- Tell us a little about yourself?
Hello! My name is Joanne Encarnacion, but most people call me Jo for short! I’m the founder of GOFITJO, a lifestyle and fitness blog. I’m also a health and nutrition coach focused on empowering people to live creatively and freely throughout their lives. I work with my clients to cocreate a strategy and plan that helps them nourish their bodies, minds, and souls.
- When did you start blogging, and what made you want to start a blog?
I started my blog in 2015 after a number of my Instagram followers commented that they wished I had an online space so they could easily find my content; that’s when I launched GOFITJO.COM. I created my blog with the hashtag #gofitjo. I used it as a space where I could hold myself accountable for journaling and documenting my personal journey through fitness on Instagram. Slowly, I grew a community of women and men who liked the holistic focus of my journey. I used fitness as a tool to cope with and overcome depression, and I shared my journey so that I wouldn’t feel so alone. I know that sounds a bit selfish, but ultimately we share our stories because we want to be heard. I never expected to inspire so many others along the way. And that has been such a beautiful gift and a privilege of being in this creative space.
- So many bloggers have set goals to blog full time, How do you feel about this, and what are your big-picture blogging goals?
I think my journey going full time was a bit nontraditional, which when I think about my life is how everything has been for me. Unfortunately, I was laid off from my full-time role at a tech company last fall, but it was the BEST thing that could have happened to me. For over a year I considered entering the health and wellness industry, but somehow the universe knew that I needed to get pushed to take that leap.
Blogging full time has allowed me to go back to school while using my creativity and content creation skills to share my world and my passion for health and wellness, and helping people get their lives together. One of the things I underestimated about blogging is how much work it is to consistently create new content. Thankfully, since I blog about lifestyle, fitness, health, and well-being, it’s all encompassing for my personal brand. But blogging will always be one channel where I can fulfill my purpose and intention. Ultimately, I want to develop strong relationships with the people I coach so that they can be empowered to live the lives they have always wanted to live.
- How did the name GOFITJO come about?
If I’m being 100 percent honest, it just popped up. “Go” for me just means “No excuses, just go for it. Fight the fears.” “Fit” stands for fitness, and “Jo” is short for Joanne.
- How do you stay true to yourself while continuing to evolve and remain relevant within the blogger community?
I’ve had to answer this question multiple times lately and, honestly, I’m just myself. I love my audience and community, but the biggest audience I need to stay relevant for are my daughters and my husband. They are the ones who call me out when I’m not being myself or being “weird,” and they’ll do it often. Too much of the world sees just one side of the story, and so many of us thrive off of showcasing a manicured version of our lives, but the world wasn’t created to be perfect. Whenever I start to feel like I’m steering away from my truth, I start to feel very artificial and not like myself. It’s almost a sign that my soul and body are telling me to not go in that direction. Since I’m in the business of befriending my body and self, I try my best to listen. In terms of staying relevant within the blogger community, people can smell inauthenticity from a mile away. They always say you should remain true to yourself so I try my hardest to do that, and I hope that’s enough to remain relevant in the blogger community.
- How has your style and blog evolved since you began your blog journey?
I don’t know if much has changed, to be honest. I think as far as content goes, I know what I want to share and what I want refined. Since I’m always evolving as a person, my blog and what I share will constantly change and I’m OK with that. The one thing that won’t change is how authentically I share my world. I will always feel the deepest desire to share all sides of my story, including the struggles, the accomplishments, and the joy. I think my photography and content have become stronger, and that’s mostly because I have joined my fitness and photography worlds in my blog. My husband and I are wedding photographers. I’ve played many roles in my life from being a hairstylist to working in the tech world to now being a health coach. I’m the kind of person who likes to keep things separate from one another. Over time, I’ve realized that in order to share my story, I need to find a way to share all parts of my world, so I have started to utilize my photography skills for my blog and Instagram, something I was hesitant to do when I first started.
- Do you have any fitness or lifestyle bloggers you admire and follow?
I do! There are so many, but the ones that come to the top of my mind are Jeanne of Grey Layers, Remi of Rrayyme and Lauren of This Renegade Love.
- Any advice for bloggers who aren’t so comfortable networking or pitching themselves for a project?
The biggest fear we have is rejection or not being heard, which I can completely relate to. But if you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll never know what opportunities are there for you. My biggest advice is be yourself, be honest; brands and people want you for who you are. They don’t want pretty bullshit wrapped up in fancy, recyclable paper. They want YOU in your most authentic and truest form. Be yourself. Most importantly, if you’re scared or uncomfortable, just be honest. On the other side of that email, introduction, or pitch is another person; chances are they are scared and uncomfortable, too.
- Do you have any tips for bloggers starting out or those looking to focus on a vertical like fitness/food and lifestyle?
My biggest tip is to create a community of “co-workers” or blogger friends who have the same mission as you do. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a community of friends to reach out to when you’re in need of a quick proofread, pitch review, or support on a social push. We’re all going through the same struggle, so just reach out and humanize the struggle. If you’re focusing on a certain vertical, find people in that vertical and reach out. Send them an email and connect! Connection and collaboration are the keys to progress in this career, so make time for them.
- What’s the one thing you do during the beginning of the year as a blogger to better promote your blog/brand?
I don’t know if there’s a specific thing I do to actually promote my blog or brand in the beginning of the year, but I definitely take time to revisit my plans for the year and ask myself what I want to do for the year and I go about getting there. For example if travel is something I want to incorporate more into my brand I look at what travel opportunities I have lined up and if I can create content out of that while trying to enjoy personal time.
- As a fitness blogger you get to wear some great brands. Which are your favorites?
Nike is definitely one. But I also have mad love for Alala as far as clothing goes. For other brands such as wellness or food I’m currently madly in love with Nana Joes Granola, Vital Proteins, Bonafide Provision bone broth, and Eating Evolved chocolate!
- What is the one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you?
Ooh, that’s a hard one since I’m pretty open about my life. I think the one thing they would be surprised to learn about me is that motherhood scares the shit out of me!
- Insta-stories or Snapchat? Your social media handles?
I’m in love with IG stories because I don’t have to leave an app. All things social: GOFITJO.
- What do you love about ShopStyle Collective?
That it’s so easy to use! I love being able to build out collections of the things I love for my followers!
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