I love how FiA provides so many different things, beyond simply exercise, to all of us. We are all at different places in our lives - going to school, navigating young adulthood, raising young children, caring for aging parents, caring for grandchildren, dealing with physical and mental illnesses, recovering from loss, watching older children leave the nest. No matter what is going on during the other 23 hours of our lives, FiA gives us space each day to do something for ourselves. We workout to build our physical strength. We enjoy the fun and fellowship of spending time with our friends. We talk about our concerns and our struggles, and we come together to listen to each other and to pray. We develop relationships that take us outside FiA, to grab coffee or lunch, to a girls weekend away, to a new job prospect, to a new best friend. The beatdown nourishes our bodies and everything else nourishes our souls.

Moving from Miami to Georgia 2 months before the world shut down because of the pandemic was an emotional change to say the least. So what does one do when you’re feeling lost, anxious and don’t have any friends or family near by… You pray about it and Jesus answers! I was on FB one day after praying and FiA Cherokee popped up. I took the biggest step out of my comfort zone while the kids slept and went to a workout at 5:30am. There I found the nicest and inviting women I’ve ever met. This year I’m turning 40 and wanted to make better health choices. I’m about to celebrate my 1 year FiAversary and feel so blessed to the community I’ve become a part of.

FiA Cherokee: What it means to me

It means Fitness in Action and Friendship in Action

I am so thankful to have found FiA. It has given me an opportunity to meet so many wonderful women and a place to workout with others in a friendly and fun environment. It has challenged me to do things I would have never considered doing - leading workouts, running a half marathon, etc. All the women encourage and support each other which makes doing things you think are impossible, possible! FiA has become a staple in my life and I feel blessed to be a part of it.

I have been fairly athletic most of my life, playing tennis in high school and college, lifting weights, running. Over time, though, some things became lonely or individualized. I was encouraged to check out a ladies workout group called FiA and I was hooked! FiA stands for Females in Action, but it is so much more. I would add Fitness, Fabulous, Fun, Fellowship, Faith, Friendship in All Areas of my life. Each day I have multiple groups to choose from a workout. I have felt so extremely supported by these ladies that I stepped out of my comfort zone and offered to lead a Bible study. I was also challenged to run a half marathon later this year. We have been training together for this weekend event. FiA states “you do you” at the workouts, but you will also be challenged. I am so proud of one friend. She originally told me she does not work out, does not run, yet she went with me anyways. While on vacation she  let me know she ran almost 3 miles, and also did squats and lunges on the beach so she would not miss a workout day! This is what the fellowship of FiA does - encouraging and challenging each other, while being a strong support system for each other.

F - friends for life; there are women I never would have met without FiA and my life would be incomplete without them. I look forward to hearing the ups and downs of these ladies’ lives and being together through it all.
I - intense workouts; I never thought I’d be in this good of shape at my age without playing soccer. Each Beatdown is different so my muscles are always working hard and I’m so proud of myself for sticking with a workout plan this last 1.5 years!
A - Actively living; the 5:30 start times were tough at first but now I am thankful to start my day three or four times a week with friends and some good sweat!
C - charity work; We call it FiAlanthropy and it means giving back and helping others in our community. We strive to chip in when an emergent need arises as well as give in planned ways (Christmas giving, February feminine supply collections, etc).
H - honoring each other; at the end of every workout we participate in a Circle of Trust where we offer prayer requests and praises to the group and then go around and celebrate each one that is there that time.
E - everyone is welcome; this is a free group that is peer led and we are open to anyone who wants to be a part of it. We do have guidelines to maintain safety and trust that we are all expected to follow. Women of all ages (kids may come with a parent or caregiver) are welcome.
R - room for growth; our motto of Better Together allows each person to get support as she strives toward her personal goals; I never thought I’d be able to do many of the physical things I’ve accomplished at my age and it’s been possible because of the support.
O - OMG - I love FiA!!
K - keep going; my husband is battling recurrent kidney cancer and some days are just really hard emotionally but with FiA I know I can share my burden and keep going be a they will pray for me and support me.
E - excitement; many of the ladies are very creative and it’s fun to see what they come up with for workouts!
E - everyone succeeds; whether you’re in top notch shape or just starting out, we believe that joining us means success even if that’s once a month or 7 days a week!

