Fitness Director Camari Princewill was born in Tuscaloosa before his parents moved the family to his father’s native Nigeria when he was 3. After growing up with four sisters, he returned to the States at age 20 to study jazz improvisation and vocal performance at Houston Community College. He worked in several fitness centers across the Birmingham metro area before landing at The J. He is married to Megan Princewill.
LJCC: What sparked your interest in fitness?
CM: I have an older cousin who lives in England. In the 1990s he began lifting weights in order to better defend himself in what was a volatile East London. I also experienced similar challenges while growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. One summer when he visited us, he convinced me that weight training would help me navigate my turbulent teen years. He wasn’t wrong.
What are your long-term goals for fitness programs at The J?
The last few years have seen a growing realization that exercise is not just for physical health, but also is an important factor in our constant journey to find ‘mental peace.’ My long-term goals here at The J are simply to create and maintain a fitness environment where the members know they can discover more than the physical benefits of exercise. In other words, a program that’s not only rooted in modern and effective workout programs, but one that grows in its sincere care for people. Our instructors and trainers subscribe to this approach.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in fitness and wellness?
I read almost everything I can about fitness in the latest academic sources and I watch a lot of YouTube.
What do you enjoy most about working — and working out — at The J?
What I enjoy most about working at the J is getting to know our members. They are what matter most. As for working out, I’m honestly past the stage of ‘enjoying’ workouts. In fact, sometimes I even dislike them. But I do enjoy knowing that there is no finish line in a true fitness existence, and that I have something in my life that has proven to be of immense benefit to my overall well-being. Fitness will always be there for me in some way.
What are your favorite strategies for motivating members who might be struggling to achieve their fitness goals?
Firstly, I remind people that we are our own worst critics. If we could see ourselves a bit more as others see us, we may realize that we’re doing better than we believe, which will help develop the confidence to keep progressing. Secondly, I believe in effort over perfection. Achieving any goal requires discipline. Discipline requires a conscious effort to never give up. I believe everyone is capable of never giving up — sometimes, you just need someone to remind you not to.
Can you share a memorable fitness success story from The J?
We have a member here who took control of her health and successfully achieved her weight-loss goals with the aid of her participation in The J’s Les Mills group fitness programs. She ended up studying for and taking the Les Mills certification exam and is now a popular instructor. Way to go, Ruthie!
If you could have any superpower to enhance your workouts, what would it be and why?
That’s easy. The ability to recover from any workout immediately and never get tired.
Rumor has it that you’re a bit of a musician…
How did I know you were going to ask about this?? I currently travel around the country and sing with a Birmingham cover band called Nationwide Coverage — and no, we don’t sell insurance. We mostly do weddings, private parties and vacation resort venues. As much as I love fitness, music is actually my primary identity and passion.