We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline Renee Albir and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline Renee, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with Jacqueline Renee Wellness about a year ago, in May 2023 which came to fruition by finally merging my two passions in life: food and fitness.

I am a certified Pilates instructor of over 10 years and along with my love of health and fitness, I have always had a love for food, cooking and eating healthy (but not depriving yourself), and the process that goes with it. Back in year 2010, I had started a gluten free food blog with a library of delicious and healthy recipes and it was something that just sat there. I did it out of hobby, not thinking much of it, but knew it was always a passion of mine.

Fast forward years later, I was a new mom of twins, (while still maintaining my Pilates career), traveling to clients houses and different studios. During the whole process, I was juggling twin toddlers at home…and learning the art of multitasking! Time management! Working. Mothering. Planning. Resting. Taking time for myself. So many other moms whom I met were in the same boat. How do we do it all? Stay in shape, stay healthy, be present for our families, be a good mom, and enjoy ourselves.

This is when I had the “aha moment”! I thought, what if I created a wellness brand with an online platform that anyone can access for all health and fitness needs? I already had a library of healthy recipes, workouts, and fitness tips to share. And those who want a more personalized experience will now have the opportunity to book private Pilates classes, cooking classes, or other unique and personalized experiences.

I wanted to create a place that you could turn to if you needed a new idea on what to make for dinner that evening. Or if you are stuck at home with a sick kid, but want to do a quick 30-minute workout where all you need is a chair. Tips and tricks that have helped me get by when I’ve been at a loss for a new recipe. Or how to work out at home during nap time or while traveling with my family.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Jacqueline Renee Wellness is an online platform with a mission for you to reach all of your health and fitness goals in one place. With JRW you can workout with me in-person or virtually, receive personalized nutrition plans, cooking classes, plus a library of free recipes and workouts to enjoy.

Jacqueline Renee Wellness gives you access to a variety of healthy recipes for the whole family, plus workouts you can do from anywhere, along with fitness tips, wellness advice, kitchen tricks and mom hacks…things I have learned along that way that made my busy life easier.

JRW launched about a year ago, and I’m excited to see where it goes. I will continue to do local events such as group pilates classes, cooking classes, and even a combination of both while partnering with other local businesses and charities. I’d like to write a cookbook that offers healthy and easy recipes that the whole family will enjoy. I will continue to share creative workouts when you are in a tricky situation and can’t make it to the gym or your favorite class. I want to build an interactive online community that makes life easier for you, a place where your health and fitness goals are attainable.

Was it easy to launch my own business? No, not at all! Being a working mom who is trying to start her own business, (no matter what the industry) feels NOT possible. There are not enough hours in the day. No matter how enjoyable it all is (or isn’t!).

My other struggle was finding a way to merge my two passions: food and fitness. I would get frustrated with myself that I created this food blog years ago and I didn’t know how to move forward. I didn’t have time for it either. I was teaching Pilates all day until I had to pick up the kids from school, and then I was in full-time “Mom” mode.

It wasn’t until about a year and a half ago that I decided I could do this. I researched a lot and found an amazing person who helped me with my branding and eventually my website. I became more focused on exactly what I wanted to do and the direction I wanted to go in. Soon after, JRW naturally started to grow and develop.

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 am originally from the cold northeast, so my main draw to Miami has always been the beach and sunny weather. But naturally I love the outdoors and being around water…my whole family does!

When I have a friend or family member coming for a visit I usually start the day with Pilates! Surprised? It’s the best way to start your day. Pilates One in Coconut Grove is my favorite, and also where I teach group classes twice a week. Breakfree Movement in Coral Gables is a heated yoga and Pilates studio – all mat based, that I also love. A few others I often take class at and enjoy are Conscious Movement, SolidCore, Tremble and a new studio that just opened in South Miami called Pulse.

After a great and energizing workout, we hit the beach for the afternoon. We’d go to Soho Beach House and spend the day bouncing between beach and pools, enjoying lunch and spicy margaritas or chilled white wine. Soho House is my happy place 🙂 Before heading home, I love to stop at the bar at Cecconi’s for a couple appetizers – always the octopus (best one in town), tuna tartar and heirloom tomatoes with burrata.

Later that evening, after recouping at home, we’d go into Coconut Grove which is such a fun vibe with great restaurants, cute boutiques, and streets to stroll along. We would stop first at Bellini at Mr. C hotel for a aperol spritz (best one in town!) at the chic bar with views out to the water. Maybe stay for dinner here as it is one of my favorite restaurants, and we would order all the appetizers! If dining elsewhere in the grove, I love Los Felix for delicious Mexican food and their natural wines. A nightcap at Level 6 rooftop is always fun to end the evening with sweeping views of the water and downtown. The restaurant below Level 6 is also fantastic, Amal, with delicious modernized Lebanese food and the interior decor is gorgeous.

