Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Mair.
Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Honestly, I don’t remember what caused my body image issues. I just remember around 8 years old wearing a t-shirt over my swimsuit because I thought I was too skinny. Then high school came and I struggled with anorexia. During this time I was very active in sports, then I went to college and the sports ended causing me to gain the famous “freshman 15” plus more.
I remember sitting in one of my college classes and hearing a teacher say “if you don’t care for yourself, don’t be surprised if your husband looks elsewhere.” I remember thinking this is ridiculous but it went deep inside me and would rear its ugly head later in life. Fast forward 5 years, I was married and we had 2 kids in 2 years. My body changed with the pregnancies and it was never the same. What do you think crept into my head? The lie that was spoken to me in college about my body image.
So it began.
I decided I needed to take care of myself, I was set to gain this “perfect” body that our culture preaches to us. Which by the way, doesn’t exist! I began obsessing over my workouts. My day was planned around my workout. If I missed a day, I was mad and my day was ruined. If my kids became sick and I couldn’t go to the gym, I was furious. It was bad! I became a control freak about my food. I watched everything I ate. I would avoid get-togethers with friends and family because of my fear of food. I tried the diet pills and all the yo-yo dieting plans. It consumed me and I was miserable.
I finally came to a place of burnout. I was tired of the struggle and knew there had to be more to it. I began listening to the men and women around me and found out I wasn’t alone. I heard those around me struggle with their body image and “punish” themselves on a treadmill because of shame of what they ate the night before.
In 2015, I was listening to a podcast with Alisa Keeton, the founder of Revelation Wellness and she was sharing about her ministry. Her ministry to is to train men and women to be fitness teachers and Gospel preachers. So I signed up to be an instructor. In this training, you learn what it means to live free in Christ. This gave me a passion for our community here in Greer. I wanted to let those in our community know they can live healthy, whole, and free: mind, body, and soul. In 2016, I started Whole Fitness.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I love this question, because no, it has not been a smooth road but I know it is the road I am traveling on. Following Jesus is not easy. I was super optimistic about Whole Fitness and thought everyone would be running to the classes. I found that not to be the case. I am putting two things together that are difficult for others: Jesus and fitness.
Also, it’s hard to not compare your gym to other gyms in the area. It’s really easy to compare or compete and this is something God is teaching me over and over again. It’s not for a massive following, it’s for Him, the audience of One. This is a battle I fight often because this is not the way of our culture. Our culture says success is numbers, acceptance, possessions, and accomplishments. I have to remind myself often that I am doing this for Him and His people, not for me and my glory.
We’ve been impressed with Whole Fitness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Whole Fitness is a non-profit faith-based fitness ministry that began in 2016. Our mission is to build a healthy and whole community: mind, body, and soul. We do this by offering in-person and online group fitness classes. Our classes are not your typical fitness class. We provide full-body workouts but we also incorporate Biblical teaching in our classes. Each month we have a theme and we incorporate the theme in our classes. Our cool down and stretch is when we provide space on their mats to be still and listen to the Truth on what it means to live healthy, whole, and free. Some classes may be reading and some classes may be a quiet time of reflecting while listening to worship music.
Each year we offer two 8-week online challenges to help those go deeper into what it means to live healthy, whole, and free. We provide online classes, nutrition and fitness coaching, and a Bible study.
We also have Whole Fitness TV for those who can not attend our classes but can have access to over 100 online workout videos.
What I love the most about this ministry is the community. You will not find a community more devoted, caring, and accepting than the people at Whole Fitness. They are not class members, they are my family. In this community, I have watched men and women come to know Jesus, and get set from addictions, body image issues, anxiety, depression, and more. They are not coming for the fitness class, they are coming for Jesus.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the Greer community because they have been so encouraging and helpful with my ministry. Most of the local business owners are team players. We all are here for each other and our community.
One thing I don’t like about our town is the lack of transportation. The bus transportation stops in Taylors and picks up in Spartanburg.
Pricing:
- First class is free. After the first class, $5 per class
- Punch card (includes 12 classes) for $50
- WFTV $15 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: wholefitsc.com
- Instagram: @wholefitsc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholefitness
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WholeFitness
Image Credits
Abby McCall
