Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Jenkins.
Hi Devin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for fitness started when I was young. Even though I didn’t make the basketball team freshman year, through hard work and dedication, I made Varsity the next three years. When I reflected on that time, I realized that no one taught us about the importance of proper strength training and recovery. At 19 years old, I enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri. There I completed Basic training which was an intense 20 weeks. I noticed the same pattern that occurred in basketball, there just wasn’t any emphasis on strength training or recovery. I witnessed men in their 20s in constant discomfort that limited their mobility as a result of overtraining with no time spent on recovery. It wasn’t until I was deployed in Afghanistan years later that I finally accepted that the Army wasn’t going to prioritize my health, so I wanted to learn on my own. As a result, I utilized my year deployment to read strength & conditioning journals, learned about nutrition, and how to recover from intense training sessions and combat. When I left for Afghanistan, I was a slender 175 pounds (I’m 6’3” for reference) and when I returned home, I was a solid 200lbs.
With all this new confidence, size, strength and military experience, I decided to attend Daytona State College to pursue a career in criminal justice. My goal originally was to work for the FBI or the Federal Prison system, like my father. However, the universe had other plans for me. While getting my degree, I decided to become a personal trainer as a “side job” to get some extra cash while I was in school. My clients began to encourage me to be a trainer full-time, and when the time came, I listened to them. As I graduated with my BA in sociology, I didn’t feel that I truly wanted to work for the government. I wanted to work for myself and do something that helps people. I committed to creating a business that would educate people of all ages and backgrounds how to train & recover effectively.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I have faced many obstacles in my life. However, the biggest obstacle I’ve faced was a devastating motorcycle accident in 2014 that left me wheelchair-bound for 6 months. Even though I was told that I would never be able to lift heavy weight again, I trusted the process, implemented everything I learned, and went on to become a 3-time Nationally ranked PowerLifter. Experiencing such a difficult recovery helped intensify my passion for helping others. I could see how often people were being misinformed on how to handle their injuries and were less mobile as a result. I have dealt with the struggles associated with injury and I would like to make the process safer and more efficient for those dealing with injuries and discomfort. I moved from Florida to Georgia right before the pandemic started. Starting a business in a new city during the pandemic was a struggle! I quickly adapted though doing online training and had the opportunity to further my knowledge of the body working for a prestigious chiropractic office. Despite the Pandemic, I have created my own private studio to train/stretch my clients with the intent to eventually expand into owning my own gym that will truly prioritize helping people.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Stretch Therapist and Strength and Conditioning Coach. Which means I can take the body from injury to performance or dysfunctional to healthy, and every step in between. I work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of fitness. I’d have to say my specialty is flexibility/mobility & athletic performance. I’m most known for coaching high school/ middle school lacrosse and working with professional athletes in all sports! Over the last ten years, I’ve successfully trained over 300 athletes. I couldn’t narrow it down to one thing that I’m most proud of, but I am proud of starting the trend on assisted stretching. Now, there’s stretch boutiques all over town but I definitely had been doing stretch therapy years in advance. I love that more and more people want to prioritize stretching as a way to improve their well-being. I am proud of being one of the few Black coaches in high school/ middle school lacrosse and also the work I’ve done with countless D1 athletes. In this industry, it’s hard to set yourself apart, but my systematic approach is not only effective but creative in helping people discover more about their bodies and themselves… I am a unique blend of Physical therapist, strength & conditioning coach, and personal trainer that genuinely cares about the well-being and longevity of every human I encounter.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Resilience has been the defining characteristic of my success. Each time I have been knocked down by injury, finances, loss, or the pandemic. I have not stayed down long. I utilize my resilience to prioritize my mental health. I do not give up, I reframe. I find the positives in any situation and use them to propel me toward my goals.
Pricing:
- 60 min Stretch Therapy Session-$120
- 30 min Stretch Therapy Session-$60
- 15 min Stretch Therapy Session-$30
- 60 min One-on-one Training Session-$85
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jinxsa.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/j_i_n_xsa?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deven.jenkins.3?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/deven-jenkins-7405aa166
