After 4 years of struggling with Hashimoto’s/ hypothyroidism managed through tradition medicine, I was never 100%. My energy levels and weight fluctuated frequently. Then I received a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in January of 2022 with an inconclusive diagnosis of IBS. This was devastating to me and I was not prepared to start down a traditional medication route without having tried to get to the root cause. In comes Jennifer… she was caring, thorough and righted my path. I have not had any debilitating arthritis flares since we started working today and I have NO IBS symptoms. I won’t lie, it is a lot of work, mostly in the form of relearning everything I know about food (eating enough actually), learning what foods support my body, digging into my gut health, and committing with the support of my husband to a lifestyle of supporting my whole body. There is so much more to say, but I’ll leave you with this… I would not change a thing about this coaching experience and hope others will get to experience this life changing functional approach!
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-Rhea
I’ve been working with Coach Jennifer for about a year now. What prompted me to see her was after I saw an endocrinologist who said I would need surgery for being diagnosed with Graves’ disease. After working with Jennifer- my labs were back in the normal range. I did not need surgery. What I like about Jennifer is that we do not focus on the physical appearance but on what is going on inside my body. We address stress, sleep, emotional health and everything in between. Definitely worth it for me to have someone who understands what is going on with my health and definitely makes me second guess every item I put into my body.
-Noelia
My biggest challenge in working with Jenn was myself. Having to unlearn terrible habits and how to perceive and talk to myself were, by far, the most challenging things I encountered. Having tried almost every "healthy" and unhealthy way of losing weight, I never truly addressed reasons for weight gain. I also didn't have any concept of how to do that appropriately. The challenge made me go back and forth between feeling completely hopeless to very empowered. With Jenn's guidance, I was able to learn how to fuel my body for health. Every week was much more comprehensive than the last. The most pivotal moment was when I was asked about the reason for my health/gut healing journey and my answer was to be optimally healthy. That may not sound like much. However, having a negative relationship with food and my body image always led me to believe that being thin was healthy. I now know that is not always the case. In fact, at my thinnest, I was the most unhealthy in so many ways. While I do feel a lot better with energy levels and about my relationship with food and my body, I think that the results from healing my gut are PRICELESS. I didn't lose any more weight. I may have been less bloated. I didn't like doing it... or the word GUT for that matter. Turns out, I have a very high gluten intolerance. I never had stomach issues or bloating or constipation. What I did have was chronic and extreme inflammation. I thought that I just had a high rheumatoid level, because I was a gymnast. I thought eczema was just genetic. I thought pain, numbness, and being itchy were just going to be a part of my life, and I was just going to cry when it got cold. The specific results that I can share: nothing hurts, I don't have to take allergy meds or anti inflammatories, I sleep like a sweet little angel, and my stools are generally a solid 3/4 on the bristol stool chart.
Another specific result that I truly almost forgot about, because it's become so automatic and fluid now, is my brain. When I started in January, I could not think. My hormones were all over the place, I was extremely stressed at work and home, and my brain just didn't work. I couldn't think, recall knowledge that I had possessed for years, make decisions, or remember anything. There was a very distinct moment in March where I realized that I could suddenly think clearly. My brain worked! I was smart again! =)
Get over it and get over yourself. Don't be in a place of severe need to start. There is a huge difference between being in shape, etc and being optimally healthy. This approach is tailored to each person. That matters-especially as a woman.
I will be forever grateful for you, Jenn. I learned so much about myself from you and because of you. I learned how to love myself again. I learned how to appreciate what my body can do right now, today. I learned how to fuel my body for health, mental clarity, etc. I feel so blessed to have crossed paths with you. Thank you.
