Meet Chrissy!
This woman has an incredibly electric quality about her. She is all about liberating women and teaching them how to stop shrinking, start taking up space, and use their energy to create their own specific magic in the world.
Get connected with Chrissy!
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamchrissyking/
What do you do?
I'm a writer and strength coach on a mission to create a more diverse and inclusive wellness industry, while helping women focus on fitness as a form of body liberation.
What else do you do?
When I'm not doing that, I spend massive amounts of time reading, which is my favorite pastime and form of self-care.
““Your value and self-worth aren’t derived from the size of your waistline, the shape of your body, or the way you look.””
How did you discover your passion?
I discovered my passion for strength through my own journey into fitness. I grew up with the narrative that I was just a 'weak' person. Strength training helped me realize that narrative was false and that physical strength is a skill just like any other skill. Strength training and powerlifting also changed my relationship with my body, and I stopped seeing physical activity as only a means to shrink. Once I discovered this for myself, I became passionate about empowering women to stop shrinking, start taking up space, and use their energy to create their specific magic in the world.
How do you incorporate movement into your daily lifestyle?
Strength training is a huge part of my life, and I typically train 4-5 times a week. I also am very intentional about walking as much as I can each day.
Where would be a good starting point for someone who is looking to add more movements into their life like what you do?
A great way to add more movement into your life is to just walk. So many times we look at fitness like we have to make big commitments to start incorporating it, but it doesn't have to be a big thing. Taking 10-15 minutes to walk a couple of times a day can add so much movement in our lives. It also a great way to clear your mind and relax.
How do you define 'fitness'?
For me, fitness is about incorporating movement into our lives in a way that brings us joy and feels nourishing for our bodies. There is no 'right, 'wrong', or 'best' way to do fitness.
Does movement increase your self-confidence? If yes, how?
Movement definitely increased my personal self-confidence. The energy and the strength that I gained from movement transferred into every area of my life. It taught me so much about myself. If the narrative I had been telling myself that I was just a 'weak' person wasn't true, what other narratives had I been telling myself that weren't true. Movement gave me the confidence to step into my power in every area of my life and to be confident to #TakeUpSpace in all aspects of my life.
What motivates the crap out of you? (quote, music, people, sport, etc)?
I'm motivated by reading James Baldwin, Bell Hooks, Audre Lorde, among others. I was inspired by reading Becoming by Michelle Obama. Black women in general motivate me.
Picture by: @slpfitnessphotograhy or Scott Lloyd Photography.
Where do you see the future of the fitness?
In an ideal world, I see the future of fitness being more inclusive. I also hope that eventually we change the image that comes to people's minds when they think of health and fitness. It's not about being a particular shape or size. It's about creating lifestyles that allow us to feel nourished, rested, or energized.
What advice do you wish you could have given your former self?
I wish I would have told my former self to unlearn the scripts and release the social constructs I've been taught since birth. My value and self-worth aren't derived from the size of my waistline, the shape of my body, or the way I look. I'm already worthy and deserving of love, regardless of any of those things. I would tell her to stop spending mental energy focusing on shrinking my body and instead use that energy to create magic in the world. Lastly, I would tell my former self to stop worrying about what other people think. I am already enough.