Get To Know Me
​Jay Bishop is an Army veteran with almost 14 years of service in the infantry as a paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne (Sky Soldiers) and 82nd Airborne Division (All The Way). He also served as the Master Trainer for the Infantry Mortar Leader Course and as a First Sergeant at Fort Moore, GA. Jay’s military career instilled in him a passion for leadership, discipline, and serving others—values he continues to carry into every aspect of his life.
Now a professional IFBB bodybuilding coach and personal trainer, Jay applies the same dedication and discipline he learned in the military to help others achieve their physical and personal best. His educational background includes a degree in Kinesiology, a Bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership, and an MBA with a concentration in Leadership. He is set to begin pursuing a Ph.D. in Christian Leadership from Liberty University, combining his love for leadership with his faith.
Jay has been married for 14 years to his lovely wife Jackie, and is the proud father of 5, and grandfather of 3. He also volunteers at his local church, Church on The Trail, serving in Youth Ministry and Guest Services.Outside of coaching and leadership, Jay is an avid Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes football fan. He enjoys golfing, smoking meat, and staying active in bodybuilding.
My Testimony
There was a time in my life when I was consumed by my career in the Army. I was speeding through life, driven by ambition, and making decisions on my own—decisions that should have involved my family. I was living in sin, focused only on my goals, while my family unknowingly bore the brunt of my actions. It was as if they were holding onto a rope, trying desperately to keep up. I would take off running, turning left and right without warning, and they were left flapping in the wind, crashing into walls with every sharp turn. The weight of my choices was overwhelming, but they never saw it coming.
God had to step in because I wouldn’t slow down on my own. The only thing that could stop my selfishness was Him. He used my health to bring me to a halt. After encountering a total of five blood clots, I was medically separated from the Army—something I never expected, but something I now see as God’s intervention. He had to remove the thing I loved the most, my career in the Army, so that I could begin to see the impact of my actions on my family and, more importantly, refocus my life on Him.
In my brokenness, I realized how far I had drifted. Psalm 51:17 resonates deeply with me: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” It was only when I hit rock bottom—when my health and career were stripped away—that I could truly surrender my heart to God. It was in that moment of surrender that He began to rebuild me.
I found my way to Church on the Trail, where the community’s love and support led me to Christ. Their kindness and acceptance showed me the grace of God in a tangible way, and it was through their encouragement that I made the decision to invite Christ into my life.
This experience has profoundly shaped me, not just as a Christian but as a leader, husband, and father. God used my health crisis and the removal of my Army career to refocus me on what truly matters: my faith, my family, and my purpose in Him. Today, I lead with humility, repentance, and a heart for serving others—values that guide me in all areas of my life.
While the full story of how I came to Christ is one I reserve for personal sharing, it’s a testament to the power of community and God’s unfailing love.