Hello

So happy to see you here on my page! My name is Jamey Merkel and I founded JM Performance Training to supercharge your fitness journey. I use cutting edge tech, professional training and coaching techniques all backed up with 10 years of fitness experience. I have been down in the trenches both as an athlete and a coach. I am a big believer in evidence based protocols (like a true nerd) and avid follower of exercise science (even bigger nerd) but importantly, I have learned what only experience can teach. I want to help you change your life. But it all started with changing mine. Let me tell you my story.

My Story

My professional background is in hospitality management, tech startups, and the wine and spirits industry. I spent 20 years behind a desk, behind a bar, and on the road. Truth be told, I had a very unhealthy lifestyle. My work required long hours, extensive travel, hotel stays, time zone changes, always dining out (my favourites are pizza and cheeseburgers), going to bars, consuming alcohol, and generally leading the busiest and most hedonistic lifestyle imaginable. Not surprisingly, this took a toll on my body.

Then I had a wakeup call. During one of my annual corporate health screenings, the doctor came back with bad news. I was clinically overweight, my blood work was all off, my liver was suffering, my cholesterol was high, my blood pressure was climbing and more. My doctor looked at me, and God bless him, told me that my lifestyle was unsustainable. I was 42. If I kept on the path I was on, I was at risk for several chronic diseases and I was not going to enjoy my 50’s and 60’s at all. And BOOM! Now I had to think. I have 2 young daughters that I want to actively be involved in their lives, not lying in a hospital bed, a loving family and a strong will. I set out to change. And boy was it hard.

I started going to the gym and tried to remember what to do from my high school athletic days, copied some programs off the internet, and was basically just lost in the gym. Then I made what turned out to be the best decision. I hired my first personal trainer and began training with purpose. Through lots of trial and error, a helping hand from my coach, and a burning desire to change, I got my life on track. It didn’t happen overnight, it took years. But I did it. I had become obsessed with health and fitness. I began eating healthy food. I trained Muay Thai for 5 years. I went to the gym regularly. My obsession grew to the point where I became a Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach. Now I am a Master Trainer.

My desire to help others achieve what I have achieved is my new passion. My purpose. My calling. And here we are. Almost 10 years later and I have dedicated my life to fitness, to helping others. And I want to help you.

Yours in health,

Jamey Merkel