Hi, I’m Janice, but most people know me as Lady J!
Believe it or not, I never imagined I’d be a fitness instructor. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life, and years ago, if you told me I’d be up front teaching fitness, wellness, and joy, I would have laughed and said, “No way!” I loved taking group fitness classes, but I never wanted to be the “big girl” leading the room.

Like so many of us, my journey has been unique. My weight struggles were connected to metabolic syndrome (after previous abdominal surgeries), which caused my body to work against me. I could lose 50 pounds, only to gain it back because my body thought it was starving. After moving to North Carolina (from Philly) and meeting an incredible team of doctors, I finally got answers. Gastric sleeve surgery helped correct the issue, and that moment truly changed my life.

What I’ve learned along the way is that there is no one-size-fits-all path to health. Surgery, medication, or any tool can be part of the journey, but movement and fitness are essential for feeling strong, confident, and healthy long term. Fitness is not about perfection. It is about showing up for yourself in whatever way you can.

With a lot of encouragement and a little courage, I invested in myself and became an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. I started teaching POUND, then COMMIT Dance Fitness. Through all my learning, I created Rhythm & Reps, a strength-training-to-the-beat workout where I choreograph my own movements. I never expected how much joy this would bring me.

Today, I am certified in multiple formats, including Chair One Fitness and Cycle, which allows me to welcome a truly inclusive community. No matter where you are starting, what your body looks like, or what your journey has been, you are welcome here. My goal is simple. To help you move, smile, and feel good in your body, just as it is.