My fitness journey is centered around achieving better physical and mental health, weight loss, and building a strong body. I restarted my workout routine on April 21st of this year because I was simply tired of being overweight. After undergoing two surgeries last year that forced me to slow down, I realized I didn't want to continue aging without taking care of myself. As we get older, it becomes increasingly challenging to achieve our fitness goals.
Fitness has been a game-changer for my mental health. After each workout, I feel liberated and relieved from daily stress, even though I still need to process and move forward with whatever I'm dealing with.
In 2022, I launched my business, B.A.S.H. (Block & Auntie Safe Haven Inc.), in honor of my younger brother Anthony and my aunt Veronica. My brother, who was brutally murdered in cold blood in 2008, was the best of us. He was a gentle giant with a smile that could light up any room. My aunt was a disabled woman who, after giving birth to her only child in 1975, became wheelchair-bound. Her story is reminiscent of Job's story in the Bible. Despite her afflictions, she never blasphemed the Lord. I wanted to create something positive in their names. "Block" was my brother's nickname and "Auntie" was my aunt's nickname.
My future goals are to grow B.A.S.H., become healthier, and promote positivity. In today's world, there isn't enough positivity or uplifting energy. I want people to know they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. The Lord has delivered me from alcohol, and on August 1st of this year, I will celebrate six years of sobriety. I know that people suffer traumas in many different ways, and I want to be that safe haven for them. I want to make people feel safe and comfortable enough to open up about their struggles.
I know how it feels to lack a support system and to feel alone during life's trials and tribulations. I merge physical fitness with mental health, using exercise as a gateway for people to burn off their physical frustrations while sparking conversations. If someone can verbalize their feelings, they can own their emotions.
My personal quote for my business is, "SACRIFICE IS THE GATEWAY FOR GROWTH TO ENABLE CHANGE!" Everything starts with a mentality. Without sacrifice, growth or change never happens.
Fitness, for me, is not just about physical strength but also about mental resilience. It's about creating a balanced life where we can thrive both physically and emotionally. As I continue my journey, I am committed to inspiring others to take charge of their health and well-being, proving that with dedication and the right mindset, anything is possible.
