About
Hi, I’m Jillian, but you can call me Jill or Jillygrace! I help people build balance in their fitness, nutrition, mindset, and everyday life.
Because health shouldn’t be complicated — it should support your life, not control it.
My Story
Athlete Life
Started high school and volleyball conditioning was intense: 1-2 miles, sprints, weight training, and 2-hour practices 4 days a week. During the off season, I played tennis and club volleyball. I was always sore and sometimes injured, but I loved sports so I was happy. I ate tons of food but I stayed very lean because I was young and active.
Lockdown
COVID ended my senior year, and suddenly, all structure disappeared. I was stuck at home, my sleep schedule flipped, and I worked out at 1 a.m. just to move my body. It was the first time I realized how much routine affected my mental health.
College
Started university and ended my sports career, which meant a completely different routine. I still worked out, mostly weightlifting, but not nearly as much as I did before. Dining hall food and late nights caught up with me, and for the first time, I didn’t recognize my body. I felt lost and didn’t know how to rebuild a healthy relationship with food and fitness.
Greek Life
Lived in a sorority house with where meals were cooked for us, but I struggled with portion control. I often ate even when I wasn’t hungry just to avoid leftovers later. My sensitive stomach made things worse since almost everything seemed to upset it. The campus gym was a long walk away, and I used that as an excuse to skip workouts. I was just going through the motions without really feeling connected to my health.
Rebuilding
Decided to take control of my body and mind again. I started working out in our tiny sorority gym to remove the “it’s too far” excuse. I’d bring my laptop to the treadmill and study while walking and I realized my brain worked better when I was moving. I added low-impact workouts like pilates along with lighter weight training to avoid pain from old sports injuries. I focused on balanced eating and listening to my hunger cues and my body started changing.
Study Abroad
Studied abroad in Barcelona, where my habits were tested again. I joined a nearby gym because I genuinely loved working out and wanted to keep that outlet, even while abroad. I enjoyed every meal and experience (especially Aperol spritz and gelato), but I also walked everywhere — to classes during the week and through new cities on the weekends. Even with fewer gym sessions, I stayed lean and strong because I moved constantly and, for the first time in years, felt truly happy and confident in my body.
Senior Year
Juggled 18 credit hours, working 20 hours a week, managing Building Balance, working out and meal prepping, maintaining a social life, and visiting my boyfriend every few weekends. I was doing it all, but it came at a cost. The stress, anxiety, and burnout hit hard. I was drinking more, scrolling endlessly, and running on empty. Doing Dry January helped me reset, and I got back to a more balanced routine but I was always striving for me. Physically, I looked healthy, but mentally, I was struggling with anxiety, insomnia, migraines, and gut pain. Then came painful cystic acne that crushed my confidence. I kept pushing to “do more,” but my body was begging me to slow down and rest.
Healing
Dove deep into gut health, hormones, and mental health and realized how connected they are. By combining what I knew about fitness and nutrition with new healing habits, I was able to:
• Clear my acne
• Heal my gut
• Ease my anxiety
• Rebuild trust with my body
I finally felt strong, confident, and balanced — not from restriction, but from understanding myself.
Building Balance
I created Building Balance to help others skip the years of confusion and frustration I went through. My goal is to help you find what actually works — without guilt, burnout, or extremes. Let’s build a life that feels good from the inside out.
My Coaching Philosophy
My coaching isn’t about chasing perfection — it’s about creating a lifestyle that feels good and lasts. I call it The Jillygrace Method, and it’s built on three pillars:
💪 Movement — finding workouts you actually enjoy
🥗 Nourishment — learning what fuels your body best
🧠 Mindset — understanding your habits and thought patterns
Together, we’ll build structure where you need it and flexibility where you want it — so you can finally feel confident in your body, routine, and mindset.
Why I Do What I Do
Over the years, I’ve learned that health isn’t just about what you eat or how much you move — it’s about how you feel in your body and mind.
I’ve been the girl who tracked every calorie, followed every new workout trend, and still felt stuck. I’ve also been the girl who gave up completely because I didn’t know where to start.
That’s why I started Building Balance — to help others find freedom in fitness and confidence in their routine without burning out or starting over every few months.
My approach combines physical health, mental wellbeing, and real-life sustainability — because your best self shouldn’t come at the cost of your peace of mind.
