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

Hi Jasmine, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
When you’re thinking about whether you want to give up or keep going, you first have to think about why you even allow the thoughts across your mind to give up in the first place. When we’re against the ropes and we feel like we no longer can and REALLY we want to give up? That’s when courage and strength push us forward and propel us into a different place. There are so many times where I wanted to give up on my branding, my business and the many things that I am aspiring towards. The strength and courage that it takes to continue to persevere and push through ALWAYS outweighed that little voice in the back of my head that said, “you can’t”. Be careful though, because sometimes those voices aren’t just yours, they’re your support systems or your co-workers. You have to remember that not everyone wants to see you win. Add that to the list of reasons when you want to give up. PEOPLE WANT TO SEE YOU GIVE UP. SO KEEP GOING. So many obstacles and tribulations that we face will present you with adversity. You have to face YOU head on and remember that giving up was NEVER an option, even in those moments when you doubted yourself. Over the past few months, the one thing that keeps me motivated not to give up is the idea of knowing that, WHATEVER you want you can have it, because you already have everything that you need. Why even welcome the chance of what giving up can look like and why not take the opportunity to continue to push forward, do better & grow?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
You can catch me at Vibe Ride Grant Park and Westside! Professionally, I am the Studio Operations Manager at both locations! I work in fitness full time! AKA I could do what I love everyday. Most people don’t, so for that, I am blessed. Now, that’s not to say that it’s always sunflowers and daffodils, by any means! It wasn’t “easy” to get into my profession I graduated from Georgia Southern University with my Bachelors in Exercise Science and my Masters in Sports Management. Add in studying for numerous certifications from personal training to nutrition coaching and working in health care to athletic apparel retail, landed me right where I am supposed to be! So, nope, it wasn’t easy to get here at all! In a moment of transparency, I had aspirations of being a Physical Therapist! Never in a million years, okay except once I finished my internship, did I think: Fitness Professional. The thoughts of failure that come with not getting into PT school, that alone was a lot to face – imagine long nights in tears and frustration due to that shift. But there was beauty in that door closing! The most valuable lesson that I’ve ever learned is that some of the L’s we take in life help you recover to get even more W’s. And for me JNC Bodies is my W! Starting my own brand and being able to branch out and help women and people in a way that I never thought I would gives me encouragement every day! Having a place to utilize my skills lets me spread my love! I started JNC Bodies on the premise that waking up everyday, you need to have the courage to know that you are strong. Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually – YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE STRONG. As I have started to grow professionally over the years, my thoughts have started to shift away from 100% fitness to more total wellness based practice. In this vision, I’m looking at the totality of everything that being well encompasses. The idea is still very simple: you have the courage to grow and if you don’t or if you “think” you can’t, it is my goal for everyone that I meet to feel my spirit and to know that anything that you set your mind to is possible. You can expect and I hope you receive motivation, inspiration & heartfelt interactions with every encounter.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Funny, because my childhood best friend doesn’t live here, so this is perfect! Since you already know that I work in fitness full-time, we’d kick off the weekend with NOT A WORKOUT CLASS! My best friend would probably lose her mind if the first thing we did was workout! So after I’m done with my classes for the day, we’d kick off the weekend with brunch at any of my favorites! Ria’s Bluebird Cafe, Thumbs Up Diner (Auburn Ave), General Muir, Highland Bakery, Folk Art, Sun in my Belly. **the brunch options in ATL: are ENDLESS* We’re both avid sneaker heads, so a stop at wishATL in Little Five Points would be on the list to try to grab something she couldn’t find at home! Maybe a few of the shops over there too: Crystal Blue for some rose quartz, perhaps? My best friend & I love festivals, so she’d most likely come for Jazz Fest! It’s at Piedmont every year & it’s a great excuse to sit out in the park all day under a tent, eat festival food and commune with friends! We’re both pretty simple: Food & Chill! Quick Lunch on the Go? I work and play in the Grant Park + East Atlanta area! We Suki Suki for a lot of options & picnic style situation, Fellini’s because you always need a slice of pizza (judge not), Tessili’s Raw Reality in the West End for the best vegan goodness that you ever did experience & because of that, she’d need to try Slutty Vegan! My top dinner choices would be Agave on Boulevard (because duh!), True Foods Kitchen, Two Urban Licks or Poor Calvin’s. Clearly, I love food, yeah? FOOD & FITNESS *When she leaves, I’ll need a full body reset so I’ll hit up one of my favorite juice companies: The Right Greens or Juiced Up ATL!