1. She's Armed:Before breaking into acting, Jones, 46, won 15 world arm wrestling championships. "I'm retired now because my shoulder is shot, but I won my first world title when I was 19," says Jones, who grew up in Hilmar, California. She's also competed in the shot put and power lifting.

2. She's Towering:Jones used to be 6-foot-4-inches tall, but is an inch shorter these days because of sports-related injuries. "I've had 11 knee injuries," she explains. "On my left leg, they cut out a pie wedge about three inches above my knee. When I get my knee replacements, I'll be back up to 6-4."

3. She's a Battleaxe: Jones had no intention of going into show business until she was discovered about 20 years ago at a bodybuilding tournament byShirley Eson, otherwise known as Sky onAmerican Gladiators. She convinced Jones, who was working at Juvenile Probation Services in Fresno, CA, at the time, to audition for a new medieval-themed fighting competition show,Knights and Warriors. Jones landed the role of Lady Battleaxe.

4. She's a Working Girl:Since then, Jones has appeared on countless television shows, includingFull House,Prison Break,My Name Is EarlandDesperate Housewivesas well as more recent hits likeHawthoRNeandCougar Town, among many others.

5. She Propositions Producers In Whole Foods:Jones first metGleecocreatorRyan Murphywhen he cast her inNip/TuckandPretty/Handsome, an F/X series about transsexuals that didn't get picked up. Coach Beiste was born after she ran intoGleecoexecutive producerBrad Falchukat a Whole Foods about four months ago. "I said to him, 'I want to be onGlee. I love it,'" Jones remembers. "Brad goes, 'Can you sing?' And I said, 'Well, I'm notMariah Carey, but I can carry a tune.' And I'll be damned if they didn't call my agent and asked my availability starting the middle of July because they were creating a character for me."