We were lucky to catch up with Nardia Cunningham recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nardia, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

I currently manage my own social media, which has allowed me to maintain an authentic connection with my audience. As a content creator in fitness, DIY, and family life, it’s important for me to directly engage with my followers and have control over the content and messaging. Managing my platforms also helps me stay aware of trends and understand what resonates with my audience.

I chose to manage my own social media because I believe that personal engagement builds trust. My followers know it’s me responding to their comments and messages, which strengthens our relationship and helps grow my community. So far, the results have been rewarding – I’ve been able to grow my platforms steadily and create content that aligns with my brand and values.

For other business owners considering this, I would say that managing your own social media requires time and dedication, but it’s worth it if your brand thrives on authenticity. However, if time is a major issue or you struggle with consistency, hiring someone might help you stay focused on other aspects of your business. Ultimately, it’s about finding the right balance.

Nardia, 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?

I’m Nardia Cunningham, a fitness trainer, content creator, and DIY enthusiast. I got into my industry through a deep passion for fitness and living a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. My journey started with transforming my own body and mindset through workouts and nutrition, which inspired me to help others do the same. Over the years, I’ve expanded into other creative outlets like DIY home projects and family-focused content, which all feed into my personal brand.

I offer a variety of services, including fitness training programs, meal plans, and challenges aimed at busy moms and women over 40 who are seeking to transform their lives through health, fitness, and mindset changes. Additionally, I provide creative DIY content that empowers people to take control of their home spaces, using my own experiences with home renovations and projects as inspiration. What sets me apart is the authenticity of my brand – I’m living proof that it’s possible to balance fitness, family, and creative expression. I share my real-life experiences, including the ups and downs, to connect with my audience on a personal level.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my ability to inspire others, whether it’s through fitness transformations, creating functional and beautiful home spaces, or even helping other moms manage their time and find balance. My followers trust me because I’m not just telling them what to do – I’m walking alongside them, sharing my own journey every step of the way.

The main things I want people to know about my brand are that I’m all about empowerment and transformation. Whether it’s fitness, wellness, or personal development, I’m committed to helping others unlock their full potential. I believe that living your best life starts with taking small steps toward big goals, and I’m here to guide and motivate my clients and followers in their journeys.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most challenging moments of resilience in my journey came when my fitness page @fitdastruggle, which had grown to about 90k followers on Instagram and 70k on Facebook, was hacked in 2018. This came right after I had resigned from my career as a law enforcement officer to pursue fitness training full-time, so it was an especially tough blow. I had put everything into this new chapter of my life, and to see it disappear was devastating.

On top of that, I was dealing with personal losses due to COVID, and I had just gone through back-to-back pregnancies in 2019 and 2020, bringing two more children into our family. It was an overwhelming time, but luckily, I had my husband’s support throughout all of it. His encouragement helped me push through the emotional toll of starting over and managing life’s challenges. Despite everything, I decided to rebrand and relaunch my social media platforms, focusing on consistency and authenticity.

That experience reminded me that resilience isn’t about never facing setbacks – it’s about getting back up each time you fall, even when it feels like the world is against you. Today, I’m proud to say I’ve rebuilt my audience and brand stronger than before, and I carry the lessons of that time with me every day.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I started my fitness journey on social media in 2016 with my page @fitdastruggle, focusing on helping busy moms with careers and children see that they could still lose weight and stay in shape. I was doing livestream workouts and constantly using the phrase “Get Up!” to motivate my clients. The catchphrase became a cornerstone of my approach, and I saw how much it resonated with my audience.

However, in 2018, my page, which had grown to 90k followers on Instagram and 70k on Facebook, was hacked. It was devastating, especially because I had just resigned from my career in law enforcement to focus on fitness training full-time. I was no longer a traditional working mom but had become a stay-at-home mom trying to relaunch my business and take it from a side hustle to a full-time endeavor. That moment was a huge turning point for me.

With support from my husband and encouragement from my clients, I decided to rebrand the page as @getupwithnards, inspired by the phrase I always used during my workouts. I relaunched with a new focus on building a more connected community and showing that setbacks don’t define your journey—they’re part of it. Today, @getupwithnards has 72k followers on Instagram, 50k on Facebook, and 28k on TikTok.

For anyone just starting, my advice is to focus on authenticity and engagement. Be consistent and patient, but also stay true to yourself. Your audience will connect with your story if you’re real with them. And remember, growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but if you’re providing value and staying connected to your audience, success will follow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gertupwithnards.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getupwithnards
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getupwithnards
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/getupwithnards
• Other: www.instagram.com/thecunninghamfamily_
  www.facebook.com/thecunninghamfamily