PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT Fest 2023: An Unforgettable Day of Sweat, Empowerment, and Sisterhood
September 28, 2023 • By Olivia Hancock
Hundreds of Sweat Sisters Unite at The Bank Event Center in Atlanta for the Ultimate Health and Fitness Experience
PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT Fest finally returned in person on September 23, 2023, at The Bank Event Center in Atlanta. Led by founder and CEO Aeshia DeVore Branch, the fourth-annual fitness event brought hundreds of women together for a fun-filled day of empowerment, inspiration, and, of course, sweat.
Once Sweat Sisters arrived, they were able to head straight to our Vendor Village, an outdoor marketplace featuring a carefully curated selection of female-owned businesses. Attendees could grab something to sip or snack on from Soul Full Bowls, Local Green, Vice Taco Truck, Smooth & Groove, King of Pops, and Today’s a Cheat Day. They could also snag merchandise from The Black Hair Experience, By Karli Beauty, Roam Loud, Punch Wellness Boutique, and Goddess Glow Wellness. Double Dutch Aerobics and The Secret Garden Pole Fitness Boutique were also stationed in the Vendor Village, both providing sweat sisters with a chance to warm up and break a sweat.
The VIP lounge, also known as The Vault, was the ultimate spot to unwind, savor healthy bites, and catch up with fellow sweat sisters during the ‘Ultimate Sweat Sisterhood Reunion.’ The space included charging stations to keep everyone connected!
Shortly after, the first sweat sessions of the day commenced outdoors. Fitness instructor Katoya Sumner kicked things off with an invigorating 30-minute POUND class—a full-body workout that combines cardio, strength training, yoga, and pilates.
Right after, SWEAT EXT’s director Sloan Rabinor led a high-energy fitness fusion class that mixed pilates, barre, yoga, and HIIT.
From there, guests were able to gather inside to freshen up in the MOODEAUX’s sensory lounge and enjoy the rest of the experience.
To keep everyone’s excitement high, the hottest songs blasted throughout the event space, thanks to DJ Amber Alert.
Host Anisa Brenee soon hit the stage to greet everyone and get them even more hyped for the rest of the day.
She also introduced Reverend and fitness trainer Quianna Lashea, who took to the stage to share motivational words with attendees and help them get in the right mindset for the workouts ahead.
To keep the inspirational vibes going, Atlanta Dream co-owner and vice president Renee Mongomery also addressed the audience to share her sweat story as a former WNBA athlete.
Shortly after everyone’s remarks, DSSD Studio took to the stage to perform an energetic stepping and dancing routine.
To keep the momentum going, fitness trainer Sadia Yansaneh helped attendees warm up for the remaining sweat sessions.
Next, the SWEATLEBRITY Award Show commenced and honored Te’a Cooper, Tai Beauchamp, Koya Webb, Cleopatra Lee, Nala Terry, Pamela Robinson, Quianna Lashea, and Sadia Yansaneh. Each woman was recognized for their commitment to utilizing their social influence to promote health and wellness. The honorees each received a special “sweat drop” trophy and had a moment to open up to the crowd about their fitness journeys.
Once the award segment wrapped, Aeshia DeVore Branch and her daughters graced the stage to kick off the organization’s annual childhood obesity awareness campaign, SWEAT MAKES CENTS. Sweat Sisters were prompted to participate by successfully completing 100 jumping jacks, each jumping jack raising $0.10 for the SWEAT MAKES CENTS jumping jack challenge.
Following the SWEAT MAKES CENTS Challenge, the SWEAT MAKES CENTS organization presented DSSD Studio with a donation check to help them continue their youth dance programs.
Brianna Arps, founder of Moodeaux and former PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT intern, also presented SWEAT MAKES CENTS with a generous $1,000 donation to help us continue our health and wellness programs.
Afterward, the main stage workouts began. First up? The highly-anticipated “Oh My Glutes!” class hosted by instructor Mecca Day, a former PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT Georgia State workout coordinator. Her 30-minute booty-building class featured tons of fun moves and energizing tracks.
After breaking a sweat, guests were able to cool down for a bit and listen in on a panel titled “Health is Wealth.”
Serial investor Jessica Laine moderated the panel, and panelists included bobsled Olympian Aja Evans, entertainment industry executive and fitness creator Angelique Miles, vegan chef and blogger Jenna Claiborne, fitness and health content creator J’Zotta Rolle, and Redefining Wealth podcast host Patrice Washington. The panelists shared personal stories, offered invaluable insights about wellness, and inspired attendees to embrace their unique fitness journeys.
Sought-after international yoga teacher and wellness coach Koya Webb then took to the stage to help attendees soothe their bodies with a yoga, breathwork, and sound bath session. For 30 minutes, guests were able to relax on their yoga mats and engage in a moment of mindfulness.
To end the day, choreographer and group fitness instructor Kasey Binns brought everyone together once more to dance down the “Confidence Catwalk.”
As Sweat Sisters departed the venue, it was clear everyone left with a renewed sense of confidence and a deeper commitment to leading a healthy, active life.
Pretty Girls Sweat Fest 2023 will undoubtedly be remembered as more than just a fitness event; it was a beautiful celebration of community and sisterhood.
A huge thank you to our event partners New Balance, MOODEAUX, Sweat EXT, and ChastainMD as well as all of the special guests, volunteers, event staff, and vendors who joined forces with us to make PGS Fest 2023 a success. VIP guests went home with wellness products courtesy of Clevr, FBF Body, Nonchalant, and Moroccanoil.
Mark your calendars for PGS Fest 2024 weekend (September 20-22) because we can’t wait to do it all over again. Until then, dive into this thoughtfully curated playlist, featuring tracks that fueled our unforgettable workouts at PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT fest ATLANTA 2023!
Loving the limited edition #PGSFEST2023 merch? Shop the PGS “Health is Wealth” collection, available now! Want to relive the day or see what you missed? Check out this recap from classical pilates and wellness educator, Alexa Idama, aka @lowimpactfit:
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To support our mission to train and encourage female college students to make their health a priority, purchase apparel in our online shop (HERE), make a donation at sweatmakescents.org, or email us at hi@prettygirlssweat.com to partner with us, become a mentor, or volunteer.
