JT and Alex Gilmore.
Their romance started as a twist on the classic Cinderella story with pink boxing gloves standing in for the glass slipper. Since then JT and Alex Gilmore have come together both in holy matrimony and high impact cardio.
Who: Alex Gilmore, personal trainer, Total Package Fitness. JT Gilmore, ex-Winnipeg Blue Bomber, personal trainer.
Relationship status: Married since 2016.
Prince Charming and the pink boxing gloves
JT: We met in 2012. I was still playing for the Blue Bombers at the time, and I was speaking at a women's athletic clinic where they teach techniques based on football training. Alex happened to be there promoting the personal training business she was working for at the time. She came over to introduce herself and I remember thinking, wow, she is really sweet. I assumed that a girl that pretty would be standoffish.
Alex: We only chatted for a couple of minutes. I remember his boxing gloves were pink and I told him I liked them. And then I left. He was kind of on my mind after that.
JT: I was definitely interested, but I hadn't even gotten her name or the company she worked for. I went home and e-mailed every fitness trainer in Winnipeg trying to figure out who she was. I even made up a story that I thought she had taken my gloves, so that I didn't sound like a stalker.
The long road to romance
JT: After I finally tracked her down I wanted to ask her out, but my mom died, so everything kind of changed – it was the end of the season and I went home to Oregon to take care of her affairs.
Alex: We texted and talked every day he was away for almost three months. Sometimes for hours at a time. JT was going through an emotional time, so we really got to know each other.
JT: Then I came back to Winnipeg even though it was off-season. I said I needed to work with one of my coaches, but really I wanted to see Alex.
Alex: By the time we went on our first date, it was like we had already been together for a long time.
The couple that plays together
JT: I played football for another four years and then when I retired, we used some of that money so that Alex could branch out on her own. At first we weren't technically working together, I was just tagging along, spending time with her.
Alex: JT's background with strength training and conditioning was a huge asset, and eventually it was just obvious we should be collaborating professionally.
JT: A lot of people ask if we get sick of each other being together all the time. I get it, but we really don't. As far as health and fitness goes, Alex is my inspiration.
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