This is PART 2 of 5 BIPOC Fitness Influencers You Should Be Following. Like I mentioned in PART 1, I’m very ‘picky’ about who I follow on Instagram. I monitor what I take in on a daily basis to protect my self-talk, thoughts, etc., and that’s why, when following fitness influencers (or anyone at all), I take great care to follow people that look like me, that I can relate with, that have lives and bodies that seem attainable, and that are about more than just the fitness.
Without any ado, and without any particular order, here is once again, a list of women who have changed my life without their knowing…
ONE ANGELA MANUEL DAVIS
It’s hard to believe that one family can be filled with so much talent and good genes — but, then you see the Manuel’s. Angela Manuel Davis is a motivational coach, speaker, and formerly world-renowned Soul Cycle instructor and AARMY Founder. She is the sister of Fear Of God designer and founder, Jerry Lorenzo, and just like Lorenzo aims to provide people with lasting change — from the inside out — Lorenzo with his garments and Davis with her coaching.
Not a Fitness Video, but, Watch Angela’s Super Soul Sitdown with Oprah Winfrey for some inspiration on that rest day —
TWO DESI WRIGHT
You’ll hear me say it a lot but, there’s nothing like a real body. Everybody is a real body, but, to see someone bigger boned/thicker who doesn’t have perfect skin, etc. is so refreshing! I love Desi Wright because she is all of the above and FIT as HECK! There’s a specific workout of hers that I have downloaded, memorized, and use often. Do it at your own risk because I killed my legs doing this one, it is one of the best treadmill exercises I’ve done.
Here’s the link to Desi’s Toned Hamstrings & Glutes Workout
THREE NATASHA NOBLE
Natasha Noble owns Tutu fit and was instantly attractive to me because of her ‘real, thick’ body — which I love! She focuses a lot on HIIT workouts and weights (an area of the gym that has always seemed very overwhelming for me, and I’m guessing a lot of other women around the world), and consistently delivers great, easy to understand content that doesn’t seem overly ‘produced.’ I’ve saved many of her IG workouts to my Favourites Tab only to bring them out when I am at the gym later. She has found what works for her, and I’m hoping that I am able to do the same.
Here’s a sneak peek into an Upper Body & Core Workout of Natasha’s…
FOUR SHONA VERTUE
As someone fresh into the exercise scene I wanted to make sure that my form was immaculate, “rather do it slowly and have the correct form than fast and not see results,” my sister (who had trained in fitness) always told me. And, all I wanted were results — which was why I appreciated stumbling upon Shone Vertue, an ex elite gymnast who broke down mobility for me in a way I’d never seen it broken down before. Vertue is a star at teaching correct form for function, and the below IG TV video is just one example of how she makes it fun and digestible… (I also love her Ozzy accent)…
FIVE MASSY ARIAS
I identify with Massy Arias, who turned to fitness in the depths of depression. I’m not as much of a powerhouse as her, but just like millions of women around the world, I am inspired by her dream to exemplify “how adopting a healthy diet and active lifestyle can change individual lives mentally, physically, and spiritually.”
Her workouts are generally not for the novice, but her page has an aspirational value to it — and I’m here for it all.
Here’s a video specifically speaking to something very dear to my heart — arm flab, haha… But, really, Massy shows us how to tone up those arms…
