Meet the team
Meet the team
Goodwin Strength & Stretch was founded by Jay and Heather Goodwin in order to provide the Low Country and beyond with opportunities to grow their fitness and feel their best through personal training, golf and athletic performance, and passive stretch therapy.
Jay Goodwin
Jay is an owner, lead trainer, and therapist at Goodwin Strength & Stretch. He has been a lifetime athlete, even playing in the minor leagues, who has channelled that passion into a tangible profession for over 20 years.
Jay has his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science as well as a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology. Continuing education for Jay has been ongoing and intentional. In addition to his formal degrees, Jay has yearned to stay current to best serve his clients through the following programs and certifications:
National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
Certified LSVT BIG Therapist for Parkinson’s
Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Golf Fitness Trainer Level 3
Performance Enhancement Specialist
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Certified Stretch Practitioner
American Council of Sports Medicine Exercise Physiologist
American Council of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Kinesiology Tape Specialist
Through his 20 years in the fitness industry, Jay has been the primary trainer for many notable athletes, such as Carmen Mlodzinski, pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Serge Savard, hockey legend and seven-time Stanley Cup Champion, and Steve Fuller, Clemson Hall-of-Fame football player AND Super Bowl Champion with the Chicago Bears.
Being a trainer in the Low Country for 15 years, he is especially versed in golf fitness and rehabilitative training for optimal fitness. He has worked with and trained many local golf instructors and professionals who trust his expertise and use it within their communities.
Jay is not only knowledgable in the human body and how to strengthen and stretch it, he is effective!
Jay is proficient in working with people with all types of goals. He works with professional athletes, those striving for weight loss, people experiencing neurological issues such as Parkinson’s and MS, and individuals simply seeking a stronger and more fit lifestyle.
Skillful in creating a positive and comfortable environment for each and every client, Jay truly unlocks the potential for everyone he works with.
Most importantly, Jay’s number one goal is to make your sessions FUN and enjoyable, creating a routine that you are excited to indulge in!
Heather Goodwin
Heather is an owner, lead trainer, and therapist at GSS. She has been immersed in the fitness industry throughout the last decade. Beginning as a collegiate track and field athlete, she quickly developed a passion for health, fitness, and performance that has grown into a career dedicated to helping others achieve sustainable and attainable results. Today, Heather serves as the online nutrition, macro, and fitness program developer at Goodwin Strength & Stretch.
Heather is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and continues to pursue ongoing education to better serve her clients through the following certifications and programs:
National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
Advanced Nutrition Certified
Level 2 Women’s Fitness Specialist
Certified Women’s Health Specialist
Having trained clients in Bluffton for over five years, Heather has worked both independently and within the Belfair Golf Community, building experience with a wide variety of clients and fitness goals.
With a unique personal and professional background, Heather also works closely with individuals recovering from disordered eating who are striving to develop a healthier relationship with food, fitness, and their bodies. She believes strongly in the power of nutritional manipulation and sustainable habit development, creating countless successful programs that allow clients — especially women — to experience weight loss while eating more food and improving overall wellness.
Heather specializes in metabolic adaptation and empowering clients with the tools and education necessary to create lasting lifestyle change. Her education and experience allow her to work effectively with individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels.
Bringing an energetic and positive dynamic to Goodwin Strength & Stretch, Heather is passionate about creating an encouraging and uplifting environment for every client she encounters.
Most importantly, Heather’s goal is to make health and fitness feel attainable, enjoyable, and sustainable, helping each person build confidence while creating lifelong habits for success.
Frank Shelton
Frank is a Certified Master Trainer with more than 20 years of experience helping clients achieve lasting results through personalized fitness and nutrition programs. With a passion for improving both physical performance and overall wellness, Frank has dedicated his career to helping individuals build strength, confidence, and healthier lifestyles.
Throughout his extensive career in the fitness industry, Frank has specialized in a wide range of training disciplines, including weight loss, muscle gain, athletic performance, injury recovery and prevention, and nutrition planning. His ability to adapt programs to each individual client allows him to effectively work with people of all ages, fitness levels, and goals.
Frank’s training philosophy centers around creating sustainable progress through education, accountability, and consistency. Whether working with athletes striving to improve performance, clients recovering from injuries, or individuals simply looking to feel healthier and stronger, Frank develops customized programs designed to produce real and lasting results.
With decades of hands-on experience, Frank understands that fitness is not one-size-fits-all. He takes pride in building positive relationships with his clients while creating an encouraging environment that motivates individuals to push beyond their limitations and discover their full potential.
Known for his energetic approach and dedication to client success, Frank brings both knowledge and enthusiasm to Goodwin Strength & Stretch. Most importantly, his goal is to help every client feel stronger, healthier, and more confident while making fitness an enjoyable and rewarding part of everyday life.
Jessica Velasco
Jessica is a trainer and golf fitness specialist at Goodwin Strength & Stretch. A lifelong athlete with a passion for movement and performance, she has combined her love for golf and fitness into a career focused on helping others move better, feel stronger, and perform at their highest potential.
Jessica is a graduate of Coastal Carolina University’s prestigious PGA Golf Management Program, earning her Class A PGA Professional status. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and continues to pursue ongoing education to best serve her clients through the following certifications:
Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Golf Fitness Trainer Level 1
National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer
National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Nutrition Coach
Prenatal and Postpartum Certified
Recognizing the growing importance of golf fitness and movement efficiency, Jessica pursued her TPI certification to better understand the relationship between the body and the golf swing. With a strong knowledge of movement patterns, mobility, and strength development, she is able to help golfers maximize power, improve efficiency, and reduce limitations within their swing.
Jessica is proficient in working with clients of all fitness levels and goals. Whether helping golfers improve their performance, supporting clients through prenatal and postpartum fitness, or assisting individuals striving for a healthier lifestyle, she creates personalized programs designed to meet each client where they are.
Outside of the gym and golf course, Jessica continues to challenge herself physically through Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai training, further expanding her understanding of athletic movement, discipline, and body control.
Skillful in creating a welcoming and encouraging environment, Jessica strives to make every session both effective and enjoyable. Most importantly, her goal is to help clients build confidence, move with purpose, and enjoy the process of becoming stronger and healthier every day.