Q&A: Jaycee Gossett’s Personal Journey to Holistic Health

Meet Jaycee Gossett, Founding Teacher and Chief Experience Officer of The Class – a revolutionary workout that inspires cathartic release, guiding people to strengthen the body while noticing the mind to restore balance within. The experience aligns beautifully with Ancient + Brave’s mission, calling upon the wisdom of ancient practices and celebrating longevity as a means to live vibrantly. 

Jaycee is the ultimate spokesperson for this, embodying the message not just in her teaching, but also in how she lives her day-to-day life. In this interview, she shares her own personal journey into living a brave life, how she prioritizes simplicity in her daily rituals, and what she believes is the key to well-being. 

Jaycee’s journey into movement began at just two years old, when she started dancing for the first time. At such a young age, she was unable to express her thoughts and emotions through words, but felt a new form of expression and language found in moving her body. 

Fast forward to today, Jaycee has built an illustrious career that spans professional dance, yoga and movement teaching to perhaps her most influential work to date in revolutionizing the world of wellness and movement through her offerings and role at The Class. Jaycee is now the Chief Experience Officer - a title she has earned after a decade of teaching The Class and working on the corporate team alongside Founder Taryn Toomey.

If you’re ever lucky enough to experience Jaycee’s teaching in person, just know that you’ll walk out of the door with a sense of freedom and empowerment, and the feeling that you’ve released emotions you didn’t even know were there. Her ultimate intention? For people to fall in love with their bodies during The Class. Let’s dive in and find out more…

Was movement something you’ve always incorporated into your life?

I grew up in a small town in New Jersey, the only girl in a family of five boys - a big, energetic household where feelings ran high. I felt everything deeply, but often struggled to manage my emotions or express what was happening inside me. Thankfully, my mom introduced me to dance when I was just two years old. At the time, I didn’t realize what it was doing for me, but dance became an outlet - a way to process my emotions when I couldn’t find the words. As long as I was moving, it felt like I was coming home to myself.

Dance became my first love, and it eventually led me to yoga, where something deeper awakened in me. Yoga opened the door to exploring spirituality, energy, ritual, and healing practices. I traveled to India with my teacher Alison Sinatra and then around the world for a project I worked on called Dance The World, and through that journey, I began to see movement not as a performance or competition, but as a pathway to healing.

Over time, I noticed that the more dance and movement became about perfection or external success, the more disconnected and unhappy I felt. That’s when I discovered teachers like Gabrielle Roth, who created 5Rhythms, and Shiva Rea, the founder of Prana Flow. They introduced me to movement styles centered on healing, somatic processing, and energy work - free from the pressure of looking perfect or achieving a specific goal.

It felt like everything came full circle when I joined The Class. I had known Taryn, our founder, for years before I started teaching. We had shared teachers, been part of the same women’s circles in New York, and even traveled together on a retreat to Peru with Alison Sinatra. Teaching at The Class brought together everything I loved; movement, reflection, processing, spirituality, music, challenge, growth, and self expression, all in a warm welcoming space that fostered community. 

At this point in my life (2013), I was teaching movement, leading retreats and was very much into dance  - so when I took Taryn’s Class for the first time, I thought wow, this method will truly revolutionize fitness. I taught my first Class in 2014 and today proudly, I am the Chief Experience Officer of The Class.

Conceived by Taryn Toomey as a personal healing journey, The Class began as an experiment in somatic healing and self-discovery. Guided by Taryn’s belief that the body holds innate wisdom, the practice quickly evolved into a global movement, earning acclaim from The New Yorker, Vogue, The New York Times, and W Magazine, and attracting an iconic following, including Jennifer Aniston, Naomi Watts, and Alicia Keys. The practice is rooted in Taryn’s intuitive gift for weaving movement with the senses, creating soundscapes that inspire transformation.

Can you remember a certain point in your journey when movement became truly somatic for you?

Yes, that’s exactly what movement has always been for me - even before I had the words to describe it. No one was teaching me about “somatic processing” or “somatic movement,” but that’s exactly how I was experiencing it. Of the body distinct from the mind. 

As my journey unfolded, I had the privilege of studying with remarkable teachers such as Gabrielle Roth, Alison Sinatra, Shiva Rea, Dr. Steve Curtin, and many other inspiring mentors. Through their guidance, I began to uncover a deeper understanding of what was truly happening beneath the surface of movement. But it wasn’t until I took The Class with Taryn in 2013 that everything truly clicked. Taryn had created a powerful roadmap for somatic processing, one that translated complex emotional experiences into a physical language that resonated deeply. Through The Class, she offered a method that made that connection accessible and transformative for so many.

How would you describe the connection between body and mind? 

In my experience, and from what I hear so often from students, many of us have been conditioned to live primarily in our heads, disconnected from our bodies. We navigate life through our thoughts and mental narratives, while our bodies are also experiencing everything - sometimes in ways that feel completely separate from our minds.

True magic happens when we begin to bridge that gap between the mind, the body, and even the heart. It’s in that connection where healing, harmony, and a deeper sense of wholeness can truly take root.

Do you have any ancient practices that you do in your own day-to-day life? 

Yes, I often remind myself of the “Four Universal Questions” rooted in shamanic and holistic traditions. These reflective inquiries are said to guide us back to harmony, joy, and well-being. They’ve been used by healers, shamans, and wisdom keepers to help diagnose imbalances in the emotional, spiritual, and energetic realms.

The questions are simple yet profound:

• When did you stop dancing?
  

• When did you stop singing?
  

• When did you stop sharing your story?
  

• When did you stop connecting with nature?

I try to hold these questions close, using them as gentle reminders to reconnect with what truly nourishes me. Sometimes, that means looking up at the moon, walking among the trees, or simply pausing to witness the beauty of a sunrise or sunset. These moments help me return to myself and the universal healing truths. 

