Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Leamy.
Hi Jenna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up on the East Coast, spending most of my time in CT. From a young age, I loved being active. I played field hockey throughout grade school, I fell in love with group fitness classes in college, post college I really enjoyed long-distance running along with yoga. In my mid-twenties, I received my first certification in yoga. I started teaching immediately while I continued my learning of various types of yoga and therapeutics. At the time, I was working in finance and teaching yoga on the side. In my late twenties, I gave birth to my first daughter and struggled to go back to work after. It was so hard for me to leave her to go back to a job I was not truly passionate about. I am so grateful that I was able to leave my job to stay at home, which is where I truly wanted to be at the time. I continued to teach yoga weekly while also exploring other areas of interest. Through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, I received my Health Coaching Certificate, through NASM I gained my Personal Training Certificate, all online while being a stay-at-home mom. After my third daughter was born, I fell in love with Lagree. I became certified and started teaching at a local studio. It felt like a perfect combination of all I had learned thus far.
In early 2020, my husband received a job offer in Laguna Beach, CA. We had always dreamed about living on the West Coast. We immediately said yes and moved our family of five across the country. After living here for about a year, I felt like there was a real opportunity for me to open my own studio in town. I had always wanted my own studio, and it just felt like it was my time to give it a go. The space is small and intimate, I get to offer up a combination of all that I have learned so far while still continuing my studies. My girls are all in school, which gives me the time to both run a small business and focus on them too. It feels like the perfect balance for right now.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been fortunate to have had a mostly smooth road. I’ve worked hard and have spent many hours and will continue to spend many hours being the student. The more I learn the more I have to offer to others. However, our move west happened right before COVID. The girls were in school for two weeks before everything shut down. We found ourselves far away from family and friends in a situation which made it impossible to meet new people. I opened my studio about a year into COVID when things seemed to be much improved. However, not long after opening another wave came. This definitely put a huge strain on my business and myself. I questioned whether or not to stay open. Having a small studio, where I only see one or two clients at a time, made staying open an option. We wore masks, we kept the doors open, we were upfront with each other. Deep down, I knew my clients needed that time. Even though it was extremely challenging, being there physically and emotionally for my clients, I am so glad I stuck it out and am still open today.
We’ve been impressed with reDefined, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
reDefined is a small fitness studio in Laguna Beach. I teach resistance-based strength training on an XFormer. It is a full-body workout focusing on functional movement, muscular endurance, balance, flexibility and so much more. I only see one or two clients at a time which allows me to focus on individual needs. I work with all bodies, those with injuries and those without, and with all types of goals. I believe all of my time spent studying the body, and in so many different ways, has allowed me to create a safe space for all people. Anyone can come in and feel empowered to move their body without pain while getting stronger physically and mentally with each session.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
So many! All of my teachers, and there have been many, have shaped me in some way. Not only did they teach me the science behind the movement, but they taught me how to be my own authentic self. To use my collective knowledge but to teach from my heart. I will be forever grateful to all of my teachers. My family has also been a huge supporter, always. My husband had no doubts; my girls love to hear about what I do and love to spend time with me in the studio (even to clean!). My parents helped me get my business up and running and have been huge advocates along the way. The Laguna Beach community deserves a huge shout out too! The support from the community has been incredible. Most of my business is by word of mouth. This is one community that truly loves to lift each other up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reDefinedbyJennaLeamy.com
- Instagram: redefined_by_jenna
Image Credits
Zachary Craig
