About Me

Jen Pernsley Owner, Trainer

Hi! I'm Jen, an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor with 20 years experience leading, training , and teaching others to embrace their fitness journey. 

I am a regular Spartan racer, an avid nature lover who spends many mornings hiking challenging forest trails near my home, a proud mother of two great kids and a grandmother. I am also lucky enough to be married to my best friend. 

Additionally, I am a Senior Health Fitness Specialist, a Certified Heart Rate Training Specialist, and am CPR/First Aid certified. I also have experience with various fitness populations and understand the many challenges often encountered when embarking on a personal fitness journey.

My journey started with a single goal. Feel better. I knew I didn’t want to continue to struggle with my weight, my self esteem, or my health. In two years I lost 100 pounds. While that was an incredible goal to reach, I soon realized it was just the beginning. Since I shed that shell fifteen years ago, I have built a life centered in fitness. 

I've created a career and lifestyle that keeps me balanced, energized, and healthy...and found that reaching my achievements was easier when I could share the experience with others. This is why I started Tortuga Fitness-to help others along their journey.

Weight loss culture and the pursuit of perfection can sometimes be toxic and negative. At Tortuga Fitness, I want to help my clients feel good in a positive environment. Nothing makes me happier than to see a client working towards their goals. That is the definition of success in my eyes, not numbers on a scale or inches on a tape measure. I believe in practical, functional fitness that helps make life easier and more enjoyable. This is your journey, I am merely the one with the maps.