Page 48 - 2024 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
Breakthrough Fit Co.
Inclusive Fitness, Accessible For All
Jake Allyne, CEO of Breakthrough Fit Co., shares how Launch1000 helped him form his fitness company and create a positive Impact in the Westchester special needs community.
Jake Allyne (right) founded Breakthrough Fit Co. to foster wellness in the often-overlooked special needs community.
When fitness centers nationwide were forced to close due to the pandemic in 2020, personal trainer Jake Allyne transformed uncertainty into opportunity. With the
help of the Westchester County Office of Economic Development’s Launch1000 program, Jake addressed an unmet need: expanding his services to help individuals with health challenges and disabilities.
From Employee to Entrepreneur
“After eight years in corporate fitness in New York City and inheriting a special needs fitness class, I moved to Tarrytown and worked full time for Life Time in Harrison,” recalls Allyne. “When the pandemic hit, I found innovative ways to keep
all clients active amid the times we were in, including my special needs clients. I realized this was the time to combine my dream of having my own gym and creating impact by helping an often-overlooked community. I also realized this could create jobs and address unmet needs that I noticed out of the pandemic.”
“I wouldn’t be able to do this anywhere else.” —Jake Allyne
Launch1000
“I joined the first year of the amazing Launch1000 program and began transforming my personal in-home business to
Breakthrough Fit Co., an appointment-based training facility that aims to create equal access to health and wellness
for the special needs community. Since opening, we have expanded to a team of 12, offered benefits to employees, began partnered programming with many organizations throughout the County and created a really special network and community focused on celebrating the differences that make us, us!”
In early 2024, Breakthrough Fit launched a non-profit that will host a "Breakthrough Ball" fundraising event that will
be a giant dance party and celebration for the Westchester special needs community. The company continues to
host fitness pop up events and is planning network events to bring together those working towards spreading the conversation of inclusion. Allyne also hopes to add up to three new team members in 2024.
“I am really excited about 2024 and to just keep nurturing the community and bringing people together. My philosophy is ‘isolated we fall, together we rise.’”
On finding a home for his business in Westchester, Allyne comments, “There is a wealth of resources and community here in Westchester. The programs offered and the opportunity is so great. I still refer to the Westchester Catalyst as a large part of our success. I wouldn’t be able to do this anywhere else.”
Learn more about Launch1000 on page 20.
© Courtesy of Breakthrough Fit Co