Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern and Gainesville High School senior Caroline Brown
Meet James Clay! James is a fitness coach at Elevation Fitness in Gainesville. He teaches boxing, strength conditioning, bodybuilding, and more!
We want to thank James for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
“I was born in Nigeria, raised in California and I moved to Georgia in 2004. I went to two high schools…and from there, I went to Tusculum now called Tuskegee University, which I played collegiate basketball as well as ran collegiate cross country.
“Fast forward, I moved to Athens and had an internship at a place called Sparc Athens, which is a full body training facility. I mostly trained athletes and I interned there for about six months.”
Question: What inspired you to led you to your current career?
Answer: “What got me into training was my love for training first…for the love of helping people. I never want to sound cliche, but helping people is something that I really enjoy. I also love training for the simple fact of just maintaining overall health.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County?
A: “As far as on the square, it’s Avocados, their omelet is amazing. But as far as my favorite food in general, I’m the biggest breakfast foodie and every time I travel with my girlfriend any where, we always find the best hole in the wall spots. I never go to chain restaurants much.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I moved to Gainesville to start my business in 2017.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “I think a couple of people. This guy named Greg Adams, he’s a financial advisor. He helped me understand, not just about finances, but about having your own personality and being your own person. Another one is Lloyd Herford. He is actually my current coach and he helped me start my business. He was the first person that gave me the opportunity to start my business. I’m forever grateful for that.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I definitely want to say Japan.”
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
A: “From a fitness perspective, I would definitely say to stay consistent on your goal. Always find something you can stay consistent with and don’t stop pursuing your goal.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “My first bucket list item is to get married to Natalie. She is the love of my life. And my second is skydiving.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Having a healthy family with Natalie and hopefully have kids with me, that’s the number one goal right now.”
Q: What is your favorite music or three bands that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “I’m an old soul so I’m a big fan of 90s, R&B, 90s hi- hop, and classic rock. I’m also a big fan of bands, I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nickelback. But if I go hip hop, which is more of my passion, I love OutKast, and Goodie Mob. Also, artists like Anita Baker and Whitney Houston.”
Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “I’ve got a couple, Allie Redding who was actually my old client. She has a eyelash company and the cool thing about her is that she owns her own business and she just turned 25. Another is Shelby Bright, she is the co-owner of The Fresh Bloom. Another person who has her own company, which is my current client right now, is Leslie White.”
Q: If you could choose anyone with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “I would love to have lunch with my dad again. There’s so many things that are happening in my life and I wish I could tell him and share it with him. I just wish if I could have one more, I don’t drink, but if I got one more time just to drink with him and just to tell him how life is and he’d give me advice.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Hall County?
A: “I like how rural Hall County is and that there are a lot of things to do. It has a good feeling of a younger crowd as well as older crowd. I love the fact that we’re right next to Lake Lanier and there’s a lot of things to do in the summer.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I actually make music. I’ve been making music since college in 2010; beats specifically. Honestly, people consider me very serious as far as when I’m in the gym with my clients, like I am in a work mode, but I’m probably the silliest and the funniest person you ever met.”
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Family, Passion and Authenticity.”
