Getting My Foundation Right With Jaime Otitoju
Just like many individuals, as the new year began, I set health goals for myself. One objective was to unravel the secrets of strength training, despite being someone who prefers cardio workouts. Balancing my regular work hours and spending quality time with my family in the evenings leaves me with limited opportunities to squeeze in additional gym sessions, apart from my morning walks. Consequently, I made the decision to utilize my lunch breaks to focus on my strength training. During this search for a suitable fitness solution, I came upon Foundation Fitness and came across the inspiring figure of Jaime Otitoju, a renowned fitness entrepreneur. In this captivating interview, I had the opportunity to delve into Jaime’s journey, exploring how her passion for fitness led to establishing an extraordinary gym. Our engaging conversation took place in her office, adorned with an array of awards and accolades, as we delved into her experiences and gained valuable insights into the fitness industry.
Q: Tell me about your professional achievements. How did you begin your journey into fitness and then ownership of a gym?
Jaime Otitoju:
After having my youngest daughter 12 years ago, I returned to personal training, initially running boot camps in my free time outside of my administrative job at an engineering firm. However, since I was passionate about fitness, personal training, and helping other moms and ladies in my community, I restarted my personal training business. To formalize my credentials, I recertified in 2011. Additionally, I resumed bodybuilding, which I had been interested in before starting a family, as I wanted to set goals outside of my daily routine as a working mom. I became a full-time personal trainer and bodybuilder, quitting my engineering job to focus on my fitness business. In 2013, I won my show and attained pro-level status within the World Natural Body Building Association, increasing my social media following. I continued building my clientele, working as a subcontractor, and staying busy by operating a studio at home and at a gym while continuing to compete yearly. It will be five years since I challenged myself to open a gym with my business partner in June. It had been a goal of mine since high school. I always loved working out and told my dad and family that I’d open a gym if I ever won the lottery. When my client and I chatted about it a year prior, I wasn’t interested due to my comfortable routine. However, the following year, I wanted a bigger challenge and something to level up. We encountered challenges in the first few months, but we overcame them. This is where I’m at now.”
Q: Tell me about your family life and juggling your fitness passion.
Jaime Otitoju:
My husband works shift work, and I have two girls who are a grade apart, Naomi and Elisha. I had a good employer that was quite flexible with me working my full-time hours around my husband’s schedule and my girl’s school schedule. Once they got into the kindergarten, we didn’t have daycare. Before that, my mother-in-law, thank God, kind of opened a daycare for about five years as many of her grandchildren were born; quite a few of them were closer in age. She had quit her job and opened a daycare at their home. She was kind of the caregiver for our girls until they got into school. We didn’t have a lot of balancing acts or worry about who will watch our kids because we’re quite cautious and protective of our children in that aspect. This arrangement worked well for us as we didn’t have to worry about finding childcare. We’ve had flexible work schedules that aligned with our daughters’ school schedules since they started grade school. We also have a dog and live in a nice neighbourhood. Our girls are now teenagers and becoming more independent. Overall, things are going well for us.
Q: How did the conversation with your spouse go when you expressed your intention to quit your current job and commit to your passion full time?
Jaime Otitoju:
My husband and I have known each other since high school, and he has always been supportive of my ideas. We discuss the pros and cons, but ultimately, he encourages me to pursue what I want. Even when I got back into bodybuilding, and my kids were young, he would watch them while I worked out. Having a supportive partner and family is important, and they have always been positive and understanding about my fitness journey. They never discouraged me or questioned my choices regarding food or exercise. Their support has made things easier for me.
Q: Growing up, when did you first go to the gym? What motivated you to start this journey? What is the story behind your fitness journey?
Jaime Otitoju:
During high school, I played volleyball and started rugby in grade nine towards the end of the school year. We had gym class and a weight room in school, where my friends and I started going. We also went to the Lawson to do extra workouts together. Growing up, my parents divorced when I was going into kindergarten, but both had fitness routines. My mom worked out in our basement, and my dad regularly went to the gym. I would go with him and watch or read magazines while he exercised. I enjoyed being exposed to that environment. I was involved in extracurricular activities outside of school as well. I liked the challenge and physical aspects of staying active. Unlike today, where some kids may resist going outside, I was encouraged to spend time outdoors after finishing homework and chores. It wasn’t forced upon me but rather strongly encouraged. I continued my active lifestyle by joining a gym closer to my high school and home. Some mornings, I would go to the gym before school, have breakfast, and then attend classes. After school, I would participate in volleyball or rugby practices and games.
