Meet J Crawford | Fitness Coach

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

Hi J, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always enjoyed work that involved physical, mental, and creative challenges and exercise checks all the boxes. Physical activity has been the one constant in my life that enhances my daily experience. I wanted to help extend that joy to others so I started Change of Pace Fitness with my friend and business partner, Michael Rupnow.

I firmly believe exercise is for everybody and offers huge benefits, physical and mental. As a fitness coach, my approach is completely individualized, and even day to day. I operate the same way for my own exercise – especially as I mature, I try to really tune in to what movement will serve me each day – some days it’s walking, some days it’s weights, some days it’s yoga, and sometimes it’s nothing. It’s not just about individualizing an exercise plan based on someone’s goals (though of course that is part of it) – it’s also about truly seeing my clients and supporting them as they challenge themselves to grow in new ways, and even work through whatever is going on in their lives. I’ve been privileged to help clients work through serious physical injuries and mental hurdles and surprise themselves with just what they can do. This holistic view of fitness means always being aware of where someone is mentally as well as physically. My wife and I joke that I’m as much a therapist as I am a fitness professional.

Helping people move and stay active is something that is created with education, skill, and imagination. I’m most passionate about senior fitness and, since the birth of my daughter, pre and postnatal fitness. As we age, activities of daily living become challenging and sometimes painful. Working at a desk, hunched over a computer creates physical and mental challenges for people of all ages. Other life changes happen – bodies change from pregnancy, from lifestyle changes, stress, illness – helping clients find movement inspires me. I still get excited watching clients stretch, walk, and get strong in ways they never thought possible. Movement is joy. And moving everyday is something you can control. Growing up I dealt with childhood trauma and addiction, situations that were out of my control. I found exercise was the best way to pick myself up and be the best version of me. It’s not easy but it’s doable, and I appreciate helping clients find that joy.

What should our readers know about your business?
While I’ve always been passionate about fitness, my journey as a coach started in 2008 when I began teaching a “boot camp” outdoor fitness class in Glendale, which was a lot of fun. That’s definitely where I gained my real world experience as a fitness instructor, while gaining the certifications and education as a natural extension of that. That class grew and grew and became a great community, and I started seeing individual clients as well. I taught the class clear up to 2022, when I realized it was time for me to let it go and focus on individual clients. That was definitely the right call, as I feel I’ve been able to really help people in that capacity, and grow as a coach.

The challenges for me are similar to anyone owning your own business – there’s no regular payroll or benefits or sick days – so there’s a level of grit required to be successful. Similarly, there’s no one on call, so I have to find it in me to bring my A game to my clients no matter how I’m feeling. In the last three years since becoming a parent to my amazing daughter, I’ve had the new challenge of balancing work and child care and all the other parts of life. But all of that has just made me a better coach and a better human. It’s very fulfilling to help people, and rewarding to bring movement to people’s lives. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to do this work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend in for a visit here is the plan:

Day 1 – 8a Hike Fryman Canyon – great trails with lots of interesting folks / 10a Homestate – breakfast burritos and queso / 8p Hollywood Bowl

Day 2 – 8a Walk /Jog Lake Balboa – beautiful little park / 12p Tender Greens – love their salad options / 7p Center Theater Group

Day 3 – 11a Getty Museum – so beautiful / 2p Bludso’s BBQ – they do it right / 8p Hayworth Theater – Dynasty Typewriter for comedy

Day 4 – 8a Hike Griffith Observatory – great views / 12p Kai Ramen – always good

Day 5 – 12p The Grove – fun / 3p Fathers Office – yum / 8p Malibu Wines Silent Disco – get your groove on

Day 6 – 8a Annenberg Beach House all day / 6p Sugarfish’s

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Omi, and friend and business partner, Michael, have been instrumental in my success. Their ideas and creativity motivate me to keep evolving.

Website: changeofpacefitness.com/jlc

Instagram: http://instagram.com/changeofpacefitnessla