TURN member spotlight: jazmine gordon

Photos By: Gianna Grace Photography

I’ll start this by saying that I miss my gym. I miss TURN. I miss dancing like no one is watching, even when I don’t know the moves. I miss lifting weights and feeling strong. I miss my troupe. I miss TURN. It's been really difficult adjusting to the home workouts, but when I get one in I love it!
Tell me about you. Where are you from? How did you land in Richmond?
I moved to Richmond about five years ago to start my MBA. I was in Fredericksburg. Richmond was far enough away for me to start my own life, but close enough to visit my family whenever I wanted to.
What do you do for a living?
I am a Data Analyst for VCU. My job involves analyzing data and making charts. Basically taking a problem or question and presenting it in an understandable way. 
What is your idea of fun?
I love doing improv comedy at a local theater. I haven’t been able to hang out lately, but when the world opens back up I hope to be able to get back in there and be weird with my friends. Other than improv, I dabble in knitting, reading, and playing Scrabble. I love trying new things and getting out of my comfort zones. 
How are you surviving covid 19?
It’s been difficult adjusting to these changes, as I’m sure it’s been for everyone. I don’t think I would be able to make it through without my partner baking cookies and bread, my pets, and with the online classes from TURN.  
How did you find Turn?
I wanted to find a gym that I could walk to. When I joined turn I wasn’t very active. I was taking classes here and there, but I had never taken any strength classes. The last time that I had belonged to a gym was when I had a personal trainer, so when I saw there was a gym just three blocks from my apartment I jumped on it. 
Why do you love it?
I love dancing! That was really the biggest reason I joined. I was not the best dancer, and the last time that I danced regularly was at my old church. I was very excited to have somewhere to dance! Since then getting over my fears I’ve fallen in love with the strength classes as well. I love the instructors, my peers, and having a place to dance like no one is watching. 
What changes have you seen in yourself since coming?
The biggest change was just being able to walk up the stairs without losing my breath. Besides the obvious visual transformation, I would say I’m enjoying being more active day to day. The confidence my newly found stamina gives me every day is absolutely my favorite change I’ve felt. 
What do you want people to know about Turn
Turn is very welcoming and fun. I was definitely intimidated my first DT class, but like Dev told me “No one’s judging just keep moving!”  I think that has been the mantra that has kept me through the many moves I don’t know, the surfboard I fell off of, and the TRX bands that confound me. There really is something for everyone there and I highly recommend going. Not just for the health benefits but also for the warm and welcoming environment.

Thank you for sharing your story, Jazmine. We love you and are so happy you're part of our Turn family. - Sandi

October 2017

May 2020