Here’s How This Lifelong Athlete Created A Career In Fitness!
March 14, 2023 • By Olivia Marjorae
An exclusive interview with our March Photo Contest winner!
Hailing from Federal Way, Washington, 29-year-old Adaeze Medani is no stranger to sweat! You’ve probably noticed this fit beauty on the front page of our website after winning our March 2023 Photo Contest, but trust us, Adaeze is much more than a beautiful face with killer abs! Keep reading below to learn about her fitness journey, athletic background, future plans, and so much more!
Tell us how your winning photo came about.
It was totally spontaneous! I had a hair appointment that day, and when I took my twists out to prepare, I looked in the mirror and said to myself, “Oh yeah. We are doing a quick little photo shoot with this twist out!”
I just couldn’t let a bomb twist out go to waste! So I put on my brown workout set and my Fine Gang socks, grabbed my tripod, and went downstairs to the kitchen to take the photo. I had my phone on portrait mode and took multiple shots. Then I quickly rushed off to get my hair braided. Later, I decided to post pictures on social media to promote my nutrition guide and show that muscles are made in the gym but revealed in the kitchen. Little did I know that one of the photos would become a finalist for the @PrettyGirlsSweat March photo contest!
Please briefly share your fitness journey with us.
Throughout my life, physical fitness has played a significant role. The foundation of my fitness started at the age of 7 with gymnastics, and shortly after, I was introduced to track and field and played basketball from middle school until high school. As a college student, I rowed for the University of Washington during my first year. I continued to stay active throughout college by going to the gym, running early on trails, and performing calisthenic movements to maintain strength and endurance.
A couple of years after college, I remember taking a photo in my kente print swimsuit and saying, “I want to look and feel stronger” I started my new fitness journey to build muscle mass and improve my overall strength. In August 2018, I started consistently weight training 3-4 times a week paired with dialed-in nutrition and eating for my goals. A year later, I went to the same beach and had my photo taken wearing the same swimsuit. I saw a significant difference in my body composition when both images were side by side, proving that hard work and dedication paid off! I then became obsessed with ascending to a higher version of myself.
My journey led me to want to help others on their fitness and health journey, so I created the Get it DONE Fitness Program to allow others to use fitness as a vehicle to ascend to higher versions of themselves in all aspects of their lives. In January 2020, my business partner Shontia and I co-founded Free Flo Fit, a 501(c)(3) non-profit health and fitness organization. That same year I got my NASM Certified Personal Trainer certification, and two years later, I received my NASM nutrition certification.
We believe fitness + friendship = FUN! What is your favorite group fitness workout?
My favorite group fitness workout would be our Free Flo Fit workouts. A Free Flo Fit workout gives you a variety of different styles of training, whether it be strength training, HIIT circuit, dance fitness, or mobility. The goal is to get our community moving together. We also bring in guest instructors to introduce our community to different movement styles. The actual workouts are energizing and leave us on a high! My favorite part though is that we start every class, before we even move our bodies, by asking everyone what is one thing they are grateful for. We are starting the class with gratitude, and it’s an inspiring practice! I have to mention my Get it DONE Sunday Mobility Workouts too. My mobility classes always remind me that working out doesn’t have to be stressful. It can be relaxing and effective.
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 go-to pre-workout meal is oatmeal! I love adding chocolate chips to it as well as a banana. After my workout, I usually make a protein smoothie, and if it’s leg day, I’ll most likely be refueling with fried PLANTAINS!
What is one item that is always in your gym bag?
Core Sliders.
What are your top 3 fitness Instagram accounts to follow?
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I don’t drink alcohol.
What are the top three goals you hope to accomplish in life?
- A short-term goal would be to become a gym shark & women’s best athlete. I have been following these two brands for a while and have drawn much inspiration from both pages.
- The mid-term goal would be to secure a significant sponsorship for our Free Flo Fit’s Fit Melanin Summer Event so we can run this event nationwide!
- A long-term goal is own a fitness gym that is women-centered.
What do the words PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT mean to you?
Pretty girls PUT IN WORK and are ACHIEVING their goals!
Since PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT, what is your favorite deodorant?
Native Deodorant that’s in the lavender & rose scent! (amazon.com, $12.97)
How can readers stay in touch with you on social media?
My Instagram & TiK Tok handle is @adaispresent
Our non-profit Instagram & Tik Tok handle is @freeflofit
Isn’t she amazing? Keep in touch with Adaeze, and show her some love in the comments below!
