Fitness and so much more

By Anna Powell

Fitness and wellbeing coach Jenny Percy is proof that there is life after recovering from anorexia. Anna Powell reports

Nenagh’s Jenny Percy is an online coach, who has almost 4,000 followers on Instagram. Jenny shares content about fitness, self-improvement and self-discovery.

Jenny Percy set up her Instagram page so that she could share and document her journey through life. It was her wish to show people that they can have a very balanced approach when it comes to fitness.

She commented: “I want to promote a positive message to people and share my own learnings and experiences through my Instagram page.” Now aged 21, Jenny was diagnosed with anorexia at 14 and this has prompted her to share and show people that there is life after recovery.

HEALTHY ATTITUDE TOWARDS EXERCISE

Jenny wants to show people that you can exercise after recovery and that you can have a healthy attitude towards exercise. She added: “I have found a really healthy balance since recovering from my eating disorder.”

According to Jenny, who attended Borrisokane Community College and St Mary’s Secondary School for Sixth Year, the best part about her job is the way in which she gets to help people. “It is very rewarding to see clients improve their quality of life, improve their relationship with food and to watch them become more comfortable within themselves.”

Jenny’s passion for fitness and self-development has helped her to find her community and followers. “The best thing to come from my Instagram page is the connections I have built with people and the community I have built. The support I have gotten is just amazing.”

BEST FOR HERSELF

Initially putting herself out there online was scary but Jenny decided to focus on what was best for herself and has reaped the benefits as a result. Jenny’s interest in fitness and the gym has also helped her connect with people on lots of levels. “I love the community in the gym and how everyone is there for themselves and are just working on themselves. It is a really nice community.”

Although Jenny is surrounded with support, she often, like most, has to remind herself to let people in and share the load. “Sometimes I might feel a bit alone but then I do remember that I do have people that could support me, and that this helps to look after my mental health too.”

In an effort to mind her mental health, Jenny has also decided to stop doing things to please other people and has instead decided to put herself first. As part of her self-care routine, Jenny tries to focus on what is best for her future self. Sometimes, self-care for Jenny means pushing herself to get up and get the tasks that she needs to get done, completed, even when she doesn’t feel like it.

INNER PEACE

Jenny also strives to do her best to maintain her inner peace. “I feel very passionate about being content in your own company and being happy in your own mind. I think this is something that not many people speak about and I feel very passionate about helping people achieve peace within themselves.”

Jenny believes that a lot of people need to understand that they don’t need anyone to make them feel complete or to make them feel enough. “It’s very important for people to realise that they are enough as they are and if someone else comes along like a boyfriend or a girlfriend and makes them feel good as well, great!”

This young Tipperary woman has just launched her new podcast ‘Jenny for your thoughts’.

This podcast is available on both Spotify and YouTube. “My aim with the podcast is to share my own experiences, make people to feel less alone and allow it to be a safe space for people who may need a friend. I, want to speak about much more than fitness.”