This is my first blog post, or brain dump as I like to call it. I don’t have much of an outlet personally, and whilst running yesterday, I thought that creating this space would be a good opportunity to get things off my chest and talk from the heart. I get all of people’s problems, work stress, and complexity coming my way, so maybe this just might be a good way for me to switch off and release the thoughts in my head. I hope you enjoy.
The Daily J is 29 months old. That is 29 programs/challenges that we have built so far since we pulled the trigger on this project on that strange evening in the last week of November 2022 and launched our first program literally 48 hours later.
We never wanted to be another fitness platform. There are too many of these already. Some have done okay and some have failed miserably. We wanted to have meaningful impact in people’s lives and really make a deep contribution to families around the world. We had a voice, and we felt the responsibility of using it correctly. On the other hand, we also saw the opportunity to create a really great business.
We play in the space of behaviour change, or changing people’s behaviours through the pillars of exercise, nutritional education, community, and strong leadership. We retain our members (at a retention rate of over 88%) by using these pillars and making them a constant rhythm in people’s lives. Just like children thrive when they have a good routine and accountability, so do we as grown-ups. We don’t change; the dynamic and complexity of our lives and our age just change. I am so proud of that retention rate—it’s industry-leading and a true reflection of the hard work we have put in.
Has it been easy? No way, this has been incredibly hard. We were thrown a massive curveball, and I like to think, as a family and team, we have responded so well. Juls has been my rock. She has backed me to the moon and back, and I love her to death. I will never forget the way she was spoken to and treated by others in the last platform, and it fuels me daily. I love seeing her thrive personally, I love seeing her be the best mom, but what I am most proud of is how people look up to her. She is an amazing human, and I am so lucky to wake up next to her daily.
We have grown a small team that is thriving. Lizzy was the first person I wanted to get on board. She has blossomed and has been a key figure in this buildout. I am very proud of her and excited for what she can achieve in life. We will run through a brick wall for her, and I know she will do the same for us. Tarryn is thriving in her personal sporting capacity and growing a strong presence in the Daily J. Tarryn has a wonderful energy, and we are going to unlock that even more as we grow. Our production team of Dee and Julian have backed us from Day 1, been so patient, and believe in what we do. They are like family to us now, and we can’t wait to have them close by in JHB. Our team will be growing over the next few months with some key people to help us from an Ops, Tech build, and content point of view.
We have built the bones and foundation of something special, and I can’t wait to share more with you. The community is the backbone of what we are doing, and I have never experienced empathy and support like this. Strangers that reach out and help each other through thick and thin. Seeing people embrace when they finally meet in person has been so special to witness. The incredible milestones and achievements that people share by using the platform give me so much hope. But with the good comes the challenges. People have had tough personal journeys too—such as family deaths, divorce, health issues such as cancer, losing jobs, etc.—BUT we have found a way to support them through and never let someone just be a number. No one gets left behind.
In closing, people often ask me, “How do you do this and find the energy?” I can’t answer that yet—but somehow, I feel I was put here to help people and create a safe space for people to thrive. I believe so much in what we’re doing. It feels good to give, and I want people to have that same feeling. I can’t wait to share more detail on other stories, share more detail on what has happened on our journey to getting here, and share stories that need to be heard.
Huge love and high 5s,
Johno
Love love love this J! Keep writing. Daily J is the business. Xx
Wow absolutely touching Johno. Raw and real. Love it ❤️❤️
Thank you Johno for your passion, commitment and energy in leading this awesome platform. As you always say – move for those you love – I am a granny of 3 and i love being able to ‘move’ when being around them.
Beautiful words and sentiment. You are an amazing human who is supported by other amazing humans. You change lives daily and are appreciated more than you will know. Thankyou.
Authenticity wins – Every time !
Beautiful displace of being human and what its all about .
Beautifully written—straight from the heart and so truly you, Johno.
Always present, always positive, with boundless energy that lifts us all.
Thank you for everything you pour into this platform—for the vision, the consistency, and the gift of connection. You’ve created something far greater than a program; you’ve built a space where strangers become friends, and friendships become family.
Thank you for seeing each and every one of us. It means more than words can say.
How beautifully put Adele 💙
What a wonderful first blog and thank you Johno and Juls (and team!) for all that you do. You have created an absolutely FABULOUS community of kind, caring and committed individuals and you both look after us like a mother hen looking after her brood. I truly feel loved and accepted here, and signed up for 18 months after seeing the results that you got with friends. Keep going and keep these stories coming – they are inspirational. You keep us committed and accountable and I absolutely LOVE this community! x
Not only a great face on camera, but you can write your true emotions down and still keep us captivated.
So love the rawness and you just being YOU.
Thank you for this amazing, incredible platform that you have built for us that has become one super sized family of
compassion,
commitment and are all passionate for a healthier lifestyle.
Johno this is incredible and I am so so excited to be back and it feels like I hadn’t left. You and your team are just phenomenal and the community is just insane.
So true when you say we need routine just like our kids and I believe that 💯
Running my own business for a year and a half now I need the discipline to know i have a Workout selfie to be accountable to.
Keeping writing I love it.
You are a beautiful soul, a truly amazing human! I remember the first time I met you – I felt so special, so important and that my exercise journey meant something to you! The second time was even more heartfelt. You have encouraged me and supported me for almost 2 years! I enjoy our honest and open chats. I know with you I am not just a number! Keep going, keep building! You have a gift Captain!
So pleased you’re doing something for you!!!
This is amazing! We appreciate you, we love you and your family and team; we love that you live and care for all of us.
You guys are all just simply exceptional. I can’t imagine my life without you all n it and the community you’ve created.
Simply the best
❤️❤️❤️
Beautifully written . The Daily J is an incredible platform and the people connection is amazing . The community is so kind to another. You and the team have created something special ❤️
Great start Johno! Keep them coming and we can publish them together in one publication!
Love your blog Johno Straight from the heart
You guys are gold! You deserve every success in life! Thank you for being excited to help us all!
This really resonates with me – I was chatting to a friend last week about ‘playing big’ and why we are fearful to do this. You have fueled me to play big – send the message I have been scared to send all week – do the work I have been intimidated to get stuck into – to be a boltcutter…. high 5’s all round x