Meet Jennifer Ibeanusi | Movement & Mindset Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Ibeanusi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I would describe myself as more risk-averse. I don’t often make risky decisions. Instead, admittedly, I seek out the path of least resistance (haha.) At the same time though, I never want to settle or feel like I am burying my talents and skills. So even though it’s challenging and it stretches me outside my comfort zone, I lean in to making bolder, riskier decisions. One example that comes to mind is my college career. I was in my 6th year of college (I switched schools and majors several times) and was majoring in Psychology and had plans of becoming a marriage and family therapist. But then, I realized during that year that I wanted to pursue working in the fitness and wellness industry instead. So upon graduation, I applied for several masters programs in nutrition, health science, physical wellness, etc., and got accepted into 7 out of the 13 programs I applied to. After (a lot!) of prayer and counsel, I was able to be honest with myself to realize I was pursuing a graduate degree for all the wrong reasons. I do not believe there is anything wrong with pursuing higher education, it just wasn’t what I truly felt to do at that time. I am completely open to that avenue at some point in life, but I felt the Lord leading me in a different direction. I declined the offer letters and instead began to work as a personal trainer. It was risky turning off the beaten path of what my parents wanted me to do. However, had I not, my life’s trajectory would probably look a lot differently right now. So, what comes to mind first when I think about risk is “scary.” But then, secondly, “necessary,”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Movement and Mindset Coach who educates individuals on exercise, eating, and emotions. While working as a personal trainer at the start of my career, I recognized a huge gap in physical exercise and emotional wellbeing. I worked with women who were experiencing emotional distress and overwhelm from pursuing a body image that wasn’t healthy or sustainable. So, I wanted to teach them how to create goals that were attainable and realistic. And get to the root of what was causing them to want to achieve a goal that would bring them so much stress and anxiety. This hasn’t come without many challenges, though. There is so much misinformation on social media and the Internet, that it takes careful and consistent coaching to help someone unlearn the untruths to then lead them to the truth. Starting out in my fitness and wellness journey, I took in a lot of bad information where I followed diet and workout routines that were unsustainable and caused me a great deal of frustration and ultimately burn out. I remember being in that place and feeling so miserable, unworthy, and unloveable. So if I can help women out of that same misery or keep them away all together, it’s completely worth it to repeatedly share and teach methods that are healthy and bring joy back to the individual.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I moved to Houston, TX in 2021, but still have my fav spots in Atlanta, I would take them to Drip Coffee in the morning for a hot beverage and to get some work done before starting the day. By lunch, I would take them to Ru Sans for the $1 sushi. It’s an absolute must. We would visit the High Museum of Art and walk around the city for a bit in that area. We would then explore Krog Street, and wrap up with dinner at the Vortex. I also really enjoy hiking. So though that is outside of the city, we would definite take on a few trails, like the Indian Trail north of Atlanta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I transferred to Spelman in my 5th year of college, I met Mrs. Makeba Reed-Johnson. We called her Coach Makeba. She was a professor of wellness and group fitness instructor. I would talk to her about my desire to want to work in the fitness industry, and how I was scared to pursue it for fear of what my family would think. One day, she plainly and lovingly (but firmly!) said, “You’ll be wasting your time if you decide to do anything else.” And that stuck with me. I knew that my passion for fitness was strong and growing even more so, and so it was affirming to hear someone outside of myself echo what I was feeling on the inside.

I also would not be where I am without the constant love, encouragement, and support of my spiritual parents. I met them at a church I used to attend in Atlanta, GA in my early 20s. There would be days, weeks, and months of me doubting my abilities and skillset. But they were so consistent in loving me, and pointing me back to see how Christ sees me. They’ve always pushed me and challenged me, and not for the sake of gaining recognition from man or getting ahead in life for getting-ahead’s sake. More so, because they believe in the good gifts the Lord has given me and that there is victory for me as I trust and walk with Christ.

Instagram: @getfitwjen