"I need a new plan!" This is how my relationship with Jamie O'Rear started. A simple facebook messenger note.
Because my husband does not belong to any social media his friends typically friend me. One such friend had a wife whom I'd met only twice in passing. We became friends on facebook.
Once connected my facebook newsfeed was brightened with motivational quotes and images of this girl. I loved her zest for life!
She was also talking about what she did for fitness, from home (just like me!). I was bored with my workout and needed options.
One inquiry quickly changed my life forever. This passionate fitness fanatic and I became fast friends.
Little did I know Jamie was going through changes of her own. Finding her own voice, growing a business and raising a family all at the same time. Over the course of 18 months she grew her fitness business into a multiple 6-figure income.
How'd she do it? In her own words, Jamie O'Rear.
Emily (E): Tell me about what you do?
Jamie (J): I create health ownership in people by becoming their accountability and support partner and showing them they don’t need a gym membership to workout. There is another way besides the conventional to help people and make a living.
In my virtual fitness coach business I represent workouts from the top trainers and nutritionists, and help my clients to find the right match for them. Whether it be a workout program or eating healthier. My goal is for everyone to feel good in their skin again. I am not an expert- but someone who has gotten in the best shape of my life with these programs- all from home- and created a career showing other women how they can do the same.
E: Did you see yourself doing this as a child?
J: I have always loved fitness. In high school I would teach my friends about nutrition and take them to the gym and train them. I had been a serious gymnast up until 8th grade so I knew what we needed to do. I wanted to major in health and nutrition in college… but I could never pass Survey of Organic Chem. So… I switched to Finance.
Jamie didn't simply create a fitness business, she successfully centered it around her brand "The Fitness Foodie."
E: What made you decide to create Fitness Foodie?
J: I needed an outlet for my passion. I was a wine rep in downtown Savannah at the time, and had lost the baby weight and then some using the at home workouts I now rep for, AND still going out to eat at my accounts. I wanted to show people that you could still be a foodie and be healthy. I wanted to somehow combine my 2 passions- my day job (wine) and my side hustle/passion (fitness) into one. When I created it, I still did not have the foresight to think that it would be a real business one day. I just wanted to convey this new passion I had to people.
E: How did you grow your business?
J: I gave a TON of value. Recipes, workout moves, free groups, … I established my brand, and all of the sudden people started to take me more seriously when I was just myself…...It made it more cohesive for people. I was having fun with it and people saw that. I also started to invest BACK in my business. Something people are scared to do. I advertised on facebook, hired an instagram assistant, and MOST importantly is that I created systems so that as we grew quickly we would stay organized.
And value is what she gives daily to her clients and social media followers. I personally stalk her website and facebook business page for recipes as she's never steered me wrong.
She also pushed me into my own business endeavor, without her I never would have made the leap from corporate America to business owner. We constantly talk about how this makes us feel.
E: Because you've been doing this longer than I have I needed your encouragement from the beginning. I remember asking you, how does it feel to own your own business. You were honest, which I appreciated. Do you remember what you told me?
J: Scary, exhilarating, limitless, FUN, Scary…;) I have no limits. You make the decisions- which have sometimes been bad- as far as what to advertise with and spend money on, and sometimes good. But, they have all been learning tools.
E: Are you the same person you were when you were a wine rep?
J: I have changed, learned and grown SO much over the last 3 years. I have been a coach for 6- but the last 3 I really took the reins, experimented and grew the most.
E: You helped me so much with my own fitness and nutrition. How can other women also work with you?
J: My website is www.fitnessfoodiesite.com. Follow me on Instagram. Also feel free to shoot me an email. (links are all embedded for easy access)
Jamie is also going through other changes in her personal life. After seven years of marriage she and her husband recently decided to file for divorce. Just as with her business, she's doing this on her terms with her partner in parenting.
E: Tell me about your divorce if you don't mind.
J: We tried therapy, we tried couples trips, you name it, we did it. But... in the end, we decided that it is healthiest for both of us to live separately. We STILL want to raise our kids together, take family trips together, have game nights and dinners. Just because we do not live in the same house does not mean we can't share in the joys of raising Brooklyn and Grayson together. We are not angry at each other or bitter, and we truly hope to show people that Divorce does not have to be a mean, bitter battle. We love each others families, and will continue to do things with friends TOGETHER.
I know we are doing the right thing for our kids, and we are getting along better than we have in a long time. I want them to see kind, sweet parents EVEN if we are not married.
Jamie O'Rear has many titles: business owner, fitness foodie, mom, health crusader and friend; but, I would like to add fighter to this list. She fights for her clients' health, her children's happiness and her own personal growth. And for this reason I will always consider Jamie a sister who has shown me how to care deeply and live passionately. Everything is possible.
P.S. Because it's recipe day Jamie has been generous enough to share her favorite go-to recipe of the moment.
Greek Chicken Bowl
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbs garlic, minced (Note, adjust to preference)
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 Tbs dried oregano
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cucumber Salad
2 English cucumbers, peeled and sliced
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1/2 Tbs minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 cartons of cherry tomatoes, halved.
Tzatziki Sauce
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 English cucumber, finely diced
1 Tbs minced garlic
1/2 Tbs dill weed, or 1 Tbs fresh dill, chopped fine
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp chopped fresh mint (optional)
Salt and pepper to tasteThe Rest
3 cups cooked brown rice
Instructions
In a large plastic zip bag, combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, greek yogurts and salt and pepper. Massage to mix.
Add chicken into the bag.
Massage to make sure chicken is full covered and marinate for at least 20 minutes, up to 12 hours.
Drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.
I cooked mine in the sauce in the Instant pot for 8 minutes…OR you can do In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken when it is hot, and cook, flipping part way through. Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Cooking time depends on thickness and size of the chicken. Cook until internal temp is 165 degrees.
Remove from pan or pot, and let cool.
Once cool, cut into bite sized pieces. Just make sure you let it cool, or all the juice will run out.
Meanwhile, make cucumber salad by chunking the cucumbers, and tossing in a bowl with the lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano. Set aside
Make tzatziki sauce by combining the Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill weed, lemon juice, lemon zest in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. And add mint (optional)
Refrigerate while assembling your bowls.
Cook brown rice according to package directions. When finished cooking, divide between meal prep containers, 1/2 cup in each container, add to cucumber salad. Divide amongst the bowls.
Top with chicken, cucumber salad, and some tzatziki sauce.
Keep for 3- 5 days in airtight container, serve hot or cold!