NIKE OLABISI-GREEN

I am the creator of Nola Movement. We believe in movement, mindset, and community and that when women are well, they can change the world. My dad started a local nonprofit soccer club. My mom always worked in Sunday School and daycare. So I grew up seeing the importance of giving back. It is something that for sure, is part of being from the Midwest. 

 I've always been the girl that loved the energy of bringing people together. Teaching Zumba and dance fitness when I was in college, I saw women progress in their wellness journey and then transform other areas of their lives too. So that was the inspiration for my business and the work we continue to do today, inspiring women to be their best selves. People don't think that can happen from just a fitness class or a coaching call. But it has been amazing to see the transformation in women's lives. 

2020 was the decade that we'll never forget. When COVID happened, and we could no longer be in person, I was like ‘I'm done, game over.’  But then I went from being a dance fitness instructor and coach to a digital production leader. I never wanted to learn these things. But two years later, we’re fully delivering classes on Zoom and coaching online, which has grown the most during this time. I'm grateful for technology. Moving my business to virtual and having my community lift me up when I thought I was done, saved me. 

Personally, the biggest thing I've learned is just to trust myself. The pandemic happened so fast. Navigating through that time, I had to make decisions quickly. Professionally it’s, wow, the power of the pivot and not being afraid to be a student again. 

My advice to others is to trust your vision. Trust your voice. Trust yourself. Take the time to connect with self and connect with source (whatever that may be for you) and cultivate it so you can step out into the world and create that thing you envision because the world needs it.

“What’s BS for me? In 2020, many people, companies, and organizations raised their hands and said black lives matter, I care about my neighbor, I want to be better. And yet here we are in 2021, and so many people have returned to the same pattern of behavior, the same voting practices, the same conversations that they were having, or not having before.”