Breaking Stereotypes, Building Strength
I still remember it like it was yesterday.
The time: 2008. The place: Michelle Obama stepped onto the national stage. I was in my mid-20s and I was early in my career struggling to make time for my health. But, seeing her—a public figure so fit and unapologetically prioritizing her wellness—was a game changer. She wasn't just handling business but shattering stereotypes left and right. She was lifting weights, and her hair was always on point (that was important to me, lol). She made it clear that as busy as life gets, we can make time for ourselves.
Watching Ms. Michelle's (as I affectionately call her) example shattered two big stereotypes that weighed me down. First, the myth that women can't lift weights. I wanted to be strong and toned, but lifting the heavy stuff intimidated me. But over time, I learned that resistance training and weightlifting are some of the best exercises for overall health—building muscle, protecting our bones, and boosting confidence.
The second stereotype was that Black women couldn't work out and maintain their hair. At the time, going natural was gaining momentum, but it wasn't nearly as accepted as it is today. I had to make a choice: keep avoiding sweat to maintain my hairstyle, or prioritize my health.
Courageously, I chose my health, and it led me to embrace my natural hair in a new way. I realized my hair wasn't working against me—it was working with me to be my best self. Whether I wore protective styles, twists, wigs, scarves, or used these amazing sweatbands to keep my edges laid, I found ways to thrive both in the gym and with my look.
“I realized my hair wasn’t working against me—it was working with me to be my best self.”
Once I made exercise a consistent part of my life, my favorite instructor, Izzetta—who was in her mid-50s and lifting weights like it was nothing—saw something in me. Just like an Auntie, she encouraged me to become an instructor myself. At the time, I thought it was a stretch. I still held onto painful memories of always being the last picked in gym class! But here I am now, a weight lifting instructor at my local YMCA , empowering and equipping a multigenerational community of women, especially Black women, in getting stronger.
So, this October, I invite you to embrace this spirit, break stereotypes, and build strength from the inside out. This month, we're taking control of our health, breaking free from limiting narratives, and stepping into our strength! You are strong, beautiful, and unstoppable, and as we move into this last quarter of the year, let's make sure we're walking in it!