I had the pleasure of meeting Jeannie at our first ever Women's Movement Collaborative Project this past September and not only is she a beautiful mover full of good vibes, but she is just an amazing person and incredible role model for her daughters (whom she brought with her to participate in the event) and many other women.
Jeannie is a true student of movement. Always looking to learn more and keeps an open mind to trying new things. She is playful, creative and strong as hell. You can find her out in Virginia Beach, VA doing all sorts of cool gymnastics stuff, through GMB Fitness, and on her killer Instagram account.
Get to know Jeannie!
What do you do?
Owner of FitLab in Virginia Beach, VA - I educate, coach and inspire better movement, nutrition and way of living.
“Strength is the quality of being open and resilient. It’s an unconditional willingness to face, navigate, and deal with uncertainty and challenges in order to learn, grow and contribute more.”
What else do you do?
I am the MOM of two teenage daughters, and love photography, drawing and cooking and consider myself a lifelong learner.
How do you define the word 'strength'?
Strength is the quality of being open and resilient. It's an unconditional willingness to face, navigate, and deal with uncertainty and challenges in order to learn, grow and contribute more.
How did you discover your passion?
I recognized the benefits and importance of caring for my body and mind at an early age. I've just always been curious about how to optimize life and being able to inspire others to live fuller lives... It truly lights me up.
How do you incorporate movement into your daily lifestyle?
Movement is a daily ritual for me.
I purposely block time each day to get lost in my movement practice and eagerly try new movements, positions, etc. because it feels good and I love discovering that my body is capable of more than I know.
Where would be a good starting point for someone who is looking to add more movements into their life like what you do?
It's simple. Just find your "why" for wanting to develop a physical practice. Then explore lots of different movement systems to find what brings you joy.
Connect with coaches, mentors and friends that support you.
How do you define 'fitness'?
Fitness is a state of being ready for anything, adaptable and committed to a lifelong practice of sustaining and improving the function of the body and mind.
Where do you see the future of the fitness?
I see it being as being a more truthful and engaging conversation among our population. Something that people talk about as a gift rather than a chore.
I see and hope for deeper appreciation of what our bodies do, and an ever-expanding understanding of how we can more positively influence and guide the well-being of them for generations to come.
“When I feel good I’m more present, productive, appreciative, and loving.”
Does movement increase your self-confidence? If yes, how?
Absolutely movement increases your self confidence! What I accomplish with my body and mind transfers to every other area of my life.
When I feel good I'm more present, productive, appreciative, and loving.
What advice do you wish you could have given your younger self?
Spend more time looking for things to be grateful for rather than worried about.
What motivates the crap out of you? (quote, music, people, sport, etc)
All of that!
I read quotes daily here's one of my all time favorites:
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Wayne Dyer
Music - almost every genre (I love building playlists to evoke different moods).
Seeing people from every walk of life intrigues me and inspires me - I see something beautiful in everyone.
Anything else you'd like to share with us or a bunch of women out there?
Be a true beauty - the kind that shines from within.
Know and understand yourself, seek to understand others, be kind to yourself and others, listen deeply, hug like you mean it, express gratitude, celebrate daily, don't assume anything, learn about everything, ask better questions, be curious, life is a process - find a way to enjoy the hell out of it!