At 21, I swapped partying and self-destruction for fitness and healing. Here’s how strength training, body awareness, and holistic wellness transformed my life – and how it can transform yours too.
How It All Started: From Party Girl to Soulful Baddie
If you told 21-year-old me that one day I’d be certified in personal training and wellness coaching, running a fitness and wellness brand that speaks to women around the world – I would’ve laughed and poured another drink.
Truth is, I started partying at 16. It was my coping mechanism – a distraction from childhood trauma, a way to escape the heaviness I didn’t yet know how to process.
Mental health issues have been in my life since I was 15 so by 19: what was first diagnosed as depression, evolved into a bipolar disorder. Not because I didn’t get any help but because, instead of trying to heal through medication and psychology, I distracted myself through drinks and drugs. Which at that time, made me feel better than the numbness of prescribed medication and the hopelessness I felt when I was sober.
By 21, I was exhausted – physically, emotionally, spiritually. The highs and lows, hangovers and withdrawals… I wanted something that felt worth it.
Luckily, soon after I started yearning for more than the destruction I had become: I met and dated a man who introduced me to a new world. This was a world of intentionally working on yourself, not because you hate yourself but because you love yourself enough to not waste your potential. It inspired me to start envisioning a version of myself I knew I had the potential to be.Strong, fit, energized, and confident.
I started jogging – in shoes that were more cute than comfortable – and when I didn’t feel like going outside, I hit the gym near my college dormitory. One day, a mutual friend noticed how I was always on the cardio machines and invited me to train with weights. That one resistance session? Life-changing. I was introduced to squats and deadlifts – and was instantly hooked. YouTube became my best friend. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with strength training.
But with all the gains came something else: lower back pain, eating anyhow and inconsistency in my fitness journey. Years later, I found out it was due to lack of awareness on proper form, nutrition and prioritizing my mental wellness – something no one taught me early on.
That’s why I created Soulful Baddie – a space for women like me, who don’t just want to look good, but want to feel aligned, strong, and educated about their bodies, nutrition and mental wellness.
These are the 3 Lessons That Changed Everything in my journey and so I want to teach through Soulful Baddie:
- Body Awareness is Everything
Understanding muscle groups and learning proper form helps you activate the right muscles (especially your core) and prevent injuries. It’s the foundation of mind-to-muscle connectionand better posture. - Real Nutrition = Real Results
Starving yourself or cutting carbs won’t help long-term. I’ve learned about macronutrients, micronutrients, and how to fuel my body with intention — not restriction. - Wellness Isn’t Optional
Journaling, sleep, spiritual alignment, and time with loved ones arefitness tools. A strong body means nothing if your mind and soul are drained.
I’m still learning. But now, I’m learning out loud.
So if you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, confused by fitness content, or overwhelmed by how to start — you’re not alone.
This is our space to grow, glow, and live better — together
Let’s fill our own cups first.
Nomfundo🖤
Founder, Soulful Baddie
I can’t wait to start thriving, I feel I’ve been on survival mode for too long now it’s time for ‘me’ thank you for this platform 💖 I can feel this will be a good year ✨✨✨ Here’s to a soulful baddie 🥂
thank you for this beautiful comment soulful baddide! We can’t wait to be on this journey with you