Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanine Grayson.
Jeanine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I joined my first gym at age 18 in an attempt to avoid gaining the “freshman fifteen” as I entered my first year in college. What I didn’t anticipate was the passion I quickly developed for weight training. My gym time was my designated “me time” and it became an important part of my daily life and something I was incredibly committed to. Fast forward to July 2, 2009 when I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer at age 38. The idea that I had cancer was something so unexpected, so scary, and I quickly became a person who started to doubt everything. Could I beat this? Would I beat this? How would life change for me? Why me? I was by far the most healthy and active person in my family…. Why was this happening to me? What I soon learned was, I had to win the battle in my mind before I could win the physical battle… And that’s what I did. As I began my road to recovery I started a quest for information and answers. What sort of lifestyle changes/choices can we make to get healthier? In addition to exercise, how does diet, stress, sleep (or lack thereof) impact our health? For the first time in my life, I was thinking not just about myself, but about how this information could help others. I became inspired to make a difference in people’s lives. There are no guarantees in life; all we can do is do our best. I wanted to become the person to help others become the best version of themselves. This is when the idea of starting a fitness business was born.
What started as a little whisper in my mind, became a loud and clear message. I CAN start a business based on my life’s passion. I CAN help people get healthier. I CAN make a difference. I began to outline my plan, to leave what was my current career of business management, and build my dream to help others. If I could survive cancer, I certainly could survive making some important changes in my life and moving outside of my comfort zone. The truth is, I never would have chosen the cancer card that was dealt to me. Let me share a secret with you: Sometimes, amazing things are disguised as obstacles; and gifts are not always wrapped in pretty packages. Cancer was a gift in my life. Cancer made me believe in myself and my abilities. Cancer gave me compassion for others. Cancer made me a better person.
Has it been a smooth road?
Before formally launching Jeanine Lynn Fitness, I knew I needed to do my homework and really start learning about some of the pros and cons of the “fitness industry”. In addition to reading many fitness business books and conducting informational interviews with people in the industry, I learned that an experience I needed to have was one of being employed at a “big box gym”. Now I had spent enough time working out at a gym to know what the typical gym scene was like. I also knew that sales are THE primary focus of these types of businesses, and not really health and fitness. Coming from a 15-year career in business management in an industry that demands stellar customer service, I was confident I would not be impressed with being employed at a big box gym. Nevertheless, I told myself “Jeanine, just get in there and LEARN for 9 – 12 months”, and that’s exactly what I did. I derived what I wanted to out of the experience.
I worked with a diverse population of clients of all age brackets and physical limitations. I began to more clearly define the niche that I wanted to base my own business on. After exactly 9 months of being a “gym trainer”, I was ready to start Jeanine Lynn Fitness and help people get healthier and stronger.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Jeanine Lynn Fitness currently offers the following services: Personal Training, Nutrition Coaching, and Fitness and Lifestyle Coaching. The Personal Training aspect of my business largely revolves around full body circuit training with an emphasis on core strength and stability. The workouts consist of resistance training in timed, high repetition intervals, raising the heart rate, and providing a fantastic strength and cardiorespiratory workout. Many clients come to me seeking weight loss, and this type of workout is a good answer to that need. My Nutrition Coaching services focus on educating my clients on how to view food as fuel, covering nutritional balance, portion sizes, and timing of meals. I help my clients implement lasting lifestyle changes with food based on educating how different kinds of food affects our health and fitness goals.
I want my clients to be able to live their lives, go on vacation, eat out, all while making smarter choices with food. My Fitness and Lifestyle Coaching focuses on the control center of what we do: THE MIND! Our bodies will not achieve what our minds do not believe. This service allows me to work with individuals at all levels in regards to their fitness lifestyle. Some of my coaching clients are not yet ready to step foot in a gym or hire a trainer. Some of my coaching clients are avid gym goers and want to get to the next level. I coach these individuals on healthy behavior changes that will help progress them to the next stage they are desiring. I think what really sets me aside from others is my level of commitment to my clients, my ability to meet people where they are at in life, my compassion, and my AMAZING customer service. The Entrepreneur is nothing without the customer. I make sure my clients feel appreciated and valued, and I become their accountability partner.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love our Westlake Village community! Not only did I start my business here, but I started my business here as a new resident to the area, as I am originally from Santa Barbara. I was aware early on, there are a TON of fitness trainers and fitness options to the consumer here. I really don’t concern myself with what everyone else is doing, but rather focus on my own mission and goals. As an Entrepreneur, getting involved in the community you live in, meeting people, building relationships is where it’s at. I have met some fantastic people in this community and feel very grateful for the relationships that continue to grow.
Contact Info:
- Address: 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 222. Westlake Village, CA 91361
- Website: www.jeaninelynnfitness.com
- Phone: 805.444.7659
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @jeaninelynngrayson
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeaninelynnfitness/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jeanine-lynn-fitness-westlake-village
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
