodysport: Getting to such a high performance level with the Dance Team as well as for your fitness competitions must take a lot of time and energy.  Yet you also must focus on looking good onstage.  Is it difficult finding the time to train and diet the way you would like to for shows?

Jennifer: It is difficult finding the time to do it all.  The diet isn’t as difficult as finding the time to train.  The dance team rehearses two nights a week for about 5 hours each practice and we have an average of 1-3 games per week on top of that.   I usually train in the morning but most of my evenings are dedicated to work so trying to fit in double days is tricky.

Bodysport: How much time do you get to spend on each aspect of your preparation? 

Jennifer: I try to plan my competitions around the Kings’ season, otherwise there’s just not enough time in the day to do everything.  When I’m preparing for a competition I try and get in an early morning cardio session anywhere from 30-60 min.  I pack my bag for the day and head to my workout where I train for 1-1 ½ hours and then another 30-45 min of cardio.  I head into the office and work all day.  If I happen to have the evening off I’ll head back to the gym to work on my fitness routine and hopefully squeeze in more cardio.  It’s exhausting to say the least.

Bodysport: Word is that you’re also an aspiring actress.  What have you done so far, how did you get involved in acting and where do you hope to take it? 

Jennifer: I got into acting my senior year of college.  I was a business major but to fill some other requirements I took a speech class as well as a couple of acting classes thinking I could just have some fun with it.  I was receiving A’s in all of those classes.  The acting classes led to me auditioning for a musical.  I am definitely not a singer but I won them over with my rendition of ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’.  I was in the USD (University of San Diego) production of Hair, which was a blast.  FYI, USD is a Catholic college so if you’re familiar with Hair, you’ll understand how we caused quite a controversy on campus.  I moved back home to Sacramento after graduating and ended up working on an independent film.  I’m not sure where I want to go with acting but it has definitely helped in my journey so far.  I would actually love to host a local morning show.  I think that would be a great job.

Bodysport: Terry often says that modeling is like acting in that you have to be able to bring different emotions into play to create different looks.  I know you’ve done some fitness modeling, is that something you would like to get more involved in?

Jennifer: I would love to get more involved in fitness modeling.  I believe what Terry says and think it’s the same for dancing.  You can go through the moves but if you don’t have the emotion behind it or be able to play into the theme of the routine then you’ll never connect with your audience.  I definitely know how to connect with my audience when it comes to dancing and I like to think I have great potential to do it with fitness modeling. 

Bodysport: You also have a business degree from the University of San Diego.  Since a lot of what you do is so visual how do you maintain enough balance so that people understand you’re not just another pretty face?  

Jennifer: I have been fighting that certain ‘stereotype’ for years and know I will have to continue fighting it.  I love talking to people and shattering the preconceived notions they have of me. That’s part of the reason I enjoy do community appearances.  It’s a chance for people to interact with me and be able to see the intellectual side apart from what they see on the court or stage.  I also believe that taking over as the Dance Team Manager has been a huge accomplishment, not only for me but the dance team as a whole.  We’re trying to break the mold that dancers are only one dimensional.  These are talented women with so much to offer.  I’m hoping I can pave the way for many more opportunities for them.

Bodysport: With such an extensive resume of accomplishments and activities when do you find “Jennifer time” and what do you do away from work and competing for enjoyment or relaxation?

Jennifer: Hmm…Jennifer time.  I remember it vaguely.  It happens every so often, not as much as I would like.;-)  I’m happy when I have one evening to myself where I can just veg out on the couch and watch a movie.  Vacation seems to be the one thing that takes a seat on the backburner but this is the year!  Hawaii here I come!

Bodysport: In your bio on the Kings site you mentioned that you’ve broken your nose three times.  Any interesting stories behind that? 

Jennifer: Oh, my poor nose.  The doctor used to tell me I had a nose like a boxer.  Not something a girl wants to hear!  I first broke it in gymnastics when I was younger.  I didn’t realize I had broken it until years later when the deviated septum became more apparent.  My sophomore year of high school we were practicing our stunts for a cheerleading performance.  When we threw the girl in the air, she freaked out and her knee landed on my nose.   Completely smashed it!  They did surgery to rebuild the cartilage in my nose.  Not too long after the surgery I got hit in the face with a volleyball which ruined what they had fixed.  I hated the way my nose looked and had problems breathing so after college I had reconstructive surgery to fix the damage from all three incidents.  I’m hoping I never have to go through that again but definitely glad the boxer nose is gone!

Bodysport: I’ve seen you compete locally for a few years now and I have been wondering when you were going to take it to the next level.  What’s the word, when will we see Jennifer on a National stage vying for a Fitness Pro Card? 

Jennifer: Ha ha.  It’s about time, right?  I’ve been putting it off long enough!  The plan is to get through the season and then focus on competing for a pro card this summer.  If I’m going to do it, I want to do it right.  I want to make sure I can give it as much time and energy as possible and the only way I can do that is in the off-season.  So keep your eyes out for me!  I’m coming!

Bodysport: Your life seems to be unfolding in a number of exciting directions, where would you like to see yourself over the next 5-10 years? 

Jennifer: I never like to plan ahead.  I’m not sure what’s in store for me but I just enjoy the ride.  I’m not getting any younger though!  I would like to eventually be married with kids.  The girls always joke that I’ll be one of those moms in the gym lifting weights with her baby strapped to her back.  They’re probably right!

Bodysport: Is there anyone you would like to thank or acknowledge who has been particularly helpful to you in your career/life?

Jennifer: Gosh, there are so many people to thank!  Of course my family.  They’ve put up with my training and dieting for years.  I don’t know how they did it! They’ve watched me diet for months on end, endured my orneriness, traveled around with me and sat through countless competitions. They’re not too keen on me doing this sport but they still support me no matter what.  My ‘fitness girls’, ‘dance girls’, and people at work have been so supportive through every competition. They understand what I go through and are so patient with me through the dieting. I have to thank my trainers over the years, ‘Big Dog’ and Pepper Von. They really got me started in this sport and played a huge role in my career.  And finally my current trainer, Kris Dim. He keeps me motivated and pushes me to achieve my goals. He’s an inspiration not only to me, but to everyone he knows.

Bodysport: Thanks a lot Jennifer, we look forward to continuing to follow your exciting career!