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Celebrating Women’s History Month

Mar 26, 2025

We asked, SHE answered! In honor of Women’s History Month we’ve tapped some of the females in fitness on our NYSC team who inspire us every day with their dedication, resilience, and passion. We’ve gathered some bite-sized nuggets of inspiration from 9 of our team incredible members to share in a Q&A format:

• Jessica B., District Manager of Boston Clubs
• Nour M., Front Desk Supervisor at Croton
• Sneha K., General Manager at Glendale
• Rita M., GroupX Instructor
• Hassna M., GroupX Instructor
• Danielle F., General Manager at Dobbs Ferry
• Stefanie F., Front Desk Supervisor at 41st St
• Natalia B., Assistant General Manager in Training at Murray Hill
• Kari S., Chief Marketing Officer

Read more and join us in honoring the women who shape our gym, uplift each other, and prove that strength comes in many forms!

What does empowerment look like to you?
JB: Empowerment to me is living your truth, knowing who you are, being comfortable in your skin, and loving the person you see in the mirror.

NM: Refusing to shrink my confidence for others (I've been told a thousand time to be LESS confident or calm it down because it used to make my "bullies" uncomfortable).

SK: Empowerment is not comparing oneself to another group but uplifting and bettering our own selves. It's not to put others down to lift ourselves up but to grow and support others' growth.

RM: Empowerment to me means to work towards my own goals and accomplish them, but also to empower other people to complete their goals. No excuses!

HM: Never give up.

DF: Taking my life back. Being able to say this is my time to put my health first despite the barriers and daily life getting in the way. It's a mindset. I was determined to get back the best version of me which led me to lose 47 lbs and get my overall health back.

SF: Embracing who you are at your heart's potential.

NB: Kindness, selflessness, motivation, knowledge, care, resilience, intention, positivity, courage, giving, being optimistic, accountability, influence, and generosity.

Kari S: Having the strength, knowledge, confidence, trust, and independence to control your own choices and actions.

What is the most rewarding part of coaching/training women?
JB: The most rewarding part of coaching and training women is seeing their confidence grow — both on and off the court. It’s not just about improving their skills or winning games; it’s about watching them realize their own strength, resilience, and leadership. There’s something powerful about witnessing an athlete push past what she thought were her limits and come out stronger on the other side. Seeing that translate into how she carries herself in life, how she believes in her abilities, and how she inspires those around her, that’s what makes it all worth it.

NM: The most rewarding part of training women is when I see them gain back their confidence! It just makes my heart so happy as if I achieved my goal with them. Most of my clients are mothers that don't really have time for themselves. I always tell them that this is your "me time" and that alone makes them enjoy their time at the gym. 

SK: Knowing that I can help them become strong and a better version of themselves and introduce them to powerlifting.

RM: The most rewarding thing is to see members change and grow physically. They get stronger and fitter every day and that makes me happy! I love to see them coming to the gym and being in their happy place!

HM: Inspiring young girls.

SF: Informing others about healthy habits to incorporate in their daily routine, from hydration to stretching to diet.

Who is a woman in fitness that you admire?
JB: Ernestine Shepherd the oldest competitive female bodybuilder in the world, as declared by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010 and 2011. As of 2023, she is 88 years old and still active.

NM: Leana Deeb

SK: Leana Deeb

RM: Cathe Friedrich, Jackie Warner, Michelle Lewin, Carmel Rodriguez, and Alexia Clark

DF: Nicole Wilkins. She's a mom of two and 4x IFBB Figure Olympia Champion. She gets it done even having two small kids and makes no excuses. Her positive outlook on motherhood and fitness is very inspiring. Watching her workout with kids in tow is amazing.

SF: Former NYSC Personal Trainer Candace Coffman

Why are you excited to celebrate this month?
JB: I'm excited every day I wake up. I have the ability to impact and change lives of others and myself.

NM: To remind all the ladies in the world nobody can define your worth. Do whatever you want. 

SK: This month is not just about celebrating women today but also honoring the women of the past who paved the way for the rights, respect, and freedoms we have now. It's a time to recognize the progress we've made together, from those who fought tirelessly for equality to those who continue to push for change today. This month serves as both a testament to their sacrifices and an inspiration for us to keep striving for a better future for all women. It's about appreciation, empowerment, and continuing the fight for those who come after us.

RM: It's great way to celebrate women and all their achievements. Many women have children, jobs, a husband, parents, and etc. but they still find time for themselves to be better than they were yesterday.

HM: As a woman and a mom, I want to inspire my girls that being a woman is wonderful and powerful.

