Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremiah Maestre
Hi Jeremiah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Born in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. Immigrated to the US when I was three. Grew up in the Bay Area and moved to Orange County when I was 18 years old where I then fell in love with boxing, training, fitness, and martial arts. I loved to train and compete while sharing those passions with the masses.
I would fight on a weekend show and then hold 40 private boxing sessions for my clients during the week as well as put on group boxing classes (group fitness was just emerging at the time with the growth of soul cycle). I then had a vision for those group classes with heavy bags instead of bicycles and started my own group boxing experience out of a boxing gym in Costa Mesa. The classes would sell out and I got noticed by an emerging boxing studio in New York City. I moved to New York City to pursue the dream of sharing boxing with the masses.
Moving to New York was that dream come true. I had proposed to my wife within the first year of living there. I also found a great boxing coach who I look up to as a brother. Two time world champion Joan Guzman, and I got to compete in the New York City Golden Gloves under him and train every day in the world famous Gleasons Boxing Gym. I also was involved in helping expand Rumble Boxing. Coaching high energy group boxing classes while training and developing the instructors as we grew to 13 locations all over the nation. Unfortunately the pandemic hit and Rumble and I parted ways. Without studios and gyms open I had to figure out how to coach in the digital space and how to get my own training in as well. This started with a move back to Orange County as our family was growing with two kids.
I managed to learn how to stream high quality digital boxing classes and built a great following from it. At the time it was called JTV. It had caught some good momentum and I was approached by Peloton to help them develop their boxing modality on their platform. I would help the producers with programming as well as fly back to New York to help the instructors execute the program at the Peloton Studios. I would also take the time to train with my old coach and train my New York clients any time I was there.
Boxing wasn’t the same for me back in California as it was in New York. I love coaching in person in Orange County and LA as the gyms were opening back up, but my own training felt empty. I miss my coach and being at my old boxing gym in Brooklyn, Boxing was such a big part of my identity and I questioned who I was without it.
I wanted to fight one more time in 2023 but logistically could not make it happen. Instead of challenging myself with a fight I decided to see how far I can run. In December 2022 I woke up on a family vacation in Maui and ran a marathon by myself. I was so intrigued with the challenge of it I decided to dive deeper in to my running journey and training. Within a year and a half of that first marathon I had run 6 additional marathons and 2 ultra marathons. One of them being a 155 mile week long race across the Sahara Desert. Marathon Des Sables. I then learned that my identity wasnt just through boxing. It was the principles of it. The discipline, the consistency, the technique, the humility. All those principles I have now found through running.
I had documented my journey of boxing, coaching, and running and have been honored to inspire others to better themselves through the two modalities. Nowadays I spend my time coaching boxing still (fighters and enthusiast) and competing in ultra marathons. I will be opening up my own boxing studios (first one being in Phoenix, AZ) and going back to that desert ultra marathon to see if I can do better at it.
I feel that I am on the right path taking my passions (boxing/running) and sharing them with the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. I had to grind and work tooth and nail for everything I wanted to accomplish. Competitive boxing and running never came easy to me but learning the way I have made me appreciate the craft and artistry behind it. This translated well when it came to coaching.
On the business front of things, anytime I would hit a milestone a huge change would present itself and I would be forced to pivot. Orange County boxing classes blew up, well now move to New York and do it. Change the group fitness scene with Rumble Boxing in New York now figure out how to coach with the gym closures in 2020. Pick up a great position w/ Peloton and successfully launch their boxing modality only to have their CEO step down and have them go a different direction with your work.
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?
I spend my days coaching fighters/enthusiast at a local Boxing Gym in Orange County (Grampas Boxing Gym) and training for ultra marathons. I make it a point to document my journey and share on social platforms. It is one thing to pursue my passions of boxing and running but another to share it with others. I feel as it is my purpose to help others better themselves through the two.
I also recently started a brand called Legxcy. The purpose of Legxcy is to leave a positive impact on the world through the sport of boxing. To instill our legacy through group fitness studios and resources to other boxing coaches out there. So their legacy can spread farther through their clients and communities.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The people. People that just want to be happy and find that fulfillment in life. People that are open minded and welcoming to whatever background you come from.
What I like least? The crime.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremiah.maestre/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Jeremiah-Maestre-100069909025204/
Image Credits
Jonathan Hanson
Stephanie Trapp
Chuck Anthony
