AFITNESS ROUTINE WRITTEN IN THE STARS
Trainer uses astrology to help clients findworkout regimen that suits their personality
Since people with an Aries sun sign are ruled by Mars — named for the Roman god of war — personal trainer and astrologer Jess Archer might recommend a kickboxing class, allowing them to tap into their combative side. For Geminis, who are known for being quick and jumpy, she’d suggest a 20-minute session of highintensity interval training.
But sun signs are just the beginning. Archer likes to examine clients’ natal charts, which map the location of planets and stars at the time of their birth. That gives her more insight into their behaviors, traits and personality.
“Think of it as a cosmic selfie,” Archer said. Combined with her passion for fitness, this knowledge becomes a blueprint for knowing what makes clients tick, what motivates them to get in shape and to stick with it.
Clients are increasingly willing to talk about astrology. “There’s been a major resurgence,” Archer said. “People are looking for something more.”
Archer’s interest in horoscopes began to pique about eight years ago; she studied at the Houston Institute of Astrology.
Before long, she found that astrology could help her connect with clients as a fitness trainer. As a Scorpio, Archer knows she can be a bit obsessive.
“I’m all the way in or I’m not in it at all,” she said.
With fitness, Archer has been “all the way in” for as long as she can remember. Even as a child, she would pore over exercise books and practice poses of fitness models. Archer was always athletic; in high school, she was captain of her varsity soccer team. After, she headed to the University of Houston to study public relations but left the program to pursue fitness instead.
At age 22, Archer competed in her first bikini competition — and began to take home awards. At first, the experience was rewarding.
“You prepare for 12 to 16 weeks to get on stage,” she said. “You feel so accomplished even if you take last place. What matters is that you got up there.”
But the competitions eventually began to erode her self-esteem. By her late 20s, she had dropped to 96 pounds. She was also diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and prescribed Adderall. The prescription didn’t seem beneficial to her, so she dropped it, resulting in extra pounds.
“I started gaining weight, and I couldn’t stop,” she said.
Depression followed.
“I went from thinking that all that matters is the
way I look to, ‘Here I am, and suddenly, none of my clothes fit,’ ” she said.
Archer coached herself out of the situation: “I told myself, ‘You know better. You’re going to stop eating your feelings.’ ”
She settled on a healthy weight. And now, as a fitness instructor, Archer can empathize with her clients.
“I’ve been on all sides of the
spectrum. I understand,” she said. “So many people are disconnected from their mind, body and spirit. So many women have self-loathing and body shame. If you can’t look yourself in the mirror, how can we face anything else?”
Archer turned her love of health into a career; she is a certified yoga teacher, personal trainer and reiki master — and works independently.
She creates individualized wellness plans focused on changing nutrition, exercise and mind
set to set her clients up for success. State of mind is key to all the other changes, Archer added.
“It’s all about mind shifting,” she said. “You change someone’s mind, you change their life. You help them click that switch. I’m just there to guide the way.”
Magnolia resident Joel English started training with Archer right before COVID-19. The first session, they met in person.
During lockdown, Archer pivoted to sending workouts and tracking English’s diet virtually.
“She keeps me accountable,”
English said.
He has already dropped 40 pounds and tightened five belt loops.
“People ask me what I’m doing,” English said. “And I tell them to give her a call.”
Eating right and exercising are difficult, Archer maintains. That’s why she employs every weapon in her arsenal to help — whether that’s yoga, diet, weights or even the stars.
Whatever it takes for her clients see the results, Archer said.
“You have to do hard work and be disciplined,” she said. The payoff is worth it. “The hardest part is getting started,” she said. “But when you feel strong, you feel good. You carry yourself differently.”
And that’s what she wants for her clients — to help them become stronger, fitter and healthier.
“If my client is successful, then I am,” she said. “It means that I did my job.”