We recently connected with Jillian Barnes and have shared our conversation below.

Jillian, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I quit my full-time training job in December 2024 to officially launch my business, Body Is A Sport. We help women build strength, confidence, and long-term health through online training, habit coaching, and lifestyle support — from wherever you are in the world. For years, I had this gut feeling that I wanted to work for myself, but I let doubt creep in: How will I pay rent? Will anyone follow me? What if I fail? At the same time, many of my friends had already taken the leap into entrepreneurship and were thriving, which made me both inspired and restless.

Not everyone was supportive. I heard things like, “You’ll never find clients on your own,” “Why would you only train women? You’re cutting your audience in half,” or “No one’s going to pay those rates.” And yet, deep down, I knew if I didn’t change something, I’d regret it. I’m very aware of how short and fragile life can be — and I didn’t want to look back knowing I ignored my own intuition.

So, I bet on myself. And almost immediately, the risk started paying off. Within months, the Women’s Advancement Office of the Boston Mayor reached out after discovering my business on TikTok, and I was nominated for an award. That moment felt like confirmation that I was walking in my purpose. Since then, partnerships have happened organically, clients have found me without me having to chase, and I’ve been able to build something that feels both sustainable and impactful.

It was one of those “when you know, you know” moments. I knew something had to change if I wanted to live the life I envisioned. Taking that leap was terrifying, but it’s easily the best decision I’ve ever made. 11/10 recommend betting on yourself.

Jillian, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into fitness after a breakup at 17 (those teenage years were rough – haha), looking for confidence in myself and my body. At first it was purely a way to heal, but I started to notice more than physical changes — the mental shift was more than I expected – and the science behind it was SO interesting to me. If I can lift a weight I didn’t think I could, what else can I do? That mindset change is what hooked me and eventually pushed me into the industry and led me to graduate college with a degree in Nutrition.

After almost 10 years of training men and women, I now run Body Is A Sport, a strength, habit and longevity coaching online platform for women. We approach wellness like the sport it is. From hydration to strength training, you’ll walk away with a personalized plan to build a body that’s strong—for life. No serums, no gimmicks—just sweat, science, and strategy.

My approach combines empathy — I live with endometriosis and understand training through chronic illness/limitations – with creativity, from online consulting and coaching to community events. Since going full-time in December 2024, we’ve been recognized by the Boston Mayor’s Women’s Advancement Office, but what I value most is building something that feels authentic and gives women the tools to take ownership of their health and feel validated by their past experiences. I take a lot of consultations, and almost every woman shares how intimidated she feels stepping into a gym or even reaching out to a trainer. That kind of vulnerability humbles me every time — the fact that someone trusts me to help change their life is something I don’t take lightly. I was a beginner once too and I’m thankful God has been able to bring purpose to what was once a struggle (and sometimes still is!).

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I’m a person of several interests (almost to a fault) — writing, design of every kind, psychology, PR, photography, creating experiences — but yes, I’d choose the same profession – or maybe add on a few things, haha.

If I could go back, I’d probably double major in nutrition and neuroscience. Nutrition feels obvious for the work I do, but neuroscience has always fascinated me, especially neuroplasticity — the idea that you can rewire your thoughts, change patterns, and even train your brain to master a movement it once couldn’t with practice.

That’s a huge part of coaching, whether it’s helping women build confidence in the gym or working with athletes to push past physical and mental barriers. So much of performance is about the brain as much as the body, and understanding that connection on a deeper level would only make me a stronger coach. And while I’ll always love creative outlets like interior design, if I had to choose again professionally, I’d stay in this field — just with that added layer of nutrition, neuroscience, and the opportunity to work with athletes too on a more creative level (ie creative direction for photoshoots—-I’m manifesting). And maybe a little research conduction…I’ll leave it at that.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My training style isn’t the typical “drill sergeant” approach. I’m quieter, more go-with-the-flow, and for a long time I worried that meant I wasn’t good enough as a coach. But over the years, clients kept telling me the opposite — that they loved working with me because I didn’t make them feel bad about themselves or push them into anything they weren’t comfortable with. Leading with kindness and understanding has helped me build sustainable, long-term relationships, which has been the most effective way I’ve grown.

I’ve been in this industry for almost a decade, so it hasn’t been overnight growth — and honestly, I’m still not close to where I want to be. Most of my clients have come from referrals, social media, and small interactions I had with people years ago. How you interact with people matters. You have to be genuine and actually care. My dad, who ran his own chiropractic practice, modeled that for me growing up — he built his business by putting people first. One of my favorite full-circle moments was with a client about six years ago: she was a mom of three, and after a few sessions she asked if I was related to Dr. Barnes. When I said yes, she teared up (we both did) and told me my dad had saved her from debilitating pain during pregnancy. She remembered me from when I was 11, sitting at his front desk. That moment reinforced what I already believed: relationships are everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bodyisasport.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/bodybyjillian or instagram.com/bodyisasport