Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Woodward.
Hi Jen, 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?
I’m a Pilates instructor here in LA. Before I started instructing fitness, I was attending college in Michigan to become a Physician Assistant. About two years into college though, I started to see how transformative working out could be for people – both mentally and physically. I had this feeling that I could make a bigger difference in this field than in the medical field, so I decided to become certified in yoga and dropped out to pursue instructing fitness full time. Shortly after my yoga certification, I moved to Spokane, WA and taught yoga for almost a year. It soon became clear to me that I had found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but I knew I needed to be in an area with more opportunities if I really wanted to advance.
At 20 years old, I then decided to move to LA and get certified in Pilates. It was a really sudden decision, but thankfully I instantly fell in love with pilates and the way it transformed my body and mind. I really started to get consistent with my personal practice of Pilates, and then I began to use the things that I had learned in my own practice while instructing others. My only intention was (and still is) to try to give back to other people what fitness has given to me.
Pretty early on in my pilates career, one of my clients, Viki Garcia, ended up bringing her roommate, Daniela Lopez in. I didn’t know it at the time, but Dani was signed to The Industry LA modeling agency and went on to tell her agent about me. From there, I ended up getting more of that clientele. Ultimately, I’m just incredibly thankful that I have a community of people that I love being around. All of my clients mean so much to me and I’m constantly inspired by them.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
When I was 12, I lost my father and a cycle of over-exercising + under eating began. I started spiraling and suffered from depression and anxiety a lot, especially in my teenage years. As I got older, I got involved in toxic relationships that really took a toll on my well-being. I realized that the way I had been living my life was no longer working for me, and I began to get serious about taking care of my mental health. Working out, going to therapy, and taking medication has all really been a game changer for me. My mental health is something I’m always prioritizing and working on.
I’ve definitely had my fair share of struggles, but I don’t think that I would be where I am right now if all the past versions of myself never existed. Everything I’ve been through helps me better relate to my clients as well. If they’re really going through it, I’m not just going to be like, “everything will work out! Just breathe! Now give me 60 seconds of burpees!!!”. Instead, I’ll urge them to take a break if they need it or modify.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Pilates instructor, I currently teach at Pilates Platinum. I’m working on building my own brand and business as well. I’m going to have my own space that focuses on private Pilates classes. I really pride myself on having a genuine, authentic relationship with my clients. I love getting to know them, my clients are what makes my job so much fun! I’m really looking forward to my private Pilates classes because it allows me to create the best possible environment for my clients.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jenwoodwardd?utm_medium=copy_link
- Other: https://instagram.com/reformstudiola?utm_medium=copy_link