FIA has changed my life immensely.  I've never been one to enjoy working out.  I've belonged to gyms for years and would go consistently for a while and then slack off.  I saw on Facebook thru a friend's page that they were starting a new bootcamp style workout that was FREE so I decided to go that first time and have been hooked ever since.  I've been going since Cherokee started in 2017 and kept with it.  I have had health issues and had to modify and I'm never judged for that.  The ladies are always so encouraging and helpful with modifications.  Best of all, I've made true friends and enjoy working out with them weekly.  I've found something that I enjoy being a part of and found lifetime friends. #bettertogether

-Straight Shooter

I started coming to FiA about 2 1/2 years ago. I came across this group of ladies in an especially difficult time in my life. My mother had just passed away and I was going through a very difficult separation and divorce. I was welcomed with so much love and acceptance and will forever be grateful to have FiA in my life. They have encouraged me,  hugged me, cried with me, prayed for me and will forever hold a special place in my heart. And that's just the community aspect. As far as the fitness aspect goes, the workouts are always amazing and challenge me to work harder and be stronger. So many times I have felt myself slacking and someone always sees me and gives me that boost I need to kick it up a notch!

I can’t express enough how much FiA has impacted my life. But if I had to sum it up, the words that come to mind are Game Changer! I went not knowing what to expect. Yes a workout, but what I have experienced with each workout is so much more!! I have made some really great friends that not only inspire me to live my best life but I have found that I can be of service to them & my community just as much. That is an incredibly empowering feeling! About a year ago my family & I made a bitter-sweet, state to state move. It was exciting & sad at the same time. But with that brought on a great deal of emotions for me. I was lonely, anxious, & I was feeling depressed! Not my usual self. So a couple more words come to mind. Answered prayers! I believe with everything in me that I was meant for FiA & FiA was meant for me! They have made me feel that important! I will forever be grateful to my FiA sisters!!

-Kodak

After giving up our lives in my home town in South Carolina, my family began a new chapter in Georgia in January of 2020. The change and isolation of a new town made worse by a pandemic took a tool on my spirit. Simply by Gods grace, that summer I attended my first beatdown. From day one, FIA has felt like coming home, like a family, a true community. A safe space, a place where it’s ok to not be ok.  A place to laugh, to grow, and to know you matter. While the exercise aspect is what brought me to FIA, the community and love I feel each and every time keep me coming back. Being a part of this community is one of my greatest blessings.

When my sister started with this work out group that met up at 5:30 am, and was only for women, I thought that she was crazy. I saw the changes she was making and said man I should really give it try. My first day was a Saturday, and I was so confused, thinking to myself what in the heck did I get into! Since then, FiA has challenged and strengthened me not only physically, but mentally. I have met some of the RADEST women around and learned a new workout language. I have completed 5k’s, started rucking, lost 25lbs, traveled to help new AO’s, and am leading workouts. These are all things that I NEVER thought that I would do just a year ago. While the initial intent to join FiA was to reach my fitness goals, the friendships and community that I have been blessed with have changed me more than just meeting fitness goals ever could. I Love FiA!

After moving to a new community and changing jobs in the same month I was really looking for a way to connect with a group of ladies. I already worked out but by myself; I knew working with a group would push me but have never liked the gym atmosphere.  My son had worked out with F3 and so I thought there had to be a group like this for women. Bingo- I found FiA!! It has given me so much more than a place to workout and accountability it has given me a new group of close friends.

I discovered FiA quite by accident. I have always been fitness minded- working out 6 days a week, running, and knowing my way around when it comes to weights and exercising. A good friend of mine convinced me to tagalong to a Saturday workout. It was love at first sight. I found a community of women who are passionate about creating workouts, but also passionate about community. It quickly became a full fledge addiction. I loved the people. I loved the challenge. I loved it all. Shortly after, I was pushed towards Qing (leading) a workout. That’s when I dove in head first. How could I push the limits and challenge people the way I was first challenged? Game on. It’s been a fun ride ever since. From socials, to terrain races, to early morning beat downs- these are my people and I love them! FiA gives me a place to fit in while also inspiring me to be the best version of myself!

-Valor

The love & support I’ve seen & experienced since joining this beautiful group of ladies has been amazing. I get serious anxiety being in front of people & when I first started coming to FiA said to myself, I could never lead a workout. With the support & encouragement of all these beautiful ladies I ate my words & led a workout! FiA has been life changing for me.