Racism is so deeply entrenched in the wellness industry, we often don’t realize the extent.
This is how 8 WOC are fighting racism in wellness.
Is she short, thick, and brown-skinned?
Or slim, reed-like, and fair?
If you pictured the former, well, youre an outlier.
Here are eight women of color who are prioritizing dismantling racism and anti-blackness in the wellness world.
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But after being introduced to weight training, her goal shifted to building strength over getting skinny.
In time, she became a fitness trainer and coach herself.
Kings aim as a wellness professional is to help create spaces that are inclusive, affirming, and equitable.
Thats important because wellness, when its done right, is so beneficial for people, she says.
Those terms vary for everyone, says Dr. Cox.
In this country, were so dead-set on the standard that we forget about nuances.
The truth is, health and wellness are determined by each individual, based on their very own needs.
So in 2012, she openedNueva Alma Yogaon the border of The Bronx and Westchester.
That goes for race and size, but also age.
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Shana Minei Spence
Instagram handle:@thenutritiontea
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Its really disturbing to learn that Black and brown populations have higher risk of diseases, she says.
People assume that its genetics, or that these populations dont care about their health.
Fad diets leave out many BIPOCs, she says, pointing to carbohydrates as an example.
For many cultures, carbs are extremely important and a staple.
I have clients whose previous dietitian told them they couldnt eat rice and beans.
Our communities have food deserts, and theres a lack of access to health care, she says.
Fighting that inequality, along with negative messaging around dieting, informs her current work as a dietitian.
There are very few Latinx dietitians, let alone health-at-every-size dietitians, she says.
[Food freedom] means eating your familys cultural dishes without shame or guilt.
Its being at peace with your body and your food choices.
However, I knew that was not the case for all.
So in May 2017, she began searching Instagram for fellow Black instructors.
Before I knew it, I had close to 80 instructors.
Black womens bodies are policed enough outside of fitness, she says.
Lack of health insurance and cost of treatment were among the hurdles she faced.
As a result, the majority of Black and Indigenous people would not step foot into these centers.
From there, she says, we can understand how todays health standards stem from these racial biases.
A lot of people think that if you have the perfect BMI, then youre healthy, she says.
Thats why people focus so much on weight, despite the BMI not being an accurate measure of health.
Health doesnt look the same for everyone, she says.
The problem comes when we take a stab at pretend that it does.
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