Gina Jones

Although I did not come from an athletic family, I was passionate about sports from age 12 when I started the swimming team.  I started casually running the next year in addition to swimming.  While never expecting that I would run more than a few miles, I completed my first marathon at age 18.  By then, I knew that I had a passion for exercise.  I also realized that not only was I passionate about exercising, but also getting other people excited about exercise and health.  I started teaching group and private swimming lessons at age 15, and by age 18, I was instructing shallow and deep water exercise classes.

I went to Creighton University in 1998, planning to major in biology and go to medical school.  After considering the majors available, I realized during the end of my freshman year that majoring in exercise science was a much better fit for me.  I also realized that while I loved medicine, I did not want to be a physician, as I wanted to have more flexibility in my career.  I went to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and became a physician assistant.  I now work four days a week seeing patients with various endocrine-related illnesses, including diabetes, thyroid disease, and osteoporosis.

While I enjoy my work as a PA, I sometimes find it challenging to work with patients who don't want to care for themselves.  That's why I sought out opportunities to become a group fitness instructor when I moved to Medford, Oregon.  I joined Superior Athletic Club in 2005, where I started teaching water aerobics, which I had taught for years previously.  I then added Group Power, Group Centergy, and most recently, yoga.  I am completely comfortable teaching water fitness, body sculpt, yoga, yoga/pilates mix, and running/walking classes.  I am excited about this new opportunity with Fitness Pro Travel.