Meet Jerry

Owner Jerry LePore discovered yoga in 2006 after being diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL), a rare form of blood cancer.

Life before Jerry's diagnosis was relatively good. He had a loving, supportive family. The medical communications company he founded had skyrocketed to success within its first five years. He was living with comfort and luxury, and by most standards he had everything the Jones's wanted.

The Diagnosis

But a cancer diagnosis is a harsh reality to face head-on. It forces a person to evaluate their priorities, regrets, legacy and quality of life.

Shortly after his initial treatment, Jerry realized he was not fulfilled in his career. HCL is a treatable disease, but work in Big Pharma was killing him slowly. "I found the rat race exhausting," recalls Jerry. "I spent so many hours away from my young kids. The success just wasn't worth it to me anymore."

The Pillar

Disillusioned and dissatisfied, Jerry turned to his older brother and mentor Pat for support. Pat ran his own medical communications company and first hired Jerry after college. He instilled in Jerry an entrepreneurial spirit, which led Jerry to start his own business. When Jerry spoke about his unhappiness, Pat encouraged him to slow down, prioritize his health and reassess his passions.

The Test

The diagnosis, the doctors, the medicine-they all can be overwhelming. "There were many times I felt alone with my thoughts," admits Jerry. "That can be scary." He realized chemotherapy was only half the battle. He'd also have to learn new ways to stay strong and resilient.

The Discovery

Coming through his initial chemotherapy treatment, Jerry found yoga. He was looking for a way to recover and strengthen his body, but what he discovered was a transformative mind-body practice.

Yoga taught Jerry how to redirect dire, intrusive thoughts into a more positive, hopeful outlook. With a clearer head, he could trust the treatment process was working. He felt less worried, and with the solace this brought, his vision for a more fulfilling life emerged. "I remember it like yesterday," recalls Jerry. "Yoga was like an awakening. I remember the exact class I was in when I realized what I'd do next."

The Yoga

HCL is a recurring, but treatable disease. Yoga has helped Jerry cope. It was during those difficult days prior to, throughout and post-treatments that Jerry was most grateful to unroll his yoga mat. Through mindful movement, conscious breathing and deep relaxation, Jerry recovered physical strength and mental clarity.

Inspired by the healing benefits of a consistent yoga practice, Jerry sold his medical communications company to his two partners and in 2008 opened the first Powerflow Yoga studio in Chatham, NJ. Since then, he's opened yoga studios across New Jersey gathering communities of like-minded, supportive people who are often struggling with their own circumstances. "Hearing other people's stories about how yoga helped them get through challenging times was incredibly moving. It keeps me motivated to do what I do," says Jerry. These stories inspire the PFY mission: To help people feel better inside and out.

The Mission

Jerry donates a portion of every Powerflow On the Go membership to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The donation funds research, educational resources and outreach to improve the lives of people living with blood cancer.