Article by Veronica Deac, the founder of Jump Fitness Festival and Jump Fit Oy.

JUMP FITNESS FESTIVAL – Bold & Powerful

Imagine a unicorn. Rare. Bright. Unforgettable. You may never have seen one, but you believe it exists somewhere, reserved for moments and experiences that refuse to be ordinary.

That is how I feel about Jump Festival. It is not simply a fitness event arriving in Finland.

It is a story. A statement.

A living symbol of what can grow from courage and conviction.

On March 14 in Turku, I celebrate two milestones: ten years of JUMP FIT Oy and my 50th birthday.

There could be no more meaningful way to honour both than by creating an international festival. And like revealing a unicorn step by step, I want to share why this event is something truly exceptional.

My journey began in the hardest season of my life. After a painful breakup, I found myself alone with two small children, unemployed, in a country where I had no support network to lean on. I was penniless, hurt, and at times overwhelmed by hopelessness. But I had a dream, and that dream felt stronger than my fear.

When I presented my idea, authorities considered it unrealistic. Even impossible. I was denied start-up support. Still, I refused to stop. I believed deeply in Kangoo Jumps and rebounding fitness. I saw what it could offer: warmth in a cold climate, energy where there was heaviness, connection where people felt alone. Finland needed more joy in movement, and I knew I could bring it.

In March 2016, I began with just 20 pairs of shoes and one month of free classes so people could experience this new sport without hesitation. I travelled across cities, attended countless events, organised free trials, and worked without holidays. Every day I searched for new ways to grow the community.

Slowly, steadily, something beautiful began to form.

From those first 20 pairs of shoes, a whole world unfolded. Certified instructors emerged across Finland. Thousands of rebounders found their rhythm. In 2021, during the difficult Covid period that challenged so many entrepreneurs, our Kangoo Jumps team stepped onto the stage of Got Talent Finland. We received a Golden Buzzer and reached the finals. That moment was more than recognition. It was proof of leadership, resilience, and the powerful bond between me and my instructors.

In one of the most uncertain times, we grew stronger.

In 2023, I was named Sole Entrepreneur of the Year by Varsinais-Suomen Yrittäjät.

That same year, I launched the first Jump Festival. I had never organised an event of that scale before, yet participants arrived from Finland and abroad. It was a success, but it was also one of the most stressful periods of my life. My desire to create something unique was overwhelming. I wanted every detail to reflect excellence.

Then came 2024. Two major events back to back.

A vibrant flash mob in Turku city centre where 100 people jumped together in bright colours, transforming the streets into a moving celebration. And the second Jump Festival, complete with an after party, international presenters, and unforgettable stage moments. I organised it almost entirely alone, with barely any collaborators or sponsors. A water supplier and a donated microphone were among the few forms of support. Everything else came from determination.

That 2024 festival was my masterpiece. I planned every detail meticulously. I felt unstoppable, confident beyond measure. I truly believe that with the financial resources and limited help I had, nobody could have created something better.

But perfection has a price.

Afterwards, I felt completely drained, physically and mentally. The stress and my own high standards pushed me to the edge. I had to face a simple truth: nobody is invincible. Not even the strongest leader. I needed time to rest, to rebuild, to reconnect with myself.

So in 2025, I did something different. I did not organise a festival. Instead, two of my instructors stepped forward and created a festival in Hämeenlinna. I attended as a special guest, supporting them and leading a masterclass. Watching them take initiative was one of the proudest moments of my career. Leadership is not about doing everything yourself. It is about empowering others to rise.

‍

Jump Fitness Festival 2026

And now, 2026 is a comeback. Not from failure, but from growth.

I feel stronger than ever, emotionally, physically, mentally. This season of my life feels aligned. I see the results of ten years of relentless work and resilience. That is why this anniversary theme is Bold & Powerful.

Bold for the mindset that refused to accept rejection.

Powerful for the impact rebounding has on the body, the mind, the health, and the sense of connection between people.

Kangoo Jumps was invented over 30 years ago for knee rehabilitation. The shoes absorb nearly 80 percent of impact, making it joint-friendly and accessible. Rebounding supports the heart, bones, muscles, lymphatic system, posture, balance, coordination and much more. It burns calories efficiently. It releases endorphins that bring back the carefree feeling of childhood. It builds friendships. It transforms exercise from obligation into pleasure.

From beginners to advanced participants, from children to adults well into their seventies, progress is possible. I am especially proud of our oldest instructor in Finland, who is 71 years old. This sport does not exclude. It invites.

Join us.

On March 14 in Turku, Finnish instructors will be joined by international presenters from the UK, Germany, Belgium and Bulgaria. The day will be filled with masterclasses, energy, colour, and connection. We will also offer Afro-style and Funky Dance sessions where Kangoo shoes are swapped for regular trainers, blending rhythm with movement in new ways.

In the evening, the celebration continues with an after party and dinner at Kårkafe Arken. Elegant outfits will replace sportswear. Laughter will replace countdowns. It is my birthday gift back to the community. A chance to create memories, build friendships, and spark future collaborations. In our rebounder community, possibility is a natural state.

Jump Festival is my unicorn.

Colourful. Musical. Energetic. Full of positive vibration and opportunity. It is an invitation to step outside your comfort zone and meet extraordinary people.

I am living proof that life can change when you choose courage over fear. When you follow your intuition. When you refuse to be defined by your status, your lack of connections, or your limited resources. When you stay true to your beliefs, even when others call your idea impossible.

When something special is created with limited resources but limitless heart, it carries a different kind of value. It is not built on power or privilege. It is built on resilience, feeling, and vision.

And that is why Jump Festival is not just an event. It is a celebration of boldness. A declaration of power. And perhaps, just like a unicorn, something you will never forget once you experience it.

‍

Find the unicorn. Join me at Jump Festival on March 14.

You can find details here: https://www.kangooclubturku.fi/jumpfestival/fi.html or follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kangooclubfitsuomi, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jumpfinland/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jumpfinland

‍

Guest writer and a Crush Movement member Veronica Deac

Veronica Deac is the founder of JUMP FIT Oy and the pioneer who brought Kangoo Jumps to Finland. Since 2016, she has built a nationwide rebounding community of instructors and thousands of participants, earning recognition as Sole Entrepreneur of the Year and leading her team to a Golden Buzzer moment on Got Talent Finland. Her work combines bold leadership, resilience, and a passion for making movement joyful and empowering.

‍