Renaldo Turnbull

40 Faces of the J

#4 Renaldo Turnbull

Staff Member for 13 Years

“Renaldo has made wellness not only possible, but sustainable.” – Mattye & Marc Silverman

Mattye and I have been connected to the J since the very beginning. We were part of the original group of people who helped fund and found the assembly of the land, and we’ve been involved in the development of the park and the J since its inception.

Over the years, the J has been central to our family’s life. When our children were younger, they participated in swimming, basketball, and many other activities. Even before the J was built, our family belonged to the old Amity Club, so the values of wellness and community have been part of our lives for a long time.

But today, the J plays an even more personal role for us because it’s where we’ve been able to invest in our health in a way that has truly changed our lives. A huge part of that is because of our trainer, Renaldo Turnbull.

Renaldo is a smart, thoughtful, genuinely nice person and just a good guy. And beyond that, he has an incredible depth of knowledge about how the human body functions. He doesn’t just “run workouts.” He teaches. He explains why we’re doing what we’re doing, and how it connects to strength, balance, mobility, and long-term wellness.

In many ways, learning how to exercise correctly has been even more important than simply exercising.

Mattye and I train with Renaldo twice a week in the David Silverman Fitness Center, and Mattye also participates in regular group exercise classes in addition to her personal training. We use the fitness center regularly, and it has become a consistent, steady part of our week — and our lives.

And here’s something I never thought I’d say: Renaldo has made exercise fun.

That may sound simple, but for us, it’s been one of the biggest breakthroughs. He’s helped us stay committed, stay motivated, and keep fitness as a major part of our lives as we’ve gotten older. That consistency has translated into something priceless — better health, better energy, and a much higher quality of life.

When I think about “40 years of wellness,” it’s not just a slogan. It’s a reality we’re living. The J has been a fantastic resource, and I truly believe it has added healthy years to our lives. Renaldo’s impact has been a huge part of that.

And beyond the physical benefits, there’s another piece that matters just as much: community. Every time we’re at the J, there’s an opportunity to connect — to talk with friends and acquaintances we might not otherwise see. The J supports our overall well-being in every way: physically, socially, and mentally.

Looking ahead, I hope the J continues to evolve with the community’s needs. The world changes. Charlotte changes. We can’t predict what life will look like 25 or 40 years from now. But we can plan thoughtfully, set goals for the next five years, and keep adjusting as needs and opportunities evolve.

For Mattye and me, the J is more than a building. It’s a place that has helped shape our lives and it’s the place that connected us with someone like Renaldo, who has made wellness not only possible, but sustainable.

And for that, we are deeply grateful. - Mattye & Marc Silverman

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