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Shane Rice is proof that doing what you love will get you noticed.

Rice, who graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1994, is a personal trainer, “boot camp” instructor, and fitness competitor coach. He recently started a meal prep and food delivery business to help athletes and working people eat more healthfully.

And he’s also a romance novel cover model.

“I had a lady approach me one time and ask if I’d be interested,” he said. Modeling for one cover about five or six years ago brought him to a romance novel convention, and that one cover has since turned into over 100 books by numerous authors.

“I just consider it part of my job,” Rice explained. “I get paid for this, so I can’t really complain if it means I have to go to the gym when I don’t really want to.”

He’s at the gym a lot, regardless, training clients one-on-one or teaching boot camp classes. He works with bodybuilders and bikini competitors, too, and thinks that getting himself shredded for the stage might be his next big goal now that he’s “too old to play basketball.”

An avid athlete, Rice played football, basketball, and track at Columbia Falls and also participated in Glacier Twins baseball. He got a degree in humanities and sports management from Washington State University and now lives in Spokane, Washington.

“That was kind of an easy transition to stay in the fitness field,” he remarked of his degree.

His meal prep business was also a natural step. Healthy food is important to him and the most essential part of body transformation for his clients, he noted. He enjoys spending two or three days per week in the kitchen to prepare stress-free balanced meals that are delivered right to his customers’ front doors.

Rice offered up some advice to current and future grads.

“Do what makes you happy. Too many people get caught up in making money and paying bills,” he said. “I know a lot of people who aren’t working in the field their degree is in, but they’re doing what they like. Go to college to pursue your dreams and not just for money.”