Jade Reyes' dream became a reality a little over a year ago in Modesto when he opened his own fitness center.
Body & Soul Fitness relocated to a 5,400-square-foot space at 1920 Foundry Court off Rockefeller Drive in Ceres last August.
"I wake up happy," 32-year-old Reyes said. "I'm doing what I enjoy. I've always wanted to help people. That's how my family is."
Jade developed a passion for health and fitness during his own personal battle with obesity, which also runs in his family. Reyes weighed 190 pounds in 2000. He shed 35 pounds through exercise and nutrition.
"I was overweight," he said. "I took classes. I read books. I watched videos. I didn't believe in the easy way."
Jade has been a certified personal trainer for over seven years.
Reyes quit working for In-Shape City after his mother passed away at the age of 61 in July of 2009. Obesity and diabetes contributed to Germania's death according to Jade. The pair used to walk together three times a week.
"She always told me to open my own shop," he said. "Before she passed, she helped me select paint from Home Depot."
Reyes invested more than $30,000 for equipment for Body & Soul Fitness, which currently has over 100 members.
Jade has even offered free personal training to people weighing between 200 and 300 pounds. More than a dozen individuals have benefitted.
Reyes can't help but smile every time he sees before and after pictures of his clients.
"I am a member at Jade's gym and have become friends with him and the rest of the staff throughout the time that I've been going there," Cortney Warsh, 28, of Ceres stated in an e-mail. "When he told me about what he's doing and why he wants to do it, I thought that this was something that our community would be interested in knowing about because it's always nice to read about people finding ways to use what they have and their knowledge to help others."
Added Reyes: "I believe in karma."
Body & Soul Fitness offers memberships, personal training and classes. The center can be accessed Monday through Saturday.
"My plan was to save every single penny so I could open my own shop," he said. "I thought it would take longer."
Reyes will hold a Grand Opening for his business on April 24.
Jade realized his dream.
"I enjoy the place where I'm at," he said. "It's a big change. Things can only get better."
Body & Soul Fitness relocated to a 5,400-square-foot space at 1920 Foundry Court off Rockefeller Drive in Ceres last August.
"I wake up happy," 32-year-old Reyes said. "I'm doing what I enjoy. I've always wanted to help people. That's how my family is."
Jade developed a passion for health and fitness during his own personal battle with obesity, which also runs in his family. Reyes weighed 190 pounds in 2000. He shed 35 pounds through exercise and nutrition.
"I was overweight," he said. "I took classes. I read books. I watched videos. I didn't believe in the easy way."
Jade has been a certified personal trainer for over seven years.
Reyes quit working for In-Shape City after his mother passed away at the age of 61 in July of 2009. Obesity and diabetes contributed to Germania's death according to Jade. The pair used to walk together three times a week.
"She always told me to open my own shop," he said. "Before she passed, she helped me select paint from Home Depot."
Reyes invested more than $30,000 for equipment for Body & Soul Fitness, which currently has over 100 members.
Jade has even offered free personal training to people weighing between 200 and 300 pounds. More than a dozen individuals have benefitted.
Reyes can't help but smile every time he sees before and after pictures of his clients.
"I am a member at Jade's gym and have become friends with him and the rest of the staff throughout the time that I've been going there," Cortney Warsh, 28, of Ceres stated in an e-mail. "When he told me about what he's doing and why he wants to do it, I thought that this was something that our community would be interested in knowing about because it's always nice to read about people finding ways to use what they have and their knowledge to help others."
Added Reyes: "I believe in karma."
Body & Soul Fitness offers memberships, personal training and classes. The center can be accessed Monday through Saturday.
"My plan was to save every single penny so I could open my own shop," he said. "I thought it would take longer."
Reyes will hold a Grand Opening for his business on April 24.
Jade realized his dream.
"I enjoy the place where I'm at," he said. "It's a big change. Things can only get better."
