We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenna Oglesby and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jenna, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
Being around other people, especially happy, like minded people. I have built a relationship with every client I’ve had the pleasure of training, past and present. Those relationships make my heart happy! An added happy bonus is watching them change their lives for the better as well. Also, spending time with my husband and son bring me immense joy! They’re my best friends! A good girls night where you can just be yourself and laugh uncontrollably is pure happiness too!
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have a small group fitness studio called LevelUp Fitness Atl. I pride myself in building a personal relationship with each client. Even though it’s group fitness, I focus on a level of customization with every individual. I even call it small group fitness with a personal training feel! I focus on total body strength training, conditioning, and proper form, all while having a little fun!
I actually started out my career as a teacher teaching kindergarten and pre K for 4 years. At that time, I was working out in a group fitness setting and the trainer could tell I was passionate about fitness (I had also worked at a front desk of a gym in college.) He offered to help me get certified and teach part time for him. This quickly became my passion and I made the transition to full time trainer and coach! Shout out to Torrie Griffin with Fitness Love Atl for helping me make that change. I trained and taught classes with him for about 4 years. My husbands job then brought us to Savannah where I got a job as a personal trainer at a studio and trained mostly one on one clients for about 4.5 years. His job brought us back to Atlanta where I had the opportunity to start LevelUp. After all these years of training under others, I finally had the opportunity to create my own fitness baby, LevelUp! I just celebrated 3 years here and have the best clients! I am my only full time employee, but recently brought on a part time sub trainer. She teaches one-two classes a week for me. While I absolutely love this and it doesn’t feel like work, I still have to wake up 4:45am every day and teach a class until 7pm and squeeze in as much time with my 3 year old son. So I definitely feel some small challenges as a business owner and mom (and wife), as far as juggling it all goes, but I feel like I am getting better at balancing and wouldn’t trade any of it for the world!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, we’d have a more casual lunch at Superica. My favorite salad and margs in Atl! Then we would head over to walk the beltline and get some drinks around Ponce City Market. Then walk over to a delicious dinner at Indaco and sit on the patio over looking the beltline! We’d also spend another night going to Garden Room for happy hour then dinner at Hals so my bff could enjoy a steak and I can order my favorite Atl fish dish! Then we would go to the adorable, quant downtown Roswell for a day to walk around, shop, and eat! We would have to do a day at the GA aquarium too, because that’s fun for all ages and who doesn’t like seeing whales? After that, a perfect time to walk around Olympic park!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband! As cliche as that may sound, he’s pushed me to continue to go for things even when I’ve doubted myself! Him and my parents are my biggest cheerleaders!
Instagram: Jenna_levelupfitnessatl
Image Credits
Grace Emily Photography