Interview with JJ Flizanes, Director of Invisible Fitness
How did you begin your fitness career? I began in 1995 working in a major gym chain in upstate NY. I moved to NYC in 1996 and started my education and classes to become a certified personal trainer.While I was working in upstate NY, I noticed the female trainers and was inspired to learn more. I had danced all my life so I had a strong lower body but was lacking any upper body strength.
Did you always imagine that this was something you would be doing, or did you have other aspirations at first? No, not at all. Had you told me this in high school I would have not believed it. I was in entertainment: singing, dancing, acting. I knew that I would have to get a “side” job to support myself while I was auditioning and I figured it would be in the food service industry. I have waited tables, managed restaurants and done the whole restaurant and bar scene but it wasn’t very stimulating and I felt like I wasn’t using my skills- wasn’t satisfying. When I started to learn science and apply that in working out, I tapped into an understanding of science I had not experienced in any science classes in school. I was passionate about it, and still am, because all of my education can be applied to my body and health first. I want to be healthy and I love helping others achieve freedom in that as well.
What was your inspiration for writing Fit 2 Love? I had just finished writing Knack Absolute Abs: Routines for a Fit and Firm Core and was maxed out on giving out science info about exercise. While it’s a beautiful and offers tons of exercises and nutritional advice, the book did not represent me and who I am in this “fitness world”. When I work with clients or hold workshops, I examine every aspect of a person especially their mind and emotions. That’s what drives our choices. I had also just finished reading “Women, Food and God” by Geneen Roth and loved hearing about her story-it left me wondering what my story was! I was never the girl who gained and lost tons of weight so I had to meditate on that for a few months. Then a manager I had worked with for a few months asked if I could write something about fitness and love and I said “That’s MY story!” The rest is history.
How do you create your workshops and programs? Based on what I see the need is and what people are ready to tackle. I don’t teach boot camp classes because that’s a surface issue and won’t solve the problem of why you are overeating or why you don’t like your body or take better care of yourself. In fact, a lot of fitness classes reinforce negative feelings about exercise so I want to get to the root and create a better foundation.
What is your favorite thing about your job? The flexibility, creativity and opportunity to make a positive impact on someone’s life. At Book Expo America, a girl who I had gone to high school with approached the table when it was my turn to sign books and told me she had lost 40 pounds because of my inspiration. That made the whole trip and event worth it and it happened in the first 30 minutes.
If you could give one piece of advice to people who want to change their lives, what would it be? Figure out what small steps you can take each day or week that feel easy. Don’t focus on the ”hard” stuff and set yourself up to fail. Ask for help, become accountable to someone and be gentle with yourself along your journey.
What is your next step? Do you have any plans for another book, or are you working on any different projects? I changed my business model after the launch of the book have spent more time focused on my marriage and only involving or pursuing projects that I really feel great about. I always have stuff going on but I have eliminated the mundane “should’s” of marketing and business because after 10 years of doing it that way, I have decided it’s time to try it in a way that feels better for my life and relationships. I have created a Fit 2 Love App, it’s free and available on iTunes now. I also just finished filming a series of videos for About.com which should be released by August. You can find me on Facebook (http://tinyurl.com/7vo8qmm ) or watch for my newsletters (sign up at fit2love.info or invisiblefitness.com) to get more free stuff, recipes, workout tips, book reviews and opportunities for workshops, classes, coaching and more.
JJ Flizanes is the Director of Invisible Fitness. An Amazon best-selling author of Fit 2 Love: How to Get Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually Fit to Attract the Love of Your Life, and author of Knack Absolute Abs: Routines for a Fit and Firm Core, JJ was named Best Personal Trainer in Los Angeles for 2007 by Elite Traveler Magazine. She is a finalist for IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year 2011 and has been featured in many national magazines such as Shape, Fitness, Muscle and Fitness HERS, Elegant Bride, and Women’s Health as well as NBC, CBS, KTLA and Fox 11. JJ’s passion is transforming men and women’s bodies and relationships through their fitness and self care routines. Find her at fit2love.info or invisiblefitness.com. 800 571 5722
The Web Celeb 25
The biggest and brightest stars on the web… don’t you wish you had that idea?!
“To those who don’t understand the passion behind the arts, we all mine as well be a barrel full of crazies. But in reality, you won’t ever make it very far blending in. So be bold. Be unique. Be crazy.”—Pubslush Blog
