How Coach Jacob Ejercito merges spirituality and physical training for weight management
Witnessing one of my best friends struggle with weight loss since late last year gave me secondhand heartbreak. He still has the same discipline to stay lean and fit, but now with a more sluggish metabolism.
After all available options were explored, within just a few months, a certain Coach Jacob surprisingly became the game-changer. He helped my best friend achieve success by transforming his physique and mindset using an unconventional approach that blends faith and fitness. The technique meant more than just working out, as it also merged faith, purpose, and discipline.
The concept sparked my curiosity, so I decided to learn more. I was later introduced to Coach Jacob Ejercito. There is more to him than just being a fitness coach. He’s a man shaped by a unique journey.
Jacob may be the son of former President Joseph Estrada and actress Laarni Enriquez, but he carved out his own name with conviction. At 29, Jacob is based in Manila, leading a movement called Fit For Faith. His story and principles resonated with me deeply, as I struggle with my own weight at 40, reminding me that fitness is not only physical—it is spiritual, intentional, and rooted in service and love.
When asked if he ever considered following in either his mom’s or dad’s footsteps, as they have ties in showbiz and politics, Jacob said, “Oh, absolutely, haha—I remember being a young boy dreaming of becoming the President of the Philippines, just like any kid who wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. At that age, it felt natural to look up to the world I was surrounded by.”
But as he grew older, those childhood visions evolved. “I began asking different questions—about purpose, calling, and the kind of impact I wanted to make. That journey led me down a very different path… one that’s still rooted in service, just not in the way I originally imagined.”
His parents never forced a specific career path—they encouraged him to find his own purpose, walk his journey, and serve in the way only he can.
Jacob’s entry into fitness started early. He shared, “I’ve been into fitness since high school, where I was part of the varsity basketball team. Training and hitting the gym were regular parts of our routine, so staying active was something I naturally enjoyed.” But it was really during college in the U.S. that Jacob took fitness seriously.
“That classic ‘Freshman 15’ got me—yep, it’s real! Haha! I remember standing in front of the mirror in my dorm room in January 2016, feeling totally off. That’s when I looked at myself and said, ‘Alright… that’s enough.’”
From that moment, he decided to take control of his health. Freshman 15 is a widely used term to describe the weight gain many college students experience during their first year of university.
His educational journey took Jacob from Xavier School to Santa Clara University in the U.S., where he earned a degree in Finance.
“Yup, finance! Not exactly the coaching path, I know,” Jacob quipped.
He worked in FinTech and explored user experience design before becoming a certified life coach and nutrition coach.
“Every role taught me something—communication, systems, problem-solving, empathy—and all of that shaped the kind of coach I’ve become today,” Jacob explained. Though far from traditional fitness backgrounds, these experiences helped him develop a holistic approach to wellness.
How did Jacob turn from finance to fitness? A pivotal point arrived during the pandemic.
“It was during the height of the pandemic, when everything felt uncertain. Both of my parents got extremely sick, and I honestly thought I was going to lose them. I prayed earnestly, and by God’s grace, they were healed,” he recalled.
That moment drew him closer to his faith, leading to a renewed relationship with God. He joined a discipleship group, read the Bible anew, and started serving in his church.
Jacob’s program, Fit For Faith, was born out of his transformation. “Before it became a public program, it was a work God did on me privately—showing me what godly fitness looks like—not performance-based or vain, but built on stewardship, discipline, and purpose.”
Jacob realized that fitness, rooted in faith, went beyond appearance. For him, it is a spiritual act.
Jacob’s faith-driven approach often surprises many, especially in a results-obsessed industry.
“I thought it would be challenging to introduce faith into fitness, especially in a world that craves quick fixes. But now, I see people are tired of empty promises. They’re craving something real—something rooted in purpose and growth,” Jacob revealed. “God cares about our health. He wants us whole, not just physically, but spiritually too.”
Jacob’s journey through the extremes of fitness—from an overweight kid eating cheeseburgers and drinking on weekends to one pursuing sculpted abs—gave him life’s important lessons.
“Both ends were toxic,” he confessed. “I’ve had a one-pack and I’ve had a six-pack—and neither satisfied the deeper longing in my heart. Even at 9 percent body fat, I still felt empty, lonely, and unfulfilled. That’s when everything changed.”
Watch out for Part 2 of this story next Friday. For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.
