Apple’s vice president of fitness technologies Jay Blahnik will retire this summer, ending 13 years of employment with the Cupertino firm. Blahnik is stepping down in the wake of accusations of his creating a toxic workplace, and sexually harassed at least one employee.
Apple announced Blahnik’s “retirement” this week in an email to all of its employees. The company said that Blahnik, 57, will leave in July “to spend time with his family and make an exciting move to New York City,” reports The New York Times.
Blahnik joined Apple in 2013 following a 20 year tenure as a consultant at Nike. During his time t Apple, he played a big role in the development of the Apple Watch’s iconic Activity rings. He later headed Fitness+, Apple’s subscription video workout service, which launched in December 2020.
It was while leading the Fitness+ team that serious complaints arose. The Times reported in August 2025 that nine current and former employees had accused Blahnik of being “verbally abusive, manipulative and inappropriate.” The report said that 10+ of the 100 employees on Blahnik’s team had sought extended mental health or medical leaves of absence since 2022.
Following these complaints, Apple conducted an internal investigation, but found no evidence of wrongdoing, so Blahnik stayed in his role.
Apple has also settled one complaint alleging sexual harassment by Blahnik. The company is also currently defending him in a separate bullying lawsuit brought by employee Mandana Mofidi, who accused him of bullying. That case will go to trial next year.
Apple has yet to announce who will replace Blahnik at Fitness+.