261. Jess Sims, Peloton Instructor

261. Jess Sims, Peloton Instructor

"Stop negotiating with yourself. Be like a little kid again and jump into the pool. Don't stick your foot in to check out the temperature. Don't think you have to have the right bathing suit on. Jump in the pool."

It's safe to say Jess Sims is one of the most popular fitness instructors in the country. As a Peloton instructor, Jess is known for her no frills, no BS, no gimmick approach to working out. She's the real deal, and she's passionate about helping people feel their best every day. And though Jess says she never dreamed about being a fitness instructor, let alone a global superstar with a massive platform, being an educator has always come naturally to her. On this episode, Jess shares her road to Peloton fame, which started by teaching not in fitness studios, but in classrooms: Jess did Teach for America, and taught kids in Houston, Harlem, and Massachusetts. Jess also talks about the a-ha moment that led her from her role as a principal to one on the podium, and explains why, at first, she actually turned down the opportunity to teach at Peloton. Plus, she talks about growing up in Peabody, MA, in a biracial family, and offers her take on diversity in the fitness industry today.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

  • Did Young Jess plan for a future in the fitness industry? (4:15)
  • How Jess became a teacher (7:45)
  • How Jess broke into the fitness industry (16:15)
  • On getting hired at Peloton, and what life looks like as a Peloton instructor (20:00)
  • On both "personal branding" and diversity in the fitness industry (41:00)
  • What it means to Jess to "take up space" (47:20)

What we mention on this episode:

Teach For America

Rebecca Kennedy

Follow Jess:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

Episoder(879)

876. Sara Hall, Author of For the Love of the Grind

876. Sara Hall, Author of For the Love of the Grind

"Doubt and belief can coexist. In the book, you see a ton of my doubts and struggles with confidence. But then there's also this untouchable belief that's always there, too. So it's almost like, which...

14 Apr 1h 5min

875. Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Boston Marathon

875. Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Boston Marathon

"Calm, calm, calm. Relax, relax, relax." Welcome to your guide to the 2026 Boston Marathon! We just about one week away from the 130th running of the world's oldest marathon. This year's Boston Marath...

9 Apr 2h 42min

874. Emily Sisson, Boston Marathon-Bound

874. Emily Sisson, Boston Marathon-Bound

"That's been my thing lately: What excites me?" Emily Sisson is the American record holder in the marathon, a two-time Olympian, and a New Balance professional athlete. And right now, she's gearing up...

7 Apr 55min

873. Jess McClain, Boston Marathon-Bound

873. Jess McClain, Boston Marathon-Bound

"All I can do is move forward knowing that one day I'll have that moment." Jess McClain just might be the most-loved professional marathoner in the country. The Phoenix, AZ-based Brooks athlete made n...

2 Apr 1h 13min

872. Emma Bates, Mom-to-Be

872. Emma Bates, Mom-to-Be

"It's a new day, it's a new age, let's learn, let's grow together. That's it." Last week, professional Colorado-based marathoner Emma Bates broke the running internet when she shared that she had been...

31 Mar 1h 4min

871. Why Did You Run Your First Marathon?

871. Why Did You Run Your First Marathon?

"I needed to do it like I needed to breathe." At any given marathon, there are thousands of runners on the start line, hoping to complete the 26.2-mile journey to the finish line. That means that at a...

26 Mar 1h 17min

870. My 2026 NYC Half Weekend Recap

870. My 2026 NYC Half Weekend Recap

I remember being like, 'I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I'm doing this right now.'" It's been a while since I've done a race recap! This weekend, I ran the United Airlines NYC Half — my fir...

19 Mar 1h 49min

869. No Stupid Questions: Shoes & Sports Bras Edition, with Jinger Gottschall

869. No Stupid Questions: Shoes & Sports Bras Edition, with Jinger Gottschall

"Everyone deserves a super shoe." Welcome to the second episode in a new series on the Ali on the Run Show called "No Stupid Questions." This is where experts come in to answer everything you've alway...

12 Mar 1h 3min

Populært innen Helse

fastlegen
rss-gukild-johaug
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
hvordan-har-du-det-mann
psykodrama
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
leger-om-livet
rss-garne-damer
hormonelle-frida
foreldreradet
morten-ramm-lar-kakla-ga-til-du-sovner
bak-fasaden-en-reise-i-livet-med-sykepleier-ine
hjernesterk
rss-lopedrommen
klimaks
g-punktet
rss-kull
helsetipspodden
treningsprat
rss-kunsten-a-leve