JACQUESE
& JENNIFER
JACQUESE
When I started exercising with a womens-only club, it was about the commitment to exercise, not realizing or understanding how great my life would be changed and impacted by the participants. The club was new, I was new at being an instructor, and I remember feeling empowered, energized, and thankful to be part of something that didn't feel like work! I wanted a club!
The inspiration that catapulted me into taking action in creating JACS Figure On FIT, LLC, a fitness club, was after a tragedy.
My life was forever changed with the loss of my son. I realized when this young life ended, a person so full of energy, talent and passion, that our days are not guaranteed. I realized the consequence of not doing what you love: you could simply run out of time. I decided that I’d live my life out stronger, bolder, and on purpose every single day. I got my JACS Figure On FIT, LLC in less than a week of my son’s death – I would live out the life he could not with more love, more purpose, and more action.
With the realization of life being short and after attending a conference surrounded by inspirational professionals, a light bulb went off that had me taking action. Within a year, I had a physical location for my business, and continued to grow, resulting in getting a bigger place, and again moving to affect more opportunities. It has been a journey, and my son continues to inspire me into action.
JENNIFER
“Gestational diabetes!” That was a diagnosis from my physician during the pregnancy of my first child. This meant that my chances of developing type 2 diabetes as I aged increased exponentially. I remember feeling panicked and concerned that my life span would be shorter as I was about to bring a life into the world. My doctor advised me to exercise moderately and begin eating a healthier diet. When I gave birth, I tipped the scale at an exorbitant number that raised eyebrows with my doctor. It unnerved me because I had no idea how to move forward. The struggle was from not knowing what that meant, or how to lose weight. There were so many diets and advice on exercise; it just made me depressed, discouraged, and frustrated. I joined a gym, felt embarrassed and intimidated.
During a random meeting in a grocery store with a fitness professional, she gave me her card and I followed through on calling her. She trained me, inspired me, empowered me, and completely transformed my life. For five years, an endocrinologist monitored me; I had a second child, and was not diagnosed with diabetes. All of this took me on a path to becoming a fitness professional. I was inspired to learn everything I could, I earned the certifications that helped me stay healthy, and additionally help others.
This fitness thing that started off as a hobby led me to leave my corporate world job, become a fitness manager, and then later to become a vice president of a fitness chain! I would have never imagined this for myself when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes; I had never worked out, it seemed too scary and unattainable - it definitely was not even a passing thought. The inspiration that came from tackling my fears created this energy of a need to do more with this fitness world.
Starting a fitness business has been a natural progression for me. Sometimes you are just in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, and the motivation to take action takes hold.
