Jordan Bou and Wellness and Exercise Science Club aim to help students elevate their health

Tim Yean

Sports Editor

The Wellness and Exercise Science (WES) Club at Rhode Island College aims to make a big resurgence; one of the key pieces is Jordan Bou, a junior WES major leading the way for what could be a lifestyle-changing club for many students on campus.

“We’re taking a ‘ground up’ approach and allowing our members to help shape the direction we take for the club itself… At the end of the day, our club and even major is about providing value to others – it is a service business. The goals of the club center around these thoughts and format them in a way that allows for engaging physical activity.”

Photo from @ricmensvolleyball on Instagram

Bou has had a long history with staying mentally and physically on top of the game. The junior wants to share his story and lessons with others to help people remain at the top of their game as well.

“I am very passionate about fitness in regards to it being a way to help and provide value to others.”

Bou was always involved in athletics ever since he was a kid playing youth football, which then transitioned into a high school volleyball career at Cranston East, and that turned into a brief stint playing college volleyball at Rivier University before returning to the Ocean State where he continues his volleyball playing career with the Rhode Island College men’s club volleyball team. Intertwined was a deep commitment to training.

“Sports was a way for me to express myself in a way that made me confident, dedicated, and healthy. Although, I always found myself obsessed with the training side of things – both in the weightroom and the field/court. I combined that passion with a want to provide for others and exercise science was a perfect avenue for me to take.”

Image from @ricwesclub on Instagram

What’s changed throughout the years hasn’t been his routines but more the intent of his workouts. It;s shifted from needing to stay on top of things in order to keep his parents and school satisfied to an independent want to improve himself.

“In college, it’s about you and the direction of your life/career is really in your hands to control. Staying on top [of] my physical fitness is representative of that mindset.”

The balance between physical activity and remaining mentally adept is in one’s hands as well. Too much of either can be detrimental and affect your life in all aspects, Bou highlighted. People should not be deterred by that and still make an effort to take “strides toward maximizing our daily functioning ability.”

“It’s all about balance and there is no one size fits all equation, which is why it is so important to experiment with your own experiences.”

Bou has publicized his improvements/techniques through his Instagram @jsb.performance. While it was difficult at first to post himself on a level as public as a social media page, he realized that his posts could mean thousands of others finding his account could be inspired to improve themselves.

Image from @ricwesclub on Instagram

“If the cost for me to help that many people is just a little temporary online insecurity, I’d have to say it's worth it.”

Bou aims to be the main sports performance trainer in Rhode Island, and hopes to work with youth across the state in middle and high schools to help students with their health and wellness early. On campus, he wants to collaborate with RIC athletics to build “a good ecosystem” in a great situation for both the teams and club itself. He wants to make sure the WES club is involved as well in the effort with the sports teams, to connect with what his uncle always says, “it takes a village.”

Bou’s uncle is one of his guiding figures in his life to inspire him to this career path being a personal trainer himself. Dr. Leah Dorfman, now in the biology department, was a major figure that sparked Bou into pursuing his career path.

The story, no matter how complete it looks, will never end for Bou. It’s the process over the results that he’s emphasized more on. For anyone else, the process of taking care of their body can start with the simple task of taking some more walks and finding any easy and fun way of incorporating movement into your life. That could be the start of your story that goes on for as many chapters as you want it to be.

“If you stopped progression and became ‘perfect’ at age thirty, then what else is there? When the goal is not an end destination, but rather the process itself, then I believe my philosophy has been met.”

Anyone interested in joining the WES Club can head over to their Instagram @ricwesclub and use the QR code posted in their bio.