Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Powell.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started out as a nutrition educator, working in New Mexico and Washington State with the local cooperative extension programs. I took a six years break to be a full-time stay-at-home to two kiddos. When my youngest was about a year old, I wound up working with a Personal Trainer at the local gym. He was so inspiring and motivational that I found myself wanting to do what he did. So, over the course of a year and a half he helped me study for my PT certification and in 2010, I passed the NSCA-CPT. I worked for roughly a year with Coach Mo’s Elite Fitness and also took on work at the Northwest Family YMCA where I worked as a personal trainer, nutrition consultant, and group fitness instructor. I worked for a brief time for 413 Fitness, offering exercise classes to those with Parkinson’s. During those times, I also offered in-home PT. Once the Pandemic hit and we had to quarantine, I lost my job at the YMCA and 413 Fitness, so decided to start offering online videos and livestreams around April 2020. By September, I set up my own Patreon page and I now offer 3-4 livestreams a week plus videos.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. It took quite a while to receive my certification because the only time I had to study was when my young kids were napping. Once I had my certification, I was able to start working somewhat immediately, but it was slow going. And at the Y, I switched to mainly group fitness, teaching 8-10 classes a week, but the pay was so little.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Over the course of the last 12 years, I have worked on both the fitness and nutrition side of the business. I am able to offer nutrition counseling, meal prep, menu planning, etc… I also helped create, write, and teach a nutrition education course called “The Quick Cook” which helps teach general nutrition and offers up fun recipes.
For the fitness side, I have worked with everyone from preschoolers all the way to senior citizens. I have worked with autistic kids and teens and those with Parkinson’s. I, myself, have been dealing with autoimmune issues over the course of these 12 years and recognize that not every workout or move will work for everyone. I try to offer modifications around every corner so that no one feels like they “can’t workout”.
How do you define success?
I define success by the outpouring of appreciation by my participants. I am constantly told how much they love my workouts and how I have made a difference to them. I have also been told (although not lately 😉 ) that I have been someone’s “goals.” I try to practice what I preach, even though it has been a rough road the last 2 1/2 years.
Pricing:
- $65/hour one-on-one PT in-studio
- $8/month on-line/livestream
- $80/hour one-on-one in-home PT
Contact Info:
- Email: jepowell8@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.patreon.com/jumpstartfitnessnow08?fan_landing=true
- Instagram: @jumpstartfitness08
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jumpstartfitnessnow
- Youtube: @JumpStart Fitness
Image Credits
Mustache Dash
