This Black History Month, we are celebrating Black excellence in the fitness industry by taking a moment to recognize some of the incredible talent and passion within our own community of coaches.
We’re proud to say that this group of inspiring Black trainers each uses ABC Trainerize to power their coaching.
Read on to learn more about what inspires them, the challenges they’ve overcome, and what legacy means to them.
Jamie Alexander | @livingwellwithjamie
Jamie is a coach whose philosophy is grounded in lived experience, resilience, and real-world responsibility.
As a Black woman, a mother and a business owner, she understands what it means to prioritize everyone else while placing yourself last. That perspective shapes her approach: no extreme methods, no one-size-fits-all plans—just structured, sustainable coaching designed for real women balancing careers, families, stress, and health challenges.
She leads with empathy, accountability, and support, believing transformation happens when women feel seen and capable, not judged or rushed.
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Building credibility in an industry that often overlooks Black women was one of Jamie’s greatest challenges. Navigating motherhood, limited early resources, and the pressure to do everything alone tested her resolve. She overcame these barriers through consistency, continued education, and an unwavering commitment to her message. By focusing on client results and relationships, and leveraging professional systems to elevate her service, she shifted from proving herself to trusting her process.
Jamie’s legacy extends far beyond physical results; she is building generational health. She is helping women create ripple effects that transform entire households. When a woman strengthens her discipline, mindset, and well-being, her family follows. For Jamie, that lasting, generational impact is the true measure of success.
Arthur Shadwick | @mypurposefit
Arthur is a transformation coach whose work is deeply shaped by his identity, lived experience, and commitment to service.
As someone who has lost over 300 pounds themselves, Arthur doesn’t coach from theory alone — he coaches from personal understanding. He knows firsthand the physical, emotional, and mental barriers that come with trying to change your life. That experience allows him to lead with empathy, meeting clients where they are and helping them build sustainable habits that fit into real life, not just ideal circumstances.
Like many entrepreneurs, Arthur faced significant self-doubt as he transitioned from his own transformation to leading others. Learning to trust the value of his story and step confidently into the role of coach required growth. He invested in education, earned certifications, and committed to mastering both the craft and the business side of coaching. Over time, consistent client results replaced uncertainty with confidence.
Arthur’s mission is clear: he isn’t interested in quick fixes. He aims to build a legacy rooted in long-term transformation, accountability, and structure. He’s all about helping people reclaim their health, confidence, and sense of purpose, especially those who feel overlooked or stuck.
Raheem Glistens | @raheemglistensfit
Raheem is a coach grounded in real-life experience and a deep understanding that health is about more than just physical results. He works with people as individuals, whether they are parents, busy professionals, or in the process of rebuilding their confidence.
His coaching style is realistic, personalized, and rooted in accountability over perfection. Rather than pushing extremes, Raheem focuses on helping clients build habits that fit into their lives. Community plays a central role in his work, and he is intentional about creating a supportive environment where people feel seen, capable, and motivated.
Like many fitness professionals, Raheem faced significant challenges during major life transitions and the impact of COVID. Instead of lowering his standards, he chose to rebuild with greater structure and intention. He invested in better systems, clearer processes, and stronger boundaries—ensuring he could properly support his clients while building a sustainable business.
Through RDS PRO Fitness, Raheem’s vision is to help people create strong foundations for life, not just short-term transformations. His focus is long-term health, confidence, and resilience—supporting individuals, families, and communities to move better, feel stronger, and live healthier for years to come.
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Fulani Petties | @queenfulani
Fulani is a coach whose work is deeply rooted in identity, community, and holistic wellness.
As a woman of color, she understands the importance of preventative and individualized care, especially in communities where access to healthcare and a sense of belonging in wellness spaces may be limited. Her coaching is centered on building confidence, autonomy, and body wisdom through client-led processes that honor each woman’s unique needs. While she draws from shared cultural foundations of holistic health, she recognizes that optimal wellness looks different for everyone. Each client is empowered to reclaim what she calls her greatest wealth: health.
One of Fulani’s biggest challenges was feeling like she needed to have all the answers before serving others. By combining research, personal insight, and her clients’ lived experiences, she creates lasting, personalized health solutions. She also prioritizes community, fostering spaces where women can share transformational journeys together.
Fulani’s legacy is about redefining luxury within the Black community, shifting the focus from external achievements to health as the ultimate asset. Through her business, she aims to spark a collective transformation that strengthens physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being for generations to come.
Sadrach Van Samson | @sadrachvansamson
Sadrach is a coach defined by discipline, structure, and sustainability. He works with everyday professionals and athletes who need results that fit into real life, not programs built around extremes or short-term hype.
His philosophy is simple: long-term progress requires consistency, strong habits, and a mindset built for growth. Rather than chasing quick fixes, Sadrach focuses on creating structured systems that help clients build sustainable routines they can maintain alongside demanding careers and responsibilities.
One of his biggest challenges was scaling from one-on-one personal training to a hybrid and online coaching model without sacrificing quality. Growth can often dilute standards, but Sadrach was intentional about protecting the client experience. He built strong internal systems and shifted his focus beyond workouts alone, placing greater emphasis on habit formation and mindset coaching. This allowed him to maintain high-touch support while expanding his reach.
The legacy Sadrach is building is rooted in excellence. He wants his brand to be known for high standards, accountability, and real transformation… both physical and mental. For him, success isn’t about flashy marketing or rapid results; it’s about helping clients achieve sustainable progress that lasts well beyond the program.
Dwayne Merceus | @trainwithdwayne
Dwayne’s coaching philosophy is shaped by his identity and lived experience. As a Black coach, he prioritizes representation and emphasizes performance, longevity, and mental strength over aesthetics. His approach blends strength training, athletic development, and wellness to empower clients to feel confident, capable, and educated.
He has faced challenges building in a saturated fitness industry while staying true to his values. Rather than following trends or focusing on appearance-driven marketing, he has committed to performance-based coaching and continuous personal development. Mentorship, education, and structured systems have helped him lead effectively and avoid burnout.
Ultimately, Dwayne aims to build a legacy centered on empowerment and excellence. Through his programs and digital platforms, he wants to normalize high-level training and holistic wellness in his community. To help people grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. His impact is measured by inspiring others to believe they can operate at a higher level in life.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re proud to highlight just a few of the many incredible leaders, innovators, and changemakers making an impact in our communities. Every year, we strive to showcase talent and share stories that inspire, educate, and uplift…but we also recognize that we can’t possibly feature everyone doing meaningful work.
There are countless individuals behind the scenes and on the front lines who are dedicating their time, energy, and passion to creating opportunity, driving progress, and changing lives for the better. While we may not be able to mention every name, we see the effort, we value the contributions, and we deeply appreciate the work being done every day.
Thank you to all those who continue to lead with purpose and make a difference. Your impact matters — this month and every month.
