Joseph: First and foremost, Jerry Joseph is a humble human being. He takes things as they come and is very patient. He is understanding and moral. He has a story and a journey about overcoming tough times and defying the odds. But being in the moment and listening to God\u2019s words has gotten him this far. God has written this story for him, and there is a reason why he is here today doing what he does.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCox: I love that! I know you are a first-generation Haitian American. Tell me a little bit about how that impacts you as an entrepreneur.<\/strong>\u00a0 But see Michael. It was my Haitian and French upbringing that inspired me to pursue it. I grew up in this household and culture and was exposed to things that gave me the space to think about creating innovative things early on. It was all in my head, but it gave me the motivation to see that if I can create this in my head, then the sky\u2019s the limit of what I can do in real life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why I do things without hesitation because I see them in my mind first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cox: I\u2019ve had the pleasure to interview several individuals of Haitian descent, and there seems to be this unmatched work ethic that parents instill in their children.<\/strong>\u00a0 This goes back to me being an entrepreneur because Haitians in America have at least two or three jobs. And I\u2019m always seeking new ways to create other channels of income for myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I got this from my mom, and I have to give her flowers to put that spirit in me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cox: This spirit of determination has led you to the highest celebrity trainer status. Getting into that, what does it look like for Joseph when he is working with his clients?<\/strong>\u00a0 For example, I have a client, Kiana Madeira, who is starring in Perfect Addiction on Amazon Prime. I had six weeks to get her ready to look like an MMA fighter because, in this role, she is basically playing a personal trainer. Now here is where I had to be detailed because there still had to be something feminine about her physique. It couldn\u2019t be too masculine. And that was really challenging because of the short timeframe allotted. But it was fun throughout the process and at the end because I genuinely love what I do. <\/p>\n\n\n Cox: As a celebrity trainer, what are the expectations?<\/strong>\u00a0 Cox: Tell me what your first start in the celebrity trainer world was.<\/strong>\u00a0 This was one of the most memorable moments in my career because, outside of the training, we grew into a brotherhood. We trained five days a week and hung out just like brothers. It was like big brother and little brother because he\u2019s following everything I\u2019m saying and doing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And honestly, after that, it really just became a domino effect on my growth as a celebrity trainer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cox: As a trainer in general, what are the principles or values you live by?<\/strong>\u00a0 Cox: Do you have one of those moments that will forever live in your heart and head?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph: There was this time, and it was my first time having a crowd of nearly a thousand people in one place for a session with me. I learned that day that I was basically there to get them energized and ready for the workout, even though I was the trainer. That moment sticks out to me because it\u2019s when I learned that I could captivate an entire crowd. It helped give me that push of feeling accepted in this space and just ready to go and take on more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cox: That\u2019s beautiful, Jerry. Take me back to the time you knew, before all of this, that transforming the lives of others was your purpose.<\/strong>\u00a0 This moment was pivotal because I really took the time to reflect during that period because this woman, whom I trained with just a Swiss ball and yoga mat, was sixty-five years old. She told me I gave her the best work of her life. She really helped me understand that I can train anyone of any age without hesitation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cox: Now I want to touch on the business aspect of things. What does it look like for Jerry to run his own business?<\/strong>\u00a0 You know, even though I\u2019m always focused on advancing, I have to say that sometimes you must go back to the plan and goals you had before. Sometimes you must stick to those things and understand that God is going to continue to do his work. You have to have that faith and keep it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cox: What is it that keeps you motivated and going as an entrepreneur?<\/strong>\u00a0 I\u2019m never going to give up! <\/p>\n\n\n Cox: That\u2019s so beautiful. Before we go, I want to know what black fatherhood means to Jerry and how raising a daughter as a single<\/strong>\u00a0 You know now that she is sixteen and getting older. I remember there was this point where I was trying to learn how to do her hair, even the most basic of ponytails. I wasn\u2019t good at it. But they looked a little decent at times. Those were the times when she was younger, and I had to learn to be patient with her even when I had to do things that I didn\u2019t know how to do or weren\u2019t good at. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because she is getting older, I\u2019m setting the example of what a man in her life should be. I\u2019m making sure I pamper her, treat her right, and do other things like open doors for her. I want her to know that there are things in life that she can accept from a future man and things that she shouldn\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cox: Before we end, what advice would you give to other fathers, single or not, when raising young girls?<\/strong>\u00a0
