Check out our interview with Certified Personal Trainer and Celebrity Trainer Jill Charton.
Jill provides her consultation and training services for Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Apple, and Netflix, working with cast from The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, Guardians of the Galaxy, and She-Hulk. Jill’s clients include Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers, Tionne Watkins (T-Boz), Tatiana Maslany, Jameela Jamil, Ginger Gonzoga, Jon Bass, Tiffany Boone, Andre Holland to name a few.
Jill is the owner of fitness brand iFour.Life and iOS / Android app iFour.Core. iFour.Life was built around the question of what could she accomplish with one extra hour each day. This grew into the four tenets of iFour.Life – Imagine, Inform, Improve and Inspire. From this mantra, clients are inspired towards focusing 4% or an hour a day – towards improving themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Follow Jill @jillcharton
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Vivacious
Transparent
Disciplined
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My kids, hands down! After becoming a parent, it shed light on my view on life in a whole new way. Kids are intuitive and always watching your every move – from the way you speak to others, the way you handle situations in life, to our overall energy with them and with others. My kids call me out and question things about life which make me want to be the best version of myself so I can be the role model they need in this life!
What is your background?
I have a BS in Business & Marketing. Right out of college I started working in Marketing for Corporate America. I then did a 180 and pursued Physical Therapy.
How did you get started in the fitness field?
While working in Physical Therapy I found that I wanted to help people become the best versions of themselves, both mentally and physically. Taking the knowledge from what I learned in physical therapy and applying functional rotations to the general public in both a group and 1-on-1 raining environment is often overlooked.
What is the #1 thing you like about being into fitness?
From a personal side: Fitness is my therapy! It’s a way to move and learn more about myself and how I can challenge my body with different types of training.
From a personal trainer standpoint: I love training others because every human body is different. If my clients have any previous injuries and/or restrictions, I love educating them with the possibility of how we can still train our bodies even with physical limitations they might have.
Now tell us about the success of your very popular “iFour Core” app?
My iFour Core app I created strictly focuses on strengthening every muscle fiber in our core. Our core is an endurance muscle and as long as we are training our core effectively, we do not need to train our core for endless hours a day. After you perform the fitness test, I meet you where you are at with your current core strength. I then provide daily core workouts (all under 10 minutes) and because there are over 300 core exercises, you will never get bored with the same workout.
What is different from your brand/products to other ones in the market?
I created my personal training company, iFour.Life for just this: Fitness it’s not about but not just in a 1 dimensional facet
What do you think is the secret to have a successful business in a very competitive market like yours?
I think it first starts with having your end goal in mind. Then having the discipline to put in the daily work to get to that ultimate goal. My business has been based on all word of mouth and client referrals. I truly believe that if you’re focused on organic growth, the rest will fall into place when it’s supposed to.
Why did you decide to be an entrepreneur?
After working in Physical Therapy, I fell in love with helping people reach their goals so much that it was hard for me to go back to Corporate America. Sure, being an entrepreneur has its challenges, but I wouldn’t change it for a second. Helping people genuinely fulfills me so when you find something you love, it doesn’t feel like work!
Can you name a few of your celebrity and model clients?
Studios: Marvel, DC, Warner Bros, Apple, Netflix
Projects: The Big Cigar, She-Hulk, Enola Holmes, Stranger Things, The Walking Dead
Others: Dwight Howard (LA Lakers), Tionne Watkins (T-Boz from TLC), Zak Abel (Solo Artist), Latrice Pace (Solo Artist)
The Big Cigar: Andre Holland, Tiffany Boone
Gardians of the Galaxy: Caitlin Dechelle
She Hulk: Tatiana Maslany, Jameela Jamil, Ginger Gonzoga, Jon Bass
And about your iFour.Life fitness brand?
iFour.Life – a fitness brand focused on taking just 4 percent (1 hour) of your day and transforming it into a more efficient, happier, healthier, and more confident you. What sets Jill apart is not only her focus on giving hands-on, personalized and empowering training fit to specific needs, but her background in physical therapy allows her to work with all levels of physical ability to reach various fitness goals safely.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
On Purpose by: Jay Shetty (Podcast)
Boundaries for Leaders: Dr. Henry Cloud
Can you share a few fitness tips to start the year in a better shape?
Set realistic goals, carve away time for yourself, don’t restrict foods that you want to eat and even if you don’t get your normal workout routine in, keep moving!
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far?
Surround yourself with people who you trust and truly inspire and help elevate you to become the best version of you!
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
Creating my iFour Core program, designing it from scratch with my app developers, then launching my iFour Core App was one of the biggest challenges, yet learning experiences ever!
Which project is still on your bucket list?
Rolling out with a mobility program for corporate America in my iFour Core app.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
I never really think of anything being my “biggest failure.” Everything happens for a reason so when we choose to take a path that was probably not the best for us, we learn from that and we grow from the mistakes we make in life, but in the same breath, we grow because we learn more about ourselves and that brings wisdom.
Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like?
The days I don’t train a client from 5-6am, I train myself. From 6-7am I get my kids ready and off to school, then from 7am-2pm, I train clients, work on my business, answer emails, calls, etc. I pick up my kids at 3pm from school, then it’s usually homework or taking them to whatever sport they’re involved with for that season. Usually by 5:30pm my husband or I will make dinner, then do the nightly routine until 7:30pm when my kids usually are passed out. This gives me time to spend that 1hour (or 4% I encourage my own clients on doing) on just me.
How would your best friend describe you?
Transparent, spontaneous, always laughing but can talk on the deepest level of conversations. Loves life & people, but her discipline and work ethic is on another planet!
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“Pulled into silence.” Growing up, I was the class clown and always the center of attention. It wasn’t until I moved to Atlanta and started writing in the music studio that I learned how powerful psychology was and the power of listening to others. Now, training clients and listening to their stories, it’s not about having all the answers in life. It’s about being able to listen, ask questions, learn, and move forward.
When you started your Social Media accounts, did you expect such a success?
Since working in physical therapy, I have always wanted to educate people on correct form and simply break down exercise from a functional state. When you’re true to your end goal and what you want to communicate to your audience, the rest will follow.
As a popular fitness personality and fitness influencer you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
I encourage people to first list out their core values and see how they align with their business/company’s core values. In addition to our core values, knowing our boundaries, and keeping a tight circle of people you can trust is vital. I’m talking about the people who will call you out in a loving but blunt way and point out when you’re slipping.
Now talking about Instagram, can you share some tips for keeping your account interesting?
I could talk nonstop about all things health and wellness and honestly, I’m at a point where I’m trying to re-brand myself so what you’ll start to see more is a profile of community to where I educate more on different topics relating all things fitness.
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
Hahaha!!! It’s truly mind blowing with how much time people have on their hands! Honestly, if it’s not health related, I’m deleting it…sorry, not sorry lol!
What’s next for Jill Charton, iFour.Life and iFour Core in 2023?
Re iFour.Life: As a keynote speaker, I will be continuing to help businesses become the best version of themselves as I help people see that only 4% of their day is 1 hour. To inspire people to be the best versions of themselves is to first, focus on what brings joy to you. When we shift our mindset to ourselves and Re my iFour Core App: Having worked in Corporate America, I have seen a huge need for joint mobility with people who sit in front of a computer all day. That will definitely be implemented in phase 2 with my iFour Core app.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Happiness is knowing what truly brings you joy, and then putting the time towards yourself and doing those things so you can be the best version of yourself.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I will never turn down avocados! I literally eat an avocado every day!
And your favorite cheat food?
Honestly, I don’t believe in cheat foods. If I want to eat or drink something, I will never restrict myself from having it. If I tell myself, “No, I can’t have that” all I will do is focus on that thing I can’t have and to me, that’s an unhealthy relationship with food.
What motivates you to keep going and push harder?
I’ve had this crazy internal drive since I was a little girl to where I want to live life to it’s fullest. I love achieving goals – whether small or large so I live in this, “LET’S GO” mentality!
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
OOOOOOO I love this question! Lizzo, “About Damn Time” No joke, when this song comes on, I blast this song as loud as I can and just sing and dance! The lyrics are ON POINT!
Favorite form of cardio?
BOXING!! Give me a heavy weight or a Muay Thai bag and I will set my 2 minute timer for 30 rounds and just box and kick all day!!!
What are your best 3 tips for someone looking to reach their goal physique?
Focus on nutrition. We cannot out train a bad diet and I honestly give nutrition 80% of our physique! I am not saying, restrict yourself, but make the settle changes of eating cleaner and staying hydrated. Do not underestimate the power of nutrition and I promise, you will feel so much better.
Name one your strengths?
I don’t judge people.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Living: Jimmy Fallon
Dead: Mother Teresa
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see i4 really expanding into more of a consultant role and me traveling as a keynote speaker.
Do you support any charity?
Global(x) and Bloom
3 things you can’t leave home without?
Water, my cell phone, ear buds
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Hahaha with or without kids? My husband and I usually take our kids on a hike somewhere in the morning, then go to brunch in Atlanta, come back and chill for the evening.
What do you think of Social Media?
There are definitely pros and cons. As an entrepreneur, I think it’s a great platform to network and promote your business
Where we can follow you?
Quote: “Be curious, not judgmental” – Walt Whitman
Song: Ooooo, this one’s hard but currently, I can’t stop dancing to “It’s About Damn Time” from Lizzo
Movie: Inception
Travel Destination: Italy
Food: I will never turn down a sirloin steak!
Sports Team: Chicago Bulls
Photo credit: Courtesy of iFour.Life / Jill Charton