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I think about recognition, it’s almost impossible to name all the people that have played a role in my life at some point and in some way! P.S. If I miss you in the shout out, charge it to my head, not my heart! My aspiration’s started at an early age, I always knew I wanted to do something different: whether that be start my own business or…well…start my own business! I actually started my first business (JNCreations) when I was in middle school. Then, my thought process was: what would allow me the best opportunity to shine and grow? The first song that comes into my mind is India Arie’s “Strength, Courage and Wisdom”. This song alone is one of the songs that motivated me through some of the toughest periods in my life. In the song, she talks about having a dream and being afraid to let it show, putting off living today for tomorrow, and STEPPING OUT OF FAITH. That in and of itself deserves a shout out. Imagine feeling like you have to dig and claw your way out of a tunnel to get to your success. That drowning feeling that we experience when we find ourselves in too deep, it take STRENGTH, COURAGE & WISDOM to prevail. I actually still listen to this track on repeat on the days where I find myself searching for my “why”. Starting my own brand and taking the step to putting myself out there in a way that I haven’t before took being courageous and growing strong! India Aries words overly became a facet of what JNC Bodies is today and who I am becoming every single day. It’s almost impossible to be your best self if you don’t believe it. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on relationships and goals that I have personally and professionally, with quiet help, one of my most memorable mentors was MeShae Hankerson. I just recently shared with her this story: My first day in orientation Meshae was so kind to me and so kind to my mother! I’m an only child, so moving away from home was more of an adjustment for me that I had imagined! I was used to being the star basketball player and being popular in high school. I came to college apprehensive and Mesh told a story about being the “ugly duckling” growing. It stuck out to me because she talked about how she wasn’t always the prettiest or the smartest but it taught her how to love herself more (in short). And while, as an impressionable freshman I didn’t really HEAR the message, almost 13 years later, that is the one thing that shaped me most. LOVE YOURSELF MORE. Past what anyone says, thinks our feels about you. LOVE YOU MORE. My many mentors have shifted my mindset and my thought process for making decisions, not based in emotion but based in truth, thought, prayer and love. Professionally those truth based decisions, still apply. It makes me more tactful, more considerate, less “on edge” and more prepared to make the best decision for the business. Over the years, encouragement of others has meant the most to me from a mental and emotional standpoint. I have some of the best friends I could ever imagine and for that I thank them DEARLY. The long talks, the saving me from myself, the excitement I get when I book another client or get another certification. Sharing with them and having their support is second to none. Couple that with my AWESOME therapist, and my support far surmounts any mountain that I think I could climb. It’s a shout out and I’d be re-missed not thank or shout out, God, my higher power for the clarity, understanding and growth that he has given me and continues to give me. Shout out to my mother, for ALL the other THINGS (…it would take another article to list all the reasons why she is the bomb.com). My passion, my career, gives me a daily opportunity to engage with people that need help and just want to get and be better! Through health & wellness at Vibe Ride Grant Park + Westside, I am able to reach a multitude of people in a safe and familiar space where our clients become our family and being in our studios feel like home.

Website: www.jncbodies.com
Instagram: @jncbodies
Facebook: JNC Bodies LLC.

Image Credits
Owned by JNC Bodies,LLC. *photographer information unavailable*