If you are new to Jolly Bodies, first let me say "WELCOME". Second, I thank you so much for taking the time to visit, follow, and/or "like" our posts. My name is Lee Ann Jolly. When I was 19, I began teaching group exercise classes at the University of Arkansas, where I obtained my bachelor's of science degree in Biology. Science, research, and understanding how the body works were my biggest passions. I wasn't done learning, so I applied to graduate school in hopes of obtaining a doctorate in physiology.
The next 7 years of my life were spent in the laboratory Monday-Sunday, all hours of the day and night. The grind was real. I was teaching classes and training clients from 5-7 A.M., conducting my research until the evening, and training in the evenings multiple days per week. I was exhausted, YES, but I was obsessed about all of the awesome things I was getting to learn and do. Last year, I finally published my research and obtained my Ph.D . When it came time to decide what to do with my life, I went through some pretty difficult decision making processes. I could not explain why, if I had spent so much time and energy obtaining this degree in a field that I love, did I feel like something was missing....
It was then that my Ph.D. advisor gave me some incredible advice. She said, "You need to choose what YOU want to do. And when you do, if you can't honestly tell yourself that you would do it out of your garage if you had to, then that's not the job for you." I have been called to health and fitness since I was 19. Nothing gives me a fire in my belly like it aside from God and my family. It took me 10 years of trying to please everyone around me to finally realize that I was the only person in my life stopping me from choosing health and fitness as a full time profession. So, after 12 years of teetering and trying to force myself into a career that I would've been good at, but didn't LOVE the way that I do health and fitness, I chose the latter. The entire process was akin to Ross and Rachel on FRIENDS. Ross was Health and Fitness. Academic research was Paolo, Barry, Joshua, Joey....oh and remember TAG? Finally, I pulled the Rachel and I got off the plane. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, educate yourself. It'll be worth it.
The health and fitness industry needs a serious overhaul. It's plagued with false advertising (body image and diet), terrible "science", and greedy marketing tactics based on the vulnerabilities and insecurities of many people in this world who are struggling with their health. My goal for this page is to use my expertise in physiology, research, data interpretation, exercise science, and nutrition to bring you knowledge, motivation, positivity, hope, support, and above all the TRUTH. Thank you for reading my story, and I'm so happy to have you as part of this family. Wherever you are, whatever you're going through, know that you are loved by me.