Jennifer Prince

At 39 years old, I’m a mother of two teenage boys, and in the best shape I have been since I graduated from high school… maybe even better. My fitness journey started when I began dancing at a young age. I immediately fell in love, and as I grew older I came to enjoy the physical requirements it placed on my body. I had overwhelming support from family and friends who encouraged me to continue my pursuit of dance. I attended intense camps during the summers where I honed my dancing skills and built character and discipline along the way.  In 1992, I entered Brenau Women’s College, not as a dancer, but on a visual arts scholarship. Despite my dad’s better advice, I chose to give up dance and focus fully on my art.

Less than a year into my college career I was already beginning to regret my decision to not dance.  It was then that I got involved in a dance aerobics class offered as a PE credit.  Although I only needed one credit, I followed up each semester with another fitness class that would allow me to make use of my dance background; step aerobics, water aerobics, dance fitness.  It was not quite the same as the years of dancing, but I was once again feeling the enjoyment of choreography and the physical requirements on my body.

A few years later I was married and my first son was on his way.  Because of the demands of work, family and finishing my degree, the struggle to make time to work out became an issue. When my second son was born, my thyroid stopped working.  In a very short time I had gained 50 pounds of post baby weight. I turned back to the demands of physical fitness that had always made me feel better about myself.  I saw a doctor about the thyroid, and vowed to get myself back in shape. It was the most constructive thing I could have done. Not only did I feel better about myself, I had the energy to work full time and be a happy mom to my two sons.

In 2003 I realized this was a lifelong endeavor for me. I had spent so many years learning and developing choreography, and then spent so much time in gyms being trained and taught by professionals, that I felt confident in my abilities to teach.  I took the step and become a fitness instructor myself. I received my first Group Fitness Instructor Certification from Aerobics and Fitness Association of America in 2003.  I have stayed with AFAA for nearly 10 years now acquiring certifications in Kickboxing, training in Practical Pilates, and Yoga Basics as well as a second certification for Group Fitness in 2012. Reaching my own personal and professional fitness goals has been a very long process, and one that is continually on-going, but I keep at it. I absolutely love what I do and I am passionate about my involvement in the lives of others who are working toward their own individual fitness goals. 

In the fall of 2012 I received training through AFAA for Fuse Craze. A calorie burning cardio-dance fitness class designed with hi-lo cardio intervals and a crazy fun variety of music that integrates all forms of dance (including Latin). With this training, I feel my fitness life has come full circle.  I’m dancing again! Twenty years after I last took to the stage, I am back in front of an audience, but now I’m encouraging them to be better, stronger and healthier.  What an amazing feeling.