We had the good fortune of connecting with J’rai Hammonds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi J’rai, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Get Up And GLO was created to motivate and inspire my community to BE their dreams and chase their goals. I started my business to build a safe space for people to begin their fitness journey. My business further developed into the athleisure company it is today and now we offer various fitness clothing items and products. My thought process behind starting a fitness line, was to create clothes that inspired people to get up and workout. Sometimes all you need is a cute workout set to feel motivated to workout!

What should our readers know about your business?
I found my passion for health and fitness through my love for athletics. When I was dancing as a Professional Division Scholarship Student at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, I tore my labrum in my hip. I painfully finished the program and went back to UNCSA to finish my 3rd year of college. After weeks of physical therapy, I received MRI results and was told that I needed surgery to repair a large tear in my labrum. The doctors were stunned at the musculature of my glutes and said that my strength was the only reason why I was able to dance with a tear that big without dislocating my hip. As many people may have viewed this as a set back, this was exactly what I needed! I was able to take time out of the studio and become an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and also continued to earn a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. I continued my education and I am now a Fitness Nutrition and Sports Performance Specialist through my ACE certification.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friend on a hike and afterwards we would get açaí bowls. We would also drink matcha boba at the local boba shop. In my view some of the most fun, interesting, and exciting places to check out are outdoors! I love to travel and explore new locations around the world!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to Queen Afua, Debbie Allen, and all of the powerful black business women that came before me. I had the opportunity to train with Debbie Allen at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, California and her wisdom will stick with me forever. Queen Afua is the author of “Sacred Women”, a book that I will forever cherish and seek for my health and wellness needs.

Website: https://www.getupandglofitness.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getupandglofitness/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/getupandglofit

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetUpAndGloFitness

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCucAuOmCTqCtjWyzk9lIlRA

Image Credits
Skymatic Studios, Jsea’s Photography, Amaiya Simone

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