Meet Jasmine.
Your strength has a place here.

I’m Jasmine Abou-Elias, a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and the founder of Valkyrie Rising. I help people build strength, develop practical habits, and feel more confident in what their bodies can do.

You might be learning to lift for the first time, rebuilding a routine after time away, or working toward a new goal or athletic pursuit. You might want everyday activities to feel easier, or a plan that helps your training move forward. My job is to understand what matters to you and help you take the next step.

How I found my starting line

My own fitness journey began with wanting to change my health. Over time, I lost 70 pounds, became fascinated by exercise and nutrition, and eventually competed in a bodybuilding show.

What kept me going changed along the way. I learned to love the process of getting stronger, understanding my training, and seeing what I could accomplish. That experience helped shape the coach I wanted to become: someone who helps people recognize their progress and build confidence in their own abilities.

Why I started Valkyrie Rising

Before becoming a coach, I worked in market research, helping major brands understand people and make decisions. I was good at the work, but I wanted my career to feel more connected to the difference I could make in someone’s life.

Meanwhile, so much of my time outside work went toward studying exercise and nutrition, refining my training, and sharing what I learned. With my partner’s support, I left my full-time role and built Valkyrie Rising.

Some of my strongest reasons for making that change were close to home.

For my siblings, I wanted to model that they never needed to make themselves smaller, physically or intellectually. I wanted them to see that pursuing something meaningful could begin at any stage of life, and that learning, dedication, and courage could open new possibilities.

For the older women in my life, I wanted strength to feel accessible. I watched women I admired face health challenges and changes in mobility. Many had grown up hearing that lifting weights wasn’t for women or wasn’t something to begin as they got older. I wanted to help change that story.

Strength could mean feeling more capable on the stairs, carrying what you need, enjoying time with family, or continuing to live independently. Those are meaningful reasons to train.

What the Valkyrie means to me

To me, a Valkyrie represents strength, courage, independence, and being a champion for others. Those values shape how I coach.

I want people to feel capable of taking up space, pursuing their goals, and asking for support. Despite the name, men are welcome here, too. You don’t need a particular body, background, or level of experience to belong.

From research to real life

My background includes a B.A. in Psychology, an M.S. in Analytics, and NASM certifications in personal training, nutrition coaching, and physique coaching. I also still teach Research Methods and Statistics as an adjunct instructor.

That combination influences how I work: ask questions, look at the evidence, and turn what we learn into practical steps for the person in front of me.

Your goals, schedule, equipment, experience, and circumstances all matter. A useful plan gives you a clear place to start and room to adjust as you learn and progress.

What you can expect from me

A coach who listens. I want to understand what you’re working toward and what has made it difficult to get there.

Clear guidance. I’ll help you understand what you’re doing and why, so you can build knowledge alongside strength.

Encouragement and practical accountability. We’ll recognize your wins, work through obstacles, and look for steps you can follow through on.

Progress that matters to you. That might be a stronger lift, a more consistent routine, greater confidence in the gym, or an everyday task that begins to feel easier.

Support that respects the whole picture. When appropriate, and with your permission, I can coordinate training with recommendations from your physical therapist or other provider.

Let’s find your next step

You don’t need to have the perfect goal or know exactly which service you need. We can start with a conversation about where you are, what you want to change, and what kind of support would help.

I offer in-person training in Augusta and Farmingdale, along with remote options for people who want guidance on their own schedule.