Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Heard.
Sydney, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
So my story began where I was born and raised, in Chicago Illinois. I grew up in the South Shore neighborhood on the east side of town (though some consider it simply as the south side, albeit the lake occupies most of the eastern portion of the city). My parents separated when I was about four, and so I lived with my mother, older sister (two years older), and our older cousin (until he later moved out). While my father whom we would visit throughout the year, lived in Atlanta.
Our time visiting with our father was always enjoyable, and was made even more so by the lovely woman that would eventually become our stepmother. She always assisted him with taking care of us and giving us support from day one, even before she, and our father were a romantic pair. We also spent a fair amount of time visiting our mother’s family (grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) in St. Louis. My academic years were colorful to say the least, and quite challenging as the years progressed, but I made it through them. I attended a Montessori Elementary school, then a high school for Agriculture and Sciences, and later made my way south to Fort Valley State University for college. I graced the campus of FVSU for about three semesters, having dropped out at the beginning of what would have been my second semester, sophomore year.
After dropping out, I returned to Atlanta, and stayed with my father and stepmother for a short while before being drawn back home to Chicago. Once home my mother hit me with her special brand of reality checking (delivered with love and “options”). She told me I could either look into going back to school or get a job, in so many words. I halfheartedly applied to some places in the neighborhood knowing it wasn’t really what I wanted to do. One night as I sat frustrated at the computer mindlessly searching the web this ad popped up for National Personal Training Institute (NPTI). I of course clicked on the ad, and after going through the site decided to fill out the school application just for the hell of it. Fast forward two years later I was back in Georgia, and had completed my courses to become a certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Counselor in 2011. I did some more moving back and forth between Chicago and Atlanta over the years as my personal life and mental health were influx. I did eventually settle back in Atlanta after prioritizing my mental and physical healing and wellness. Which brought me to incorporating the same synergistic wellness principals and modalities into my coaching today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
What a question. I agree with you and would say that we all face challenges on this journey through life. My challenges have been assorted over the years. Academically I struggled in most subjects, aside from English and fine arts. I think largely because of how I viewed myself after being diagnosed with and medicated for ADHD at seven (I opted out of continuing medication sometime in high school). I also dealt with bullying, which ignited a constant battle with anxiety within me. My appearance was picked apart from the top down, big eyes, body hair, complexion, weight, nothing seemed off limits. It wasn’t until I was around 21 that I began my mental health journey. After seeing a therapist for a year I was officially diagnosed with clinical depression, borderline major depression and anxiety. Through a holistic counseling and therapy approach I was able to process and deal with my suicide attempts and self-harming challenges. I’m proud to say I haven’t self-harmed in almost two years now.
I also dealt with issues around food and exercise (restrictive eating, binge eating and extreme calorie counting, extreme workouts, etc.). My own training with NPTI and beyond brought me into more intuitive and healthier food and fitness habits over the years. I was recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and am currently working through healing myself. Now I take everything day by day, focusing on my present moment and caring for myself one day at a time. When I am present not only can I care for myself, but I am able to give to and support my loved ones, and clients’ all the more better.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the owner and creator of Aligned Fitness. I am a Wellness Guide and Holistic Personal Trainer and Nutrition Counsel. My specialty is in supporting individuals who want to begin living a healthier, more holistic lifestyle by utilizing their own power through: fitness, nutrition, spiritual and energetic practices, and supportive emotional hygiene. I am proud of the drive my team and I share for healing and uplifting the community. I don’t necessarily think there is any one thing, but the totality of the whole that sets Aligned Fitness apart from other wellness or fitness companies. I just believed that these modalities didn’t have to be separate from one another and merging them wasn’t necessary, as much as it was organic. Just like the complexity of being human, Aligned Fitness exists to support all aspects of an individual’s journey in health, wellness and happiness.
What were you like growing up?
I was loud, passionate, compassionate, and a bit of a cry baby. I always had a deep joy for life, and was of the mind I could be and do whatever I put my mind to. I enjoyed running, playing outside with my friends, and anything that kept me active (tennis and soccer especially). I had a flair for the dramatic, and expressed it in dance and theater. Though I erred on shy side at times I could be quite the character… I even went through a bit of a nudist stage when I was very young running and singing songs through my childhood home in the nude at any opportunity. I enjoyed writing, I still do, as well as video games. I am an amateur gamer, depending on the game.
I always held the belief that everything happens for a reason. The Divine Creator is always protecting, guiding and supporting us, even in our lows and challenges through life. For a time I allowed my own disbelief in myself, mental health and physical health challenges to stall my journey at points. In Islam I learned and followed the belief that the more you support and do for others with genuine loving intentions, the more that same energy will be given back to you from the Divine. So if I can help shine some sunlight on another that brings me a deep gratitude and slowly washes away at my own suffering, and for that I give thanks.
Final Thoughts/Statement:
I want to give thanks to my ancestors and all divine beings that protect and guide me, my amazing parents, siblings, all of my family (blood-related and love related), my partner and his family, my best friends and anyone that has ever supported me, loved me, believed in me and uplifted me, I give thanks to you all. I am who I am today thanks to them and the experiences I have had in life, I give thanks for it all.
I want to share some of my favorite quotes (the writer in me) with you all, to inspire you and remind you of your divine light and power.
“To all those suffering from sadness or depression, know that it isn’t your fault. It isn’t because you’re weak. It isn’t because you’re just not grateful enough. It isn’t because you’re just not religious enough. It isn’t because you don’t have enough faith. It isn’t because God is angry with you. To all the well-meaning people who tell you this, just smile. And know deep in your heart that the tests of God come in different forms to different people. And know that, by the help of God, every test can become a tool to get closer to Him. And that, verily, with hardship comes ease–and like all things of this world–this too shall pass.” – Yasmin Mogahed
“Give. Even when you know you can get nothing back.” – Yasmin Mogahed
“When Allah loves you, He places the love of you in the hearts of the people whose love is worth having.” – Sheikh Omar Suleiman
Contact Info:
- Website: sheardpt.wixsite.com/alignedfitness
- Phone: 1(678)826-9810
- Email: sheardpt@gmail.com
- Instagram: @alignedfitness_
Image Credit:
Personal Selfie: Sydney Heard; Images Credits: Jordan Heard
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