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- Priscilla
Jennifer has been an amazing coach! Before I started with her, I was fasting 20-22 hours a day consistently, eating under 1000 calories a day consistently and the scale was going absolutely NO where! I came to her having lost 45 pounds on my own, over a very long period of time, but I had hit a solid brick wall! That brick wall came complete with utter frustration, sadness, hopelessness, tears and feeling ‘completely lost!’ Being ‘larger,’ I felt as if I didn’t deserve to eat. Those feelings came from childhood abuse/trauma, and even though I had done the work to heal, there were ‘remnants’ that still lingered in my eating habits. Jennifer has spent time helping me understand my body needs good nutrition, that I need the ‘good foods of the earth’ to allow my body/brain to function effectively and then giving me the tools to work with! She’s helped me understand my lab values on an integrative scale and the affects of blood sugar dysregulation on my body. I am a RN of decades and have a vast knowledge of the traditional medical world. Jennifer has helped me broaden my knowledge to include Integrative wellness. With her vast knowledge and us working together, the scale has begun to move down slowly, but very steadily. I’m getting into clothes I haven’t worn in years, some I had bought in ‘hopes’ to wear that now fit and that’s such a GREAT feeling! I’m learning there are more victories than just the ‘scale!’ At one point, she even made me ‘hide it!’ But most of all, I learned I’m worthy to eat and nourish my body! What I love most about Jennifer is her openness, compassion, kindness, knowledge, being ‘real’ and throwing in a little ‘tough love’ all along the way! She’s respectful if we disagree and is a great person to work with. I’ve had easy access to her and without a doubt, she has had my best interest at heart, even when I might not have wanted to hear what she was saying!! I’m not the same person I was nearly 6 months ago when I met her and she became my coach. My clothes are looser and some are way too big. My energy is SO much higher, I sleep better, I make conscious food choices, I have a clearer mind and overall, I just feel better! I enjoy walking, going to the gym and especially swimming! The pain I suffered with everyday from fibromyalgia is diminishing and she has helped me understand what foods were triggering that pain. And, I think the biggest take away is, if I mess up, it doesn’t derail me for weeks or months, I just start again at the next meal. And, checking in with her weekly, has been a great way to stay accountable, which I greatly needed. She’s ‘armed’ with a vast knowledge of Integrative health and has helped me put some missing ‘pieces to the puzzle’ in place. It’s been a blessed and good journey with Jennifer. Not always easy, but always a journey of new knowledge, kindness and truth. And, the ‘icing on the cake is,’ my husband joined in on the journey and has lost weight too!
-Kathleen
I'd highly recommend Jennifer Bray Fitness. I have used other online coaches before, but Jen really helped me learn how to manage my nutrition and workouts, rather than just giving me cookie cutter workouts and meal plans.
She took me through my first bulking phase and helped me understand all the ups and downs of it along the way. 5 stars!
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- Katy
I was going through a time in my life where I had no energy, I was struggling with my weight, felt depressed and literally hated my body. Working with Jennifer was like saving myself from drowning even further in my weight struggles. She understands the challenges of everyday women, of moms who are exhausted, of women who need a buddy to cheer them on. She designed a program for me to help me understand how to nourish my body properly, with no restrictions and a workout plan that can fit my schedule. I learnt so much from her, she cheered me on when my weight wasn't going down but I was losing inches and gaining stamina. She helped me break my relationship with the scale and more with my mental and physical health. It is still a journey but I have a direction now instead of trying every "quick weight loss" diet out there.
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- Rafia
One of my biggest issues before starting with Jennifer was maintaining/losing weight/strength training on my own. Before working with her I felt frustrated with my lack of improvement at times, and was not accountable or consistent. I wasn't able to continue at my gym with the COVID19 situation, so I was not pushing myself at all.
After joining, I have been much more disciplined in using macros guidelines and eating better- less processed food; I am lifting consistently and heavier- not wimping out after a few reps! The photos have been a great inspiration to keep working. I lost weight initially, and am not maintaining or gaining to go to the next level of fitness; my waist is smaller and my thighs are larger and more muscular, arms and arms are more defined, and I'm not hungry! If someone was on the fence- I'd strongly encourage them to start! I have documented proof of changes, and evidence from others in our group. Additionally, Jen is not only knowledgeable, but positive and so supportive in this journey, with constant personal feedback and resources that are so helpful and sound medically, and appropriate in terms of physical activities suggested.
