Who is Jay Blahnik, the Apple fitness chief accused of sexual harassment and toxic culture?

Jay Blahnik, Apple’s Fitness Chief and the mind behind some of the company’s most successful health initiatives, is facing serious allegations of fostering a toxic workplace and harassment. According to a New York Times report, nine current and former employees described him as verbally abusive, manipulative, and inappropriate—claims that have pushed more than 10% of the team into extended medical or mental health leaves since 2022.

Apple has already settled one harassment complaint against Blahnik and is contesting a lawsuit filed in 2023 by former employee Mandana Mofidi, who alleges bullying and retaliation. Despite the accusations, Blahnik has remained in his role after Apple’s internal investigation reportedly found “no evidence of wrongdoing.”

Several incidents have fueled the controversy. In a 2021 meeting about a project with Olympic skier Ted Ligety, Blahnik allegedly joked about sleeping with the athlete and suggested a team member had secured participation through a neck massage. He also made sexual remarks about trainers’ bodies and, on another occasion, suggested a colleague’s wife was unfaithful, using a vulgar term. Multiple former staffers said he often targeted Apple Fitness+ creative director Wil Tidman with inappropriate jokes and comments. After receiving a late-night text from Blahnik in 2022, Tidman took medical leave and later reached a settlement with Apple.


Mofidi, who joined Apple in 2021, claims Blahnik retaliated against her after she raised concerns about unequal pay and was compelled to participate in an HR investigation into his behavior. Following a heated meeting where he allegedly yelled at her, she says his allies began documenting her “poor performance” to build a case for termination. By 2023, she was given the option of a buyout or a performance improvement plan. Feeling isolated and pressured, she went on medical leave before ultimately resigning. Her lawsuit against Apple and Blahnik is set for trial in 2027.

Despite the controversy, Blahnik remains a celebrated figure in the fitness world. Before joining Apple in 2013, he worked with Nike for nearly two decades and authored a book on fitness. He spearheaded the Apple Watch’s “Close Your Rings” activity feature and later developed Apple Fitness+, a $9.99 monthly subscription launched in 2020 offering guided workout videos and motivational audio programs.