Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adaeze Medani. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Adaeze thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Definitely! One of the biggest moments for me happened during the pandemic. I was training a client virtually, and after one of our sessions, she got on the phone with a friend who happened to be the operations director for The Kaplan Education Foundation. My client told her about how much she loved training with me and suggested I might be a good fit to lead virtual classes for Kaplan’s students.

Her friend reached out, and we set up a call to chat about the idea. At first, they were just looking for one class a week for six weeks. I was excited about the opportunity, so I put together a proposal, and they said yes. After the very first class, the feedback from students was so positive that the co-operations director reached out the same day and asked if I could add a second class each week.

What started as a once-a-week gig for six weeks turned into two classes a week for three months! I ended up making more during that time than I would have working a regular 40-hour week. That experience completely shifted my mindset. It made me realize that corporate wellness was something I needed to focus on—not just to help people stay active, but to bring people together. Wellness has this amazing way of building community through movement, and I saw firsthand how these classes helped people feel more connected, even in a virtual space.

Kaplan even brought me back the following year with the same setup, and since then, I’ve been able to offer corporate wellness classes for other companies, most recently Amazon. This experience taught me the power of saying “yes” to opportunities, showing up prepared, and recognizing how movement can transform not just individuals, but entire groups. It’s moments like these that remind me why I do what I do.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who don’t know me yet, I’m a NASM-certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, founder of Ada is Present LLC, and co-founder of Free Flo Fit, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting movement and fitness within the community. I was born and raised in Seattle, WA, and my journey into fitness started at a young age. At 7 years old, I discovered gymnastics, which became the foundation of my passion for movement. From there, I ventured into track and field and basketball, which I played all through middle and high school. In college, I rowed at the University of Washington during my freshman year and continued to stay active by exploring the gym and the world around me.

Two years after college, I had a moment that completely shifted my fitness journey. I was at the beach, looking at photos I’d taken, and I said to myself, I want to look and feel strong. That realization led me to hire an online coach and start weight training. It didn’t take long for me to notice how weight training transformed my body composition—and honestly, I became addicted to the gym! Not only did I start looking strong, but I also felt strong, confident, and capable. Choosing to put myself first in that moment was a game-changer, and it’s a decision that has shaped both my life and my career.

For me, fitness has always been more than just a physical activity—it’s been my medicine. When life feels chaotic, fitness helps me reset, relax, and find clarity. It keeps me grounded, eases my anxiety, and motivates me to be the best version of myself. That’s why I truly believe that being active and present in your health and wellness is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself.

I offer a variety of services to help people on their fitness and wellness journeys, including:

Personal training (in-person and online)
Corporate wellness programs
Fitness challenges and programs
Community events
Nutrition coaching
For more details about these offerings, head over to my website!

What sets me apart is my holistic approach to fitness. I’m not just focused on helping my clients hit their physical goals—I’m also deeply invested in their overall well-being. My approach integrates strength training, mobility, mindfulness, and community to help people feel empowered in their bodies and present in their lives. I also bring a unique perspective as a Black woman in the fitness industry, and I’m proud to create spaces where people of all backgrounds feel welcomed, seen, and supported.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to make through corporate wellness programs, community events, and my work with Free Flo Fit which is a nonprofit health and wellness organization co founded by my business partner Shontia Whitehead and I. Through our nonprofit, we’ve hosted events that bring people together to move, connect, and grow while making fitness more accessible to underserved communities.

For me, Ada is Present is more than just a business name—it’s a reminder to be fully present in your body, your work, and the moment. That’s the energy I bring into everything I do, and I hope it inspires others to do the same.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Honestly, it’s all about empathy, adaptability, and straight-up passion. Like, you can have all the certifications in the world, but if you can’t connect with people, it’s not going to work.

Empathy is huge. People don’t come to you just for workouts—they’re coming with real stories, real struggles, and real goals. Maybe they want to feel confident again, recover from an injury, or just have a healthy way to deal with stress. You’ve got to take the time to listen, understand where they’re coming from, and meet them where they are. That’s how you build trust, and trust is everything in this field.

And let me tell you, adaptability is key. Every client is different—different fitness levels, different goals, different challenges. Being able to modify programs or provide variations for exercises means you can serve a wider audience and make sure everyone feels included. Whether someone’s a beginner, working around an injury, or looking for a challenge, you’ve got to have the tools and creativity to meet them where they’re at.

For me, it’s also about creating spaces where people feel supported and connected. Fitness has this amazing way of bringing people together. Whether it’s at my Deadlift Parties for the Girls or in a corporate wellness session, there’s something powerful about people showing up for themselves and cheering each other on. That energy is contagious—it builds confidence, breaks barriers, and reminds people that they’re not alone in their journey.

But honestly, passion is the glue that holds it all together. This field isn’t easy—there are long days, early mornings, and times when you’re giving so much of yourself. If you don’t love what you’re doing, it’s hard to keep going. For me, it’s that fire I have for fitness—it’s changed my life, and I want to help others feel that same energy. When I see someone hit a PR or start believing in themselves, that’s what keeps me going.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about helping people get stronger physically—it’s about creating a space where they feel seen, supported, and inspired. If you’re in this field, you’ve got to show up with your whole heart and be ready to pour into others. That’s what makes the difference.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For me, it’s all about relationships and consistency. Building genuine connections with people has been the foundation of my business. Whether it’s through community events, like my Deadlift Parties for the Girls, or corporate wellness sessions for companies like Amazon, I always focus on creating a memorable experience. When people feel seen, supported, and empowered, they’re more likely to tell their friends, family, or colleagues about it and word-of-mouth has been huge for me.

Social media has also been a game-changer. By showing up consistently whether it’s posting workout tips, highlighting client wins, or sharing my own fitness journey I’ve been able to build trust and connect with a wider audience. People don’t just follow me for workouts; they resonate with the energy and authenticity I bring. When they see me living the message I’m sharing, it inspires them to reach out and start their own journey.

I’ve also leaned into the power of challenges and programs, like Squatober or the Every Booty Can Do It 90-day glute program. These challenges don’t just help people reach their fitness goals they create community and accountability, which keeps people engaged and excited. Participants often share their experiences with others, and that naturally brings in more people who want to be part of the journey.

Another effective strategy has been partnering with companies and organizations for wellness programs. Corporate wellness is such a growing space, and I’ve been able to connect with entire teams by delivering high-quality, accessible sessions that focus on both movement and community. These partnerships open doors to new opportunities and help me reach people I might not connect with otherwise.

At the end of the day, it’s not about fancy marketing, it’s about showing up, delivering value, and making people feel like they’re part of something bigger. When you’re passionate about what you do and focused on helping others, your work speaks for itself, and the right people will come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://adaispresent.com
• Instagram: @adaispresent
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adapresent
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adaeze-medani-8856aaa8/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adaispresent
• Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/imWqjh8EFgiXUXWBjjk9MQ

Image Credits

These are the instagram handles of all the photos uploaded:

@wknd_photo Jonathan Owens
@paosanchez Pao Sanchez
@graymountainphotography Sarah Gray
@tiarebowmanphoto Tiare Bowman