Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaquile Read.
Shaquile, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Shaquile Read. I hail from Decatur, IL, and have moved around quite a bit. I’ve spent some years living in Canal Winchester, Ohio, and then moved to Chicago, IL, around the age of 14. Chicago is where I spent most of my teenage and early adulthood years in ministry and schooling.
In 2013, while serving in the United States Navy, I played the role of a construction electrician and command fitness leader for my platoon. I was the only African American female going through the class at the time, where I managed to score the highest on the written fitness test. This particular position was also the reason I was propelled to continue my education in occupational therapy. I completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in occupational therapy. The door for a master’s in occupational therapy did not open, but God did open the door to the associates to occupational therapy. This was the best move as I did not want to waste $60,000 for a master’s degree for a career I was not going to stay in long-term. While attending school for occupational therapy, I worked full-time as a health enthusiast at The Vitamin Shoppe in California, which furthered my knowledge and understanding of alternative supplementation. I eventually had my job transferred to a location in Texas in January 2022 upon passing my board certification exam from California. I received my first job as an OTA working in upper extremity rehabilitation, where I worked with various injuries to the hands and wrists for 3.5 years. I currently work in pediatrics and have acquired a certification in medical nutrition. All of this has made me a well-rounded fitness trainer, to the point where I can make splints and follow protocol for those who have suffered hand injuries, I can interpret labs from blood work to develop appropriate food plans and lists, and help formulate and modify exercises for old and new injuries.
Quality Control Fitness was an idea I developed back in 2015, which I sat on for several years as I went through my schooling and early career. God gave this to me in a dream, and I believe it was due to this yearning and heart I have for the health of God’s people, particularly those in ministry. It was a period in 2023 and 2024, and singers I was familiar with, who held such an anointing on their lives, were passing away from strokes and heart attacks. What makes this worse is that I am only 35 years old, and these individuals were also the same age, if not younger. There was a pull on my heart to help those in ministry get back to their best selves by losing the weight that is gained when touring and making poor food choices. I provide this service per client’s preference (virtual/in-person). As a believer in the Lord, it is imporant to watch out for gluttony and adopt habits that will provide the wealthy life in good health. Quality Control’s mission statement references 3 John 1:2: “ Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as your soul prospers.” This simply means God did not just call us to live a prosperous life, but a healthy life. This is what my driving force is. I aim to help individuals realize that good health is not in getting abs, unless you want them, but it’s to help you carry out your calling fully without speeding up the process of deterioration. There is no need for this, since aging is inevitable. The future for Quality Control Fitness, is to eventually open a physical location, to service those looking for a conventional gym environment, that provides child care for parents to enjoy their work out.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has had its challenges due to keeping clients consistent with their own personal health goals. Oftentimes, as a new entrepreneur, there is a habit of modifying or over-accommodating for your clients, which eventually leads to them dropping out of the health program and not following through with the rest of their financial obligations to the servicer, which is me. Another struggle is managing a full-time job as a licensed COTA and pursuing your business, as it begins to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Particularly when I have to maintain my own health and wellness goals on top of gaining clients and maintaining the progress of those at my 9-5.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed occupational therapy assistant. Before receiving this certification, I worked at a large supplement and vitamin store, The Vitamin Shoppe, where I gained most of my knowledge regarding vitamins, minerals, and sports supplements. I received my first job as an OTA working in upper extremity rehabilitation, where I worked with various injuries to the hands and wrists for 3.5 years. This included working with trauma injuries to the hand via amputation, replantation of the digits, leech therapy, casting, and splint making. I currently work in a pediatric clinic where I carry out treatment plans and individual goals for children to be able to function independently. This treatment includes sensory integration to improve motor planning that is essential to dressing, grooming, and hygiene, proprioceptive and vestibular regulation, and children on the spectrum. I have recently acquired a certification in medical nutrition, where I am able to help those choose foods appropriate for them, whether they are diagnosed with some type of metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease, or simply just needing guidance for making better food choices.
I am most proud of the fact that I am a versatile trainer. I continue to add to my education to make sure when I train individuals, I am meeting them where they are, no matter the deficit, if there is one. This is what sets me apart from the others. All of this has made me a well-rounded fitness trainer to the point where I can make splints and follow protocol for those who have suffered hand injuries, I can interpret labs from blood work to develop appropriate food plans and lists, and help formulate and modify exercises for old and new injuries.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The characteristic I feel is most important to my success is including God in everything I do in prayer. Without Him, I could not do any of this. My temperament for remaining disciplined, diligent, and humble is because I include God. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed.” It’s viable proof that no moves work unless I bring it to Him first. My personality encourages, because I know how it feels to start at your heaviest and feel like the goal is impossible. I bring positivity in the words I speak to my clients, especially during the workout. My clients, however, may not like me during the workout and have a colorful vocabulary, but at the end of it all, they carry those positive words home. The other quality I have is my identical twin sister, who runs alongside me as a co-trainer for those located in the Chicago area. We both work in the field of mental health, wellness, and fitness. I have a lifelong womb-mate to say the least.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fitness-lifestyle-tracker-sread20.replit.app
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/quileg_30
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaquilelilmsmusic.read
Image Credits
Cleo Cartwright Photography & Nicey J Productions
The Art of Ashley Photography
Arnette AME Chapel
Client: MarierRose McCarthey
