We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jonal Lartigue a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jonal, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Movement Is Medicine

About five or six years into my journey as both a personal trainer and Capoeira practitioner, I was referred a 55-year-old dancer with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Her doctors had told her to stop exercising, give up dancing, and begin using a cane. Every physical therapist she visited was hesitant to help her due to warnings from her doctor that overheating could worsen her condition.

Despite these challenges, she came to me for help, determined to reclaim her ability to move and dance. Taking her diagnosis as a challenge rather than a limitation, I crafted a plan rooted in the principles of Capoeira to help her get back on the dance floor.

Long story short, through Capoeira’s unique combination of movement, rhythm, and play, we achieved what she once thought impossible. Not only was she able to dance again—if only for a while—but she rediscovered her strength and empowerment through movement. Together, we changed her perspective, as well as her doctors’.

This experience profoundly changed my life, too. She taught me that the human mind and body are capable of overcoming extraordinary obstacles. With hard work, dedication, and belief in the process, almost anything is possible.

In Capoeira, we don’t simply practice—we play. We dance and fight in a circle called a roda. As I often tell my students, “The roda is a metaphor for life—a place where you must face your fears and insecurities, where you might feel embarrassed or make mistakes. But through it all, you learn to hold your ground, rise to challenges, move to the rhythm of your heart, and keep moving forward.”

Jonal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My practice revolves around movement, health, and community. I specialize in designing personalized movement practices that integrate seamlessly into people’s lives. This includes martial arts, yoga, strength and conditioning programs, breathing techniques, dietary adjustments, and creating natural healing salves and ointments. My approach is holistic: physical health mirrors mental and spiritual well-being, and these elements must remain interconnected for true healing to occur. Instead of relying on external forces, I encourage clients to seek balance within themselves, understand their relationships with others, and connect with their environment to achieve lasting health.

My journey into this field began at age 21 when I started personal training and practicing Capoeira Angola and other martial arts. Capoeira Angola, in particular, has been a profound influence on my life, offering lessons in balance, adaptability, and community. It has not only helped me navigate challenges in my life but also allowed me to guide others through their own obstacles. One of the most beautiful gifts from Capoeira Angola is my partner, whom I met through the practice. Together, we have three children, and movement has become a cornerstone of our family life.

Our home reflects this passion for movement. We’ve created a space in our garage where our children can swing from rings, climb ropes, and engage in flips and other creative movement activities. This same space serves as my training studio, where I work with clients across various disciplines. Beyond one-on-one sessions, we host monthly gatherings through our family business, Circles for Life. These events feature Capoeira Angola rodas (ritualized games), shared meals, and meaningful discussions about building stronger, healthier communities.

At Circles for Life, our mission is to foster connection and healing through movement and cultural exchange. We aim to create “healing circles” that bring people together to share stories, experiences, and practices that promote personal and collective growth. Currently, we’re working on expanding our space to accommodate larger community events and reach more people.

What sets my work apart is the emphasis on movement as medicine and community as a pillar of healing. I believe that through intentional movement, cultural connection, and shared experiences, we can all discover new paths to wellness and balance. My goal is to create spaces where people can heal, grow, and thrive—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There have been many moments in my career where resilience was essential to keep moving forward. The story I want to share is one that everyone can relate to—a battle with an undefeated foe: Father Time.

As someone who has been deeply engaged in high-level movement for most of my life, I’ve been fortunate to develop routines that allow me to understand my body on a profound level. This knowledge, however, is both a gift and a challenge. I vividly remember being at my peak fitness at the age of 35, but since then, I’ve felt the gradual decline that comes with time.

This is where resilience becomes crucial. Pushing forward despite injuries and the wear and tear of life is no easy task. It’s something that can discourage even the strongest among us from continuing our routines. For me, movement isn’t just an activity—it’s a way of life. My dedication to Capoeira Angola and movement in general means I have to practice resilience every single day.

Each morning, I wake up and push myself to move. Often, it’s painful at first—remnants of past injuries and the toll of years of effort. But through resilience, I overcome that initial discomfort, reminding myself that every step forward is an act of defiance against time itself.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I wouldn’t change professions because I’m deeply passionate about what I do—helping people find healing, balance, and empowerment through movement, culture, and wellness. However, if I could go back, I might approach certifications or education differently to maximize earning potential and open more doors. The experience I’ve gained through personal training, Capoeira Angola, and holistic practices is invaluable, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

That said, I do sometimes feel the tension of not having the traditional accolades to represent the depth of my knowledge and experience. If I could adjust anything, I’d focus on better balancing life lessons and hands-on experience with formal education or credentials. This balance would not only honor the wisdom I’ve gained but also help me elevate my work—whether it’s through expanding my businesses, building connections, or creating lasting change in the community.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circlesforlifefamily?igsh=bGtwbW1qeHlyOHVw
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@circles4life?si=k1VMqXuS6ZJwMN-7