Hidden Gems: Meet John Alex Foster of Gym of JAF

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Alex Foster.

Hi John, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
When I finished college, I was really still unsure of what I wanted to do. I was close to going into the military, then homeland security, then I was a firefighter for a little bit. Throughout all of it, I loved working out and making workout programs, and training people just as a side job.

One day after a shift at the fire department, I got online and search for jobs in Nashville and started working as a lifeguard at the Green Hills YMCA. While working there, I started getting my personal training certification. Then COVID happened, but it was truly a blessing in disguise. It forced me to get creative with the people I was training and get good at training people over FaceTime with minimal to no equipment.

Once I passed my certification exam, I started working at commercial gyms. A common theme was it cost a lot of money for membership plus personal training at these places. So for the people who couldn’t afford both, I offered the Gym of JAF as a way to just make some extra money. Then it took off and I loved being in charge of my life and my schedule. Shortly after that, I met my wife then we had our kiddo.

Then I decided to leave the commercial gym life behind and build my own gym so that I could work from home and be a full-time trainer and a full-time dad. It’s been an amazing life decision and it’s such a joy to focus full-time on the Gym of JAF.

I’m able to devote all my time and energy to turn it into what I want it to be in the immediate future while also planning ahead

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?
It’s not been the smoothest of roads but it also hasn’t been littered with struggles.

There have been some steps backward for sure, but I always use those as a teaching moment. Doing so has helped me take two steps forward for every step back.

Growing up playing four sports, I’m accustomed to thinking on my feet and being forced to adapt. The lessons from those days have no doubt contributed to the success I’ve experienced so far!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Gym of JAF offers in-person training, online training, and workout programs. Personally, I specialize in working to become more athletic, bodybuilding, strength training, corrective exercise, and prenatal/postpartum exercising.

What sets me apart is I like to be your very own pocket personal trainer. If I’m awake, I’m always available. If I’m on vacation, I make myself as available as I can possibly be. I never want it to be on me that you miss a workout. So I do everything possible to show up for you.

A thing I’m proud of brand-wise is the successes my clients have had while also being able to build a relationship with each other. In doing so, it helps me learn what buttons to press and when to push you harder or when to take a step back.

I would like the readers to know that taking care of your body and taking your health seriously is one of the most important building blocks to a long, happy, and healthy life. I don’t just want you to be able to lift weights and train for the next five years.

I want you to be able to train for the next twenty, thirty, or forty or more years. You get one body, we have to prioritize taking care of it!

What are your plans for the future?
To open my own gym here in the Nashville area.

I am always looking forward to growing my brand and knowledge as a trainer. I want to build a great network of trainers here in Nashville and help as many people on their health and wellness journey as possible.

In the last few years, my life has gone through a lot of big changes as far as getting married and becoming a father. I’m excited about any big changes that may spring up in the future!

Contact Info:

• Website: Gymofjaf.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnalex_foster/

Image Credits
Riley Mau