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- Rhonda
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One of the absolute biggest challenges for me before working with Jen was staying consistent. I was constantly wondering if I could do it without major frustrations. As I have worked with Jen, I gained more energy and learned to make smarter choices with food. I have lost more inches than weight. Nice and will provide you answers for any question you have.​
- Davida
Before starting with Jen, my biggest challenge was Eating well and being motivated to work out. I finally feel strong! I could not believe how much my body is capable of. I had accepted some limitations that I thought were permanent and I moved passed those limitations with this challenge. I was motivated to work out. I still struggle with nutrition, but I think I still have to change my mindset on eating. Inches lost all over my body--2 inches along in my waist! Significant increase in the weights that I can lift. I am down a pant size as well! Go for it! It is a great experience that will push you to be better than what you are now. Thank you for this experience. It has truly been a great learning experience. I can't say it has been easy. There were many times I was frustrated and at times I wanted to quit, but I stayed the course and have seen many changes in my body each week.
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- Laurie
I have felt so much more confidence and so much stronger and energetic. I have not felt hungry or deprived at all. I have looked forward to the workouts and look forward to the weigh-ins each week. The support that Jen has sent in emails and live videos has just been tremendous for me. I cannot thank her enough for helping jumpstart this weight loss journey for me.
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- Melissa
My biggest challenge was overcoming my own self-doubt and anxiety. While I went into this journey with a goal to achieve a certain physical appearance (and still do), I gained a sense of mental well-being. At the start of my journey, I was not sleeping and allowing my stress to guide the direction of my day. Now, 8 weeks in, I am sleeping better and taking ownership of how I would like my day to go. I've started journaling and setting aside time for self-care. Jen encouraged me to keep going and focus on my mental wellbeing just as much as my physical well being. ​Before I started, I felt small, worthless. Honestly, there were times when I was on the brink of slipping back into depression and dark thoughts. I felt like I had no way to change my life or the direction it was going. I hated the way I looked and felt.​ I started taking it one step at a time, with Jen's guidance and motivation. She taught me that I was better than my best excuse to not show up for myself. Whether that was going to the gym, drinking enough water, or simply allowing myself a day to rest and recover. ​Mentally, I am in a healthy mindset. Physically, I've noticed definition in my arms and quads. I am nowhere near my end goal, but I can see that changes have been happening. I've also been able to lift heavier weights and push myself harder. ​
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One of the best things I learned is the "Circle of control" and it is something that I use to help ease my anxiety. There are lots of things outside my circle of control, however, choosing to work with Jen is something that I can control. I would tell somebody that working with Jen is a positive thing that you can control. Having somebody to cheer you on and pick you up when you fail, somebody who will help you hold yourself accountable, that is invaluable- and it is something that you have ownership over. You will never regret doing something that helps you to accomplish your goals. ​ I am so grateful for everything that Jen has done to help me.
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- Hannah
Before working with Jenn, I had a hard time losing weight. I was eating healthy but not the right amounts. I was always tired and hungry. I was frustrated and was not content with my body. By working with her, I learned to eat. I can eat anything I want. My period changed to unannounced and not painful. Also my white blood cell and iron count went up, which I had issues with for 2 years. I lost 25 lbs! I’m healthy with good blood test results. I feel good and confident. I applied my acquired skills on a 7 night cruise and 10 day vacation and actually lost 1 pound while on vacation. The investment is totally worth it for your health. You will learn a lot and the program is tailored to you. Weekly check Ups are awesome, I learned a lot from Jenn’s feedback. No one better to coach and support you than Jenn! It is not a diet, it is a skill learning journey for your health to be at its best.
-Sharlene