When youโve been a part of the @Piloxing family for so long that you have pictures of yourself in โvintage gear.โ ๐๐
Good morning and Happy Thursday from Alabama, USA!! I am Tasha (@hiphealthychick), the first Black Master Trainer for Piloxing. I was actually the first person certified for Piloxing in Alabama. Welcome to a day in my life.
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I want you to know that Iโm here not to just share my experiences of my coffee habit and what itโs like to work in an industry that can make you feel like you donโt belong BUT to share my love of @Piloxing (Iโve been at this a decade!) and my @Piloxing family. @Piloxing has ALWAYS been inclusive so they are not jumping on the bandwagon. This is who WE are.
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Letโs do this!
SLEEK. SEXY. POWERFUL!!!!! ๐ช๐พ๐ช๐พ๐ช๐พ
Atlanta @scwmania 2011.
I like to call this picture โthe year between.โ I had started teaching Piloxing the year before and became a Master Trainer a year later. @vivecajensen and @cortneypiloxing were people I knew. They were people who called me by name. They were women like me who were committed to making a change in this industry. I was a staff assistant for Mania that year. 2 years later, Iโd be onstage behind Cortney, presenting for the conference.
Let me say that I often felt โweirdโ because, even at that size, I was always the โbigger girlโ in the group. But, because I was given the opportunity, I KNEW I had to step up for all of the ones who looked like me...color, size and age (I didnโt start teaching Piloxing until I was 35 which can be considered ancient in the fitness world).
Iโm glad I showed up and I will always be forever grateful to Viveca, Cortney and Natasha for the spaces the created for me. ๐๐
It exists. The racism. The exclusion. The isolation of being the โonly one.โ The shaming.
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Itโs something a lot of my fellow friends said they didnโt know existed. Itโs because if youโve never been directly affected then itโs not something you have to consider. No judgement. Just truth.
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Hereโs what it can do to you:
I have a Bachelorโs and Masterโs degree. I am a @nutritionschool grad and finishing up my last wellness coaching certification as I type. I have a personal training and group fitness certification through @afaa_certified , a group fitness certification through @acefitness , several speciality certifications (like 20), a 250 hour yoga certification, a 500 hour comprehensive Pilates certification, three or four barre certification, was the first Black blog ambassador for @UnderArmourWomen, an the ambassador for several other companies, have 15 years of teaching and training experience....and I will still be told I am unqualified or only deserve to get paid base pay or (when they are really honest), I donโt have the โlook.โ Iโm 45, coming to the end of the five hardest years of my life and going into menopause and I am STILL GOING. So now my goal is to open AS MANY doors as I can to those who have disregarded because of race, sex, age, body type, sexuality, gender or religious preferences.
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On the day of my certification, I was in the bathroom and really wanted to try on some @Piloxing gear. I said, โMy butt is too big and wonโt fit in these.โ @VivecaJensen, instead of shaming me, said, โGirl, I have a butt too.โ
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She then became my secret BFF and I bought the pants. ๐๐
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You, just as you are, are MORE than enough. Donโt quit because of what โtheyโ said. Fight harder because of it!!!! ๐ช๐พ
If I had one message to leave you with, it would be:
BELIEVE IN YOUR OWN POWER.
I am a girl from the South Side of Chicago, raised in a housing project whose parents couldnโt afford dance lessons. I was constantly belittled for being what people considered โunderprivileged.โ I learned VERY EARLY that I would spend my life either breaking barriers or getting crushed by them.
I am in the process of having to rebuild my life. My body is changing. My focus is shifting. I am recovering from five years of battling PTSD, depression and anxiety. I know what itโs like to be down, discouraged, frustrated, angry and afraid. However, I know the world still needs what I have to offer and so I show up.
SHOW UP for yourselves and others. Silence the fear that keeps you from speaking out against injustices. Challenge your own prejudices. Step into your greatness. Step up for our world. Be inclusive with your classes. Make it where everyone belongs.
Yes, you ARE that powerful. ๐ช๐พ
Iโll be in IG stories for a little while more but wanted to thank you for reading what I had to share today. Blessing to you all!!! ๐๐๐๐ฟ