Do you have any daily rituals you follow? 

I have a funny little morning ritual with my dog - a mini labradoodle named Chili - I give her 50 kisses and tell her I love her 50 times every morning. She actually sometimes wakes me up to do it, and is not happy if I don't do it straight away! 

Then we get up, and I drink water with lemon juice and apple cider vinegar - and then it’s time for my coffee, I love coffee. Like, I really love COFFEE! I grind the beans at home, use an aeropress and add an adaptogenic collagen and cacao blend.

The rest of my day tends to vary. My mornings might start with movement; teaching, taking The Class, or diving straight into Zoom meetings. At some point, I make it a priority to step away from the screen, get outside, and take Chili for a walk. 

I feel best when I wind down early, so I'm usually showered and in bed by 9pm. My evening shower is a grounding ritual, an intentional way to wash off the energy of the day and step into rest feeling renewed, ready to greet the next day with clarity.

At Ancient + Brave, we often draw inspiration from our ancestors - something that’s echoed in The Class workouts. Can you share more about how these primal movement patterns influence your practice and the benefits they offer?

At The Class, primal movement patterns are at the heart of what we do. These are movements deeply rooted in our ancestral history - simple, functional, and powerful ways the human body was designed to move. By incorporating primal patterns like squatting, lunging, twisting, shaking, tapping, hopping, sound and vocal release, we can tap into something innate, something ancient within ourselves.

These movements remind us of the body’s natural intelligence and its ability to heal and adapt. They help us build strength and mobility, improve alignment, and develop a deeper connection between mind and body. But it’s not just about the physical benefits; these primal movements have a way of unlocking emotions stored in the body, helping us release tension and stress.

There’s also something profoundly grounding about connecting with the ways our ancestors moved - movements tied to life, seasons, cycles, expression, and connection. It’s a reminder that we’re part of a much larger story. This awareness fosters a sense of reverence for the body and the way it supports us, ultimately leading to a deeper appreciation for our humanity and shared experience.

In essence, these primal patterns don’t just strengthen the body; they help us reconnect with who we are at our core - both as individuals and as part of something timeless.

As a Founding Teacher of The Class, what’s your hope for people walking into the room for the first time? 

As a teacher, my hope is that when you come into The Class, you begin to form a new, nurturing relationship with movement and your body, which is rooted in trust and discovery. This connection has the power to unlock new dimensions of your being.

So often, we are conditioned to speak to ourselves in ways that create a sense of separation or disconnect. My hope is that this space allows you to fall in love with yourself, perhaps for the very first time. Maybe you find yourself thinking, “Wow, my body is incredible. I can feel myself returning.” Or perhaps you rewire the narrative that fitness must be a form of punishment.

What does longevity mean to you? 

To me, longevity is an investment in yourself; the care and intention you put in now shapes the quality and resilience of your future. It’s much like maintaining a car: neglect it, and it will eventually break down. Our bodies are miraculous, working tirelessly to support us, but they need our help to sustain that vitality over time.

True longevity for me isn’t about clinging to youth, it's about embracing the beauty of growing older with grace and strength. We can fuel and nurture ourselves in ways that extend the runway of our lives.

The choices we make today (the care we give our bodies, minds, and spirits) will reveal themselves in the years to come, shaping how we feel and thrive 10, 20, or even 30 years from now. It’s about honoring yourself now and creating well-being for your future self.

What are your simple pleasures?

My simple pleasures are rooted in the little heart openings that bring me back to the present moment. A good cup of coffee is a daily ritual I treasure, and my dog fills my life with so much joy. The simple pleasures of walks with people I love, watching the sunrise or sunset, gazing at the moon, or marveling at the ocean, and coming back to nature. I love its beauty, its rhythms, and the way it quietly reminds me of what truly matters.

Do you take any supplements?

I do, I take a lot of supplements! Magnesium, probiotics, vitamin D and E, electrolytes, fiber and the collagen cacao blend that I have in my coffee. 

I also have a holistic functional doctor through an organization called Parsley Health, which is founded by Dr. Robin Berzin MD. My doctor, Dr. Link, will suggest certain supplements based on my labs. 

Do you use creatine?

I’m familiar with creatine and have experimented with it in the past, though I’ve never built it into a consistent routine. I don’t have a deep understanding of how it impacts blood levels or when it’s most advisable to incorporate it. That said, I know many women who swear by its ability to support muscle growth and boost energy during workouts.

Personally, I haven’t used it long enough to develop a strong connection or fully experience its potential benefits, but I find the conversations around it fascinating and am curious! 

(Want to know more about Creatine? Read our myth-busting blog article here)

What is the key to holistic well-being?

Through it all, the key for me keeps coming back to  listening, deeply and consistently at every stage of life. Our bodies are sending us signals and alerts. We are all practicing paying attention and through deep listening, we can begin to tune in, nurture, find the flow, and align back with our own unique rhythms. 

And finally, how can we find out more about The Class?

Come try it! If you’re curious about The Class, there are so many ways to explore it. Our digital studio streams globally, reaching over 80 countries, so you can practice from anywhere in the world. If you prefer an in-person experience, you can join us at one of our beautiful physical studios in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, or Tribeca, New York. We also take The Class on the road, leading retreats, hosting events, and participating in festivals throughout the year.

On our digital studio, you’ll find a variety of offerings designed to fit seamlessly into your life, whether you’re looking for shorter sessions or full-length Classes.. Beyond our signature Class, we offer yoga, meditation, sculpting with weights, and mindfulness practices. 

Wherever you choose to connect with us, The Class is here to support your journey to move, strengthen, and feel more alive.