To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with people who chose a path and made it happen.
Whenever I see a photo of Jolie, my first thought is, “WHOA.” Her body is so fit, lean, and incredible. As someone with a somewhat “mixed” relationship with exercise, I find her discipline and commitment really inspiring! But beneath the toned physique, there’s a strong woman and savvy businessnesswoman who works tirelessly to help change her clients’ lives—and who has navigated betrayal and heartbreak to get to where she is today.
I know you’re going to love this conversation with Jolie. She’s a woman who truly exemplifies what it means to be “strong.”
What do you do?
[Jolie]: I’m a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition and Fitness Coach.
I own a beautiful training studio called Prime in Monterey, CA, where I work with men and women who want to significantly improve their strength, lose weight, gain muscle, and unlock their full potential.
Clients either train one-on-one, in small groups or come to a boot camp-style conditioning and strength class three times a week.
I also run The Prime Method, an online training, nutrition and lifestyle website with recipes and follow-along workouts that you can do at home, in your hotel room, or wherever you happen to be. The response to the website has been phenomenal—we’ve gotten praise from supermodels, busy parents, people from all walks of life who love the workouts and guidance. It’s always exciting to get emails and photos from clients and see the “before and after” results.
What were you doing before you got into the fitness industry?
[Jolie]: I was an independent filmmaker and actress. I started off in Detroit founding and running an independent production company, and during that time I did my BFA in theatre. I moved to Dallas to pursue an MFA in acting, then to LA where I worked as an actress and assistant ‘till I met and married my husband Michael and moved to Monterey area.
What is your favorite part about your work?
[Jolie]: I love being creative and active, every single day.
I love figuring out ways to make physical movement feel “delightful” for my clients. I often say, “I love to walk in the door and make you happy to sweat!”
I never get tired of watching my clients transform their bodies, which simultaneously transforms their lives.
When I stand in front of a room ready to teach a class or train a client and I am preparing to introduce what they are going to do to make their body stronger, looser, or leaner, I feel joy. My clients can feel that joy and it becomes infectious—in a healthy way. I think that is what people crave as much as the movement. That feeling of deep passion and joy.
What is your least favorite part about your work?
[Jolie]: Paperwork.
Creative blocks—which happen periodically.
Self-imposed pressure. I put pressure on myself to show up to the studio with something “special” every day, which is impossible. But still, I strive for that level of creativity. And when I fall short, I have a tendency to beat myself up about it.
How do you begin your day?
[Jolie]: Usually: fueled by a cup of black coffee in the quiet dark.
But it depends on what is driving me that day. If I’m preparing for a fitness certification, I’ll do my own workout right on the kitchen floor. Often, the early morning is when I write because it’s quiet and I can focus. But it’s always woven around getting my son and husband fed and off to school and work.
When you’re having a difficult or stressful day, how do you get through it?
[Jolie]: When I’m not totally denying this state—which I am known to do—I’ve found it best to acknowledge it out loud to clients or my family. I can workshop my stress, fear, or anger by bringing it into the open. I’m definitely not one to hide away or need private time. I prefer to have company with my misery.
What has been the most challenging moment of your career so far—like a major roadblock or “locked door” moment?
[Jolie]: This happened just recently and shook me to the core.
My business partner decided to leave the business. We had been close friends—and she left the friendship as well. Even though it was inevitable, we had made a commitment to continue working together until 2018 so I wasn’t prepared for the shift to happen so soon.
It also happens that she developed and launched her own business before her transition out, and I dealt with feeling betrayed both personally and professionally. The reputation of Prime was built by the both of us over a long period of time. By not being upfront with her intentions—or by me missing the writing on the wall—I felt that she betrayed the trust of a lot of people for her own gain.
It dawned on me that she stopped considering me a friend, or treating me like a friend, at some point. She avoided me and kept things from me. I really believed that even if we parted ways as business collaborators we could still remain friends and support each other from afar. But that hasn’t been the case. After the split, I felt defeated and confused and really questioned my worth.
How did you get through that difficult chapter?
[Jolie]: I spent more time listening instead of talking. Waiting instead of pushing.
I typically love to act fast and make things happen (card-carrying manifester, right here), so it was actually very difficult for me to slow down, wait, think, and mourn.
I couldn’t imagine what would happen next for my business. I also really asked myself if what I had built was worth keeping, which is probably a healthy thing to do periodically. I also asked for help from my clients, family and friends. I have an amazing, supportive husband and a flock of bad-ass friends who all supported me during that time.
A couple I train regularly came in during one weekend and helped me give Prime a facelift. It had fallen into neglect and need a fresh coat of paint and some organizing. Their support gave me new energy.
After that, I created new connections in the community and almost instantly found four fabulous trainers who now work at Prime. I emerged in a better place, both personally and professionally. Today, Prime feels stronger than ever, and I find myself in the position of being both a manager and a trainer. It’s working.
Do you ever fantasize about having a totally different career?
[Jolie]: I want to write, buy art and travel. I’d also love to get back into film either as an actress, producer, or director.
Who are your personal heroes and role models?
[Jolie]: My close circle of friends—women who navigate life with such grace. In particular, the giving mothers, who I have watched raise geniuses, community leaders, educators, Olympic athletes, public servants, chefs, dancers all while making healthy dinners and building their own careers.
What’s the next door that you need to unlock—and what’s the plan?
[Jolie]: I’d like to produce a new website that reflects this new chapter in my life. I am on the verge of turning 51 and I’ve had a shift of perspective about health, beauty, aging, going silver haired and not becoming invisible that is really compelling me right now.
I’d like to write a book. Film more fitness videos. I also have a dream to do a TED Talk.
[Jolie]: The plan is to create structure in my workweek to accommodate thought time and down time. I tend to move forward with no problem but need to be still in order to really see.
Last but not least: what’s your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to do amazing work in the world, stay motivated, and unlock major doors?
[Jolie]: I have several pieces of advice:
• Take time to look back at what you have created up to this point. Acknowledge the growth and celebrate before you go on to the next point.
• Find a way to improve your physical, mental, and spiritual health so you can enjoy your work. This means discovering your source of energy and feeding it.
• Nurture your friendships. Find your teachers. Power comes from the inside out when you live with intention and come from love.
• Break tradition. Color outside the lines.
• Ask for help when you need it.
UNLOCK yourself
Three questions to think about, write about—or talk about with a friend.
1. Jolie says that when she’s standing at the front of her fitness studio, preparing to teach a class, she feels intense joy.
When do you feel that kind of joy? During which types of moments or activities?
2. Jolie has a close-knit community of friends who inspire her and help her get through difficult times.
Who are your three closest friends at this stage in your life? How do those people support you? (Maybe you could call or write sometime today to say “thank you.”)
3. After Jolie’s business partner left the company, she felt shattered and betrayed. But today, her fitness brand is stronger than ever. The upheaval turned out to be a great opportunity to refresh the studio, hire more trainers, and make all kinds of positive changes.
Can you remember a time when something “bad” happened that actually unlocked a positive opportunity to you, or that turned out to be a wonderful thing in the end? What was it?
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See you next time for another inspiring conversation!
