Personal Trainer, Lifestyle Coach, Yoga Master Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor
Hello! I’m Taj Harris, a naturally active, sexy tomboy, foodie and fitness professional who fell in love with empowering others to find their balance with fitness and life over 20 years ago.
I didn’t seek out this career, this career found me. I got my first job in the fitness world at 17, working as a part time receptionist at a women’s only gym in northern New Jersey. I had no idea that I’d eventually become a group fitness instructor, personal trainer and master yoga trainer. Over the years I have also had the opportunity to present internationally, author several fitness manuals, be featured in online workouts and create fitness classes for national gym franchises.
This did not all happen in one smooth transition. I graduated with a BS in Business Administration and embarked on a career in the Energy Trading and Marketing world. I had found my big girl job. I pursued this new career full steam ahead. Until… well, Enron. I was laid off.
I decided to go back to teaching/training “temporarily” while I attended to my ailing dad and looked for a new job. Well….18 years later and counting what was supposed to be temporary has become my life’s passion.
Along the way I have had the opportunity to work for companies such as: Johnson & Johnson Headquarters, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gold’s Gym, World Gym, LA Fitness, Crunch and a few other private locations.
I’ve been featured on CW 11, FOX, CBS, ABC – Nightline, Good Morning America and Live with Kelly & Ryan. I’ve contributed or been featured in Jane Magazine, Oprah.com, Women’s Health Magazine, SELF Magazine, Reuters, Men’s Health Magazine and the New York Times.
I’m also an avid runner, who’s participated in over a dozen half marathons across the US and I’m a 3X participant in the NYC Marathon. I also enjoy cycling. Future goals include biking from NYC – Montauk and San Francisco – LA.
Fitness is more than a full time job, it’s my life, my passion and my gift to others. I strive to share my love of fitness, food and having fun in life, through my classes, training and writing. No one could have told 17 year old me this is where I would be today. I would not trade it in for the world because I absolutely love what I do!
Certifications include:
AFAA, ACE, NASM, E-RYT 200 Yoga, Schwinn, Kaiser, Spinning, BodyArt, Pound, TRX, X-Pole, Zumba and several speciality certifications.