Family and Friends Have Kept Semeiah Bourn’s Fitness Journey on Track
March 21, 2022 • By Aeshia
Semeiah Bourn is a 23-year-old software engineer from Cleveland, Ohio. The former collegiate athlete began sharing her fitness journey online after a loving nudge from her best friend. One of her eye-catching photos caught the attention of Sweat Sisters on our Instagram page, and she became the winner of our March 2022 photo contest.
PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT sat down with Semeiah to talk about her wellness routine, top goals, and her all-time favorite fitness class in Atlanta.
“A bad day is still a luxury”
– Libby
Tell us how your winning photo came about?
That picture was captured in the parking garage of my community. I was trying to branch out and explore popular fitness clothing brands but not having the best luck finding those that accommodated the curves of a black woman. My partner was hyping me up behind the camera, and this was the photo that displayed that true happiness.
Please briefly share your fitness journey with us.
For as long as I can remember, I have been into fitness. My dad made sure to incorporate it into our day-to-day lives and always encouraged healthy competition. Fortunately for me, that lead to a collegiate soccer & lacrosse scholarship. Unfortunately, I encountered a career-ending injury and struggled to find my way without the constant pressure to compete and have a trainer to control my regimen. As I grew and my weight fluctuated, I did not always have a healthy relationship with food or working out. Throughout various battles with depression and the added stressors of life, my family and friends helped me get back into fitness and enjoy life. My handle on social media comes from the nickname my late best friend gave me, who encouraged me to start my fitness page. She was the first person I pitched the idea to, and I cannot thank her enough.
Semei (pronounced semi ) represents how I feel about fitness. I am only semi-fit, and that is okay. I am a firm believer in treating yourself and not participating in restrictive behavior. Now, this is different from lacking discipline because I do have discipline, but I am also so much more than the food I choose to fuel my body with or the weights I can lift. Without my immediate support system, I would not have the healthy relationship I do with fitness or be where I am today. For that, I want to give everyone a huge THANK YOU! I cannot wait to see where I will be a year from now.
We believe fitness + friendship = FUN! So what is your favorite group fitness workout?
My favorite group fitness class would have to be Stay Down Fit by E.J. Houston. One of my good friends forced me to go one day after work, and now whenever she is in town, it is a great way for us to reconnect.
While working out is essential, so is eating the right foods. What is your go-to pre-workout meal? How do you refuel after a workout?
My favorite pre-workout meal would be protein rice crispy bars paired with watermelon. Then, after a good workout, I like to reward myself with protein chicken nachos.
What is one item that is always in your gym bag?
My tripod along with an extra pair of leggings, are ALWAYS in my gym bag. I have ripped way too many leggings not to have a backup.
What are your top 3 fitness Instagram accounts to follow?
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am actually not a social media person. I love secrets and being a very private person, but in the day we live in, social media is a great way to connect with people, build a community, and make a living. I schedule the majority of my posts and time to make content so that I can put my phone down and really experience real life. If you do not see me in the gym, odds are I am on a trail with my puppy.
What are the top three goals you hope to accomplish in life?
- I want to build meaningful connections and leave my mark in each person I encounter.
- I want to experience all the world has to offer.
- I want to be the best version of myself possible.
What does PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT mean to you?
Pretty Girls Sweat means that women are not afraid to get down and dirty. The gym has always been seen as a man’s place, but that has begun to change lately. When I look around me, I see more women in the gym than I ever have, and that is a welcoming feeling. Pretty Girls Sweat empowers women to reach their goals and promotes body positivity.
Since PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT, what is your favorite deodorant?
My favorite deodorant is Secret in the scent “powder fresh.” ($7.99, Amazon)
How can readers stay in touch with you on social media?
All of my handles on social media are @semei_fit, and my DM’s are always open to questions or if you need a friendly face to talk to. 🙂
