Healthy To A Hundred: Steve Carver of JumpSport On 5 Things You Need To Live A Long, Healthy, & Happy Life
An Interview With Savio P. Clemente
Life has hit me many times like a sledgehammer and there were moments when I could have easily laid down and played the victim. But I think the key to overcoming all of that is to have what I call a “king’s mentality,” or “queen’s” if you prefer. A very wise person told me about this mindset, which is that there are two kinds of people in this world: kings and victims. A victim always views life as something that happens to them. They have no control over it. But a king or queen views every challenge as a lesson.
The term Blue Zones has been used to describe places where people live long and healthy lives. What exactly does it take to live a long and healthy life? What is the science and the secret behind longevity and life extension? In this series, we are talking to medical experts, wellness experts, and longevity experts to share “5 Things You Need To Live A Long, Healthy, & Happy Life”. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Steve Carver.
Steve Carver is a seasoned professional in the fitness industry, boasting over 30 years of experience. His journey began as a personal trainer, where he honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of fitness and wellness. His dedication to helping others achieve their fitness goals has earned him the title of a JumpSport Master Trainer.
In addition to his role as a Master Trainer, Steve has taken on the mantle of Business and Product Development Director at JumpSport. In this capacity, he leverages his extensive knowledge of fitness and training to guide the development of innovative products that cater to the evolving needs of fitness enthusiasts.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
I’ve been in the fitness industry for 30-plus years and it all started from a surprising beginning. Even though I didn’t plan to enter the fitness world, I’ve had a love for physical activity from a young age, whether through organized sports or just playing outdoors with friends. I’m still to this day very active in that regard. Fast forward to a time when my previous career hit a rough patch, and I found myself at the gym every day because it was the easiest way to entertain myself. One morning, the gym owner, half asleep with a giant coffee cup in his hand, offered me a job at the front desk. That’s how my fitness journey started.
From there, my journey took off quickly: front desk to floor trainer, then personal trainer, eventually working with celebrities and appearing on a reality TV show focused on transforming unfit individuals into fit ones. It was during this show that I worked with various brands to promote fitness, but JumpSport’s trampoline stood out to me due to its fun and low-impact nature. My background in extreme sports, including competitive trampolining and stunt work, also made it a natural fit. So, that’s kind of the short version of how I got here.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or takeaways you learned from that?
What’s fascinating about my journey is how unexpected skills and life lessons can become crucial for success. In my 20s, I pursued acting, modeling, and various other endeavors, never imagining I’d land in fitness. I saw fitness as a hobby, something for fun, or as an escape. Yet, the skills I gained from these diverse experiences — like being in front of the camera and collaborating with others — have been invaluable in my fitness career. These abilities, acquired without foreseeing their importance, now empower me to speak confidently, collaborate effectively, and support others on their fitness paths. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how each piece has contributed to where I am today.
Now, as far as stories go, I was once a trainer for the former lead guitarist of Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora. This role allowed me to travel and meet many interesting people, and one time I got interviewed and was asked, “What’s the best kind of workout?” After some thought, I realized the best workout is the one you enjoy doing. Whether it’s jumping on a trampoline, skipping rope, or climbing mountains, discovering what you love is essential to staying fit and healthy. For me, JumpSport trampoline workouts feel like play rather than exercise, and that’s how anyone’s chosen form of exercise should feel.
None of us is able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
It’s true that nobody achieves success alone. We all need support along the way. While I can’t pinpoint one specific person, I know that throughout my journey there have been many people who were there to help me when I was open to assistance. The key realization for me was understanding that it’s not really about who helps you, but rather being open to receiving support. Initially, I struggled with this concept, thinking I needed to go it alone. The reality is every successful person I’ve ever encountered, talked to, or worked with, has told me how support from others was crucial to their journey. Also, success is personal, and you define what it means to you. Ultimately, no one reaches their goals alone; we all rely on the help of others.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I think the first and foremost trait is that you need to be a good listener. This is key to everything. Early on in my career, I was very plan-orientated and believed my job was to get everyone on board with my plans and tell them what to do. However, I learned over time that what I was practicing wasn’t leadership, it was management. If you want to be a good leader, you need to learn to listen and understand people’s ability to absorb information. If you don’t pay attention to each individual’s process, and what works for them, it will be very hard for you to lead them down a path because you won’t understand how to lead them. So listening is the key. In my opinion, it’s the number one thing you need to do as far as being successful or a good leader goes.
