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South Valley Riverton Journal

Trainee to Trainer: How a Woman Transformed in Fitness

Oct 01, 2015 03:36PM ● By Rhett Wilkinson

Jena Marston overcame fear to see a doctor, who identified a hormone imbalance as to why she wasn’t losing weight. Her fear was that her doctor would not believe her. Now, even her livelihood changed, turning from trainee to trainer. Photo courtesy Jena Marston

By Rhett Wilkinson

South Valley - Moth to butterfly.

Trainee to trainer.

Before the former fitness trainee became a trainer, Jena Marston worked as a baker, then a stay-at-home mom. Now, her new job as a personal trainer & fitness instructor enables her to advocate to her students to reach their goals and to overcome their fears.

One of Marston’s fears was seeing a doctor. Despite huge efforts, she wasn’t losing weight.

“It was pretty much, ‘I don’t know what else to do,’” Marston said. “It was pretty black and white by then. I could figure out the mystery or be overweight forever.”

There were culprits for the rapid fat gain. Marston was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance. It meant that six years of strenuous exercise was six years of “treading water,” she said. After getting answers & adding the medication to her healthy lifestyle, Marston continued to train three to six hours per day for five to six days per week at J.L. Sorensen Recreation Center.

Now, Marston is a completely healthy 37-year-old. Her cholesterol levels are fine. No insulin resistance is apparent. She has a clean bill of health.

Now, Marston personal trains and teaches aerobics classes at J.L. Sorensen. She earned certifications through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, pulling it off while also losing the weight. She studied her books and studied them for months before taking the requisite courses, even using flashcards and a study guide. Then she worked as a substitute before becoming a staff member. Today, she teaches several group fitness classes, personal training camps, and triathlon classes for adults and children.

Now, Marston gives her hormone doctor's business cards to her clients. If clients have not lost weight after few months of exercising, eating right, drinking water and getting plenty of rest, she highly recommends that they see a doctor. The alternative may be that they just give up, she said.

Her students hear it all the time: “Listen to your body. Get your blood work done. You are worth it!” she says.