I was 23 years old, in the middle of graduating from University, with no life direction. I didn’t have a clue as to what i wanted to do with my life. I didn’t have anything that i was truly passionate about. I wanted to be a fashion illustrator and was even in the process of applying to schools in Canada But deep down i didn’t believe i was good enough to pursue a fashion career. And most of the schools i really wanted to go to were in London. I couldn’t afford it. I was scared that i’d never find my purpose in life. Social media didn’t help either, seeing people your age securing cars and houses, you feel like a failure when you don’t have everything figured out. I certainly felt like a failure at 23 and i never stopped to realize that my life hadn’t even begun yet.
It was in the middle of my self confusion and chaos that i fell in love with fitness. I started like everyone else, clueless about a lot. Skinny, no muscle definition, no money, i didn’t own a pair of trainers, i couldn’t afford a resistance band and so much more people stress about that “holds them back from starting.”
What i did have, luckily, a friend who coached me through my early stages. He taught me the basics of training. Compound exercises, proper form, he would pay my gym memberships because i couldn’t afford it, motivate me when i was at the lowest of lows. For once in my life i felt like i had a true purpose . Fitness made me feel strong. Powerful. Every time i achieved a new milestone on the gym by lifting heavier than i did before, it challenged me to push myself even outside of the gym. I showed up every single day, through the burning muscle pain, when i was unmotivated, and when i didn’t believe in myself- i showed up. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months. I had people who told me i wouldn’t get far with fitness because “This is Nigeria” girls weren’t into fitness. I said watch me.
I would stop by the local market in my area after school to buy workout clothes from women who sold ‘Okrika’ (This means second-hand clothing). I used to buy my leggings for N500 ($1) and sports bras that were cheaper than that and i still managed to bargain lol. Sometimes i would manage to buy cheap fabric and sew my own activewear. I was a student, i was broke but i had the drive. That drive created SOfit. 3 years later I created the most successful fitness brand in Nigeria. I have coached over 4,000+ online clients, have influenced and worked with some of the most popular fitness brands today, BPI Sports, Womensbest, Ryderwear just to name a few. Have trained a number of celebrities and have built a huge social media platform.
In life, you will have doubts. You will feel like shit from time to time. You will never have everything figured out. I began this journey 4 years ago and I still don’t have everything together but that is what makes us human. We’re constantly evolving and learning. I don’t care what it is you want to do, do it. Keep your foot on the gas pedal and keep going. You will fail, you will succeed and you will fail again. Don’t ever stop believing in yourself.