We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Bigio a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?
In the summer of 2012 The Miami Beach JCC was preparing their new facility to open and I was recruited by their fitness director to teach part time. I had been certified for quite some time but hadn’t been teaching any group fitness. I was basically a gym rat and an amateur runner with a lot of passion for the fitness world. I was thrown into teaching spin class immediately, a setting I knew nothing about but quickly adapted. My first job as a fitness professional in Miami Beach started and I never looked back. The people were fun, and family oriented. I learned how to become more self sufficient, met exceptional clients and still train them today. If it weren’t for starting at the JCC I would not have gotten to where I am today in my career or met the people I know now.
Jessica , 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?
Running became my primary passion and my career was in fitness. I came to realize there was a big gap especially within the female population of runners for strength focused training. I had just began to run marathons and staying healthy and strong enough to get to the start line seemed to be a big accomplishment. I knew that had to change. I knew there is a balance of the two and particularly as someone who loved to do both. As organically as I started running I started coaching with a niche in personalized programs for runners who wanted to learn how to do it in a lasting healthy way and not just train for races only. With the pandemic in 2020 I was able to expand going online for virtual fitness/ strength classes along with a group of 8 dedicated humans outdoors. With this group, my running clients and personal clients I get to not only do what I love but continue to learn with them and share my knowledge and own experiences along the way. This platform has created space to teach to the ages of 13-77 years of age currently and I absolutely love the time I get to spend with each client in helping them reach their personal goals.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
The number one thing in my life or career has been consistently showing up. People learn more from you by your actions than by any other means. This way I set the bar and the people who want that kind of discipline, truth and connection will always show up. In todays age of Social media where anyone can be anything I believe the most relevant ideas or aspirations are real. Real life connections and showing up on time with a positive work ethic on a consistent basis has eventually put me in positions of opportunity far past my own imagination.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Let your work speak for itself. In this way I feel I can connect with the people who want what I’m “selling”. In other words the right people always come to me. I don’t think I can look for or find it, I believe I LIVE it and that’s where the appeal is. A practice what I preach approach.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @live.withjess @justjesss77