Celebrating Women's History Month Our Way

The month of March sets off a 31-day period in which we get to boldly do something we should do every day, celebrate and recognize women. We started Fit with Finesse as a platform for women of color interested in health and fitness, because we felt those who look most like us are not as highly recognized represented. So, we are kicking of the month by sharing women in fitness who we feel embody this year’s theme: Visionary Women.

Check out seven of our fitness faves (and besties in our head) who keep us motivated and believing that we can truly achieve not just our physical best, but change lives in the process.

The OG.

Long before there were Instagram models and fitness influencers, there was Jeanette Jenkins. Founder and president of the Hollywood Trainer fitness company, Jeanette is a health and fitness expert with over 25 years of experience. She has trained some of our ultimate Hollywood favorites, including power women like Serena Williams, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kelly Rowland and Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson. All who deserve their own space on this list. If you need to get a great workout in, Jeanette’s page and YouTube is full of videos that will help you strengthen, lengthen and tone (let’s not forget feel plenty soreness).

Elisabeth-Akinwale.05.jpg — Elisabeth Akinwale

The Game Changer.

Powerful!! That’s how we instantly feel anytime we see Elisabeth Akinwale’s training videos. She is a North Central Regional winner of the Reebok CrossFit Games and has made multiple appearances at the USA Weightlifting National and American Open Weight. Elisabeth is also a business woman. She is the co-founder of 13th Flow, a Chicago-based gym that focuses on fitness and helping clients become their best version and pursue their greater purpose.

The “It” Girl.

Massy is easily the face of fitness right now, but labeling her as just that is such an understatement. Massy is a certified personal trainer who is inspiring a new generation of fitness professionals. She’s been featured in all the go-to resources from SELF Magazine to POPSUGAR Fitness, and has graced our screens as one of the newest CoverGirl ambassadors. If you frequent Walgreens, you have most likely seen her face. Massy is the embodiment of how a strong body can still be curvy, sexy and soft. Her online presence is a great balance of what she loves (fitness), what she is passionate about (dance), and what she lives for (her family). When we begin to think there can’t be a fair balance between those things, she is a great source of inspiration for believing there can.

The Cheerleader

Step into one of Deja’s classes and expect your inner star to shine. Deja is a ball of energy and expert is motivating her clients. Her class at BoxUnion in Santa Monica quickly became a favorite workout of our ours and the experience she gained there has led Deja to launching her own fitness program, Dance Out of the Box. As an ambassador for brands like Puma, Fabletics, and Fight Camp, Deja can continue to use her platform to spread her spirit, joy and passion for making fitness fun.

The Organizer.

Aeshia Branch may not be a name you know right now, but she should be on your radar. She coins herself as a social entrepreneur with a mission of helping girls be health leaders in their communities. She is the founder of Pretty Girls Sweat, an events-based organization that has made waves on college campuses with the goal of making fitness fun and erase the negative stigma that the industry holds. Aeshia also co-founded the Teen Diaries Foundation to provide virtual mentorship for females students across the nation.

The Legend.

Laila Ali is the the definition of “You betta work!” She is the daughter of boxing legend Muhammed Ali and and undefeated, boxing world champion in her own right. She has been an inspiration of ours for many years, dominating the women’s boxing space for as long as we can remember. Proving that she’s a woman that can truly do it all, after retiring from the sport, she went on to pursue her passion for healthy living, with her own cookbook, and giving back, through her various charity work. Leila Ali is a true living legend.

The History Maker

A few months ago we tackled the stereotype that African Americans / Black people don’t swim. We are extremely excited to include Maritza Correia on this list as the first Puerto Rican of African descent to compete on the USA Olympic Swimming Team in 2004. She was also the first black American swimmer to set an American and world swimming record. Who said we don’t love a little water?