Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanika Alphabet.
Shanika, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Faith is why I am here, and faith is why I made it through! Growing up in church, we are told to trust God, God will never put more on you than you can bare. For the very first time in my life, I questioned God and his love for me. I honestly felt like he hated me and wanted to punish me for what I had done in my past life. After six years of trying to heal alone, I realized I needed help. I needed to talk this out. I was looking for an outlet and someone to talk to. Who could I confide in? Who could I entrust my life to? On my most difficult days, I leaned on my sister. Although she was suffering from a serious illness herself, she was there for me 100 percent.
In August 2017, she invited me to this gym, E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness. She was attending this gym because she began to heal physically. She was so excited about her results; not just the physical weight loss. She was so sure that the people at this gym was God sent. The more she attended, the more she would try to convince me to attend. However, I was stuck in my ways. I turned down every invite for months. One day she laid across my bed and pleaded with me to attend, and I did. Not knowing what to expect. I went to E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness Bootcamp for the very first time. Now Growing up, I played all kind of sports, I just knew this bootcamp was going to be a breeze. Man, this bootcamp had to be one of the toughest workouts I’ve ever experienced. As I looked around the room, I noticed a room full of people doing the work, trying to get better, but I instantly blurted out, “I don’t like this mess.” However, when your heart is filled with issues, you will always find reasons not to like something that’s beneficial for you. The entire ride home I told my sister, “I don’t like this class because they are throwing sweat everywhere and my press is destroyed.” I couldn’t deny that the workout was amazing.
I mean, I didn’t even make it home without throwing up on the side of the road. It was at this moment; God begin showing me that I was out of shape. I was out of shape physically, mentally, and emotionally. I needed a solid change, but I wasn’t ready to commit or do the work? There are three things that I wrestled with; I don’t like a lot of people, I don’t like to sweat and I don’t play about my hair. My favorite line to say was “it’s a press, not a perm.” My hair was my God. So, I told my sister, this is my first and last time at E.F.F.E.C.T. I love you, but this is not going to work for me.” She insisted that I keep going because she needed the support. So, I obliged and went against what I believed to support her. I stayed in the back of the room and probably was the first person out. For the first three weeks, I just went through the motions not really expecting anything from these workouts. Even though I was getting stronger physically, I was still weak in my mind and heart.
After a few months, I started seeing results. Things not only began to transform on the outside, but I also began noticing that internally I was transforming as well. God had begun a good work and I wanted to be faithful. My workouts became intentional and purposeful. I started thinking about what I put in my body and the company I kept. I realized that living intentionally also meant taking back my power. I realized that if I wanted to grow, change, and evolve as a human that I had to intentionally love me over my pain. My past failures and everything else that kept me from healing could no longer keep me in bondage. This healing journey has not been easy. However, I had to become selfish and no longer rely on my sister as a crutch, it was time to soar alone. I began going to as many bootcamp classes that I could. I noticed that with every class I felt true victory. Working out at E.F.F.E.C.T. gave me time and space to truly work on me. The gym became a tool for healing. I used my time at E.F.F.E.C.T. to redirect my pain, anger, frustrations. Dooley and Shayon lovingly forced me to be honest with myself. I could no longer allow this rape to be an excuse for failure. I could no longer avoid my healing. The intense trainings, especially training with the Justice League has inspired me to forgive myself.
I now have a close circle of accountability partners who encourages me daily. I take my workouts seriously. I remember praying to God saying, “please God, as I change and heal physically, let me change and heal emotionally and mentally. He answered my prayers. At the moment, I had been a member of E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness for about six months and my results were unbelievable. Not only did I lose weight mentally and physically, I began to share my story and encourage people around me to Heal. For the first time in years, I was able to look at myself in the mirror. E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness helped me find myself again. This gym restored my hope. I am thankful for my sister, Dooley, Shayon and my ten. I really appreciate you all for pushing me to greatness. Thank you for not only training my body but training my mind. E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness saved my life!
Over the past two years, I have learned what commitment feels like. I have also come to understand the true meaning of village; I have learned to love. I vow to empower and free myself and others. I have learned to support and give without expectations. As I commit to my healing journey, I vow to help others heal as well. If you want something to change, you must do the damn work. In order to heal, you must be willing, ready, and fit2Heal!
We’d love to hear more about the business.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday I train families with my Fit2Heal Bootcamps. I charge $5.00 for kids and $10.00 per adults. I specialize in healing the body through physical fitness while inspiring people young and more mature people to win their health back. My goal is to inspire as many people as I can to get FIT2Heal.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans is to inspire both young and more mature people that being healthy is more than exercising but we must heal from the inside out. That healing is both physically and mentally and what better way to heal than to do it with the people you love and care about. Fit2heal ultimate Family boot camp was created to provide a platform for families to train, learn and heal together!
Pricing:
- $5 kids
- $10 Adults
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4049107005
- Email: info.fit2heal@gmail.con
- Instagram: Fit2heal
- Facebook: Shanika Alphabet
Image Credit:
Ryder
Paul
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