- K-12 Physical Education/Health Teacher, & Adapted PE
- CrossFit L1
- AFAA Personal Training
- AFAA Group Exercise
- Gravity Systems
- Kinesis System
- First Aid, CPR, AED
Hey there!
I'm so glad you're here! Whether you stumbled across this page accidentally or maybe you were looking for fitness tips, recipes, or perhaps even a tribe of supporters; you found it and you’re exactly where you need to be (cue huge smile and sigh of relief!)
So, what can you actually find here? Well, my hope is that this page will help educate, motivate, and lead you in the right direction. I have spent the last 12 years learning, teaching, and creating the ultimate systems for you! Whether it's fat loss, muscle gain, body confidence, healing your relationship with food, or just meeting like-minded women...this is your spot! Seriously, wherever you’re looking to go, I will be by your side, we will be by your side; you are not alone on this journey.
  “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
– African proverbÂ
The Story
Everyone has a story and often those stories are what hold us back. They let us define who we are and who we think we can/can’t become. That said, you should never be ashamed of your story. You should be grateful for the lessons you have learned and grateful for the opportunities that lay ahead because ultimately YOU are in control of the chapters to come. Own your story!
So, what's MY story?
I grew up in a beautiful suburb of New Jersey just 20 miles outside of NYC. From what my parents tell me, I started running before I learned to walk and they had to teach me to slow down (it seems not much has changed lol). I spent more time upside down than right side up and climbed everything. I had my first of many broken bones at three when I was trying to keep up with my eight-year-old brother. I guess the 5 years and size he had on me were an advantage in our “who can jump from the higher step” game. My constant need to move and fearless attitude landed me in competitive gymnastics at an early age.
By age 9 I was training 20 hours a week and figuring out how to juggle schoolwork, a social life, chores, and Hebrew school. During my career I traveled with my team, competed nationally, and even had the opportunity to live and train in France when I was 12. My life was gymnastics, clothing of choice was a leotard, favorite accessory, duh chalk, best friends were my teammates, second parents were my coaches, and ultimately my happy place was the gym.
Broken bones, minor tears, and strains of all sorts were common in gymnastics. However, my worst injury took place during a competition at the end of high school. I landed my bar dismount with locked out knees and a shock electrified through my entire body, resulting in two fractured vertebrae. My training came to an abrupt halt, but gymnastics was still my life, I couldn’t stomach "retiring" like I was told I should; I had my mind set on a full recovery. During my recovery, it made sense to increase my coaching hours since I would be decreasing my training hours. This simple solution allowed me to still be in the gym every night, see my teammates, focus on my recovery, and teach other girls about the sport I loved so dearly.
It was during coaching (and picking up a job at a local health club) that I realized what I loved was teaching. Through teaching I could pass along my knowledge, experiences, challenges, and solutions. Seeing someone make a small shift, find success after failed attempts, and check a goal of their list...well, that's my WHY!
After months of recovery and rehab I was able to come back for my last few competitions. Although I healed and returned to competing, that injury changed the trajectory of my future as an athlete. It was also the biggest catalyst in being completely overtaken by my eating disorder.
I spent nearly 10 years fighting and struggling; honestly, just hating myself. I am extremely open about my past, but right now is not the time or the place. You can read all about my secret life in this blog (written May 2016).
It took years for me to be able to share my story, but it only took one person thanking me and opening up to me about her struggles for me to realize sharing my story and helping others is why I went through everything I did.
WHAT MAKES MEÂ AN EXPERT?
I studied Physical Therapy at The University of Rhode Island and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. While at URI, I also received my K-12 Physical Education and Health teaching certificates. I worked in the student recreation center and fitness facility as a full-time group fitness instructor.
My love for gymnastics and passion for fitness kept expanding and growing into new avenues. After college I moved back to New Jersey and worked full-time as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor while figuring out my next move. It has been almost two decades of training clients, teaching classes, and coaching gymnastics. I watched the fitness industry change and evolve throughout the majority of my life, but one thing that hasn't changed...my love and passion for it!
As a teenager I used to watch Fitness competitions on ESPN and it was something I always wanted to do. So, a few years ago I joined a team of competitors, got myself a coach, and started training for shows. I placed 2nd in my first competition and was immediately hooked. I competed a second time and while training for my third show I detached two ligaments in my ankle, resulting in surgery and months in a wheelchair. I may not be prepping or competing anymore, but I’ve done the work, been through the process, and understand what it takes.
After joining my fitness team I also partnered with an incredible Health and Wellness company that allowed me to start my own business; teaching others how to properly fuel their bodies. This partnership has changed the training game for me, as well as my clients and their results. Partnering with them was also what sparked my interest in eventually pursuing entrepreneurship full time. (I've always been an entrepreneur, always had a side hustle. Even at 9 I was painting hair clips with glitter nail polish and selling them to my teammates...stories for a different day.)
From 2009-2017 I worked full time as an Elementary School Physical Education/Health teacher. I also helped coach the gymnastics team at my old high school. I ran small group training sessions, one on one personal training sessions, and in July of 2016 I created “FITtrips”. I can confidently say that FITtrips has been my most rewarding "passion project" to date! You can read all about FITtrips here.
What am I up to now?
Well, I left my full time gig as a teacher at the end of the school year in 2017. My husband and I picked up, moved to NYC, rented out our house in NJ, and I began working to create my dream life as an entrepreneur where I could help more women and make a bigger impact.
I currently train one-on-one clients at Performix House, while also coaching women online. I'm fortunate enough to be given opportunities to create content, write and model for various health/fitness magazines/websites. Oh, and let's not forget; I work everyday to continue building FITtrips, expanding into other cities, planning bigger events, and now even host international FITretreats!
So, while I may not be in a public school system and have summers off; I still teach every single day and I absolutely LOVE what I do!
FIND ME ON THE GRAM!OKAY, SO BACK TO YOU!
Trust me, you’re here for a reason and even if you don’t know what it is yet, I promise we’ll figure it out together. I will support you and cheer you on. I will push you and motivate you to be the best version of you. I will educate you and be open with you.
I already believe in you because girl…YOU are amazing! Just own it. Together we’re going to get you out of your comfort zone, trudge through the mud, and come out the other side the healthiest, strongest, and most confident version of yourself!
Whether you want to focus on mind, body, or soul, this tribe has your back. I have all the tools that you need to get #gLazerfocused to reach ALL of your goals!
You’ve made it this far; take the leap, trust yourself, and enjoy the journey because YOU deserve it!
Sweat, Smile, & Sparkle,
Jess
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