By Janina Benedik on March 30, 2026
After overcoming his own painful injury, Zae Amerson turned his passion for holistic recovery into a growing business that’s helping Bay Area residents move better and live with less pain.
In Hayward, California, tucked in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, Zae Amerson is on a mission to change how people think about body care.
As the founder of Zae’s Stretch Lounge and the wellness brand ZaeFit, he specializes in stretch therapy, body recovery, and holistic products designed to help people move better, recover faster, and improve their quality of life.
For Zae, this isn’t just a business – it’s a calling that grew out of his own experience with injury and recovery.
Zae’s journey into stretch therapy began after a life-changing injury at age 19.
“I broke my jaw when I was 19,” he recalls. “The physical therapy they gave me after surgery was terrible, and I actually ended up with more problems afterward.”
Instead of accepting long-term complications, Zae began researching holistic recovery methods, stretching techniques, and nerve-related healing approaches. Through persistence and experimentation, he was able to heal himself.
That experience sparked something bigger.
Later, while working as a personal trainer, he began applying the same techniques to help clients dealing with injuries, tight muscles, and mobility problems. The results were impressive – and word spread quickly.
“I noticed there was a growing interest the more I talked to people about stretching,” Zae says. “A lot of trainers were saying stretching wasn’t that important, but I saw how powerful it actually was.”
What began as a personal discovery eventually grew into a full-fledged business dedicated to helping others experience the same transformation.
At Zae’s Stretch Lounge, Zae offers stretch therapy and body recovery services designed to address both immediate discomfort and long-term physical issues.
His work includes techniques such as assisted stretching, cupping, scraping therapy, and nervous system recovery. But what truly sets him apart is his philosophy: healing the whole person, not just the symptom.
“I’m not just focusing on your body,” he explains. “I’m focusing on your emotional and mental state too. Everything is connected.”
Clients often describe Zae’s sessions as uniquely calming. Instead of rigid movements or clinical routines, he flows through the stretches almost like a dance – creating a relaxing experience that helps clients feel energized and balanced.
The goal is simple: eliminate pain, restore mobility, and help people feel comfortable in their bodies again.
“We only get one body,” Zae says. “Taking care of it should be a priority.”
In addition to therapy sessions, Zae has expanded his brand through ZaeFit, a line of all-natural body care products.
These holistic products are designed to support recovery and overall well-being. Some help reduce muscle tightness or nerve discomfort, while others are formulated to improve sleep, boost energy, enhance focus, or support mood balance.
Zae says the products are meant to complement his hands-on therapy work, allowing clients to continue caring for their bodies even when they’re not in the lounge.
Most of Zae’s clients fall between 40 and 70 years old, though people of all ages benefit from his services.
He works with a diverse group of individuals, including:
Women tend to make up the majority of his clientele, which Zae attributes to their greater focus on self-care and wellness.
But no matter who walks through the door, the mission is the same: restore movement and help people feel better in their bodies.
While Zae currently operates the business himself, he’s in the process of hiring additional stretch therapists as demand grows.
Behind the scenes, however, he credits much of his success to his family.
“My wife helps out during pop-up events, and my mom and kids support the business too,” he says. “It’s definitely a family effort.”
That support system has been crucial as he builds the business and prepares for expansion.
Zae’s clients have taken notice of his results.
His business currently holds five-star reviews on Google, driven largely by satisfied customers who want to help his services grow.
“They like the service and the quality I give,” Zae explains. “So they’re willing to leave reviews and help spread the word.”
With an estimated 80% close rate for new prospects, his reputation and word-of-mouth referrals continue to fuel steady growth.
Outside of business, Zae says one of the most transformative experiences of his life has been becoming a father.
“Having my kids changed me completely,” he says. “It changed how I see the world and how I approach life.”
Fatherhood taught him patience, creativity, and the importance of thinking outside the box – lessons that have also shaped how he runs his business.
Opening his own company brought another level of personal growth.
“It taught me patience and trust,” Zae says. “Running a business forces you to grow as a person.”
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Zae chose to build his business in his hometown of Hayward, California, a city he describes as a hidden gem.
“It’s kind of an unknown city that has everything,” he says. “We’re next to all the big cities and surrounded by entrepreneurs, small businesses, and people hustling.”
Looking ahead, Zae has ambitious plans for growth.
“In five years, I want multiple locations, multiple stretch therapists, and to expand throughout the state – and possibly beyond.”
For those who have never tried assisted stretching, Zae says the experience is completely different from stretching on your own.
“You can stretch by yourself,” he explains. “But having someone else stretch you is a totally different experience.”
And once people try it, they rarely regret it.
“I haven’t met anyone yet who tried it and didn’t love it,” he says.
For Zae Amerson, helping people rediscover comfort and freedom in their bodies is the ultimate reward – and just the beginning of a wellness movement he hopes to grow across the Bay Area and beyond.
Website: www.stayzaefit.linktree
Social: Instagram
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