#MomCrushMonday Series: Meet Jennifer Jacobs, founder of The J METHOD

1.) You are a fitness expert and creator of the J METHOD. What is the J METHOD? What sets it apart from other workout programs?

The J METHOD is more than a method and a workout program, it is a mindset to resist your limits and unleash your best self.  The J METHOD teaches you to train with a purpose towards your goals by improving movement, developing balance, redefining strength, and optimizing nutrition through a functional training approach. The J METHOD was created for all ages and all fitness levels by focusing on the individual, and is an efficient and effective way to train less, gain more and to train anytime, anywhere.  
I created the J METHOD out of a personal need to improve my own fitness and health after having my two children and in response to a growing demand of personal training clients.  As a mom of two small children, I didn’t always have time to go to the gym, and I didn’t always have a lot of time in general.  I needed to figure out an effective and efficient way to train myself.  One of the hardest parts of staying fit is consistency and part of that challenge is overcoming the belief that you don’t have enough time, or you don’t have access to a gym. Thus, the J METHOD was born.

2.) What motivates you?

Knowing that if I can share my knowledge about health and fitness with others, I can help them lead healthier lifestyles.  I set out each day to be my better self and I seek to inspire every person to do the same.  Now more than ever it is important to make health and fitness a priority.  Health is a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being.  By that definition alone many of us would be considered unhealthy, as health is about more than just physical well-being.  What health means, however, will differ from one person to the next, depending on their needs and situations.  Our ability to adapt to situations, especially during times of change, is an important factor to maintaining our health.  Sometimes all you need is that one person – someone like me – who is there to keep supporting and inspiring you to resist your limits and unleash your best self in all facets of your life.

3.) How do you use your passion to motivate others?

My passion is the fire that ignites my reason to help others to unleash their best self.  My passion is what fuels me to help others believe in themselves and that they can achieve anything they set their mind to.  The hardest thing is to get people to look beyond their perceived limits and to think big.  Once you are able to embrace who you are without the limitations put there by yourself or anyone else than anything is possible.  As I like to say “The sky is not the limit it is just the view!”  – it is a new vantage point to see yourself more clearly and to climb even higher.  
In addition to this, I always lead by example and try to educate people as much as possible. It is important to understand your WHY and your PURPOSE.  Unless you truly understand why you are doing what you are doing, it will be hard to succeed in a sustainable way.

4.) You are the mother of two children. How do you juggle your professional and personal life?

Fitness and living a healthy lifestyle are part of who I am and part of my everyday life, which includes my kids.  But there are days when things can get really busy and it is very easy to feel overwhelmed.  I always make sure to not only carve out some time with my kids but time for myself as well.  I am a huge believer in self-care.  It is important to make yourself a priority and make time to take care of yourself so you can care for those you love.  As they say, you can’t pour from an empty cup!

5.) What are some tips you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

In whatever you set out to do, always be authentic and always be true to yourself.  Don’t think that there is anything you can’t do.  If you have an idea, try it out and see if it sticks.  And if it doesn’t, know that it is okay.  Pick yourself back up and try again.  It doesn’t mean you failed, it just means you learned something and that always makes you better for the next time around.  Lean on your network.  Don’t be afraid to ask people you know for advice, and if they don’t know the answer, ask them if they know someone who does.  There are so many people who have been in your place before that you could learn from.  You’d be amazed how small business owners are supportive of other small business owners.

6.) What is your favorite song lyric? Why?

I have so many favorite songs and they each motivate me in different ways.  But when faced with a difficult challenge or decision, when I can feel the self-doubt creeping in, it is the song “Lose Yourself” by Eminem:
“If you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?” Each and every single time, my answer is the same….now that you know me a bit better I’ll let you guess what that is…

Jennifer is a CPT, and is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and is a graduate of UC Irvine and the Yale School of Management’s Executive Education Business Management Program. She holds over a dozen certifications recognized internationally spanning from Strength & Conditioning Coach to Performance Enhancement Specialist. Follow her on Instagram @jmethod.