Daily Inspiration: Meet Ashley Askew Bell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Askew Bell.

Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The journey started in Conyers, Georgia, where I realized there weren’t any local walk clubs or wellness spaces that truly reflected black and brown women. Most of what existed was centered around Midtown or further areas and I didn’t want to keep driving those long distances with Atlanta traffic. What I was noticing were the established clubs rarely represented Black and brown women in an authentic way. I wanted something closer to home — something that felt like us, for us.

So, I started small. I put out a few posts on the NextDoor app, Tik Tok and the first meeting nobody showed up. I was like, “yea maybe this isn’t the place for this kind of group”. However I kept posting and by the third and fourth meeting there were 80+ women that showed up. We ran out of space in the parking lot and had to relocate.

The group has quickly grown and expanded. We called it a wellness walk, but it quickly became something deeper — a place where women could show up exactly as they were. No pressure. No performance. Just community, movement, and conversation.

From there, Brwn Grl Wellness Club grew into more than just a walking group. It became a movement rooted in belonging, softness, and everyday wellness. We started hosting events, building connections, and creating collabs that represented the lifestyle — because for us, wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about being seen, supported, and celebrated in every stage of your journey.

Today, Brwn Grl Wellness Club stands for representation, community, and the reminder that we all deserve to feel good — mind, body, and soul. What started as a local walk in Conyers is now becoming a growing community of women across the area who are redefining what wellness looks like, one step at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been the smoothest road. When I first started Brwn Grl Wellness Club, there were plenty of moments when I wondered if it would actually take off. Some days, only one or two people showed up — and other days, no one did. I had to learn to keep showing up anyway, trusting that consistency would build community over time. I also learned that if only one person showed up I served the purpose and had an impact.

Another challenge has been how often walking clubs are overlooked or not taken seriously in the fitness space. People tend to underestimate the impact of something as simple as walking together — but for us, it’s always been about more than steps. It’s about connection, wellness, and representation.

Locating local partnerships and collaborations has also been tough. There aren’t many local organizations focused on wellness for Black and brown women, so i’ve had to build those relationships from scratch. Over time, my efforts have turned into some meaningful collaborations and genuine community support, but it definitely takes patience, persistence, and a lot of faith.

Starting this club was a huge leap for me as an introvert. Putting myself out there, leading events, and meeting new people wasn’t something that came naturally at first. I’m still learning to be ok being on camera and speaking in large groups. But I realized that purpose doesn’t always wait for comfort — sometimes you have to grow into it. Once I let go of the fear of being seen and focused on creating something bigger than myself, everything started to fall into place. Brwn Grl Wellness Club has helped me come out of my shell and walk confidently in my purpose — one step at a time.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear a lot of hats — mom, corporate trainer, wellness girl, and sometimes full-time “figure it out as I go” person. During the day, I help professionals grow through leadership and development, and outside of that, I love doing anything that is creative or teaches.

I love thinking outside the box to give my students new ways of learning and making a slightly boring topic and job something fun and impactful while also meeting the demands of the business.

Outside of work, I love trying new fitness classes, hiking all of the beautiful nature trails Georgia offers, reading books and creating new experiences for my family. I love learning new things about my culture and community and trying new activities centered around that history.

I am the mother of a honors student that’s freshman in college and a gifted program 6th grader and they keep me inspired and motivated to be the best woman both physically and mentally.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I love reading self-help books one of my favorites being The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest. That book has helped in both my personal and professional life. It is very eye-opening, calls for a lot of self-reflection and taking personal accountability for one’s life and actions.

I do love a good self-help book, but also find black thriller, historical fiction and black romance helps keep me entertained and engaged during my free-time.

I also love a good true crime podcast. Dark History and Murder, Mystery and Makeup are my favorite podcasts.

Pricing:

• All of our events are free currently

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brwngrlwellnessclub.com
• Instagram: brwngrlwellnessclub
• Facebook: brwngrlwellnessclub

Image Credits
Arie Turner – Arie T. Photography