DF: Because powerful women should be celebrated and encouraged, not feared or ignored.

As a female in fitness, what is your favorite part?
JB: My favorite part of being a female in fitness is the ability to empower and inspire other women to realize their strength — both physically and mentally. There’s something incredibly powerful about breaking barriers, challenging limits, and proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined. Fitness isn’t just about the physical transformation, it’s about confidence, resilience, and the mindset that you can take on anything life throws your way. Watching other women step into their power, push past self-doubt, and embrace their strength is what drives me every day.

NM: The best part is knowing that I'm becoming a better version of myself every single day. The gym is my safe space and I consider it part of my day-to-day self-care routine. 

SK: I find peace in lifting. It's empowering to know that my strength is my own, I don't have to compare it to anyone else. Instead of measuring myself against others, I focus on becoming stronger every day, both physically and mentally. Lifting has given me confidence, independence, and the freedom to push my limits without fear.

RM: Working out, prepping, and delivering my ideas to the class.

HM: Inspiring all the women in my classes.

DF: It's so encouraging to see the rise of females in fitness in what was once a male dominated industry, to be able to see the growth and positive change in my members and see them achieve their goals, and to be able to work with strong women by my side daily who push and encourage one another to be the best versions of themselves.

SF: Discipline.

NB: I love knowing that I am part of the solution. My favorite part is knowing that I am helping others by creating an environment that is healthy and safe for people to release their stress.

KS: Educating women about the holistic health benefits of strength training and lifting heavy weights. I love shattering the misconceptions that strength training will lead to 'bulking up' as well as helping women better understand that strength training improves heart health, supports prenatal and postpartum health, fights osteoporosis, and can ease the symptoms of menopause.

What's the best lesson you've learned from a woman?
JB: There is nothing we can't do. We bear children and rule the world.

NM: Running like a girl means run as fast as you can to save your life.

SK: To never give up, keep my head up, and not be scared to be my true self.

RM: As my mom always said, "If you have nothing good to say, then say nothing." I live by that advice.

HM: Never give up.

DF: You can do anything you want or need to do no matter the obstacles. As a single mom, raising my son alone since he was a year old, nothing stopped me from taking care of him and having a successful career. The daily hustle was tough at times, but I was never built to give up when times were hard. I was determined for Aidan to have the best education and had him attend private school from Kindergarten through 12th Grade struggling at times, but always made it happen for him. He is now a college student on scholarship at Iona University with a 3.5 GPA.

SF: No matter what, keep dancing and smiling. Don't let anyone take it away from you.

NB: That we can do it all.

KS: Don't multi-task. Chunk your time. When you're working, dive all-in on work, and when you're parenting, give your kids 100% of your focus. I'm still working on this, but it's great advice.

What's your go-to inspirational quote from a remarkable woman?
JB: The collection of poems Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou.

NM: "Maybe you should settle down and marry a rich man / Mom, I am a rich man." -Cher 

SK: "If you were born with the weakness to fall you were born with the strength to rise," - Rupi Kaur

RM: "What I've learned from climbing mountains is that we can push ourselves far beyond what we think we are capable of, and it's outside of our comfort zones that the most amazing things happen," Bonita Norris

DF: "Strong women don't have 'attitudes', we have standards," - Marilyn Monroe

SF: "A girl should be two things: who and what she wants," Coco Chanel

KS: "The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me," Ayn Rand, author of The Fountainhead

Who is your biggest inspiration?
JB: My mother. I wouldn't be the woman I am today if it wasn't for her. She taught me to love and believe in myself. She taught me to want more for myself. She taught me the work ethic that I have. 

NM: My mother.

SK: I would say my younger self. 12-year-old Sneha would be so proud of the woman I have become of how much we have overcome, how independent and strong we are, and how we no longer have to live in fear. She would see that we are now capable of protecting and uplifting other girls stepping into womanhood. I want to thank my younger self for her resilience, for pushing through challenges, and for being the foundation of the woman I am today. She is my greatest inspiration.

RM: Bonita Norris

HM: Serena Williams

DF: My grandmothers. My Dad's mother was a single mom of six boys who raised them for the majority of their lives alone. She always managed to keep the family together no matter what was in her way and she raised six boys that turned into successful men. My mother's mom passed away when I was 11, but I will always remember her getting up every morning and taking the bus to work then coming home and taking care of the house and making my brother and I a priority no matter how exhausted she was. They both were the epitome of the no quit, fight-like-a-dog attitude.

SF: My mom

NB: My grandmother