Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Deka.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story started with struggling with weight as a child. I went up and down in weight and always wanted to “look better.” I continued my struggle as a teenager, college student and young adult.
I became obsessed with new ways to lose weight fast. Working out, diet pills, laxatives, starving myself and throwing up became my regular routine. It all started to catch up to me. This lead to a few visits to the ER. My body was slowly declining from all the damage I was doing without even knowing.
I had to see a Neurologist on a regular basis. I was put on daily medication to control cluster headaches. I was diagnosed with bulimia and binge eating disorder. I had to learn a new way of life. I began to put on weight heavily due to fear of going back to my old ways.
After years of struggling, I was tired and over the fear! I had to make a change if I wanted to move on and beat this once and for all! I’ve changed my way of thinking when it comes to food and haven’t touched a diet pill in over five years.
I started Think Health by AshyD to help others and encourage them that they are not alone. A healthy lifestyle has ups and downs, but I can understand as a women the pressures put on us in society to be or look a certain way. Self love and being the healthiest you is the most important part of life. Health isn’t a size!
With the right tools and guidance, you can do anything you put your mind to. Nothing is easy. Creating a new lifestyle change can be challenging good and bad days. You may fall off for a day or two, but it’s the strength of knowing you can jump right back in and continue instead of throwing in the towel.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been an easy or smooth path. My struggles with weight and food have helped me to grow my business and help others. I have learned that my purpose is so much greater than what I ever imagined. Through my eating disorders, I have learned to overcome fear and be the best me I can be. Self-love is so important to staying consistent, motivated and wanting to be your best self. Love who you are and taking care of your body should be a priority for living a full life.
My proud moments are in times of stress or pain I don’t binge and I stick to my routine! I research food and fitness and that keeps me motivated to have a healthy mind, body, and soul. I get excited about fighting my urges and celebrate my successes now. I decided to shift my purpose into helping others with their lifestyle changes. I can speak from experience and understand the struggles. I help clients to set realistic goals, keep them motivated and hold them accountable.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Think Health by AshyD – what should we know?
I am a Certified Fitness Instructor and Accountability Coach based out of Atlanta, Georgia. I have bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and minor in Business. My passion is health and fitness and I work with clients online and in person. My main goal is to teach others how to live a healthy lifestyle that fits their life with realistic expectations. I teach classes on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays at a gym in Smyrna, GA. I am a member of the Women’s by Choice Network and on the Choice Coaches Council as a Fitness & Accountability Coach. I’m a board member for the Ambassador’s of Change and spoke at the 2018 MBUSAM Call Me Miss Ambassador Conference. I offer a 5 Week Think Challenge Program, 90 Day Think Health Online Challenge yearly and a TH 30 Program. My blog and website offers recipes, workouts and fitness tips.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have an amazing support system at home. I have wonderful friends that are my biggest fans. My clients are so awesome and keep me motivated to keep following my purpose. I also belong to the Women by Choice Network which is a supporting, inspiring and transparent safe space for women to be judgment-free and help each other in whatever way we can. Women supporting other women is so needed in our world and I’m blessed to have such wonderful networks like Loud Discussions with Dr. Kyla Lurry and apart of Ambassador’s of Change helping at-risk teenage girls. These support systems have truly helped me and the growth in my personal life and business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thinkhealthbyashyd.com
- Phone: 740-337-6416
- Email: thinkhealthbyashyd@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thinkhealthbyashyd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thinkhealthbyashyd
Image Credit:
@kimanimedia
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