LIFT them up! 8 Black Health & Fitness Pros You Should Know

Health & fitness is for everybody. Let’s read that again because it’s so important & clearly not the case in all communities today. Fitness is for everybody.

Health and fitness has become yet another privilege that is often denied to so many BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color) & extending to our friends in the LGBTQIA+ community.

As a fitness professional working in a predominantly white industry, it is more important than ever that I, along my colleagues who are white coaches and trainers, listen, learn, unlearn, and strive to become more inclusive, compassionate, & empathetic. We must be able to start hard conversations and do the necessary work to truly be there for EVERYONE we meet. It’s our turn to step up & face the challenges that anti-racist activists, researchers, & teachers like Victoria Alexander (@victoriaalxndr) have faced for years to not only become better trainers but better humans. You can check out her Anti Racist Guide to learn more.

While I feel way too late to the party on doing a better job of educating myself on the evils of systemic racism, my weights are loaded and I’m ready to do some heavy lifting.

I wanted to become a trainer to help people live healthier lives and help them learn they can accomplish big things no matter what those goals may look like.

Shauna Harrison Ph.D, said it best in the article, Hey, Fellow Fitness Pros: Yes, Speaking Out Against Anti-Blackness Is Our Lane,

We cannot be silent. We cannot avoid the work. As trainers and instructors we are literally in the business of doing hard work. We are in the business of growth, empowerment, and behavior change. Helping people build strength is powerful; showing them you’re strong enough to put your privilege aside to stand up for them is even more so. Let’s get to work.

Empowering women is one of the main reasons why I wanted to become a trainer. Historically women of color have been ignored in the health and fitness world. Check out personal trainer, lifestyle coach, and fitness blogger, Chrissy King’s article: Is Fitness Only For Thin, White Women?

That needs to change. We’re stronger together. Let’s support and LIFT these women up. Follow. Support. Donate. Refer them. Talk & network with them.

Here are some amazing Black women health/ fitness professionals & athletes to follow who are and have been doing amazing things in this industry from slinging some serious weight to inspiring body positivity and knocking out marathons!

Let’s lift them up!

1. Chrissy King

Milwaukee-based ISSA certified personal trainer, lifestyle coach, fitness blogger, writer, speaker, Creator of #BodyLiberationProject, VP of Womens Strength Coalition

Instagram: @iamchrissyking Twitter: @iamchrissyking

(image: http://chrissyking.com/home-2/)

I found Chrissy on Twitter a while back and am inspired & motivated by her work with antiracism and inclusiveness in the fitness industry. Her health & fitness philosophies focus on what your body can do and loving it at every stage of the process. Oh & did I mention she loves heavy lifting AND wine? LOVE.

2. Jessamyn Stanley

Yoga teacher, body positivity advocate, and writer based in Durham, North Carolina. Founder of @ubyogastudio, Author of #everybodyyoga, Host of @dearjessamyn & Co-Founder of http://wegohigh.info

Instagram: @mynameisjessamyn Twitter: @JessNotJazz

(image: @mynameisjessamyn)

Jessamyn uses a body positivity style in her yoga classes that focus on how poses feel vs. how they look. She offers online classes through her business The Underbelly which brings yoga to the comfort of your own home. She definitely makes you want to up your yoga game and find your way back to the mat.

3. Quiana Welch

Olympic lifter & American record holder, sponsored athlete, PN-1 Coach, Mom, all around badass

Instagram: @quiana_welch

(image: @quiana_welch)

This woman right here though. Her grit, drive, determination, & grace are like no other and will inspire you to do & be better. She recently had a little boy, Langston, and is back to business under the bar.

4. Latoya Shauntay Snell

Chef. Photographer. Fitness Writer. Ultrarunner. Cyclist. OCR. Hoka 1 Athlete. Owner/creator of Running Fat Chef

Instagram: @iamlshauntay Twitter: latoyashauntay

(image: @iamlshauntay)

Latoya's passion for movement, the culinary arts, activism & body positivity bring so much to the fitness space. She advocates for the rights of athletes of all sizes, background and personal identity. Her videos will make you want to lace up & go for that run!

5. Lita Lewis

Personal trainer, competitor, health & life coach, public speaker

Instagram: followthelita Twitter: followthelita

(image: @followthelita)

Strong minds. Strong Bodies. Positivity. That's exactly what you get with this Cali born, Aussie raised powerhouse. Her new 30 minute workout video will definitely get you sweating! Lita also offers online Playbook training programs to get you moving.

6. Laila Ali

Undefeated 4 Time World Champion Boxer 24-0 with 21 KO's....Television Host, Fitness & Wellness advocate, Author, Speaker, Mother, Wife, lailaali.com

Instagram: @TheRealLailaAli Twitter: @TheRealLailaAli

(image: lailaali.com)

Champion. I had the honor to hear Laila do a motivational speaking event & remember her telling the story of the crystal clear champion mentality she had knowing she would win her final boxing match, then going into the ring and winning it. I still get chills. She is a champion in every sense of the word and makes it her mission to help you find your champion mindset.

7. Alicia Archer

Fitness Instructor and Glam Maven in NYC, kinkysweatnyc.com

Instagram: @kinkysweat Twitter: @kinkysweatnyc

(photo: @kinkysweat)

The minute you tune in to Alicia's videos you'll learn where her fabulous social media handle comes from (spoiler: it's awesome). Where fitness & function meet beauty and style. Alicia grew up dancing and earned her B.F.A. In Dance from Fordham University/The Ailey School. She has a passion for fitness and beauty and combines them both on her social media platforms. Need some one on one help with makeup or flexibility? Check out her online classes!

8. Lauren Leavell

Personal Trainer, Barre & HIIT Teacher, Body positive fitness and accountability coach, laurenleavellfitness.com

Instagram: @laurenleavellfitness Twitter: leavell_lauren

(image: @laurenleavellfitness)

Lauren is a NASM-CPT, Barre & HIIT instructor based in Philadelphia, PA. She left the corporate world of finance to become a personal trainer & help people become physically, emotionally, & financially fit. Meditation plays an important role in her life and leads group & private practices. Her "no one size fits all" in health and wellness says it all. Go check this awesome lady out!