Three years ago, Jessica James was a top-performing national track athlete but decided it was time to retire. And with a new role as a fitness instructor, she has traded the lights of stadia around the world to be a light in the lives of people and helping them become the best version of themselves.
James is the founder of First Lady Fit and Wellness, and is a trained, experienced and certified professional athlete. She attended the University of the West Indies, Iowa Central Community College and Abilene Christian University, Texas, where she attained two degrees along with certifications in physical education, sociology, and the art and science of coaching.
[caption id="attachment_899481" align="alignnone" width="750"] Former national athlete and First Lady Fit and Wellness founder Jessica James is assisted by two trainers and a personal assistant and a nutritionist. She has certifications in physical education, sociology, and the art and science of coaching. - courtesy jamzphotography868[/caption]
When she returned home after the Olympic qualifications in 2015 she retired from professional athletics with career achievements including five-time All American Champ, five-time Carifta Medallist, Central American and Caribbean Games Silver medallist, North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association Silver medallist, three-time National champion in track and field, and Miss Trinidad and Tobago World fitness winner.
In a recent interview with Newsday James spoke about her retirement from athletics.
"I left at the pinnacle of my career. I do things like the stock market; do you stay and lose all your money? I wanted to leave as a respectable senior with credentials. It is just about knowing the reality when it comes to track."
James explained she believes one can achieve anything the person wants to but there was also the reality of needing to have a lot more money to train at world-class camps.
[caption id="attachment_899482" align="alignnone" width="683"] Jessica James former national athlete and founder of First Lady Fit and Wellness says whether the goal is losing weight or gaining weight the programme makes sure clients "leave the programme mentally, physically and spiritually stable." - courtesy jamzphotography868[/caption]
"I knew I was not ready and I did not have the finances for that. So I decided to exit."
She noted that when she left she was Southern Conference champion and had attended Olympic trials in the Virgin Islands.
"I travelled the world. I went to lots of places. I started looking at where I wanted to leave my legacy. This was my love and my dream.
I wanted something more. Just titles and times were not cutting it for me."
Switching lanes
While back home in Trinidad she received her inspiration for her next career move. James was listening to the radio and they were talking about how high the obesity rate was in the country, especially among women.
"I was thinking, 'What is something I can do?'"
She had coached Miss World TT 2019 representative Tya
