Jessica Avera has been a fitness professional since 2003. Jessica graduated Valdosta State University with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science in 2004. She became an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 2005, and is also an AFAA Certified Primary Group Exercise Instructor. She has been a licensed Zumba® Fitness instructor since 2008, obtained a certification as HOT HULA® fitness instructor in 2012, and became a Pound Fitness instructor and completed a Yoga teacher training course through AHF in 2014. Jessica knows firsthand what it is like to be unfit and overweight, and to make the lifestyle changes required to become healthy. She weighed 237 pounds at her heaviest and is a former cigarette smoker. She had the will and passion to overcome her situation, and decided to make fitness her career in order to inspire others to do the same.
Jessica is also a part time Health Coach for Corporate Health Partners, a wellness company out of Atlanta, that works with Lowndes County employees to help them make healthy lifestyle changes and improve their overall health and risk of disease. She discusses results of cholesterol and blood glucose screenings and blood pressure and body composition analysis with participants. Through the company's direction, she has become a certified Freshstart smoking cessation program instructor. She also speaks at health promotion presentations. She recently gave a lecture on stress management to Lowndes County employees.
Jessica works hard to make sure each client and class participant gets the most out of her sessions and classes. In addition to helping others reach their health and fitness goals, she loves to spend time with her active seven year old soon. She spends her free time engaging in outdoor adventures such as hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and camping. She also takes jiu jitsu classes several times per week at Reflex MMA, a local mixed martial arts place in Valdosta.
