Welcome To The Team Jeanette! | For U Fitness

Hi! My name is Jeanette. I am an NASM certified personal trainer residing in the beautiful Portland area.  

I work as a union welder building barges and train cars. The extreme physical labor in all the outdoor elements pushed me to hit the gym like I had never before done. I wanted to build strength to perform better at my job but while doing so I discovered a passion for fitness as well as a positive and welcoming community of people who I felt an immediate connection to. I was determined to make my enthusiasm and eagerness towards fitness a career.

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I have many interests and hobbies including sports, music, the arts and video production. In high school I was a driven athlete competing in varsity level volleyball, basketball and track. I overcame a severe injury that left me in a wheelchair for high school graduation. I pursued a degree in film production with a biology minor at Chapman University in California where I wrote, produced, directed and did production/costume design for countless projects. Throughout my life I am always pushing myself towards new challenges and my commitment to living an active life has always been an outlet and a safe space for me to focus on myself and reset.

I wholeheartedly want everyone to feel comfortable and excited as they work towards their goals- whether they are completely new to fitness, an athlete, recovering from injury, or on a weight loss journey- I want to support and build individuals up so that they can pursue their own passions and live life to the utmost fullest. I always look for new and creative ways to lead an active lifestyle, whether it be hula hooping in the park, roller skating around the block, or a round of disc golf. My absolute favorite pastime is hiking the multitude of trails throughout the Northwest with my Australian shepherd dog. 

Q&A With Jeanette

Why do you enjoy training (personal and/or performance)?

I enjoy making genuine connections with people. Training 1 on 1 with someone, sure you can show them exercises and design a plan, but what I love is meeting new people from all walks of life. Hearing about their past, their passions, their families, their pets! Everyone has a story and I relish the opportunity I have to work with such amazing people as clients. As a sports performance trainer I love mentoring young girls especially - being a positive influence and building them up. In a world that is oftentimes negative and judgemental of people I strive to always approach my sessions with positivity because, well, it just makes me happy!

Favorite vacation spot?

I love Leavenworth Washington and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. There are so many amazingly beautiful hikes and when you're done hiking all day you can enjoy a warm pretzel and a craft beer at one of Leavenworth's super cool eateries. Any chance that I can get away from the city and get out into nature is a vacation to me, and no matter how many times I go to this particular area whether its a hike I've done before or a new spot - I am always awestruck by how gorgeous it is.

Favorite movie and why?

2001:A Space Odyssey. This film is considered one of the most influential of all time, and the director Stanley Kubrick is a visionary icon. Every single shot in the film is a work of art, and the practical visual effects utilized are jaw dropping (NASA scientist built rotating set anyone?). I have seen 2001 so many times, and every time I see it I take away something different, I notice something I didn't before, I interpret it in a different way. 

Most important thing to you?

Odin. My dog. Hands down. I had hit a rough patch in my life about 10 years ago. I realized I needed a companion. After months of searching for the right dog, I found him and it was literally love at first sight. Odin is an Australian Shepherd, two blue eyes, blue merle coat. He is loyal and loving. He is my hiking buddy for life, and loves to play frisbee in the park. The highlight of my day is coming home to him. I have experienced so much change throughout the ten years of having him, and he has always been by my side, patient, sensitive. Odin is the kind of dog who will go on a ten mile hike, get home, drink water then ask "what's next mom?" but he is also down to snuggle in bed on cold winter mornings. I could go on for hours about how amazing my dog is but, he kind of is the best. 

Favorite sport and why?

I played sports in high school/some college, but my favorite sport is actually one I never played. I love hockey. Ice hockey. Living in a small town in Oregon there was never an opportunity to play but I always just loved watching as long as I can remember. The game is quick and the physical element of it is crazy. The athleticism of the players to do all they do ON SKATES always blows my mind. I always get caught up in the Stanley Cup playoffs and love to go to Winterhawks games in Portland. So much fun!

What drives you to be the best at what you do?

I have worked as a welder for many years. Many people see welding as a "male dominated" field, and I would be lying if I said this was false. It is hard work, physically and mentally exhausting, and the learning curve is steep. I entered this field with zero experience and worked every day, 10-14 hours in near brutal conditions to prove to myself and everyone around me that females are just as qualified as males to perform that type of work. Every day, everyone expected me to fail, and every day I gave my everything to prove them wrong. I became the top welder at my company, I mentored new females who came into the industry, I gained the respect of peers and management alike, I was one of only a handful of individuals who could do certain important tasks and a key trainer to pass on my expertise and experience. When I look at any surmountable challenge I think about what I have accomplished and that drives me to never rest. No matter what there will be some obstacle, some reason to quit, and I know that I have to keep pushing. 

What inspires you?

I am inspired by artists. Whether it's a film, a painting, a novel, a tattoo artist, a new clothing line, a sculpture, a chef - I love seeing how innovative and creative people can be. Whether at an art gallery, a street fair, or a random post on Instagram, I love seeing the amazing things that people can make. I do my best to support local artists and creators because their passion and insight fuels my own passions. I see people following their interests and talents and it gives me the inspiration to do the same. My apartment is a cornucopia of local art that I have picked up over the years because I love being surrounded by that type of creativity. When a particular piece speaks to you it is such a great feeling, it's as if you and the artist are having a conversation and the ability for them to evoke an emotion in you, the viewer, is such an awesome power that I am so awed by. 

If you could do anything, bucket list number one, what would that be?

I would get a motorcycle. I have wanted one for years. Ridden on them with friends and love the feeling of being on the open road. Dream would be to take a bike trip across country.
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Importance of physical fitness in your life?

Physical fitness to me is important for all the normal reasons, but for me it really helps my mental health. During the dreary winter months I have struggled with depression, during times of stress or change I have struggled with anxiety, and I have always turned to fitness as a way to alleviate those feelings. I know that working out is not a cure-all, but for me taking that time out of my day to work on myself, focus on building strength and stimulating all the feel good endorphins really helps me during challenging times. Plus, I have found that the fitness community is such a positive and welcoming one which is such a plus during these anxious times. 

Greatest accomplishment?

While living in LA I wrote and directed my own short film. So much goes into making a film besides just the "stuff" you see on the screen. It was amazing to work with such a creative and talented team of people to see my words on a page come to life on the screen. We overcame many challenges, had to think on our feet when problems arose, and had to maintain a positive and productive work environment. To this day I have received compliments on how well organized my set was. It was so rewarding to watch the culmination of all those months of effort at the final screening. I am oftentimes overly critical of my own artistic works and it was very scary yet exciting to put myself out there and make something.