Today we’d like to introduce you to Malika Rashid.
Malika, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Attended college in Greenville, North Carolina. Where I received my Bachelors Degree as a Health Fitness Specialist. I knew I was doing an internship afterward. I chose to relocate to Dallas over California to do my sports performance internship with one of the top companies, EXOS sports performance. When I moved here I had nowhere to stay I just had ambition and knew what I always wanted to do. With support and knowledge from loved ones, I made it through the internship. I then got a job at a corporate fitness gym, LA fitness. Where I got the opportunity to be a personal trainer.
I’ve been doing that for a while now. Knowing that’s not ultimately where my heart was, almost a year later I was advised to go to a sports performance setting. Nervous about it all, I walked in and received a job at Redline Athletics in Garland. I was finally back working with athletes in a competitive setting that I just loved. Unfortunately, a few months after working there the gym unexpectedly shut down. I was left without job where I actually depended on that income. I didn’t know what my next move was going to be. Should I stay in Dallas or leave? How am I going to live with just my personal training job that’s basically like a rollercoaster? Should I just go to the military? So many
questions that I just didn’t know being so young in a fast city. I knew I didn’t wanna give up what I loved after talking to one of my close friends.
Eventually, I got a random call from the manager at A+D1 training facility. He called and said they needed a trainer, a female, so I knew it was time to get back to the grind. I am now a sports performance coach again at A+D1 in Carrollton. I coach athletes, teach adult boot camps, coach private lessons with athletes, and do personal training sessions with adults. I am also in the process of starting my own fitness brand while still doing all of these things. I’m just excited to see where God leads me.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely been a bumpy road from being without a place to stay a few times. Being new to the city and being fortunate enough to have people who wanted to help me and believed in me. I’ve worked jobs that I hated or didn’t pay enough just patiently waiting to get the job I wanted so I can pay bills. Not really having family/or close friends that live close is always hard as well.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the (GH)^2 story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m my own company. I have to promote myself. My skills in coaching have to speak for me; that’s how I grow. Until I get my actual brand name started, I am the business. I specialize in sports performance training which includes enhancing speed, agility, strength, and power in athletes. I also specialize in functional training and strength training for adults. I’m very proud of myself for not giving up when I was always torn on whether or not I should just let it go. What sets me apart from others is my compassion for it all. Being a previous athlete in college, really my whole life. Having to give that up from not having the proper knowledge while competing I never want any of my athletes to go through all the pain I had to go through. I always have great connections with everyone I come in contact with and want the very best for them. And I will make sure they have the very best.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not really big on the luck thing. Everything happens for a reason. But I’ve had great opportunities and blessings on this journey. I’ve also had some misfortunes. The good always way out the bad if you ask me. In the end, it is always worth it when you work hard. I’ve had a lot of great coaches, teachers, mentors, supporters! That is one thing I can always say. My parents are definitely big supporters of anything I want to do. They always help in every way they can.
Since moving to Dallas, I met the VP of EXOS. Chris Dubek, he has helped me from Day 1. He really became a mentor and much more than I ever even thought. Whenever I had a problem, he helped. I always went and talked to him about work, life, my family. He was the one who told me to quit a few jobs and hurry up and get back into fitness and I listened. My friends from back home have been cheerleaders encouraging me to not give up and helping me if I really needed it. EXOS as a whole company has helped me a lot just from the connections I made while I was there.
Pricing:
- Adult personal training: $35/hr
- Athlete private lessons: $50/hr ages: 7+
- Speed & agility athlete group training: $100 per athlete(8 weeks)
Contact Info:
- Phone: 9018006217
- Email: ms_rashid09@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Leekdasneak_
Image Credit:
Malika Rashid
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
