Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jamisha Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jamisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

As a practicing Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), my first job was in a Chiropractic and Physical Therapy clinic back in Kansas. My childhood Chiropractor was nice enough to give me a shot right out of school. It was fun going back to my hometown and getting to treat patients that I had known my whole life, but I knew I did not want to stay in Kansas. During my 9 months there, I was always looking for jobs in other states including Texas, Colorado and Florida. With the help of some recruiting agencies, I found a job in Texas and decided to make the move. The only downfall to taking the job was that it was in the Skilled Nursing setting working with the geriatric population. I thought to myself, this was at least my foot in the door into a new state and networking in the rehab world. Eight years later and I continue working in the Skilled Nursing population. I have learned to love certain aspects of this setting, but.deep down my heart was elsewhere. I have always been into health/fitness and wellness and was able to reignite a flame within me within the Dallas fitness community. I began working the front desk at Class Studios, a local fitness studio, a quickly realized that where I really wanted to be was in the classrooms leading people. March 2020 completely turned our worlds upside down and had a major effect on healthcare. Work become so mentally and emotionally exhausting and then soon just slowed down completely. I had SO much down time that I was able to study and get my CPT license, In April 2021 I finally made my debut as a fitness instructor at Class Studios and quickly realized that what I was craving through physical therapy work, could also be done in the studio. I get to lead people through functional mobility, develop strength, motivate, and show people exactly what their bodies are capable using the foundation of body mechanics and musculoskeletal movements. Although this path is not what I originally imagined for myself, I am happy with where I have ended up and forever grateful for the opportunities I have been given since becoming a Dallas resident.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am originally from Southwest Kansas, a small town called Dodge City. I grew up playing a variety of sports, but volleyball is what took me through college. I have always been active and enjoyed most types of fitness. Between working at a gym in college and battling some injuries myself leading me to physical therapy, my interest in the PT industry grew. After about 8 years in the rehab world, the craving for something more returned. During the pandemic I started crafting a ton of my own workouts due to gyms and facilities being closed, and quickly realized how my knowledge from my career bled into something that was also so fun for me. With some added down time to my day to day life, I was able to study and get my CPT and finally began instructing at Class Studios outside of keeping my job as a Physical Therapist Assistant,

I love crafting and creating workouts for my clients. I use a variety techniques from strength training, mobility flows, and tabata style workouts. What I want all of my followers and clients to know is that I truly put a lot of time and effort into each program I create, making sure I am intentional with everything I do and am able to relay a reason behind everything I am asking my clients to do. Its so easy to just go into a room and do what you are told, but I have found that when clients understand the intention behind what they are doing the efforts improve and the reward is that much sweeter. What I am most proud of is the community I have built throughout my classes and the community that I get to be a part of. Ive also made some of the best friends I could have ever asked for through this process.

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

If I could back I would choose the same professions but maybe do things a little differently. I would have gone through more schooling to get my DPT and I would have gotten my CPT sooner.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think what has been most helpful with both of my careers is adaptability and patience. We live in a society of wanting instant gratification. Whether I am working with one of my geriatric patients or with a younger, healthy individual, things take time. Healing the body takes time, building muscle, losing weight, improving flexibility…it all takes time. It teaches my patients patience and also teaches me patiences as a leader/educator. Adaptability is also so so important because you learn to just adjust to whatever situation is at hand. My patients at work and my clients in the studios have bad days, and part of my job is to see that and help them overcome.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jamishanicole

Image Credits
@kathytranx