The second trait is patience. You need to learn to be patient, not only with people but also with your goals and vision. There is a process to these things, and you can’t force that. Whatever is meant to be, will unfold in its own time. A personal story that illustrates this is when I started with JumpSport 15 years ago, I had big ideas to help the company grow. However, I faced many obstacles along the way. A successful friend and mentor advised me to take a step back and realize I was being too hard on myself. He pointed out that accomplishing even just two major projects in a year is considered impressive in most companies. Understanding this helped me adjust my definition of success in the corporate world, which I was very new to at the time.
Lastly, you need to have grit, a steadfast belief in what you’re doing, so that you never give up on your process, even when faced with obstacles. Think of yourself as a river rather than a hammer. A river never stops flowing, it always finds a way around or over obstacles in its path. You need to be like that; always finding a way to get through even when the challenges seem insurmountable or overwhelming. That’s how I think of grit.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s shift to the main focus of our interview about health and longevity. To begin, can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority in the fields of health, wellness, and longevity? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?
Well, from the feedback I’ve gotten, I would say my main contribution to overall wellness is my strong motivation skills. I’d like to think that when people hit a wall, I help them understand the process to be able to move past that obstacle rather than dwelling on it. I step in as their cheerleader, encourager, and nurturer, helping them bounce back, dust themselves off, and get back in the game. And in that process, I think my greatest strength is my ability to encourage people to believe in themselves and maintain a positive perspective, even amidst the most challenging circumstances.
Because of this, I’ve had many people come back to me and say, “It was thanks to you that I was able to work through this problem.” I see myself as a guide and teacher, sharing lessons from my own journey to help others view obstacles not as a problem, but as a lesson. If you don’t go through those lessons, you may not reach your true potential. So, in a nutshell, I’d say my greatest contribution to the fitness industry is my ability to really care about my fellow human beings. I believe fitness is a very important component of life, and it makes me immensely proud to help people achieve a level of fitness that lets them experience life to its fullest.
Seekers throughout history have traveled great distances and embarked on mythical quests in search of the “elixir of life,” a mythical potion said to cure all diseases and give eternal youth. Has your search for health, vitality, and longevity taken you on any interesting paths or journeys? We’d love to hear the story.
I can tell you this, my search for health, longevity, and all that is still ongoing. In my younger days, I embarked on various adventures, such as exploring jungles and meeting shamans in Mexico, all in search of guidance for life’s questions. Looking back, I’d advise my younger self to instead prioritize sleep, hydration, and self-care. I’ve come to understand that we live in an amazing organism that houses our energy and that if you take care of that, you will live a very fulfilling life, no matter what that means for you. Too many of us take our time, health, and self-care for granted, or we think focusing on those things is selfish. The reality is that utilizing your time to do things like physical activity is really important for your overall wellness.
Another thing I’ve tried is almost every one of these longevity diets, like the Keto or the Mediterranean. I spent a lot of time learning about optimal nutrition and what I came to realize is that your nutritional needs are like your fingerprints. It’s a very individual thing. You need to understand how food affects you and find the best mix of macronutrients so that you can continue to be physically active. That’s been a super important component of this whole journey for me. And lastly, I believe you can find more peace in your life and fitness journey if you are mentally calm. How each person does that is a very individual thing. Some find solace in meditation, while others prefer activities like jogging, swimming, or even hang-gliding. The key is to find that thing that brings you emotional peace in your daily life. Whatever it might be.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Things You Need to Live a Long & Healthy Life”? (Please share a story or an example for each)
I believe the three main components of living a long and healthy life are physical activity, nutritional wellness, and mental wellness. These three aspects work together to ensure your body functions efficiently. Another one I would add is you need to find some sort of emotional release. To illustrate what I mean, I’ve struggled through two divorces in my life, and one of them was exceptionally awful for a lot of reasons I won’t go into here. Because of this, I had a lot of anger that I was internalizing in an unhealthy way.
