Jessica Perez is a health and fitness coach for Beachbody. She is a mother of one 9-yr-old son and loves spending time with her family. She is excited to be a coach and to help others on their fitness journeys. Since December 12, 2016 she has lost 18.5 inches and 6 pounds and is still on her own journey to lose weight and get fit. She is showing women everywhere that you don’t have to do it alone and she is willing to work with you and help you meet your own personal goals. Read our interview with the lovely Jessica below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
I am motivated to be the best woman and mother that I can be. My son is my world and making my business grow is the number one thing for me. It means I am helping many people accomplish their health goals while growing my business to get what I desire – time freedom. I see the team of women that I am on with Beachbody, Simply BeYOUtiful, and they are all happy and healthy. Many work from home and they have the time freedom that I desire. Being there for my family at all times and not missing special moments are my motivation. My coach Kelsey inspired me to coach because she was there for me when no one else was. She kept in touch with me and motivated me. She showed me that I am not in this alone. I want to do that for other people. I want them to know they are not alone in their journey to lose weight.
Tell us about your business.
We offer fitness programs for all body shapes and sizes. No matter what your goal is we can find a program that will work for you. The programs that I had success with were done in my home, no gym membership required. You can purchase DVD’s or stream your workouts on your TV, tablet, or phone. You can choose a coach of your choice or you will get one assigned when you buy your program if you choose to have a coach. All coaches are free of charge. We also offer nutrition products which can aid you in your quest to get healthy and show you a new side to nutrition. Shakeology is a whole foods shake that offers dense nutrition to keep you fueled throughout the day or after a workout. Beachbody is the total package. We have the fitness programs, the nutrition, and the support to keep you on track and to help you succeed.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
Each month we have challenge groups that are connected to our Beachbody app where people log in and track their workouts, track their Shakeology, and interact with others in the group. This was a big part of my personal success, and still is, because it motivates you when you are around others who understand the struggle. Losing weight is hard and these groups really assist in inspiring everyone to continue even when the going gets tough. The challenge groups are free and include challenges you can participate in and you can win prizes too!
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
At this time I am in an Elite Mentorship training with Beachbody in my group to be knowledgeable about the business and to be a better coach for the people I work with.
Where is your business based?
It is home based, out of Bakersfield, California.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I was a customer first. I began my journey on December 12, 2016. Newly wed and ready to lose weight and get healthier. I started with our MMA-style workout Core De Force and fell in love with the moves. It was unlike anything I had ever tried before and it was in my own home. After a round and a half of the program I was down 18.5 inches and 6 pounds. After seeing those results I knew I was ready to help other people feel as good as I did!
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
It was important to me to show people that I am a product of the products. I used them and they worked for me. I shared my story on all of my social media and people started watching me and encouraging me. This has helped me connect to others and show them what I am all about. I show them the good, the bad, and the ugly of weight loss and I am hoping this will inspire others to do the same. I am still in my own journey. My goal is to lose 40 pounds by my anniversary on October 8, 2017.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
My biggest challenge was opening up about my past. Showing those old photos that I have hidden, the ones where I am obese and not happy. No one wants people to see them at their worst, but I realized that people NEED to see that. They need to see that I am real and I struggle too.
How did you overcome these challenges?
My coach really helped me overcome the challenge of facing my past. She encouraged me to be real and to be honest about who I am. She helped me feel proud of the old me because that old me was the one who decided to make a change and take that first step.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
I have a strong faith. I know that God has my back and that whatever comes my way will be worked out. I also have challenge groups and my own coach who helps me when I am down, inspires me to be better, and keeps me accountable for my actions.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I am a jack of all trades. I have done law enforcement, social work, customer service, and worked in cold storages. I can relate to different levels of people and can connect with others easily. I know what it is like to be a size zero, to zoom up to obese, and to struggle to get back to healthy. When I tell people that I understand where they are coming from, I really do. I know what it is like to have clothes not fit because you are too skinny. I know what it is like to cry because your clothes don’t fit because you outgrew them. I know the triumph that comes with inches and pounds dropping. That makes me unique.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
The best advice I have received recently was “keep up the consistency.” Just like any other job, you have to show up to your workouts every day. You have to eat well every day. I never knew consistency until I found Beachbody. It has changed my life! I stopped and started over 15 programs in a year. I was the queen of excuses. Not anymore. To see that others saw my consistency meant a lot to me and it pushed me to get out of my bad mood and keep going.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Trust the process and don’t give up. Anything that is worth something takes time. Trust that things will work out if you work hard enough for it. There will be bumps in the road. Getting past the bumps in the road is when you grow.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
My social media is my favorite tool. I love connecting to people and finding others who motivate me. At any given day and time you can go online and talk to people or get inspiration from them. You can show others what you are working on and know that you are not alone in your struggles. I am always reading blogs and sites to get nutrition information and to learn more about food. The more you know the more you grow. I am also a big fan of planners and cannot do without my Happy Planner.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @jperez2283
Twitter @Lady_Jay2005
Snapchat @lady_jay22
Facebook www.facebook.com/Jessica.mariscal.16
Website www.beachbody.com/esuite/home/jmariscal2283
Website www.shakeology.com/jmariscal2283
Blog www.the-brave-caterpillar.blogspot.com
Email jmariscal83@gmail.com
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
“The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy. It taught me many lessons about business and life. I use the free worksheets each week to plan my goals and my weeks, it is an amazing way to get organized.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
At this point I am growing my business and making new contacts. I am trying to expand my team and launch a solid business. The trainings I have participated in are amazing and I am focused on continuing my own journey while helping others who don’t want to do it alone.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
I am currently doing a 3-month program of my own. Staying consistent and meeting my own personal fitness goals are important me. Building up new customers and helping them meet their goals are priority as well. The next few months will be dedicated to growing my business and myself.
Stephie Bills says
I love that you are helping spread the message of strong women who are kicking butt! Beachbody is an incredible company and I love that it was able to help her!
Jessica Perez says
Thank you for reading my interview. I appreciate the kind words. I love my company and love that I get to help others.