ForJesse Cleveland, working in the fitness field is not just a job. It’s a way oflife.
“I’vealways taught people about their bodies and how to move, but I didn’t think Icould get into fitness or personal training because I never thought I was fitenough or strong enough,” says Cleveland, a Baltimore native who lives in Parkton.“When I found Orangetheory — which is more about your capability, as opposed towhat you look like — I knew that’s where I wanted to make my career.”
Afterdiscovering Orangetheory Fitness, Cleveland, 36, quickly took the necessary stepsto begin working as a trainer at the gym. She spent months studying to become acertified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise, and beganteaching classes at Orangetheory Fitness in Hunt Valley. Working her way up,Cleveland will be the head coach at Orangetheory Fitness’ Owings Millslocation, which is slated to open this summer.
“Ithought about being a personal trainer for a long time, but didn’t think peoplewould take me seriously,” says Cleveland, who attended Beth Tfiloh DahanCommunity Day School, the Park School of Baltimore and the University ofMaryland, College Park. “I’ve always been really active and played sports, butI’ve also always struggled with my weight. At first that worried me, but mymindset has now completely changed.”
Withmore than 200 members already signed up for the Owings Mills OrangetheoryFitness location, Cleveland looks forward to helping individuals reach theirfitness goals.
“Beingstrong isn’t necessarily about a number on the scale,” she says. “It’s reallyexciting for the community to be able to have a place where they can see peopleof all genders and body shapes who are strong. Strong looks like so manydifferent things, and seeing that strength looks different allowed me torealize I can be strong, too, regardless of what the scale says.”
SonrisaMedina, owner of Orangetheory Fitness in Hunt Valley, Harbor East and Owings Mills,agrees. “The scale is an evil,intangible measurement on which many people, particularly women, base theirself-esteem, their successes and their worth,” she says. “Everybody is worthsomething, everybody can change and grow, become stronger, become more capable,and a scale measures none of that.
“It’s not about being skinny,” Medina says. “It’sabout being healthy, stronger and more empowered within yourself.”
Founded in 2010, Orangetheory Fitness is a franchised studio focusing on providing members with a 60-minute full body workout made up of cardio and strength sections.
“Thisworkout is for everyone,” says Medina. “We have members with amputated limbs who work out with us; diseases thatthey have to fight every day to stay strong and healthy; stresses in life,anxiety and depression, age, nagging pains due to injury or wear and tear. Andsomehow we are all in that room together working out and getting the bestworkout for our bodies while encouraging each other and motivating oneanother.”
Growingup, Cleveland spent much of her time around snow sports. She worked as asnowboarding instructor for 16 years.
“Ialways wanted to be a mom and a snowboarding teacher,” she says. “As asnowboarding instructor and former employee at Burton Snowboards, I wouldtravel to resorts around the country and train instructors on women’s anatomyand how to teach them to snowboard.”
Themother of two — Orly, 5, and Louis, 3 — Cleveland says her attention shiftedfrom snowboarding to fitness classes after giving birth to her son.
“Fitnesshas changed me for the best,” says Cleveland, whose children attend Beth TfilohDahan Community Day School. “It’s changed how I feel about myself and changedhow I can attack situations. I have a lot more confidence, and it’s beenwonderful to feel strong.”
While not all clients will necessarily see thesame results, Cleveland says they will all be encouraged by a supportive groupmentality that she is eager to bring to the Owings Mills community. And Medinasays it is Cleveland’s strong work ethic and can-do attitude that made thecompany choose her for the head coach position in Owings Mills.
“I am still hitting personal records in class,and I have been doing Orangetheory for years,” says Cleveland. “I am still a workin progress, and that is all right. I can still work on myself while helpingothers. I don’t have to be a finished product to do that.”
For information on Orangetheory Fitness, visit owingsmills.orangetheoryfitness.com.
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