GET RUNNING An inside look at a Juma Fit class.
alike — can come and be their best
selves. We use the best treadmills in the
world — Woodway treadmills. We have
also customized them to seamlessly work
with our trademark workout program.
When I created Juma, I wanted to
create the community vibe of going for a
group run or walk in an indoor space.
Our treadmills face inward in a semi-
circle, there are no mirrors and you get
the feeling that you are working together
on a shared goal — to be your best. We
encourage other athletes to cheer people
on; that is what it’s about when you are
a recreational athlete.
JUMA PARTNERS WITH A
NUMBER OF NON-PROFIT
GROUPS. WHO ARE YOU
WORKING WITH NOW?
Currently we are working with chari-
ty:water (an organization that provides
drinking water to people in developing
nations). We believe in giving back to
those who inspire us — to those who
walk and run on a daily basis not as a
method of fitness, but as a means of
attaining simple things like water. A dol-
lar of the profits from every single signup
goes back to them. It’s important to me
that Juma is a place that puts good vibes
and all around goodness into the world.
HOW MANY MARATHONS
HAVE YOU RUN SO FAR, AND
OF THOSE, WHICH WAS THE
MOST MEMORABLE?
I ran my 14th, the New Jersey
Marathon, at the end of April. Running a
marathon is always a challenge for me;
the training and the 14-16 weeks of lead-
up is a commitment and a mental test.
But what makes the marathon great is
the feeling of completing something you
question. Humans are so much stronger
than we give ourselves credit for, and a
marathon will show you that. It will sur-
prise you and make you darn proud of
yourself. New York City is always my
favorite marathon; it’s a full sensory
experience. Everyone who runs or has
any desire to run should run New York.
You won’t regret it.
CAN EVERYONE BE A RUNNER?
I believe they can! Becoming a runner
is a two-step process. First, you have to
open your mind to the leg turnover and
feel of letting go, and then you have to
tune into your body and learn how to do
it right. It’s like when kids learn to walk,
they just go and do the movement with-
out abandon and then they hone in on
how to do it right. If your heart loves the
movement, then you will be able to learn
how to do it properly.
WHAT ARE YOUR LONG-TERM
GOALS, PERSONALLY AND
PROFESSIONALLY?
I want to share the Juma experience
with as many people as I can. I see us
opening more locations sooner rather
than later. My current focus is pop-ups to
get the word out. Personally, I want to
share my ambition and desire to bring
good vibes to the world with my family.
I love that my kids are seeing their mom
do what she dreamed of. I love even
more that they are seeing how much
hard work it takes. I try and share the
work with them, and include them
when I can (my kids can often be found
checking people in for class on the week-
ends). I think this is really important,
and want to take them with me on this
journey. ❖
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