A friend of mine suggested an unusual way to deal with this anger: hiking to a secluded spot and screaming out my frustrations. Initially, I thought this idea was silly. But after some prodding, I decided to give it a try. I went to the top of a mountain where there was no one around and I just screamed bloody murder. It was a strange experience, but I definitely felt a lot better afterward. Then, as I was coming back down the trail, I ran into someone who thought I had been in trouble and almost called the police. I couldn’t help but laugh because now I had to explain to this guy why I was screaming like that. It was a funny moment, but it taught me the importance of finding healthy ways to release pent-up emotions. I also make sure now to go a lot deeper down the trail before letting those emotions out.
Another important component is having a clear plan that includes both short-term and long-term goals that are achievable and enjoyable for you. Remember, this journey should be for your own well-being, not to meet others’ expectations or societal standards. So, make it a personal journey by finding what works for you. I truly believe that if you approach your fitness journey with this mindset, you’ll find that it greatly enhances your overall existence and brings immense fulfillment to your life.
Can you suggest a few things needed to live a life filled with happiness, joy, and meaning?
I think that how a person finds joy and happiness in their life is a very personal thing, but what works for me is a sense of gratitude. Every morning when I wake up, I make a list of all the little things I’m grateful for, like drawing breath or feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. This practice sets a positive tone for my day and helps me live in the moment. That leads to another thing that’s important for your inner happiness and that is your attitude. Your attitude is how you approach life and it’s so important to always try and approach it with a positive mindset, focusing on the things you can control rather than the things you can’t.
Now, that’s not to say you should aim to have a perfect day every day. There will be days when you feel down and don’t want to get out of bed, and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to have those days. The important thing is to still try to maintain a positive outlook and not let your negative feelings affect those around you. Ultimately, what matters is whether you accomplished what you set out to do that day. Even if you didn’t, it’s important to be okay with that and accept that not every day will be amazing. Embracing this mindset, I believe, is the key to happily experiencing this process that we call life.
As for the meaning of life, I believe the meaning is in the journey itself. We all possess a unique gift and I believe each person’s purpose will become clear once they’ve learned the lessons that are being presented to them. This journey that you’re on is the lesson and the meaning. We may not fully grasp our purpose until the end of our days, but I believe life will reveal its meaning to us when we’re ready. Reflecting on my own life, I realize that my purpose lies in helping others appreciate the beauty of life.
Some argue that longevity is genetic, while others say that living a long life is simply a choice. What are your thoughts on this nature vs. nurture debate? Which is more important?
Well, that goes back to your attitude. I’ve worked with many chronically ill patients, some of whom had MS, and I basically watched their bodies deteriorate in their early teens and cease to exist by the time they reached their early 20s. Yet so many of them were joyful throughout this process. I’ve also met other people who lived extremely long lives and some of them were the most miserable people I’ve ever encountered in my life. There was nothing wrong with them, they just were unhappy.
So, when considering longevity, I ponder whether it’s about the duration or the joy of life. Imagine living 100 years but feeling miserable throughout, versus living only 20 years but relishing every moment. Which life truly had more longevity? Honestly, I think longevity is more about enjoying this journey, no matter how long you’re given here.
Now, regarding physical or biological longevity, I do certainly think genetics have a lot to do with determining how long you live. But how much life you get out of that time you’re given is entirely up to you. If you take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically, then you’re going to have the greatest experience in the time that you’re given. So, my advice to people is to enjoy this process for as long as you have and make the most out of it by having a really great attitude and appreciating what you have, not what you don’t.
Life sometimes takes us on paths that are challenging. How have you managed to bounce back from setbacks in order to cultivate physical, mental, and emotional health?
