Story & Lesson Highlights with Jackie Varnum

Jackie Varnum shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Jackie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is more important to me than energy or intelligence. One of my personal values is authenticity, which goes along with integrity. I highly value trust that is built in client and personal relationships. Trust that we are direct and clear with our needs, and are doing what we think is best.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jackie Varnum, or Coach Jackie, from Lift the Load. I help busy professionals and parents get stronger without having to plan it themselves or stay in the gym for hours. I draw from my experience as an athlete, business owner (x2!) and new mom along with my education background in Exercise Physiology and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. My programs give you the fun gym feel, with some nerdy background work to keep you moving well for life!

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As many kids do, I felt that the more I could conform (act like others, look like others, etc) then the more I’d be accepted and successful. Lucky for me, I formed a strong friend group in middle school with girls who are still my best friends. We were anything but normal- we marched to the beat of our own drum, so to speak! It helped me embrace my uniqueness and not worry about being like other. This is a still a strong belief I hold today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
It would be to try less hard in school (ha!). Of course, being a committed and hard working student helped me on my path today, but I wonder if I had tried 80% if I’d still be where I am? I do feel like I could have ‘enjoyed the process’ a little more versus pushing pushing pushing.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lies in the health and fitness industry is that there is one day going to be a true silver bullet to fix our woes. Whether it’s detox, or a specific workout regimen, or a diet, or some waist trainer. So many trainers, influencers, fit-fluencers, are telling people to ‘do this one thing and lose 10 lbs!’ and it’s a complete scam. It’s not sexy but the best ingredient to progress is consistency over time in lifting weights, getting your heart rate up, and eating a balanced diet.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when I’m moving my body. Whether in a workout, a volleyball game, a long walk, or a yoga class, I find that it still my mind and makes me focus on one thing. Although it may intense during these activities, the calm and peace after the hard work is blissful to me!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lifttheload.fit
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lift.the.load/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifttheLoad

Image Credits
Raven Shutley Studios