Today we’d like to introduce you to Holli Jacobs.
Hi Holli , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m Holli, the founder of Fit by Faith! I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, and moved to Kentucky about 14 years ago. I’m married with two children, a six-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl.
About a year and a half ago, God gave me a vision to bring fitness and faith together. I grew up dancing and have always loved fitness, dancing and Jesus… and Fit by Faith became a beautiful way to bring those passions together.
I started teaching women in my neighborhood, beginning with a 15-minute devotion followed by a 40-minute follow-along dance cardio workout. From there, I brought Fit by Faith into different studios and began teaching at Burn Boot Camp one Sunday each month.
Then I felt the Lord calling our family back to Florida. After moving home, I started free community walking groups where women could connect, spend time in devotion, and move together. We now have groups in Oviedo, Lake Nona, Winter Garden, Sanford, and Lake Mary… and it’s been beautiful watching friendships grow!
Along with our walks, I lead dance cardio pop-ups and six-week sessions. In Kentucky, we have a local leader who leads our hybrid sessions… an in-person gathering where she shares the devotion and then the women follow along together with one of my workout videos.
At the heart of Fit by Faith is bringing women together to grow closer to Jesus, care for our bodies, and encourage one another.
We’re growing in Kentucky and Florida, and we’re looking to continue expanding into other states! I’m so grateful for every woman God has brought into this community and excited to see where He leads us next.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Building Fit by Faith has taken prayer, early mornings, hard work, and a lot of perseverance. There have been moments when I’ve felt discouraged, doubted myself, and wanted to give up. One of my biggest challenges has been continuing to show up when I couldn’t yet see the results of what I was building.
I grew up as the shy one of three sisters, and I had never led a women’s group before. When I felt God calling me to start Fit by Faith, I felt unqualified. I loved dancing, fitness, and Jesus, but leading women meant stepping far outside my comfort zone. My confidence grew slowly as I kept showing up and trusting God with each next step.
There were times when only one woman showed up. When you’ve poured your heart into preparing, that can be hard. But one of those women became a Fit by Faith leader who now leads 40 women. That experience changed how I viewed those small beginnings. What felt discouraging at the time became the beginning of something I couldn’t have imagined.
Another challenge was following what I felt was God’s call to move our family back to Florida. We had built a community in Kentucky and were living in the home we thought we would retire in. I didn’t want to leave at first. I also struggled with what moving would mean for the women and community I had poured so much into.
What’s been so encouraging is that Fit by Faith in Kentucky has actually grown bigger since I left. A local leader shares the devotion, and the women follow along together with my workout videos. Seeing that community continue to grow has helped me trust God and fully rely on Him to grow Fit by Faith.
Now, I can’t imagine not being in Florida. I’ve met so many amazing women here while watching the Kentucky community continue to flourish. There have been tears, uncertainty, and a lot of learning along the way, but those experiences have shaped both me and Fit by Faith. I’m learning to be faithful with what’s in front of me, even when it looks small or unfolds differently than I expected. And through it all, I give the glory to Jesus.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Fit By Faith ?
Fit by Faith is a women’s movement that brings faith, fitness, and community together. At the heart of everything we do is helping women grow closer to Jesus, care for their bodies, and build meaningful friendships. We’re known for community… women coming together to encourage one another, pray with one another, and move their bodies together.
When you come to a Fit by Faith gathering, you can expect a devotion followed by some form of fitness. We offer free community walking groups, cardio pop-ups, and six-week sessions. Our cardio and toning sessions begin with a 15-minute devotion followed by a 40-minute follow-along workout set to uplifting, faith-filled music. All fitness levels are welcome, and you don’t need a dance background to join.
We also offer hybrid sessions, which allow us to bring Fit by Faith into more communities. A local leader welcomes the women and shares the devotion, and then everyone follows along together with one of my workout videos. This keeps the experience personal and connected while allowing the movement to grow beyond where I can physically be.
What makes Fit by Faith special is that we’re building communities within communities. When a woman finds a local Fit by Faith group, she’s meeting women who live nearby… women she can walk with, work out with, ask for prayer, and build friendships with beyond our gatherings. My heart is for every woman who comes to feel seen, welcomed, and valued.
Life can be hard, and it’s easy to become isolated, especially when you’re in a new place or walking through a difficult season. Taking that first step into a group of women you don’t know can feel intimidating. We want to make that step easier by creating a welcoming space where you can come as you are. You don’t have to know anyone, be at a certain fitness level, or have everything figured out.
What I’m most proud of is seeing women step into leadership and watching these communities continue to grow. Fit by Faith in Kentucky has grown even since I moved back to Florida, and seeing women carry that encouragement and connection into their own communities has been such a blessing. We’re currently growing in Kentucky and Florida, with a desire to expand into other states as God opens those doors.
More than anything, I want readers to know there is a place for them here. My hope is that women leave our gatherings feeling encouraged in their faith, stronger in their bodies, and connected to people who care about them. That’s the heart of Fit by Faith, and I give all the glory to Jesus.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
It’s hard to choose just one, but some of my favorite childhood memories are of the holidays growing up in Florida. I remember Christmases when it was about 85 degrees outside, getting a new bike, and spending Christmas Day riding around. After living in Kentucky, I appreciate those warm Christmas memories even more!
Another favorite was our New Year’s tradition of visiting the Disney resorts, riding the monorail from resort to resort, and having dinner together. Those are some of the moments that stand out most when I think about growing up in Orlando.
Pricing:
- Community Walking Groups Free
- Dance Cardio Pop-Ups Varies by event
- Six-week faith and fitness sessions: Pricing varies by location
- Online on demand videos visit website www.fitbyfaithfitness.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fitbyfaithfitness.com
- Instagram: fitbyfaith.fitness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1586944896107132/
