Diversity Is My Superpower

HOW FINDING AND USING MY VOICE HELPED ME BUILD COMMUNITY AND A BUSINESS

Reena Parekh

IN 2018, JULLY BLACK STOOD AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM DURING THE ANNUAL CANFITPRO WOMEN WHO INFLUENCE EVENT.

She asked only the women of colour in the room to stand up. At first it felt a little like a spotlight I had not asked for, but I took a deep breath and stood up. We looked around, some of us locking eyes, others smiling, none of us surprised there was only a handful of us in a room that was brimming with attendees.

As a South Asian woman in the fitness industry, I became used to being “the only one” in the room. But something about that day hit different. Like all the times I felt out of place, not welcome or part of the community, came rushing back as memories to validate how I felt all along: different. It was, and still is, one of those moments I can recall like it was yesterday. A moment that changed the trajectory of the vision I had for my business, the way I built community, and coached clients.

I craved connection with people in a way that felt authentic to me. Part of that meant weaving my own lived experiences, thoughts, and perspectives into my dialogue with current and prospective clients. I wanted to be able to relate to clients’ experiences, and more so, I wanted them to be able to relate to me!

So, I started sharing more through social media. As a first generation South Asian Canadian, my story was relatable to many who did not see themselves represented in the fitness industry – and that mattered. I could not tell you the number of times people have told me they have never seen someone that looks like them lifting a barbell.

At the same time, I dove into learning about the importance of diversity, representation, and what creating inclusive spaces looked like. This, along with connecting with other fitness professionals, those who did fitness in their unique way, taught me a lot about myself and how much more there was to unlearn.

As a mother myself, and having a pre/ postnatal certification, my niche became pre and postnatal fitness. Instead of “body after baby”, the goal was focusing on helping clients re-discover their strength from the inside out. I stopped coaching weight loss altogether – no more check-ins with measurement, weight, or photos. Instead, we focused on re-building strength, placed importance on pelvic health, prioritized mental health and overall well-being. Open, honest conversations on body image and diet culture were encouraged within the client community on social media and monthly calls.

The more I shared, the more I became sought out. It is almost counter-intuitive but when you become known for specific things – your expertise, your story, your experiences – people will find you. I had the incredible opportunity to be a guest on CBC radio, CBC news, and a multitude of podcasts speaking on things that mattered to me - ranging from postpartum mental health to training athletes postpartum.

My voice, my business, and how I showed up both in my personal and professional life finally felt more aligned. I was able to let go of the idea that I had to look a certain way, coach a certain way, or do business a certain way to fit in or be successful in this industry.

Your story and your voice matters. It is what makes you human, it is what makes you and what you offer unique. And while making changes that are not in line with how “it’s always been done” can be scary, it is about trusting your own sense of self. The world needs more leaders who shape their own path. Afterall, “no one made a difference by being like everyone else” - P.T. Barnum.

Reena Parekh is a fitness coach and mental health advocate serving the pre- and postpartum population. Her focus is maternal mental health, the importance of pelvic health, and return to physical activity postpartum. She is a proponent of change in this space, encouraging her clients and community to embrace their bodies and push back against postpartum bounce back culture. As a first generation Canadian of South Asian heritage, and a mother of two who has experienced postpartum mental health challenges, Reena has used her growing platform to share her story, which has resonated with a wide audience.