‹ Back to top

It really is a very short story. I can tell you that once upon a time, there was a girl who hated exercise and refused to do any of it... Then magically, she became a personal trainer... The End.

Well, it wasn't actually so simple. Let me tell you the longer version.

My name is Jenna Maye and I am a kinesiologist and personal trainer from Vancouver, BC. My journey into fitness was an unexpected one. While I can't see myself in a different career now, fitness did not come naturally to me. I was exceptionally uncoordinated most of my life and often frustrated by a lack of physical skill. It has not been an easy journey to get to this point but it has been a rewarding one, so let me tell you a bit more about how I got here.

During my first year of university courses, I found myself working in a Pilates studio. There, I became intrigued with exercise and the mechanics behind body movements. I started to ask the teachers about their fitness journeys and one suggested that I look into kinesiology. The more I looked into the field, the more I realized it was perfect for me—deep down I am a huge science geek and I love biology. Kinesiology meant I could study biology, anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology and learn more about the body. I took a huge leap of faith and transferred to the University of British Columbia into the Faculty of Kinesiology. There, I started to learn how the body moves and why.

Despite my interest in kinesiology, throughout my degree I often felt like an outsider at a private club. I had entered into a faculty of jocks and athletic types; these people didn't think twice about playing sports and were all very coordinated. Needless to say, I stood out like a sore thumb. Did this change, you ask? Well...

The cool thing about my education is that it’s almost impossible not to get interested in exercise by learning about it. Once I studied how to use different lifestyle modifications, techniques and conditioning methods in order to get fit, and saw what the best practices are for different body types and different ability levels, I became addicted.  I started to gain a real understanding of fitness and over the four years of university study, I began to see how all my small changes in routine and technique could reap huge benefits when applied knowledgably.

During that time, I encountered many challenges to my determination for accomplishment. One by one, I overcame each difficulty until I began to realize that my only limitations were self created. I then decided that instead of being fearful of failure, I would embrace the challenge of new experiences and start celebrating small changes and victories. This opened up a world of possibility for me and has become a crucial link to my training program for both myself and my clients.

To build on the textbook knowledge I was gaining, I experimented with different fitness methods to find a style that would work for me. I found that whenever I tried any of the trendy fitness programs, I quickly ended up losing momentum. I began to apply my education to developing my own personal program.

Soon, a colleague encouraged me to apply as a trainer at a private personal training studio. By then, I was almost through my kinesiology degree and had a full understanding of the athletic capabilities of a body. When I began training, I found it easy to connect with my clients as I was intimately familiar with the struggles of trying to incorporate exercise into their lives. I was motivated to show them that it doesn’t have to come naturally to have a positive outcome. I soon realized I was passionate about helping my clients shift their perspective towards exercise to one of empowerment, and to help them look and feel their best, no matter their age or skill level.  

It's been almost 2 decades since I started my career as a trainer and I am happy to say I have been able to share my training method with hundreds of clients over the years. In the last few years, I opened my own boutique personal training studio to better cater to my clients’ needs and my training style. This leap has allowed me to work with people from all walks of life in a non-intimidating environment full of encouragement and positive reinforcement. Having my own space enables me to fully combine my educational foundation and practical experience with that passionate drive to craft empowering programs for the wide range of people that come through my doors. 

My next goal is to share my training methods online and to connect with a larger community. I’ve dedicated my career to helping others learn how to exercise through simple, attainable training methods so that you can achieve your health and fitness goals.

There is infinite potential inside every one of us. I’m really looking forward to a journey of life enrichment through exercise and healthy living together!