Today we’d like to introduce you to John Aquino
Hi John, 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?
The John Experience (TJE) brand was created in August 2023. However, this has been a vision in the making since 2018 when I taught my first spin class in Houston. Becoming an instructor was a path someone else saw for me and it took taking a leap of faith after losing my first job out of college. So you can imagine being a 24 year old (raised in Asian culture and its strict career expectations growing up, I knew I was going to have to answer to my parents and family. Fitness was never an option to consider), I was faced with answering one of life’s prominent question, “what am I going to do with my life?,” a decision that was going to change my life forever. Funny enough… when I got fired and then offered that position to teach, I took a weekend trip to Austin, TX to ground myself before making one of the biggest decisions in my life.
Fast forward, I moved to ATX in 2019 and helped open a new fitness studio that I still teach for today, providing the experience to almost 2000+ people the last 5 years. From those moments of connections in class, the buzzing words riders spoke, to the thrill of creating class… I decided to invest in myself and create #THEJOHNEXPERIENCE. After being laid off from my corporate job of 4 years, once again, I was met with the same prominent question. Except this time, it wasn’t about what I wanted to do with my life, but about what I can make out of it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have faced a lot of challenges on the road to creating my brand. One of the biggest has been fighting self-doubt. I’ve had many doubts (and still do) on whether I’m doing the right thing. Finding the courage to trust and believe in myself is a daily practice. There are a lot of people out there who are trying to do the same thing I am in many different ways. I’ve had to learn to deal with that and really lean on my creativity.
Throughout the years, I’ve voiced my opinions of what community should look like or how a true authentic experience could be, only to work around other people to fit their mold. This brand allows me to share my perspective and pave my own way.
I’m so grateful for the encouragement and unwavering support of my friends, family (who grew to understand it’s my life to live), and chosen family.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
TJE is fresh, fun, and for everyone. It’s filipino-queer owned. It’s a place where you can feel included, celebrated, and belong to something way bigger. You’re not just taking a class, this is a lifestyle you’ve created for yourself. So, the feeling and work you experience goes beyond the room. That is why I’ve been motivated to organize TJE social events called “TJE TOGETHERS” to deepen the connections within riders (a.k.a. TJE CLUB) and design TJE merch that represent the pride and joy of The John Experience, especially the people sporting them.
My hope is TJE continues to build community and creates experiences everyone is proud to be a part of.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Persistence is a crucial quality for anyone paving their own way. It is the driving force that enables you to overcome obstacles and continue pushing forward, even when faced with challenges and setbacks. The journey is often filled with uncertainty, and success rarely comes overnight. It requires a relentless commitment to your vision, the ability to adapt to change, and the determination to keep going when others might give up or not believe in what you’re creating.
One thing that helped me through this process was my good friend’s journal, 60 Days Away. Persistence allows you to learn from failures and a trait that turns ideas into reality. And always, bet on yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonfire.com/store/thejohnexperience/
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/johnpaoloaqui
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/john-aquino-45989029
Image Credits
Tiaira Wilson, Kim Lepley, Scott Shigley