Q: Can you share some tips or strategies that have helped you maintain your physical and mental health while juggling your roles as a mother and an entrepreneur?
Jaime Otitoju:
More so, a lot of my tips or strategies I do is, I do kind of a lot of mindsets, gratitude, reflection type things. I’m always trying to have a positive mindset or do positive self-talk, even when things are getting a little bit challenging. I guess it’s a mindset, which means you have to always work on yourself. We go to church regularly. I think working a little bit on my faith is kind of a form of my own self-development as well. But through exercise and physical strength training and activities like that, I find it really helps to keep physically fit, stay mentally strong, eat healthily, and ensure I’m fueling my body properly, depending on the day or your goals. It really does help just overall with managing all your tasks, hopefully having less stress, and sleeping better. I really try and do the physical by working out or exercising. I think it all is kind of intertwined.
Q: What’s your morning routine like? How do you start your day?
Jaime Otitoju:
I start my day around five o’clock, sometimes earlier during the summer when I have competitions to train for. I begin with coffee, water, and food, and during my drive, I reflect on my gratitude for a new day. I believe showing gratitude is important, regardless of specific faith or religion. I encourage others to appreciate the fact that they woke up and remind them that things could always be worse. This positive mindset sets the tone for my day. It’s not something I consciously think about regularly; it’s simply a part of who I am and my lifestyle. While not every day is easy, sticking to a structured routine generally improves how I feel. I prioritize having breakfast in the morning instead of waiting until noon. After sleeping for eight or nine hours, nourishing your body early is crucial to avoid feeling famished, having a fuzzy mind, or becoming overtired. This approach may vary depending on personal preferences and phases of life. When my kids were younger, I tried to be there before school and see them off. Now, my routine has changed. I call them in the morning to chat before school and usually stay home until lunchtime. I have clients and training sessions, and each day differs slightly. After lunch, I take care of household tasks, work on business or client-related computer work, or simply relax. I’m always at home with my girls in the afternoon, and we discuss the day. Depending on the schedule, I either take my kids to activities or vice versa with my husband. We decompress at home, have a snack, chat about the day, and go to bed around nine o’clock to ensure a consistent sleep routine. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of getting six to eight hours of sleep for optimal functioning. Although it may sound cliché, consistency in sleep patterns has proven beneficial for my overall well-being. I come in early on Saturdays, so my sleep schedule remains mostly the same every day. On Sundays, I allow myself to sleep in for an extra hour or two, especially if we stayed up later the previous night. This helps me relax before heading to church. Consistency is key in any routine, though perfection isn’t necessary since none of us are perfect. Striving for regularity in daily activities can greatly contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle.
Q: Have you had to make any sacrifices to pursue your entrepreneurial and fitness aspiration while also being a mom?
Jaime Otitoju:
I would say yes. And more so, I think it’s just a little bit sacrificing just a little bit of time, that you can maybe have a little bit maybe more like one-on-one or engaging maybe with your kids. It’s a little bit different depending on their age that they’re at because sometimes it’s like, “Oh, well, I don’t want to hang out with mom. I got something else to do, or whatever.” Some sacrifices would just be maybe just a little bit of time. I try not to miss much; for activities, I’m usually always at my kids’ games and things like that. Practice not too much because they’re old enough. You don’t really want to be sitting there watching their practices anyways. I think it would mainly be like that, but I’m sure it’s probably just myself thinking I don’t want to miss anything or time is valuable.
Q: To clarify, have you sacrificed time with your children to prioritize certain aspects of your life and be present for what truly matters to you?
Jaime Otitoju:
Over the past couple of years, I’ve improved the balance between my work and family life. Initially, it was challenging because of my busy schedule at the gym and other tasks that demanded my attention. However, in recent years, my children have better understood what I do. We discuss it, and they see it firsthand. I make sure to allocate quality time for my family and prioritize their needs. For instance, I would choose to attend my girls’ soccer tournament over personal endeavours or competitions. If there are occasional conflicts, such as a professional development workshop, we carefully evaluate the importance and impact on the family. Ultimately, family always takes precedence over non-prioritized personal commitments. I strive to maintain a balance and recognize that there will be different phases and priorities to consider as time passes.
