fitness
Fun in Fitness
Physical trainer Jessica Glazer’ s inspirational ways win national attention INTERVIEW BY CINDYSCHWEICH HANDLER PHOTOGRAPHYBYANNE-MARIE CARUSO
For as long as she can remember, Wayne native Jessica Glazer has found joy in gymnastics, physical training and teaching both to students of all ages. Her experiences and insights into staying fit recently won her aposition as one of 12 finalists in 2017’ s“ America’ sMost Inspiring Trainer” competition, conducted by lifestyle publication Well + Good in partnership with ReebokONE, the fitness instructor network. Among the secrets of her success: Turning what can be asolitary struggle into afun bonding experience.
Whereare youfromoriginally?
Iwas born and raised in Wayne. Iwent to Theunis Dey Elementary School, Schuyler-Colfax Middle School and Wayne Hills High School.
How did you get into gymnastics?
Iwas one of those kids whocouldn’ t sit still. My parents enrolled me in gymnastics at age5, and I lovedit right away. After one year, I joined the pre-team, and then the regular. I started competing at 9, doing 20-25 hours a week of training. In fourth and fifth grades, I was traveling all over the East Coast for competitions. I joined the high school team just forfun; we wonAll County acouple years in arow becausewe had a very strong team.
What appealed to you most about gymnastics?
I loved being upside down, being able to swing and hang, manipulate my body and makeit stronger. I’ m in my 30s now, and Istill love the same thingsabout it. Imight work on anew skill forsix months or twoyears. Ilove the physical challenge, coming home sore and tired.
Not much has changed.
Whatprompted youtoswitch your focus to physicaltraining?
JESSICA GLAZER, Age: 33 jessglazer. com
@ jess. glazer,@ fit. trips facebook. com / glazerjess
By my senior year in high school, I had a ton of injuries. I’ dfractured two vertebrae, and decided not to pursue gymnastics in college. Meanwhile, I’ d been working in gyms for years after school. By college, I had a lot of experiencecoaching and training. At the University of Rhode Island, I got certified to teach physical education and health to kids in kindergarten through grade 12.
During the eight years that you taught elementary school in Bergen County, youhad surgery twice. Howdid that affectyourteaching?
Both times, I had surgery to have the ligaments reattached to both ankles, and Ihad to teach in a wheelchair three months at a time. Both surgeries happened around Halloween, so I had to think of costumes to go with thechair. Once, Iwas afarmer on atractor, and the other
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WAYNE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018
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