Apple Fitness VP Jay Blahnik Faces Toxic-Workplace Claims

Apple’s vice president of fitness technologies, Jay Blahnik, is facing multiple accusations that he fostered a toxic workplace, with nine current and former colleagues describing him as verbally abusive, manipulative and inappropriate. Apple has disputed the characterization, saying its internal review found no evidence of wrongdoing and stressing its commitment to a positive, inclusive work environment. The public dispute comes as a related civil suit by Mandana Mofidi, a former Apple employee, moves toward a 2027 trial, highlighting broader questions about leadership, accountability and the treatment of staff within one of the company’s most prominent health initiatives.

The allegations center on a 100-person division Blahnik leads, responsible for Apple Fitness and the company’s health-oriented services such as the Apple Watch Activity rings and the Fitness+ subscription launched in 2020. According to interviews with nine current and former staff members, Blahnik’s conduct included unprofessional comments, leering behavior, and remarks they described as inappropriate or demeaning. One former employee described the environment as “toxic,” while another said she had “never...