Q: Do any of your daughters like fitness the way you do?
Jaime Otitoju:
My children have shown interest in fitness because they have observed me. They occasionally join me at the gym or do their own workouts at home. They are becoming more self-sufficient in their fitness routines. I give them recommendations and remind them of the benefits but allow them to think for themselves and choose what they enjoy. It’s important to have a supportive family and partner to navigate the challenges and balance personal and business life. Prioritizing what matters most and having a strong support system is crucial. Trying to juggle too many things can lead to sacrifices and failures. Finding a compromise that allows you to work together as a team within the family is important. I would never want my family life to suffer for the sake of my business. Learning and adapting is part of the process; having the right mindset and support is essential.
Q: Can you share a specific challenge or failure you encountered during this process that has impacted you or taught you valuable lessons?
Jaime Otitoju:
In the realm of business, there are moments when you question whether your efforts are sufficient or if you should continue. For example, when we faced permitting issues and obstacles, I doubted whether I should proceed with opening and maintaining the business. It felt like a sign that I should reconsider because financial obligations persisted despite the challenges. I wondered if the venture would fail and what the consequences would be. However, I realized that even if it didn’t work out, I would still have support, and it wouldn’t end the world. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified these uncertainties as the business was forced to shut down after just one year of operation. During that two-and-a-half-month period, I questioned the path I had chosen. Challenges like the pandemic, losing clients, and facing competition from other gyms and fitness studios made me doubt whether I was doing enough to keep the business afloat.
Q: Explain the difficulties you faced in setting up this place and how you overcame them?
Jaime Otitoju:
I questioned whether I should continue with my business during a challenging time. I discussed it with my husband and business partner, as we dealt with delays and frustrations. The effort, time, and money invested made me wonder if it was worth it. However, I felt that I would always wonder if I didn’t push through and overcome the hurdles. I had put in so much work and wanted to give it a fair chance. I made it clear to my husband that I wouldn’t sacrifice personal relationships or finances just to keep the business going. I believed in being adaptable and staying true to my vision and dream. I learned that talking about the situation, following up, and practicing patience was essential. Motherhood taught me to be more patient, especially when faced with delays and external demands. Patience and perseverance became crucial for managing difficulties.
There were moments when I felt emotional and questioned whether I should continue. However, I realized that I would never know the outcome if I didn’t give it my all. Even if I were to fail or make the difficult decision to sell or exit the business due to financial struggles, I saw it as a valuable learning experience. I could reflect on my learning and share my journey with others. Despite facing challenges like a four-month permitting issue and the impact of Covid, I refused to give up easily. I wanted to give it an honest and determined effort, knowing that otherwise, I would always wonder what could have been.
Q: What would you advise a woman who wants to open a business with young kids and a passionate drive? What would you say to her to get her through the process?
Jaime Otitoju:
To succeed, having a well-defined plan and considering the advantages and disadvantages is crucial. Having a support system and someone to bounce ideas off is important. Involving your children in a small way, like bringing them to work or involving them in family business activities, can be beneficial. Believing in yourself is key, especially when faced with doubts and negative opinions from others. Being an entrepreneur or business owner is different from a typical job, so focusing on the bigger picture and staying true to your passion and vision is essential. If you’re passionate and believe in yourself, you can do anything you set your mind to. And whether I’m coaching or being a business owner or a mom, I don’t try to portray to be something like I’m not. think holding that good integrity and authenticity really kind of plays a role in it. Maintaining good integrity and authenticity is also important. Being prepared, organized, and having effective time management systems are additional factors that contribute to success.
During my initial session with Jaime, she gave me clear instructions on performing the exercises effectively. Not only did she guide me through each step, but she also equipped me with the necessary knowledge to continue my workout routine independently. Foundation Fitness is the place to be if you’re seeking a gym that offers convenience and flexibility. With their personal key card access, you have the freedom to utilize their top-notch equipment and facilities at your convenience, whether it’s during the morning, afternoon, or nighttime. This unique feature allows you to tailor your fitness routine to your schedule, ensuring that you never miss a workout. Don’t hesitate to join the vibrant community at Foundation Fitness and start your fitness journey today!
