When we talk about staying healthy, we usually imagine young, fit people striving to become even more in shape. However, staying well is something everyone can aim for, no matter who they are. Javeno McLean, a personal trainer based in the UK, believes that everyone, including elderly and disabled individuals, can reach their fitness goals. Formerly a professional athlete in cricket, McLean now offers free exercise classes for his older and disabled clients.
He strongly believes that with good support, anyone can achieve great things, and the positive outcomes of his ongoing efforts are evident. Javeno McLean, once a successful cricketer, has turned his expertise into a career as a personal trainer.
Before becoming a fitness instructor and personal trainer, Javeno McLean used to be a pro cricketer. Even though cricket was once his top passion, he later found it lacked something important for him: a connection to people and the community. This led him to begin teaching exercise classes. In doing so, he found great satisfaction in working closely with individuals and helping them reach their fitness goals.
McLean has been quietly contributing to his community for quite some time.
After many years of working for the local council, Javeno McLean decided to set up his own health center. The aim was to help people with disabilities and the elderly. This marked the beginning of J7, a small start with just one person that quickly expanded to assist individuals with disabilities, seniors, and children.
McLean has always been motivated by a commitment to support his community. His efforts include providing free Zoom exercise classes for people with cancer, participating in a fundraising “gym-a-thon” for a women’s shelter, and leading a push-up challenge to aid a young boy with cerebral palsy.
Later on, he discovered the positive impact of social media.
For a long time, McLean didn’t share his work on social media. However, things shifted when one of his clients shared a video displaying her progress. The good feedback from that post motivated McLean to begin sharing brief videos on TikTok featuring the individuals he assisted. In an interview, he said, “That’s when I saw the good impact. By sharing it, more people see it and it connects with more people.”
“I get paid with the memories,” McLean trains people with disabilities and the elderly without any cost.
“There’s so much power to being a nice person and wanting to help people!” McLean says. That’s why he chose to provide free sessions for individuals facing disabilities and the elderly who are recovering from illnesses such as strokes. The motivational personal trainer shared, “I get paid with the memories,” expressing that witnessing people reach their milestones, like regaining the ability to walk, makes all the effort worthwhile for McLean.
He has a wholesome approach to fitness and progress and is his clients’ biggest supporter.
Javeno McLean doesn’t call his place a gym. He thinks gyms are kind of lonely and intimidating. He aims to make a friendly and helpful space where people feel comfortable.
At J7, people from all kinds of backgrounds join in. That includes people in wheelchairs trying to get more mobile, older folks trying to stay fit, and even pro athletes working out side by side. McLean wants everyone to feel welcome and motivated to reach their fitness targets.
He’s made lots of friends through this and keeps on inspiring millions.
Several years ago, Javeno McLean witnessed a person with disabilities being treated disrespectfully by another fitness trainer. McLean stepped in, offering to complete the session together. This experience helped McLean discover his real passion.
Throughout his years as a trainer, he has formed numerous other valuable connections. “I want to be friends with the people I work with. If I don’t know the ins and outs of their lives and story, and they don’t know the ins and outs of mine — we can’t build that relationship.”