Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Batchelder.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jacqueline. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been in the fitness industry for over 37 years and in great physical and mental health. As a natural athlete, I have worked hard and creatively over the years to combine dance and fitness for the enjoyment of my students and clients.
I started a career in dance fitness in 1979 while attending the Boston Conservatory of Music as a Dance Major. While in my second year at school I was encouraged to enter the Miss Philippines-USA pageant by friends and relatives. The winner of the pageant was to represent the young Filipino women growing up in an America. The competition required a skill so I choreographed a flamenco dance performance coupled with my wit and innate ability to wow the judges I won the title Of Miss Philippines USA. From that point on I felt confident nothing could stop me from reaching goals or anything I set my mind too. Since winning The patent in 1982, I have been very busy with my career as a fitness professional. I have been featured in several fitness magazines such as Shape, Fitness, and Cycling Fitness. I have also appeared on several talk shows and fitness segments on major T.V. networks and danced on various music videos for Kashif, Benjamin Orr, and Semper Fi.
In 1988 I move to L.A. to further my career and education at UCLA. Almost immediately after moving to LA, I was asked to be an instructor and trainer for Jane Fonda’s fitness studio where my list of students and clients included celebrities such as Sharon Gless, Shirlee Fonda and even Jane herself. I have also had a following of students such as Kevin Bacon, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Paula Abdul, Chynna Phillips, Christy Turlington, and the late Juliete Prowse.
One of my interesting accomplishments as a fitness professional was going to Norway in 1991 to choreograph, produce, and perform in an exercise video that featured Miss World Norway. My most memorable experience was going to the Middle East during Desert Storm War, 1991. Subcontracted by the US Army to implement a fitness and recreational program for the Armed Forces in Bahrain was an honor.
Without a doubt, I found my greatest challenge was raising my three daughters and son now ages 24, 22, 19, and 15 while operating my fitness studio, BodyfitH.O.P.E. in Quincy. I have since closed the studio. However, I continue to teach exercise classes at various gyms, offer corporate classes, and provide workouts at fitness events. My business BodyFitH.O.PE. now includes personal training and massage therapist.
I started with the passion for dance-fitness that led me to create BodyfitH.O.PE. H.O.P.E. is an acronym for Help On Personal Excellence. Fourteen years of being in business, BodyfitH.O.P.E. has evolved with the times to better provide services that meet the busy lifestyle of the active and inactive population. I believe my calling has always been to utilize my expertise as a fitness professional, and now including massage therapy, to combat health and lifestyle issues that plague this country. I credit my longevity and success to my commitment to help others and to never let obstacles and sometimes failures, stop me in my tracks.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Balancing family and work seemed like an insurmountable task. The road to success always has its bumps and bruises and the challenge of raising a family without the support of a husband /father made the days very difficult physically and emotionally. Some days maintaining hope for better days was almost impossible. There was so much to do, and so many who depended on me. To say this was challenging would be a massive understatement
But I had a concept I knew would work, and my greatest asset was myself.
Not only did I meet the needs of my own children but had turned an ever growing client membership into a nurturing support system and extended family in which we all found success together.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about BodyfitH.O.P.E – what should we know?
BodyfitH.O.P.E. has been providing quality service to the greater Boston area for over 13-years. We create and offer fitness programs to corporations, provide workouts at company events, and massage therapy to the general public. BodyfitH.O.P.E. is unique because I am BodyfitH.O.P.E. As the owner/operator it allows me to morph according to the times and needs. I am proud of BodyfitH.O.P.E. because it is a professional company that is dependable, experienced, and very knowledgeable in many aspects of health and fitness. We are not constrained by a board of directors or shareholders. Our professional certifications include an extensive study in business and ethics which is a core value of BodyfitH.O.P.E.
What sets us apart is we have a client-centered approach that can provide services to the novice, the elderly, and even the elite athlete, with customized programs based on their needs and goals. The ability to coach and train clients to reach a high level of functional fitness coupled with therapeutic massage and bodywork is unique in the industry.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance and Passion are cornerstone elements of BodyfitH.O.P.E. Trusting our instincts, being honest to our clients and utilizing continuous improvement through education is what ensures the success of our clientele, which is the mission here at BodyfitH.O.P.E. A client-centered approach.
Contact Info:
- Website: Bodyfithope.com, Bodyfithope.abmp.com,
- Phone: 617-901-0035
- Email: ifitinit@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/BodyFitHOPE/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/bodyfit-hope-quincy
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