Tori Green: Who are you? What do you do?-
Jenna Willis: https://www.dontsweatitalone.com/jenna-willis
Tori: What was your first business (including running your own business)? How long did this last or are you still involved in the same business?
Jenna: I guess you would say my first business was the one-on-one personal training that I still offer.
Tori: Biggest challenge? How did you get through it?
Jenna: There have been many challenges along the way, whether it has been in personal life or business. Many rejections, both in acting and in the fitness world and it’s learning how to find the silver lining in all of it and allowing it to push you harder, instead of giving up. It’s about writing down what you learned that didn’t work, to best approach how you can make it succeed.
Tori: What is something that you wish you could go back and tell yourself before starting this
Journey?
Jenna: Nothing. Honestly, sometimes I HAVE to look back to remind myself of how far I’ve come. It’s really easy to focus on all that you WANT to grow into.
Tori: What did you do before owning your own/running your business?
Jenna: I was an actress, which I still happily do and have such a passion for but now I get to help people transform as well. Before, I was just focusing on transforming myself.
Tori: What/who made you take the first leap?
Jenna: LOVE this. A break up! A really rough breakup hahah.
Tori: Who was the first to believe in you and give you real support (financial/sweat equity)?
Jenna: It’s funny, it kind of feels like it all happened all at once and almost the feeling of that perfect storm that really literally lightning bulted my ass to move. Friends, family, myself, random people at the gym.
Tori: Was this your dream job? If not, what was?
Jenna: Actually, yes. I didn’t think it was, but it is. The performance part of training fills my soul so greatly.
Tori: Why did you get into this field?
Jenna: I’ve always been into “fitness” . I just never realized how impactful it was on myself, and others. Fitness has ALWAYS been an outlet to escape and feel better.
Tori: What is your biggest failure that you turned into a success?
Jenna: I think each failure brings its own success. I think each door closing opens another. I went through a pretty traumatic breakup. Let’s just say the guy spent a few years in prison, and I was on my couch eating cheetos, working 7 days a week in a restaurant and I got a call that I had booked a recurring role on a TV series.
Tori: If you could change one thing about your life today for the better, what would it be?
Jenna: Ask me this same question tomorrow, and I’d have a different answer. It’s funny how that happens isn’t it?
Tori: How is your life/work balance? Body, mind, and soul weekly routine?
Jenna: I have a VERY VERY difficult time stepping away from work. I think that’s the beauty and the difficulty in social media and owning your own business. There is ALWAYS more than can be done. You finish one task, and there’s another waiting. It’s why I’m such a fan of meditation and fitness to begin with. I feel like I CAN step away. There are two types of people, people who need to speed up and people who need to slow down. I need to always focus on slowing down!
Tori: Do you say/write out affirmations?
Jenna: Every morning I wake up and practice gratitude. I’ve always had a hard time with writing and journaling… I KNOW… I KNOW. I need to!
Tori: When was the last time you tried something new/ Stepped out of routine?
Jenna: A couple months ago. I did a tough mudder with some girlfriends and I am so freaking glad that I did. Not just for trying something new, but for the memories!
Tori: Favorite book that changed your life?
Jenna: I’m a sucker for growth books and podcasts. Currently on Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Tori: Do you think your gender gives you an advantage or disadvantage in today’s world?
Jenna: Great question. BOTH.
Tori: Have you experienced different treatment from your peers of the opposite sex?
Jenna: Yes. Of course! The gyms are predominantly male-driven.
Tori: What advice would you give your children/ future children about succeeding in a
patriarchal society?
Jenna: Don’t be deterred by anything. Stick to your guns. Find the positives because “nobody puts baby in a corner”!
Tori: If you could talk to a young boy/girl from your hometown neighborhood who aspires to
have your career/job/focus what would tell them? Advice.
Jenna: It’s easy to fall and stay down and there will be many times when you think that’s the answer. But don’t. Get back up.
Tori: Fun fact about you?
Jenna: I was in a children’s circus and I saved a girl's life performing CPR.
Tori: Number one piece of advice you remember?
Jenna: No one will respect your time more than you and it’s easier to smile than frown.
Tori: Anything coming up for you that you want to talk about?
Jenna: YES! I have been working for years on a Bridal Bootcamp series called Babe To Bride in which I prepare ALL BABES (cause we are ALL BABES) for their big day as a Bride. This program is my baby and something I think we can all dive into at any point in our lives. We don’t HAVE to be getting married to do this program. I just love the timeline aspect. We all want to look and feel our best on the best day of our lives. Full workout program all catered to at home, added cardio and full personalized nutrition and did I mention, constant chat access to me. This isn’t one of the programs you sign up for and I send you on your way or you find yourself eating soup for every meal. This is a true program that’s hands on, and done in a truly healthy way. I believe in creating a lifestyle, not a binge style. If you’re looking for more of a hands-off experience, I have my virtual online fitness community in which I go LIVE on ZOOM 2x a week and also offer over 100+ on-demand workouts ranging from 5-minute targeted workouts to hour-long HIIT sweat sessions. This program also has an entire library of wellness experts from pilates on demand to tutorials on how to get that glowing skin!
Tori: Where can we find you online?
Jenna: Check me out on instagram at @msjennawillis and my website www.dontsweatitalone.com where you sign up for Babe To Bride, and also Don’t Sweat It Alone.