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Meet Jaquan Newsome of BeFitnomenal LLC in 16th Street and Camelback

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaquan Newsome.

Jaquan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up in Downtown Phoenix in a low-income community, the only way I thought I could achieve success was through sports or entertainment. I was always great and do something that impacted lives and I figured this would be a great path to do it. I practiced every day at Eastlake Park down the street from my house. I eventually got really good at basketball, but my high school sports career was less than amazing. I had severe knee tendonitis and I had to figure out what I would do with my life. I began seeing a physical therapist and I became really interested because they worked with sports teams; one of them being the Phoenix Suns. I figured this is my chance, if I can’t play in the NBA at least I can obtain a career to work on staff. I worked really hard, got in great shape, and graduated from Arizona State with a Kinesiology degree. Then, reality set in. If I would achieve this goal, I would have to get a loan for upwards to $100k for PT school and be in deep debt.

Throughout my college journey, I emerged myself in human anatomy, gotten really fit, and helped a handful of friends achieve their fitness goals. Then, it came to me, maybe I can be a personal trainer. Honestly, I quickly dismissed this idea because I figured that a personal trainer’s salary is not even close to an NBA player or a physical therapist. A few weeks went by and at a family gathering, my aunt noticed I’ve been helping get friends in shape and she asked for my help. She has been obese for all of her adult life and after eight months of training, she was close to her high school weight. This was the moment I realized this was the path I should choose and my purpose. I started Befitnomenal because of the overwhelming obesity and health issues I saw in my family. Being overweight, having high blood pressure, and diabetes is a norm in my family. I decided to be the change I wanted to see. I always wanted to be phenomenal and I figured the way that I can do this is to help others achieve their goals. The mission of Befitnomenal is to help you discover your best self through fitness and health. While doing this business for the last three years, I’ve realized success is about service to others. BeFitnomenal is at your service.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. No one in my family has taken the entrepreneurial route so I have to deal with the discouragement of my family saying to get a job with good benefits and a 401k. Starting off, I can also remember having to borrow money from credit cards just to eat and pay bills. Through it all, I continue to push through and see steady progress.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about BeFitnomenal LLC – what should we know?
The mission of Befitnomenal is to help middle-aged professionals get back to their high school weight. I also co-host a podcast called The Hustle Health Podcast. This podcast empowers the community by covering topics of physical, mental, and financial health. I have over 10 years of experience in personal training, hold a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology with a Minor in Psychology, National Academy of Sports Medicine PT certified, and have a corrective exercise certification. My mission is to help you discover your best self through fitness and health. What sets me apart is that I not only focus on physical health but through the combination of Befitnomenal and The Hustle Health Podcast we help empower people mentally and financially as well.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The people who deserve credit are my parents for providing a stable foundation at home for me. The next person who deserves credit is my mentor Eric Thomas. The last big group of people who deserve credit is my Master Self Sunday community. This is a personal development/entrepreneurial group ran by Elijah Rubin. This group deserves credit because twice a month for the last 3-4 years, we get together and support one another with personal and business ventures. Having a strong network and people to hold you accountable are keys to success.

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