Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements and cultural impact of Black leaders across all industries–and that includes fitness. Contributions from Black coaches, trainers, and wellness professionals across the country have helped to shape the industry, promoting health, strength, and community empowerment.
At Everfit, we recognize the importance of diversity in coaching and the power of representation in the health and wellness industry. Our goal is to support fitness professionals in building successful businesses and careers in delivering transformative training experiences, and also making fitness accessible to everyone. This also includes celebrating the contributions of the incredible Black coaches who work with us and inspire change and uplift their communities.
So for this Black History Month, we’re highlighting four outstanding Black coaches from our own community. Their journeys are ones of resilience, passion, and a commitment to assist and uplift others through their expertise in fitness. We hope our stories inspire fellow coaches, trainers, and even fitness enthusiasts to reinforce our dedication to inclusivity in the health and wellness industry.
So without further ado, let’s meet four remarkable Black coaches who embody the future of fitness with Everfit.
Coach Ashley Hodge
For Coach Ashley Hodge, the most rewarding part of coaching is watching her clients realize their own strength—both in and out of the gym.
“It’s not just about lifting heavier or hitting a weight loss goal; it’s about the confidence they gain, the habits they build, and the belief in themselves that carries into other areas of their lives.”
Ashley is a firm believer that fitness is transformative in ways that go beyond just physical health. Seeing her clients develop mental resilience and self-belief fuels her passion for coaching every day.
Her biggest piece of advice for aspiring Black fitness professionals?
“Own your space and your voice. The industry needs your perspective, your experiences, and your approach to coaching. Don’t feel like you have to fit into a mold—create your own lane.”
Ashley views Black History Month as a time to honor the resilience and excellence of Black professionals across all industries, including fitness.
“It’s about celebrating the impact we’re making today and inspiring the next generation to step into leadership roles in health and wellness.”
For Ashley, showing up, representing, and continuing to make a difference in her community through movement, education, and empowerment is her way of carrying that legacy forward.
Find Ashley at https://www.instagram.com/a.hodgefitness/
Coach Alexander Levy
Driven by the alarming rates of obesity in the country, Coach Alexander Levy turned fitness into a mission–an opportunity to make a lasting impact on people’s lives by transforming their health. His passion for health and fitness gave him the push he needed to leave behind a successful career in finance, diving head-first into the world of personal training full-time with Everfit. But just as he was getting started, the world had seemingly changed in the short span of a week.
“The biggest challenge I faced in the fitness industry was leaving the finance industry and becoming a full-time personal trainer in March 2020. Covid hit shortly afterward and I lost the majority of my clients. I basically had to start from ground zero.”
Leaving the safety of a successful career is no easy task, but adding the COVID-19 pandemic on top of that devastated Alexander. With gyms around the world shutting down and an air of uncertainty looming overhead, things weren’t looking good. Thankfully, his consistency and perseverance helped him weather the storm, and he soon found himself fully booked with people from all walks of life who aligned with his mission and wanted to transform their lives.
For Alexander, the most fulfilling aspect of his work comes from helping people–and that’s also the biggest piece of advice he offers to aspiring fitness professionals.
“Focus on people over profits. Be genuine in helping people get healthy and reach their goals. The money will come.”
As we celebrate Black History Month, Alexander sees it as an opportunity to inspire more black men and women to prioritize their health and break generational cycles. In his own words, he wants people to “see fitness as a lifelong journey, not just a temporary goal.”
Find Alexander at https://www.instagram.com/coachalexanderlevy/
Coach Safie Russell
Coach Safie Russell’s journey into fitness coaching was a deeply personal one. As a busy mom juggling her family, career, and personal health, she was overwhelmed with the struggle of trying to balance it all. But above all else, she knew just how important it was to prioritize self-care not just for herself, but for those who depended on her.
“When you thrive, everyone around you benefits,” shares Safie. “I’ve always had a passion for movement, starting from my dance background, and I realized that by becoming a coach, I could empower other women to reclaim their health, make time for themselves, and feel stronger and more energized. That’s what drives me every day.”
“The most rewarding part is seeing my clients transform—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. When a busy mom tells me she feels stronger, more confident, or has more energy to keep up with her kids, it’s truly priceless.”
Safie finds that the most rewarding part of coaching is watching her clients transform–to be able to keep up with their own children and to feel stronger and more confident in themselves. In her own words, she’s “not just teaching fitness; I’m helping them rewrite the narrative of what’s possible in their lives.”
However, Safie has also faced her fair share of challenges. In particular, the misconception that busy women (especially moms) can’t prioritize fitness or make a lasting change has affected her personally. Having experienced it firsthand, she overcame the challenge by creating a Focused Intentional Time (F.I.T.) program that shows women they can make progress with just 20 to 30 minutes per day.
In celebration of Black History Month, Safie advises aspiring Black fitness professionals to embrace their journey no matter where it takes them and honor those who paved the way for the current generation to succeed.
“Don’t be afraid to own your journey, to show up authentically, and to use your platform to inspire others. As a coach, Black History Month is a time to honor those who paved the way for us, while also acknowledging the importance of taking care of our own health and well-being.
Find Safie at https://www.instagram.com/sdrfitnessdance
Safie’s YouTube Channel
Coach Roxie Beckles
Coach Roxie Beckles has always believed that “the body is a gift from God and that taking care of it is a way of honoring that gift.” Her journey began with a personal desire to feel stronger, more confident, and also more capable. But as her journey progressed, she realized that fitness wasn’t just a physical transformation, but also a mental and spiritual one.
“It’s more than just physical results; it’s watching someone reclaim ownership of her life and realize how strong, resilient, and capable she truly is.”
The most rewarding part of coaching for Roxie is seeing women shift from self-doubt to self-belief. Be it a new milestone or watching someone feel comfortable in their own skin after years of struggle, it fuels her passion for coaching.
“We’re bombarded with messages about shrinking ourselves, doing endless cardio, or following restrictive diets.”
One of the biggest challenges Roxie has faced is pushing back the myths of quick fitness fixes that dominate the industry–especially for women. Overcoming this meant educating her clients about science-backed methods, encouraging strength training, and promoting a healthy and sustainable relationship with food and fitness. “It’s a constant battle, but seeing my clients break free from those toxic narratives makes it worth it.”
For Black History Month, Roxie wants all aspiring Black Coaches to stand firm in their unique voice and perspectives.
“Own your voice. The industry needs diverse perspectives, and your experience and journey are valuable. Don’t feel like you have to conform to what everyone else is doing. Stay rooted in your why, stay committed to continuous learning, and trust that the right clients—the ones who need what you offer—will find you.”
Roxie’s approach to coaching is a powerful reminder that strength isn’t just in the muscles, but also in self-belief, resilience, and even spirituality.
Find Roxie on her Website and YouTube channel.
Honoring Black Excellence in Fitness
The stories of Ashley, Alexander, Safie, and Roxie highlight the passion, resilience, and impact of Black coaches in the fitness industry. Their dedication to helping others build strength—physically and mentally—demonstrates the power of representation and community.
As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s continue to uplift and support Black professionals in fitness and pave the way for the next generation of coaches, trainers, and wellness leaders.
