J’rai Hammond’s love for athletics drove her passion for health and fitness. Growing up, J’rai was an active kid, always involved in sports and school. When J’rai was 13, she began studying ballet, compared to mast formally trained dancers 13 was considered a late start. For J’rai to keep up, she had to double down her efforts. She would eventually go on to the University of North Carolina School of Arts School of Dance.

The summer before J’rai left home to begin her studies; she began to develop her strength and conditioning programs to keep her in tip-top shape for dancing. Little did J’rai know, this was only the beginning of her prosperous career in health and fitness.

J’rai hit the ground running before she knew it she was dancing as a Professional Division Scholarship Student at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In the midst of her riding high and achieving all the things that most dancers dream of, a devastating injury struck, J’rai tore her labrum in her hip. She painfully finished the program and went back to UNCSA to complete her 3rd year of college. After weeks of physical therapy, J’rai received her MRI results and was told that she needed surgery to repair a large tear in her labrum. The doctors were stunned at the musculature of her glutes and said that her strength was the only reason why she was able to dance with a tear that big without dislocating her hip.

As many people may have viewed this as a setback, this was precisely what J’rai needed! J’rai was able to take time out of the studio and become an ACE certified personal trainer and also continued to graduate with a BFA in dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

J’rai aspires to motivate all walks of life through her Get Up and Glo movement and brand. She believes that to Get Up and Glo means to wake up each day and be the best YOU! Every day that you wake up is a chance to Get Up and Glo and become closer to your health and fitness goals! #GETUPANDGLO