Her Fifth Gear: How Jennifer Fertig Turns Every Mile Into a Movement

Jennifer Fertig doesn’t just run, she builds. Running started as more than a sport. It was a source of sisterhood, structure, and identity – “one of the best and most constant things” in her life. From her early days on the cross country trails to her collegiate years at John Carroll University, the track gave her space to learn, connect, and lead.

But it was what happened off the track that shaped her most.

From a very young age, Jenn was blessed to be surrounded by amazing coaches, supportive parents, and strong female friendships that continued to develop throughout her athletic career. 

And, like any lifelong runner, Jenn knows the rollercoaster well - the ups and downs, the good races and bad, the slow climbs and fast descents. “The biggest thing I’ve learned from running is to be consistent and not give up when the hard hits,” she says. “The athletes who succeed are the ones who stay on the ride.”

That consistency paid off in more ways than one. As Jenn pushed through training cycles and competed year-round in both cross country and track, she formed deep friendships that would last far beyond college. “It’s a sisterhood. I’ve shared so much with these women—without fear of judgment or rejection. These are relationships I couldn’t imagine my life without.”

In her early years at John Carroll University, Jenn suffered a major hamstring injury during a trail run. The rehab process done at an outpatient physical therapy clinic did more than get her back on her feet. It changed her career path. 

Although she began as an accounting major, Jenn had a change of heart as she witnessed the impact the therapists had on her and other athletes during physical therapy. She quickly shifted to exercise science, and eventually, graduate school at Slippery Rock University.

“Being a PT helps me stay connected to sport,” Jenn says. “Athletes have a unique perspective when it comes to recovery. We know how to meet people where they are because we’ve been there.”

That shared experience matters. Injuries can be devastating – physically, mentally, and emotionally. But Jenn knows that mindset is everything. “There are always going to be setbacks,” she says. “Things won’t always go as planned. You have to pivot and adjust, yet stay the course.”

For Jenn, that means showing up with consistency. She often shares an analogy with her athletes, kids or patients of “stacking bricks,” one small, intentional effort at a time. Whether you're rebuilding after an injury or working toward any kind of life goal, it’s the discipline to keep going that lays the foundation for success. “Remember why you started. Remember the goal. And to always find the joy.”

Jenn’s most grueling race was one off of the course. Her journey to motherhood was long and difficult, experiencing years of infertility. Running remained constant and allowed her to focus on a plan and keep the positive in mind. “I always felt more clear after a run, knowing that I could handle the next step,” she said.

Through IVF, she and her husband welcomed twins, Maeve and Coen, followed by a third child, Carter two years later. 

Having twins, she was able to see some differences in their development. Jenn knew her daughter was smart, but she seemed to learn or do things “different than the norm.” “I would notice in dance or soccer they would say turn right and she would turn left or kick with the left and she would use her right leg.” It was in 1st grade when Jenn really noticed the struggles in reading and spelling. 

I could see her confidence slipping,” she remembers. “It was heartbreaking. I wanted to help her see what I saw in her - that she was smart, athletic, and enough.”

A visual processing disorder diagnosis explained the challenges, but also opened a new chapter of advocacy.

Years earlier, one of her college teammates had introduced the national nonprofit organization Girls on the Run and it had always lingered in the back of Jenn’s mind. Then one morning, she opened an email from the organization, and everything clicked.

“It was like the sign I didn’t know I needed,” she says.

After attending an info session, Jenn realized it was much simpler than she had anticipated and all she had to do was secure a location and find some volunteer coaches. 

Jennifer launched a Girls on the Run site at her children’s elementary school in 2017. 71.4% of the students at the school are economically disadvantaged and the district’s minority enrollment is 50%. Many girls did not even know that running was actually a sport they could participate in and programs like cross-country (XC) had very little participation.

But the response was overwhelming. The small program quickly expanded across all three elementary schools in the district. Jenn was able to establish and grow an elementary school XC program. “The program grew from me literally taking kids from my neighborhood in my minivan to races to having 75 kids sign up in gym class!” 

Maeve wasn’t old enough to participate in GOTR the first year. However, once she was, Maeve, once self-conscious and anxious, became one of the program’s brightest lights.

Maeve blossomed into a shining star full of confidence and even putting sticky notes on her mirror with quotes like “I am strong,” “I am smart,” and “I am enough.” For Jenn it was unbelievable to watch the shift. She says, “It was so reaffirming to me how important this program is for these kiddos at this age, and Maeve was proof that it works and is needed.”

Through Girls on the Run, Jenn sees daily reminders of the impact sport can have on confidence, connection, and character. The program teaches teamwork, resilience, emotional intelligence, and reminds girls they are capable of anything.

And she carries that same ethos into her role as a parent and mentor. Kids are developing at all different times and levels, so it’s important to see them uniquely for who they are and where they are in their sport. However, she emphasizes, “Sport does not need to be their whole identity. They are so much more than their sport! Too many coaches and parents focus on results, medals, and comparison. It steals the joy out of it for a kid.”

“Value the effort, not just the outcome,” Jenn advises. “Running is hard. Life is hard. What keeps kids coming back are the moments in between – the silly team jokes, the rituals, the people who believe in them.”

Even when setbacks arise, Jenn teaches her kids and athletes to pivot without losing sight of the goal.

After her daughter Maeve had a tough experience with a coach, Jenn leaned into one of her core lessons: advocate for yourself and your teammates, control what you can, and ‘let go’ of the rest. “You won’t always love your boss or agree with everyone you work with, and that’s okay,” she says. “This is all just practice for real life.”

Her advice remains the same, on the track or off: “There are always going to be curveballs. You have to adjust, but stay the course. Remember why you started. Find the joy.” 

“I know my kids don’t see it yet, but all of these experiences (good and bad) will someday be a part of their testimony. They will be able to relate, empathize and help someone because of their experiences with sport.” “Pay it forward, serve others, it is what we are created to do.”

Even now as a physical therapist, coach, and active mom of three, Jenn still carves out time for movement, from walking her dog to carpooling kids – she lives in her Goal Five gear, especially the Indie 2.0 Shorts and Mesh it To Me Tanks that keep up with her fast-paced days. The Pionxr Bra and Excel Shorts have become Maeve’s “go to” run fit. 

In the future, Jenn hopes to create more spaces for teenage girls and adaptive athletes to feel included and seen. “It’s about access,” she says. “It’s about belonging. It’s about building something that lasts.”

Because once an athlete, always an athlete – and Jenn Fertig is just getting started.

Jenn's story embodies what Goal Five stands for - raising and empowering the next generation of women to lead with confidence, courage, and heart. Through every setback, she shows girls that challenges aren’t stop signs, they’re opportunities to grow stronger, stand taller, and keep moving forward. Her journey is a reminder that sport doesn’t just build athletes, it builds leaders, advocates, and changemakers who know how to find joy in the hard, rise through the setbacks, and inspire others to do the same.

Sports connect people and have the power to grow things even when challenging. Jenn was able to connect via her son’s travel baseball team with someone who had more resources than she had alone to grow GOTR outside of her local elementary school. Through this connection, GOTR is now in every elementary school in Mercer County, PA. Twelve public school districts participate and one private school. The number of girls served in 2024/45 was 305. Projected numbers for 25/26 is 375. Jenn said, “My son’s coach stopped me one night at the ball field to say look what we did with just one conversation, one desire to do something good.” Jenn couldn’t be happier to see how this amazing program has impacted so many in such a positive way.