We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bernai Brown-Holman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Bernai thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
After being frustrated for years with how my body felt and looked, I did a deep dive into fitness by doing a bodybuilding competition. The experience completely altered my entire lifestyle from what I ate to the way I moved and understoo dmy body!
The drastic life adjustment helped me discover how truly impactful food, movement, and mindfulness were to our bodies. I also had an epiphany; if my grandparents and great-grandparents were privy to the information that I now possessed, maybe they would not have been subjected to adverse health conditions and ultimately premature deaths. They possibly would still be around to meet the generations that carried on their names.
This realization of health disparity and lack of knowledge in our community inspired my mission to empower women to live their healthiest, strongest lives. My company does this by equipping women with knowledge about nutrition, access to exercise in a group or personal setting, and direction to helpful resources to maintain their physical and mental well-being.
Bernai, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Life is anything but dull and predictable as a wife and mother of 3 children ages 2, 6, and 20. As a family, we love making memories at the beach, taking adventures on hiking trials, and being helpful in various communities. Being active rejuvates us and keeps us connected to each other and important causes.
The last two years have been pivotal. I exited the teaching world after 16 years and entered into full-time self-employment and my husband transitioned from full-time self-employment and re-entered the work force.
I now serve as the lead Healthy Lifestyle and Nutrition Coach and CEO of our business, GoStrong Fitness, LLC. I customize fitness, nutrition, and wellness plans and also offer in-person and virtual personal training, nutrition planning and, healthy lifestyle coaching. Through a holistic approach, women are able to see a full picture of their health and wellness in order to make necessary adjustments. Mindfulness is big part of their plans as it impacts every aspect of health.
I have specific programming for pre and post pregnancy curated from my experience and certification. In an effort to reach larger at-risk populations, I also offer religious groups/organizations programs using a curriculum inspired by new book, Stronger than a Stronghold. In the near future children’s and educators’ SEL (social emotional learning) and wellness services will be available as well.
It is my daily honor to empower women to become healthy and strong so that they can live out their dreams with vigor and inspire their children to do the same. I hope to continue to drive a movement that breaks generational cycles of unhealthiness, especially in the minoritized communities ending health disparities one family, then one community at a time. My hope is that anyone that is led to work with me would be inspired, encouraged, and equipped to make real life changes that not only impact their lives but inspires others to do the same.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
My side hustle of training became my full-time business when it was literally all I could think about on a daily basis. Having a full-time job, multiple children, and trying to grow a business in the wee hours of the morning was A LOT. There were several big moments that led to my decision to shift to full-time: 1. My Son. Having my last child during the pandemic while working from home awarded me the opportunity to spend priceless time with him. I was able to work without suffering from previously experienced postpartum blues. The thought of losing this was almost unbearable.
2. My Passion. Fulfillment is one of the most important aspects of anything that we do. At the time of making the decision to transition from teaching, I felt that I did my due diligence and made the greatest impact that I possibly could during my 16 years in the field. I wanted to impact them in a different way and soon will be able to in the realm of health, wellness, and social-emotional learning – blending my passion with my past experience! My passion for helping others get healthier was calling me and I had to take the opportunities that were presented.
3. Alignment. Sometimes you just KNOW. and other times you are LED. In this situation, it was both. I knew it was time to transition and there was an opportunity to take on a bigger role at the fitness studio where I was working. I took the leap and never looked back!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Watching what I consume physically and mentally has been extremely important. Some books that have had a major impact on my entrepreneurial thinking are: Who Not How by Dan Sullivan, Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Eat Smarter by Shawn Stevenson
Your Purpose is Calling by Dharius Daniels
Soar by T.D. Jakes
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
The One-Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen
Contact Info:
- Website: gostrongfitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernai_gostrong_holman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoStrongFitness1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernai-holman-fit/
Image Credits
Kelly Kaptures Photography Tiffany the Photography Ward Legacy Studios Kirsten White Photography