We recently connected with Koji Jagust and have shared our conversation below.

Koji, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Ever since I was a child I had lots of energy and was drawn towards activity. I knew there was something to it when I actually would look forward to doing the mile run in the 7th grade just to try and keep up with some 8th graders. Since then I continually participated in a variety of sports and have always been physically active. It wasn’t until my adulthood where I started to realize that helping others to jump out of their skin, feel good and move their bodies was my duty to the world. Countless times throughout my personal training and fitness career have I had these deep intimate conversations and break throughs with clients, family, and friends. I believe every time you work out, move, and exert yourself it not only is working out your physical body but your spirit mind and thoughts to better express yourself whole heartedly. What I found most consistent is the consistency of ups and downs or peaks and valleys. But it’s not about focusing on those valleys and dwelling in it. Its about learning and taking in everything about that and growing. Life would be boring without some trips and scraped knees. It’s all about the experience of healing getting back up and continuing your way to more unknown lands.

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?

My name is Koji Motoi Jagust I am a personal trainer, fitness instructor and massage therapist. I was very active through my youth as I focused and competed in wrestling through out high school and college. I currently train muay thai I am an avid hiker/runner and love activity to my core. I really got into the fitness industry after really falling in love with the preparation that goes into training for a sport or events etc. I always knew the work I was meant for had to include talking and being with people directly and seeing the energy of hard work come into reality. I currently provide 1 on 1 and duet personal training as well as massage/bodywork and online services. I think in this industry the main thing is how can you make people move more and move more consistently. It doesn’t always have to be an intense world class workout, sometimes it is just going for a walk around the block. The part that is difficult is to continue to do it consistently. But like anything if you find the activities that give you joy and passion it will never feel like work. I think the things I am most proud of are simple yet they are what keeps me moving. Learning myself is an ongoing lesson, but finding wrestling, then muay thai, then mountaineering, then who knows in the future? Finding those passions which I can take with me anywhere and practice anywhere are priceless gems that are engrained in my soul. Yama STGH is my fitness/massage business/brand and it represents is the mountains and challenge. In life we will face many mountains and it’s all about that long grueling hike up where many thoughts may pop into your head, but once at the top there is nothing but elation and joy. Until you start walking down and see another mountain in the distance…

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

For me I believe in order for others to want to seek me out and rely on me for their fitness journey I must be trustworthy and reliable. I cannot be shaky, yet I must also be flexible enough to provide give when the wind blows and tough days roll through. I try to be that for all my clients for whatever they are going through I want to be the thing that they know they can rely on and be provided reliability and energy.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think the ability to communicate with a variety of different people. No one person is the same and just because the way you communicate with one does not mean it will work with another. There is no cookie cutter script and method that works for all. Once you learn that and realize each person requires differences it doesn’t become monotonous work. But instead an ever changing dynamic problem solving energy exchange. Sometimes there are blockages but thats what its all about. Working things out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yamastgh.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yamastgh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yamastgh/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koji-jagust-79050376/
• Twitter: https://x.com/YAMASTGH
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YAMASTGH