We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jocelyn Leaf. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jocelyn below.

Jocelyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

After working for a small business I learned the ends and outs of what it is like to run a business and it gave me the idea of creating my own space. I knew that I loved working with seniors, but what is a problem that they have that I can help fix? Well, God gave me the answer during the Covid-19 shutdown. The older adult population were not allowed to leave their communities & those whom lived alone were isolated inside their homes. At the time of the shutdown I was working at a senior living community and I saw the toll that it was taking on the geriatric population by being isolated from friends and family. Some of my residents became depressed, their quality of life decreased, & they became less likely to participate in fitness activities.

I asked God how could I help my community inside and out and that’s when he gave me the vision of GET UP, GET MOVING. Since the gyms were closed, I had the perfect solution of bringing the gym to the people. I will bring all of my equipment to their homes and get them moving. We would workout outside, take walks, and just do anything that made them happy. Any physical activity for this population is very beneficial and especially crucial to the older adult population that has Alzheimer’s. I saw the benefits immediately. Family members were reaching out saying their loved one smiled a lot more, seemed happier, and their quality of life had increased. By having a mobile fitness business, the seniors got exactly what they needed which was physical activity and social interaction. I’ve been training and teaching classes to seniors in the Rock Hill & Charlotte area since.

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 certified in Senior Fitness, Water Aerobics and a Dementia Specialist. I was born and raised in Florence, SC. As a senior at Winthrop University, I decided to complete my internship at a senior living community in Rock Hill, SC and I’ve been working with seniors ever since! After graduating in 2017, my health/fitness journey has allowed me to continue to work with seniors, but also obtain another speciality working with youth. I specifically enjoy being a personal trainer to seniors because I know that I am either helping someone regain strength or helping them maintain.

GET UP, GET MOVING is a mobile fitness business. Our motto is just because you are aging doesn’t mean you have to stop living. We offer in-person, personal training packages 8 or 12 sessions per month. We also offer 30 minute virtual sessions, and in-person fitness classes for any age range. In personal training sessions our main goal is to focus on the specific needs that the senior is looking to focus on. Whether that be balance, strength, activities of daily living, or flexibility etc. There are also special programs to help with our clients that are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I really had to unlearn that just because someone tells me no that doesn’t mean I didn’t give a good sales pitch or that I did something wrong. I remember I was at senior health fair and I told this lady my story on how I got started & how I could help her on her fitness journey. She was nice enough to let me finish and then stated, “there is nothing you can do for me.” I was shocked. I’m not sure why because I’ve been working seniors at this point for a while and I know how they can sometimes be brutal. It hurt my feelings a little. That’s when I checked myself. I had a friend tell me there is always a yes on the other side of that no. You can’t take that no and dwell on it. Your business will never grow. So I took her advice and that’s how I continue to move forward daily.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

If you ask anyone that knows me I have a bubbly, goofy, and fun personality. I am always trying to make people feel welcome and comfortable whenever they are with me. Being in this industry you have to have a good rapport with your clients. Making those connections, and making them feel comfortable with you are the only way that you can produce results. I give each and everyone one of my clients special attention. I want to know them so well that when I see them and they are having an off day I am able to notice it right away and adjust to making them feel extra special in that moment. It’s more than fitness for me it’s improving their overall well-being. Again, my motto is going to come up every time. Aging doesn’t mean you get old and pass on. You can age well and live longer.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: getupgetmovingllc
• Facebook: GET UP, GET MOVING LLC
• Other: Phone number: (980) 939-6254 Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
P. Lens Photography