Today we’d like to introduce you to Nakisha Smith.
Hi Nakisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a single mother of three, I was looking for something to help manage my stress… in 2006, I joined a group fitness class and I loved it. I found that fitness was helping me manage my stress as a mother & social worker. I committed to exercising 4-5x a week. While exercising at that capacity, I began changing my eating habits as well. In 2008, I lost 103 lbs. During my weight loss success, I became unemployed and made a career change… I believed my experiences in social work, working with African American women/mothers could transfer into working with individuals preferably black women in urban communities who needed the support in making lifestyle changes. It encouraged me to seek out a new career as a fitness trainer…
In December 2010, I completed my first fitness certification and thus my journey began. In 2011, I founded Alwayz Fit 4 Lyfe which stands for taking care of yourself through fitness motivation emotionally, physically, mentally & spiritually always, no matter what life crisis arise.
With the little direction in how to start a fitness program, I was very eager to begin offering classes in my community… I rented a small space and hosted classes 3x a week…
From no persons to 1 person up to over 100 people including children, youth, adults and seniors, presently Alwayz Fit 4 Lyfe provides free community-based fitness classes throughout Brooklyn & NYC. Partnering with some of NYC’s most reputable nonprofit organizations specializing in senior fitness, hosting classes for older adults and people with disabilities.
I am also the ambassador for the East New York 5 k. Alwayz Fit 4 Lyfe was nominated as one of Brooklyn’s top fitness programs by Brooklyn’s Channel 12 news in 2020…
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Finances & space my experience with partnering with some community organizations. Is their inability to maintain the financial support I need to survive, sometimes, I have to wait a long time to receive payment after I have taught a series of classes. But this is my life mission and it’s bigger than money, therefore I continue doing the work! My struggle also is finding adequate safe spaces to host my classes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Alwayz Fit 4 Lyfe?
I am a professional first and foremost. Alwayz Fit 4 Lyfe is operated by me and me only. I manage all of my social media handles, I produce all of my mixes with a professional dj to keep my class members motivated. I care enough to remember everyone’s name and training needs. I send weekly /daily reminders about classes & events via text or email. I host eight weeks of wellness challenges virtually and in person 4x a year. I share other fitness trainers’ platforms to offer a different fitness experience outside of Alwayz Fit 4 Lyfe. During the pandemic, I provided over 400 live free classes on Facebook & Instagram to help people stay active.
I am most proud that through God’s grace, I have survived homelessness, depression, 2 hip replacements and a pandemic… And mostly the difficulty of engaging our culture to maintain a healthy lifestyle…
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My hope is that everyone learns that self-care is a priority and not an option. You can not take care of anything or anyone if you are not taking care of yourself first!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Alwayz_fit_4_lyfe_
- Facebook: Facebook.com/alwayzfit
- Youtube: YouTube.com/@Alwayzfit4lyfe
