Renah Jones
Owner/Coach
I consider myself a can be (what more can I do or be!!) I didn't play sports when I was younger and I didn't have natural athletic skill or talent. Beyond that and more importantly, I never really had the confidence to even try. (Sad face.) I did run Cross Country my senior year in high school and I was a part of the newly formed Crew at my University for a few years. (All very random I know!)
At some point in my 20s, I started running and doing push-ups. (I ran a lot during that time and have completed one marathon and around 12 half-marathons.) I messed around with weights in my basement. At some point, working out and being healthy just became a regular part of life. I found that exercise made me stronger – mentally and physically. It made me happy. It made me a little tougher, a little harder to knock down. Most importantly it changed all the ideas I had about “me” and what I could and could not do. The more I did...the better I felt, the better I became, the more I believed in myself and in the world around me. I felt like that was something I wanted to share.
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I changed careers at 37. I've spent time in marketing, events and non-profit. Before I started Dragonfly I spent about 8 years at the St. Louis Blues managing their non-profit foundation and community relations department. Some will hardly believe I left such a job, but I always had a dream to own a business. However, I never imagined it would be fitness-related! Anyhow, if you wonder why we do so much charity work -- this is your answer. In my time there I was a part of so many wonderful things from children's hospital visits with players to large fundraisers to helping homeless animals. I worked with lots of different charities and was a small part of some very special moments. I wanted to keep some of that. I loved that team while I was there and I loved working to help those causes.
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Fast forward to now...I've been a coach since 2011, and have been a business owner since 2012. It has been the most challenging and rewarding endeavor I've ever taken on! It never seems to get easier, I'm just trying to get better. In addition growing my coaching and business skills, my strength has also come a long way over the years. I can do things I never even thought about doing before. And I can tell you that it's not because of natural talent, it's just because I work at it. Strength training with low reps is my favorite! Let me pick up the heaviest thing or do the hardest thing possible, but just for a few reps, LOL. My favorite exercises are the deadlift, single arm press, pull-up and just about anything with the kettlebell! (Swings and snatches are my kinda cardio!)
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It's so exciting these days to see members engaged with questions, asking about form, helping one another, writing stuff down and progressing! The icing on the cake -- to see them do something for the first time or something they didn't think they could do! I know they're gonna walk out that door and feel like they can do anything! And that is truly what it's all about. I believe that there's a huge carryover from these four walls to life outside of them. I've experienced this and have witnessed it. It's why we're here. I truly enjoy helping others learn, get stronger and most importantly -- believe in themselves.
• StrongFirst SFG Level II Certified Kettlebell Instructor
• Precision Nutrition Certified, Level 2 Nutrition Coach
• Precision Nutrition Certified, Level 1 Sleep, Stress Management & Recovery Coach
• Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• Courses attended/completed: Dark Horse Rowing Pro Course, Precision Nutrition: Nutrition for Metabolic Health, StrongFirst Barbell Fundamentals, StrongFirst Victorious Kettlebell Pressing Course, StrongFirst Strong Endurance by Pavel Seminar, StrongFirst Bodyweight Strength Instructor Certification
• Athletes for Animals/Board Member, Second Chance Ranch/Volunteer