Day 2, would be a boat day (maybe after another Pilates class). We would pick up sushi bowls and nigiri to-go at a favorite hidden gem, Midorie in Coconut Grove, then head to the marina. On the water, I love to go to Eliot Key for the beautiful clear green/blue water and less craziness than Nixon Beach. We would enjoy cold sparkling rose, our sushi and snorkel and paddle board around the clear water. We would see the sunset on the ride back, which is always breathtaking. After the boat, in all honestly we would probably just stay in for the night and order delivery and movie. But, if we were to go to dinner a few favorites are:

DOMA in Wynwood:
One of my favorites in all of Miami, serving up delicious southern Italian food, yet in a modern style. Lots of seafood, pasta, and housed in a beautiful, cozy space.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro:
Also in Wynwood. Great for a date night or lunch date. The cutest Greek taverna with delicious food. Great for sharing plates.

Hiyakawa, Wynwood:
For an incredible omakase experience in a beautifully designed space. The freshest sushi.

Portosole, Coral Gables
Authentic Italian, fantastic pasta and antipasti. Great service. Fun aperol spritz cart for brunch. Also great for date night.

Erba, Coral Gables:
A new cozy, sexy Italian restaurant giving a speakeasy sort of vibe. Great apps to share and an awesome pasta tasting menu.

Matsuri
Been around forever, but serving up some of the best sushi in town. Always packed to the max.. Great prices for the quality. Good for take out. The sushi platters are the best out there.

DAY 3, would start with another workout, maybe a bike ride along the ocean boardwalk in Miami Beach. Then we would spend the afternoon treating ourselves to a spa day. Miami has some fantastic spas, below are a few of my favorite:

Tierra Santa Healing House at Faena Hotel
I love this beautiful spa that features one of the largest hammams on the East Coast. The homemade turkish soap you carve out of a huge barrel is unique and the treatments are always top notch. Lunch after on the beach is a must.

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
Spending the day here is a treat. Starting with beachside yoga or just a workout in their oceanview gym is lovely. Before your spa treatment, you must enjoy the “thermal experience” which is a section of the spa offering guests hot and cold therapies such as steam rooms, igloos, thermal loungers, a heated crystal room, and more. For your treatment, you cannot go wrong with any of the vast selection of massages or body treatments.

Surfside Spa, at the Surf Club
One of the most beautiful hotels in all of Miami, also houses a fantastic spa. My favorite treatments here are the facials, especially the Biologique Recherche facials which leave you glowing for days. Lunch after at the oceanfront Lido restaurant is the perfect afternoon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, of course! I grew up cooking in the kitchen with my mother and my Greek grandmother (Yiayia). I have them to thank for teaching me at an early age. And not only how to cook, but how to love the process.

Pilates is something I came across on my own, but I have mentors who I learned a lot from and fellow instructors that have inspired me through the years. Starting with Jackie Weiner and Louis Gonzalez of The Pilates Place in Miami Beach, from whom I received my comprehensive Pilates teacher training from. I learned all the basics from the two of them, and they are (both) a wealth of Pilates knowledge. Their teacher training program was such a great interactive experience, working and learning together, versus being put in front of a book in a classroom. Their method is very hands-on, practicing while you learn, which I loved…and is the best way to learn! I still turn to Jackie from time to time if I have a question or need a second opinion on things.

Another inspirational person is Jeanine Bergmann, founder/owner of Pilates One in Coconut Grove. I currently teach group classes at this studio and the space in itself is inspiring. The studio has a great energy, whether you are teaching or taking the class. Jeannine is also an amazing teacher and has supported me in the launch of Jacqueline Renee Wellness.

My other shoutouts have to be to all the amazing fitness teachers out there. I think what makes the best teachers is to get out there and take classes! Get inspired by each other. Practice what you preach. Get new ideas, push your limits, get creative.

Lastly, I am always inspired by food, and new dining experiences, cooking methods.
My husband and kids deserve a shoutout to always being the best (or worst) taste testers and giving me new ideas based on likes and dislikes, time management, health concerns….the list goes on.

Website: https://jacquelinereneewellness.com/

Instagram: @jacquelinereneewellness

Other: Email: info@jacquelinereneewellness.com

Image Credits
Image Credits: Tati Creative and Tristan Sanchez

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