The first version of this statement was originally posted to social media on Monday June 1. A second version, adapted below, was sent via email on Tuesday June 9.
Last week I went dark on social media and didn’t send any emails. Given everything that’s going on in my country and city, it felt pretty hollow to talk about health and fitness stuff.
However, saying nothing also feels wrong. I’m deeply saddened by the senseless murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor, and countless other Black Americans. And I’m angry at systems that continue to perpetuate violence and inequality at every level.
These issues are important to me not just as a fellow human being, but also as a fitness coach. Systemic racism and police brutality are inseparable from health.
The fitness industry itself is not very diverse – nearly all of its leaders are white men. This means the information I’m studying and communicating to clients is biased toward one worldview and may be completely missing important lessons and alternative perspectives.
Instead of creating my own content, I spent last week listening to Black voices and considering the ways that I’ve been complicit in and benefited from institutionalized and internalized racism – as well as white supremacy – in my own life.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I won’t pretend like I’m now an expert in social justice. But I do want to publicly say that I’m committed to learning, listening, and using my place of privilege to be an ally for my Black clients, friends, neighbors, and peers.
I will be actively working to build a more inclusive business because I strongly believe fitness is for everyone, not just people who look like me.
This starts with hiring Black and POC coaches, purchasing courses and books on racism and anti-racism, and taking a hard look at where I spend my money and who I’m following on the internet.
This will be an ongoing process and I will be talking about it as is appropriate moving forward. I’m always available for any feedback about this.
If you think I could do a better job or you take issue with something I’ve done or said, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
I appreciate you for being here and being open to these conversations. And to those of you out there fighting on the front lines of this fight, I see you and I support you.
Black lives matter.