Whom You Know: MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Thelonious “T.J.” Johnson, Top Personal Fitness Instructor and Actor

Friday, August 21, 2009

MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Thelonious “T.J.” Johnson, Top Personal Fitness Instructor and Actor

Thelonious “T.J.” Johnson spent his youth in North Branch, NY and New York City. T.J.’s father, a jazz musician, and his mother, an artist, emphasized the importance of art throughout T.J.’s life, even naming their son after famed American jazz pianist and composer, Thelonious Monk. In tandem with the personal significance of art, as a natural athlete, T.J. also grew up loving any sort of physical activity, playing sports throughout high school and college. As a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, T.J. is an avid fan of extreme sports.

Upon college graduation, the New York native sought to pursue his artistic aspirations, focusing his efforts in acting. With a natural flair for comedy, T.J. made a splash starring in a series of Capcom Viral Videos for popular video game, Bionic Commando, as well as an Old Spice Body and Hair Wash nationally-syndicated television commercial that was voted one of 2008’s “Best Commercials” by TLC and received more than 200,000 hits on youtube. As he set out to establish a successful career in the field of acting, T.J. simultaneously began to work as a personal fitness instructor, bringing a refreshing, spirited take to the realm of health and fitness.

A renaissance man, who has been named one of 2008 Most Eligible Bachelors by Extra, T.J. has established himself in many arenas. T.J. continues to prove himself as a sought-after actor while helping individuals reach peak levels of fitness.

Thelonious, “T.J.” Johnson is one of the top personal fitness instructor in New York City and is one of the brightest up-and-coming faces in the world of entertainment. In addition to top modeling stints with Vogue Italia, Details, and the cover of Maximum Fitness, T.J. has made the transition into acting with appearances on All My Children, One Life to Live, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and the widely-recognized Old Spice Hair & Body Wash national television commercial.

For those looking for a unique and effective approach to physical fitness, T.J. offers customized programs targeted to each individual client. For thrill-seekers in search of an action and adventure-driven workout, T.J. specializes in extreme outdoor training, providing fitness sessions that feature mountain-biking, hiking, “tough man” workouts and boot camps.

T.J.’s approach to fitness training combines the significance of the body and what it stands for, with the belief that each individual should treat their unique form as a temple. Accordingly, T.J. customizes each training session to fit the needs and goals of every client, providing full-body workouts that target specific desired areas.

Results-driven, T.J. organizes total, comprehensive training sessions that positively affect the client’s physical form, while helping to instate healthier, happier lifestyle choices into his/her everyday life. Whom You Know is pleased to present him as our latest Mover and Shaker!

Peachy Deegan interviewed Thelonious “T.J.” Johnson for Whom You Know.

Peachy Deegan: What are your favorite athletic pursuits?
Thelonious “T.J.” Johnson: Progressing in snowboarding

What makes your personal training sessions unique?
I help clients reach goals they never thought were possible

What is the biggest mistake Manhattanites make in regards to their own personal fitness?
Happy hour instead of working out

What have you enjoyed acting in the most?
Playing the quarterback on criminal intent

Are you still an eligible bachelor?
NO

What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?
Acting studios and Central Park

What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?
Paragon

What is your favorite drink?
Water

What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?
IL Buco

What is your favorite Manhattan book?
Not for tourist Blackbook

What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?
Cycling

What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else? Skateboarding the Brooklyn Banks

What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?
Schlepping my father’s equipment to Carnegie Hall and watching my dad play with his band ...

What do you think is most underrated and overrated here?
Underrated- Is the athletic community in NY
Overrated- Meat Packing District on the weekends

Other than Movers and Shakers of course, what is your favorite Whom You Know column and what do you like about it?
My favorite column on whomyouknow.com is the Gotham Gadgets column. I like to read about the latest products on the market.

What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?
Some people say the sky is the limit and I say there is no limit.. Just go for it and always believe

How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?
tjjohnsonNY.com (347-469-0304)

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/