Exploring Life & Business with William Jennette, Jr. of See It Through Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to William Jennette, Jr.

Hi William, It’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us. To start, could you share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is William Jennette Jr., and I am a resilient individual passionate about empowering others. Overcoming personal health complications such as being born with a congenital disability of my abdominal wall, called omphalocele, and having to undergo chemotherapy multiple times as a youth challenged my commitment to helping those with special needs. I recently embarked on a bodybuilding journey to share my physical scars, reflect on my testimony, and influence individuals nervous about sharing their scars and stories.

Having served as the President of the Mighty Tau Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and Mentoring Program Director at North Carolina Central University and volunteered as a camp counselor at Camp Carefree, a camp for children with chronic illnesses, I have a profound experience in community development and supporting youth, mature adults, individuals with special needs, and those who want to improve their quality of life.

My passion for helping others led me to work in the parks and recreation industry and get my undergraduate degree in Recreational Therapy from North Carolina Central University. In 2019, I resigned from Durham Parks and Recreation to start my fitness, health, and wellness business, See It Through Fitness. As the owner of See It Through Fitness LLC, I focus on enhancing individuals’ quality of life through inclusive fitness, health, and wellness. With a vision for the future, I aspire to establish an inclusive recreation center and camp, collaborating with community leaders to create impactful programs for individuals’ success. I am dedicated to positively impacting and inspiring others on their journey.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The road has been challenging but fair. Nothing worth having in life comes easy. Fortunately, my father has been a trainer, Strength and Conditioning coach, and gym owner for most of my life. He allowed me to grow my clientele and train at his facility until I became more established. We are partners and have opened a 20,000-square-foot facility called Triangle Athletic Complex. He has given me wisdom and advice and taught me how to be a better trainer, coach, entrepreneur, and overall person. The struggles of being a fitness, health, and wellness coach are losing clients due to financial setbacks, relocation, losing their jobs, or unforeseen circumstances. The end of the year is the most challenging time for trainers because some clients choose to train on a hiatus to get presents, food, and travel for holidays. The Covid pandemic caused a struggle. Facilities had to limit the number of people in the building, clients did not feel safe, or the inclement weather did not allow outdoor training. The road was hard but fair because I’ve witnessed other trainers leave the business.

Thanks for sharing that. Please tell us more about your business.
See It Through Fitness is more than just a gym; it’s a comprehensive fitness sanctuary serving a diverse community. Our mission is to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment where individuals of all ages and abilities, especially seniors and those with special needs, can thrive through personalized fitness and wellness programs. Our facility uniquely caters to mature adults and individuals with special needs, ensuring accessibility and comfort for all. We are committed to inclusivity, offering specialized programs like pre-and post-natal care training alongside small group sessions that foster community and support.

At See It Through Fitness, we believe in holistic well-being. Our range of programs includes senior fitness, small group classes, yoga, water aerobics, and a strength & conditioning program that can also be tailored for Special Olympics athletes. This variety ensures that every member finds a program that resonates with their fitness journey. Our vision extends to forming strategic partnerships with universities, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. These collaborations allow us to offer various services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy, and recreational therapy. We aim to build strong community ties and gain support from notable organizations like Silver Sneakers and the Special Olympics. I have recently become a powerlifting coach and trainer for the Special Olympics. Our location in Durham, NC, positions us to collaborate with city and state programs, enhancing our reach and impact.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
The first to deserve all the credit is God. Without faith, See It Through Fitness would not exist. The second person to deserve credit is my father, William Jennette, Sr. He has taught me the importance of the fitness health and wellness business and how to become a great trainer. I want to credit my teachers, mentors, clients, and support team who supported my vision. They helped by encouraging me to stay on the correct path, giving helpful advice, and me accountable to ensure I was implementing the plan.

Contact Info:

• Website: Seeitthroughfitness.com
• Instagram: SeeItThroughFitness
• Facebook: See It Through Fitness