Mayor Jake’s Kumu App a Hit on iTunes

By FRANCES SHARPE  | Editor-in-Chief

Just two weeks after its official release, Honorary Mayor Jake Steinfeld’s wellness app Kumu earned an enviable spot as a “featured app” on iTunes. The placement last week led to a wild surge in activity.

“It’s just unbelievable, it’s blowing up,” Mayor Jake said. “It quadrupled traffic the first day.”

Mayor Jake had been toiling on a fitness app for about five years. Things really came together about six months ago when he brought in former Apple exec J.C. Mauricia to take charge of the company as CEO.

Mauricia tweaked the app, which pairs individuals with friendly wellness coaches who are part psychologist, part nutritionist, part fitness trainer.

Users answer three simple questions – “it takes about 15 seconds,” Mauricia said – about their personality to get matched to a coach who will offer guidance and encouragement in their journey to better wellness.

Becoming a coach for the app takes more than solid credentials. In fact, only 4 percent of applicants become coaches.

“They all have the credentials,” Mauricia said, “but that’s not all. They all have to have that warm, friendly likeability factor too.”

Users can text, send photos and video chat with a Kumu coach, just like you do with friends.

“Your coach will respond to your request for a video chat within seven minutes,” Mauricia added.

This means you have access to a coach when you most need it rather than only during a pre-scheduled appointment.

This is key, according to Mayor Jake, because life doesn’t always happen on a schedule.

Kumu coaches don’t just lay down the law with overwhelmingly restrictive nutrition plans or unrealistic fitness routines. Instead, they provide achievable small goals and strategies that help users take charge of their own wellness.

“The great thing about Kumu is being able to provide not just hope, but a solution for all people looking to better themselves while being able be able to create a personal relationship with the most friendly, knowledgeable coaches on the planet,” Mayor Jake said.

Kumu, which has a five-star rating, is available to download on iTunes for a free seven-day trial, then costs $19.95 a month.