Life has hit me many times like a sledgehammer and there were moments when I could have easily laid down and played the victim. But I think the key to overcoming all of that is to have what I call a “king’s mentality,” or “queen’s” if you prefer. A very wise person told me about this mindset, which is that there are two kinds of people in this world: kings and victims. A victim always views life as something that happens to them. They have no control over it. But a king or queen views every challenge as a lesson.
Now, that’s not always easy. Sometimes you have to take a really hard look at something to see the lesson in it. And that lesson might involve making changes in your life to avoid similar obstacles in the future to the best of your ability. This is the key to always moving forward; having a king’s mentality, saying, “I am not a victim of my circumstances. I will not let things define my journey. I am in control.”
Let me give an example. A couple years ago, I was hiking in a canyon with a buddy of mine and I had a pretty bad fall while traversing a ravine. I fell eight feet onto my hip and hurt it so bad that I destroyed all the cartilage between my joints. This meant I needed hip surgery, yet for the last two years, I’ve tried everything I could to avoid that. I have a deep-seated fear of surgery, stemming from the loss of my mother during what should have been a routine procedure. So, I’ve been actively avoiding surgery by trying every alternative treatment I could find. Long story short, I finally realized surgery was my only option for a better quality of life. Dealing with the fear was tough. But I learned two important things: focus on the present and gather knowledge about your situation. By trusting my plan and staying positive, I’m now looking forward to life after surgery. It’s all about finding lessons in challenges and staying optimistic.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?
My favorite life quote, which I heard from a friend of mine, is that everything is either a lesson or a blessing. Even when bad things happen, there’s always either a lesson or a blessing in it. For instance, when something bad happens, ask yourself: What caused it? Could I have done something differently? What can I change to prevent it from happening again? That’s the lesson to learn.
For example, I’ve made many mistakes in life, like getting divorced twice. The first time, I didn’t realize I needed to change myself to have the relationship I wanted. So, I made the same mistake again. It took repeating the lesson for me to understand that I needed to grow emotionally and mentally. I realized the problem wasn’t my ex-spouses; it was that I wasn’t emotionally healthy. This was a tough realization that caused me a lot of emotional turmoil. I thought I failed when I got divorced, but failure is just a lesson in disguise. It taught me what I needed to change to have successful relationships.
And, looking back, my greatest blessing was witnessing my daughter’s birth. I was too nervous and shaky to watch my son’s birth. But when my daughter was ready to be born, I was there in the room practically helping her come out. It was the most incredible experience in my life to watch something that I helped create come into the world and take its first breath. Those sorts of moments are so spectacular that you remember everything about them down to the most minute detail.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
At work recently, we had that lottery discussion where everyone talked about what they’d do with a billion dollars. When someone asked me, I said I’d start a nonprofit focused on kids. I’d give them the skills to be good people, teaching them kindness and gratitude for the things they have. Then, I’d give them the gift of exercise because, when you’re physically fit, you feel better about yourself and have more self-esteem. That’s a proven fact about fitness. I think if we can empower children to understand that fitness is not a chore, that it can be fun, we’re giving them an invaluable gift that will allow them to live much more productive, healthy, and happy lives.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
The best way to follow my work is through JumpSport, where people can see how amazing their fitness journey can be when using a very specific piece of equipment, the exercise trampoline. I’m also very easy to reach through LinkedIn or Instagram, where I receive many messages and always make sure to respond personally to each one.
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About The Interviewer: Savio P. Clemente, TEDx speaker and Stage 3 cancer survivor, infuses transformative insights into every article. His journey battling cancer fuels a mission to empower survivors and industry leaders towards living a truly healthy, wealthy, and wise lifestyle. As a Board-Certified Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC, ACC), Savio guides readers to embrace self-discovery and rewrite narratives by loving their inner stranger, as outlined in his acclaimed TEDx talk: “7 Minutes to Wellness: How to Love Your Inner Stranger.” From his best-selling book to his impactful work as a media journalist covering resilience and wellness trends with notable celebrities and TV personalities, Savio’s words touch countless lives. His philosophy, “to know thyself is to heal thyself,” resonates in every piece.