Hello, Movara friends and family! I’m Movara’s new trainer and I’m so happy to be part of this wonderful, nurturing place.

I have always been fascinated with the human body and how it works. I remember the moment in class during high school that I recognized that I wanted to be involved in fitness – I just didn’t know how, or what. I became a trainer while attending undergrad school at SUU while I studied exercise science and found a love working with others in reaching their goals. That desire and motivation has continued to this day. After getting my bachelor’s degree, I took a teaching job while continuing my education for my master’s degree in Human Movement and corrective exercise.

My experience over the last 15 years in fitness is not typical. Although not intentional, due to the nature of the industry, I have had the opportunity to work in nearly all areas of the health and fitness. I have taught in public and private secondary schools, as well as post-secondary institutions. I’ve worked in corporate wellness helping companies increase the health of their workforce. I’ve also trained and coached in public “globo-gyms,” private fitness centers, elite training facilities, rehabilitation centers, country clubs, community clubs, and high-end resorts. This experience has given me the opportunity to work with everyone from seniors working on balance and coordination, to elite and professional athletes, to celebrities. And I’ve found that I get the most joy out of my work in helping everyday people trying to meet their individual goals to get healthier.

Just because I have always been interested in health and fitness doesn’t mean that I have never struggled with my own health. In one work-related position over the course of nearly 3 years, I gained a substantial amount of weight, which required me to re-evaluate my job, motivation and health practices. After deciding to leave that job for my own health and happiness, I was able to apply my knowledge to practice what I preach to others, to get myself back to where I knew I needed to be. To facilitate the changes, I shifted my diet from vegetarian to vegan and started a new workout system of high-intensity interval training through CrossFit. Becoming vegan and starting CrossFit was the answer for me (not for everyone) in helping me get my life and health back on track – and I haven’t looked back. My personal journey with health has added to my experience and ability to connect with others because I have experienced what it is like to struggle and have to make real changes in my life.

My favorite workout for myself is a CrossFit benchmark workout that goes back to basics. It’s called “Barbara” and is 5 rounds for time of 20-pull ups, 30 push ups, 40 sit ups, and 50 squats. It is always a challenge and it’s fun to try to beat my previous time! In coaching and training my “go-to” workout is an interval system called “Tabata.” For Tabata intervals, choose one movement or exercise, and for 4 minutes alternate between 20 seconds of work, and 10 seconds of rest with the goal being consistent through all 8 twenty-second cycles!

Outside of work and fitness, I enjoy spending time with my kids and my dog, as well as doing anything active, being outdoors, working with my hands on projects, and creating art.

I feel like I have found my place at Movara in a position that lets me draw on all of my experience and do everything that I love doing: teaching, coaching, and training a wide range of people at all different fitness levels, while building meaningful connections, in the most beautiful part of the of the world.

I can’t wait to meet you during your next trip to Movara!

Jared Jones MS, NASM CPT, PES, CES