Meet Carli Jay | Author, Entrepreneur & Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carli Jay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carli, what do you want people to remember about you?
I feel it’s important in life to be remembered for the things you did, rather than the things you didn’t do! So making a positive impact has always been at the forefront of my mind, in all of the work, encounters, and situations I come across.

Making a significant change in the health, wellness and nutrition space is important to me, and not just here in America but around the world. Its been very evident, especially over the last 4-5 years, that health really does matter (despite us always knowing this), we are reminded of this in everyday life, but especially around the times of covid, or when people do get sick with any illness, that the state your body and health is in matters to your recovery and recoouperation.

And as the saying goes ‘if you don’t make time for your health now, you’ll be paying for it later’. So I am a big believer in using what is around us in our everyday lives to be at our bests, and I try to encourage my clients and anyone i come across, even my social media following, to their lives in the best way possible. And what I mean by this, is to start really living well! As a whole, we need to improve the food systems, health system and medical systems to be in favor of the people, not profits. We need to take a stand for our health and educate ourselves better on what we can do for our bodies. We only get one, so take care of it now.

So with that being said, I try to make sure with any work I do i’m helping people with the basic fundamentals, this is not rocket science, I am not re-inventing the wheel, but somehow we neglect ourselves so much, when really we should be taking the best care of ourselves as we can. I help keep people accountable and educate tham on the right way to eat, sleeping well, getting movement, surrounding ourselves with only the best scenarios, people and experiencesadn to priotrize their wellbeing. And with my company Miss Carli Jay Corporation this is the ethos of what I do and what i’d love to be remember for; helping people be at their best as I coach many people all across the world of how to improve their lives, mindset and health.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The career i’m in today I could have never imaged when I was younger, I was always overweight, even as a child and grew morbidly obese in my teens and 20’s so the fact I now work in Health & Wellness and specifically Weight loss and Nutrition Coaching, it shows me you can really can be anything if you set you mind to it, and that has always been a statement i live by ‘All you need is you’ because you really do!

As an overweight person most of my life, that one day decided to turn my life around and lose 140lbs naturally in 2 years, then retrain to help others do the same, I find my work comes naturally to me, as I can relate so much to majority of my clients, I understand what they’re going through and I know the real-life solutions to help anyone make changes naturally.

I want to show people it can be done, I want to give them realistic hope, and that they to can do it too, no matter if its 5lbs or 50lbs they can lose weight, get health and live their best lives. And they don’t need all these fads and gimmicks or weight loss drugs on the market today.

I’ve spent the best part of 10 years maintaining my new health body and size, so I am living proof it can be done, and i think that is what sets me apart from other coaches in my field of expertise, and I know my clients resonate with my journey, it gives them belief in themselves, and I think our industry needs more of this. More encouragement and a shift in mindset that getting healthy or losing weight is not hard. But trust me, that was once my mindset too, when I was 280lbs, but the day I changed my way of thinking, and stuck to the basics, worked with myself, and committed to improving my overall wellbeing, I realized it wasn’t actually that hard, it’s society and the media and pharmaceutical medical companies telling people they need gimmicks, fads and drugs to lose weight. So this is why I started my company and wrote my autobiography “Half the size but twice the life” and will continually spread my story, because even if i help 1 or 2 people take control of their lives and health, to me that is an accomplishment.

We have to keep fighting the good fight, and making healthy foods, medical and healthcare a free right for all people across the globe.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Before moving to Los Angeles, I was an avid visitor and tourist of the city for almost 17 years! And that’s the one thing I loved about visiting LA and the wider surroundings of the city, there is always so much to do and so much going on!

Being a very active and outdoorsy kind of person, when my friends come to visit we will always go on a hike, and of course Runyon Canyon is a fav, along with Los Liones Canyon Trail, Culver City Stairs or Topanga Lookout Trail, or go for a stroll or hire bikes, along the Pacific Palisades end of Santa Monica all the way to the pier and along to the Venice promenade.

At Venice I love to grab a smoothie or some breakfast on the beach at one of the many cafes life the Great Whiteor Fig Tree and catch some of the hoops at the long standing VeniceBall League. And if basketball is your thing and you’re here in the summer, get down to the world famous Drew League that’s been running for 51 years, where a lot of pro-am hoopers gather to compete for the championship, and if your lucky you may catch an NBA player or two show up to play in a game. You never know who will show up at the Drew, they’ve had the likes of Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Lebron James and most recently Kyrie Irving.

After all the action I always love to take my friends to a rooftop spot, I think it’s one of the best ways to see the city and get a baring for the sprawling neighborhoods and to see how big this place really is! I love EP & LP, The Highlight room (also great on a Wednesday night), Harriet’s, the rooftop by JG at the Waldorf, or my fav is The Roof at The Edition hotel (make sure you got heir for sunset and enjoy a cocktail by the pool!)

Some other great spots to eat is the Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel Santa Monica which does as an amazing set menu for the price, and a great happy hour too with epic panoramic views stretching right across the ocean, or Toca Madera in West Hollywood which is a great vibe and eats especially for their week brunches, or a staple favorite for many people who visit LA is Catch, where I find there is something for everyone on the menu!

Aside for eats and activity, the Melrose area is great for boutique shopping and one of a kinds, as well as Aboott Kinney in Venice. But if relaxing is something your after, a lot of hotels in the city offer day passes through the resort pass website, where you can buy a pass for as little as $25 to enjoy the pool for the day, or spend a little more and use the spa facility too!

These are just a few things I like to do, but the great thing about LA there is ALWAYS something happening, pop up exhibitions, museums, arts, and even comedy shows to keep you entertained, along with the traditional sites for tourists across Hollywood and beyond, as well as an epic nightlife to suit everyones vibe!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shoutout the whole health & fitness industry as a whole. When I entered this space in 2015, for most people it could have been daunting or intimidating, but it was the complete opposite. This space is so welcoming and encouraging. The fitness community understands everyone is there for their own reasons and why’s! Everyone has to start somewhere, and no matter if this is day 1 for you or ten years deep, the health and wellness industry is so collective and judgement free!
Because at the end of the day everyone in this space has something in common; we are all their to improve something in our lives, and we are all on our own personal journeys to get there!

Website: https://www.misscarlijay.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misscarlijay/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misscarlijay/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/misscarlijay/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misscarlijay

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXO-Dg5bDZECC_8-V_F5a8A

Other: My Autobiography; Half the Size but Twice the Life
https://www.amazon.com/Half-Size-But-Twice-Life/dp/1528915518

Image Credits
NA – my pics