Joseph: Most of my family members are doctors and lawyers. That\u2019s usually the route for most first-generation Haitian Americans. So, me being an entrepreneur is foreign to them. When I told them what I was doing, they were like, “This guy must be crazy. But it\u2019s the risk factor I had to take. I get it because our parents come here and work hard to provide for us. So, they want the best, and that usually means going the more traditional route for success.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph: I guess it\u2019s just in our blood, because I can remember my mom working every day. It didn\u2019t matter if it was snowing or a rainstorm; she was out there working. I can recall times when I would even have to beg for a day off. This was embedded in me so much that it continues to be a driver inside of me that keeps me pushing and going.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph: I have such a diverse and wide range of clients getting ready for movie roles, red carpet events, and just overall weight goals. The most important thing I stress with them is following the specific regiments I create. At the end of the day, for me, it\u2019s about understanding the goal and the task at hand, red carpet events, and just overall weight goals. The most important thing I stress with them is following the specific regiments I create. At the end of the day, for me, it’s about understanding the goal and the task at hand. It\u2019s important because my name is on the line when they show up for that movie or appear on that red carpet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](../../../../../\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Copy-of-Untitled-17.png?resize=960%2C502&ssl=1\")
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Joseph: They expect quality work and results\u2014nothing less. I would advise anyone that if they can\u2019t deliver, don\u2019t step into this role. Your work is on display for the world to see, and it\u2019s not just about you. I have to make sure my clients look and feel their best and give the studios what they ask for.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph: It\u2019s funny because I got a phone call from an old friend one day who was the bodyguard for Jaden Smith. He saw me doing my training online and said this would be a good opportunity for me because they were looking for a trainer to get Jaden ready for The Get Down.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph: Be patient, punctual, understanding, listener, and motivator. These are things any trainer should have in this field because you have to remember you are working with individuals who really don\u2019t understand what they want, might get discouraged, and might not enjoy this process at first. It\u2019s up to me to help them realize their potential and keep them motivated.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph: It was my first client ever. She was a guidance counselor at a local high school. Because of some of her injuries, I couldn\u2019t do the normal training that I did on myself, so I used a Swiss ball and yoga mat. I was doing this at a local gym, and the gym manager told me that I should really look into training people professionally because I\u2019m really good at what I\u2019m doing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](../../../../../\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Copy-of-Untitled-16.png?resize=963%2C504&ssl=1\")
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Joseph: I\u2019m always planning ten years into the future. I\u2019m surrounding myself with the right people and learning from them. I\u2019m always taking notes. Like when I did my first job with Jaden, I instantly started thinking and planning on how I could take this experience and continue to elevate. This is something I do in life in general because I don\u2019t ever want to plateau.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph: It\u2019s a sensitive topic for me, but to be honest, it\u2019s after losing my child\u2019s mom. That moment is embedded in me forever. I can never give up on my family because I\u2019m all they have. This fire inside of me is to make sure my baby girl gets what she wants in life and that I set the example for her. If I ever give up, then I\u2019m giving up on her, and that\u2019s something that will never happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](../../../../../\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Jerry-BYOB-22-11.jpg?resize=925%2C617&ssl=1\")
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Joseph.: Listen I had to really figure out how I could move forward as a black man and single father. Raising my daughter is my top priority. It\u2019s not easy raising any kid, especially in this day and age, so I\u2019m focused on making sure she is prepared for the world. I do this by making sure I\u2019m the best version of myself for her, listening to her, and preserving her mother\u2019s memories. I never want her to ever lose those. I always make sure she remembers what a good person her mom was.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph: Being patient is key. Remember, they have this peer pressure that\u2019s already out there in the world, and you don\u2019t want to add to it. And take the time to learn more about your kids. I just recently learned she likes to play basketball. I recently went to one of her games. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to learn more about your kids. Don\u2019t just learn about their likes; also learn about their opinions and views of the world. They have their own perspective that needs to be acknowledged.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n