MOVE, PUNCH & SWEAT

As a former college athlete, I have been active for most of my life and like many, working out is one tool for managing the burden of daily life stressors. In 2020, the closure of gyms and fitness studios throughout Central New York, along with the social uprising, prompted me to find an alternative solution to fitness that still supported cardiovascular health and fostered a positive atmosphere primarily for communities of color. In 2020, I began training in fitness boxing and decided to offer classes through Bodied by Easton (BodiED), providing group classes in the form of fitness boxing and low-weight workouts on a sliding scale. As lockdown restrictions have become more relaxed, I continue offering online and in-person fitness-based opportunities. My passion for wellness, coupled with my academic interest in healing justice, is one of the reasons why my group workouts have blossomed into a fun, dynamic, and affirming space.