Rising Stars: Meet Jessica “JET” Bolz of Chapel Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica “JET” Bolz.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ive been swimming most of my life. My mother worked at the YMCA back in Bellerose, Queens back in the 70’s and she brought us to work with her ( us being my sister Justine). Her and I joined the swim team there when I was 8 yrs old and I swam and made it to the junior olympics It was 1984. They year I would get introduced to Hodgkins lymphoma. Id go through one relapse and two other cancers in the 40 years to follow as well as other serious late side effects including the degeneration of my heart. I was married to college sweetheart in 2000 and went on to have two children, my eldest Connor being autistic and my other son Derek now 23 and 22 respectively. I would fight breast cancer again in my left breast when I was 33, six year after my first primary. In this time I actively worked as a medical aide, ran a swim program in Bayside, graduated from college with a BS in Journalism, was a dental assistant and became an advocate for breast cancer awareness ( not exactly in that order). I decided after a wildly successful aquatic ‘themed’ fitness class I gave at Duke Diet and Fitness, to give private lessons through my own venture Jet warrior fit where I focused on clients who dealt with handicapping issues relating to cardiac disease, cancer, obesity and arthritis. In November of 2023, while giving a private group session I went into cardiac arrest and flatlined before being taken into the ER. The doctors had told my parents that I had about a 2 percent chance of surviving and I was put on the dreaded ECMO machine which can save you or kill you depending if your body could handle the force of the machine to pump your blood. I did survive due in large part to my younger son Derek who never gave up on me and the staff at Duke as well as my own tenacity. I did cross and was pulled back by my sister’s voice. In that time the doctor’s explained that my heart had taken such a beating that it could no longer work on its own. After much resistance I accepted the beautiful gift of life from who I call “Rockette” on December 9 2023. Im 17 months from my transplant date and went back to teaching 3 months ago. The ability to give people relief and motivate them is what helps me to move forward and I hope to continue with this as well as public speaking and coaching others through illness back to wellness

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Aside from the tribulations from the treatment, I was in an abusive marriage that I got out of when it started to involve our children. Unfortunately, my husband wasnt getting help for his alcoholism and he ended up passing after an accident involving substance abuse. After my heart attack I lay in an induced coma in the hospital for 6 weeks while I battled pneumonia. During that time my muscles atrophied, and my feet suffered nerve damage (I can no longer feel them and my right index finger). I have also lost my short-term memory and have problems with my cognitive skills. I raised my sons with the help of my parents and Connor, who is high functioning autistic, now goes to college at UNC Greensboro. My son Derek who is my health proxy is graduating School of Visual Arts this May 15.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Ive always been theatrical and dramatic ( HA!) and working for Duke I was able to have the opportunity to combine and idea of putting a them to my aquatic fitness to give other incentive, motivation and laughter which is the big healer in this life. I started to create themes such as Harry Potter and Star wars and create playlist with my costume for the class. It was a huge hit and I was so excited when patients and clients would come, excited to join and have fun. My idea was to get to forget they were working out by having them laugh and get involved in the music and the production of it. It worked. I currently work and teach for Duke Physical and Occupational therapy which Ive been a part of for almost 10 years. I teach the aquatic class for muscular skelutar group therapy twice a week and I also teach online and in person with my own private business Jetwarriorfit.com

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love how its more rural. My parents have the trail right behind their house and the creek. Its so beautiful and a far cry from where I grew up. I love the restaurants in Chapel Hill and Durham as well as Raleigh. Whats upsetting is they are building so much thats its destroying the beautiful natural environment.

Pricing:

• $90.00 per hr for private land or pool w/ me
• $65.00 per half hr for private land or pool

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jetwarriorfit.com
• Instagram: jetwaterfitness
• Facebook: Jessica Bolz
• Other: jettyfitty tik tok