The goal in life is to be better, not perfect. Aiming for better doesn't mean that you now have an excuse to not give it your all. If you need help fighting perfection and excuses, then you should definitely get to know Zakia Blain. Zakia, better known as Za to her loyal customers and fans, has been teaching people how to love themselves through fitness. Her company, FCK Being Fat Fitness, hosts fitness challenges and creates gear that inspires you to go for better. Even though fitness is a trend at the beginning of a new year, Za's mission continues throughout the year. If there is one word that can be used to describe Za, it would be remarkable. After attending a brunch she held in Philly and seeing her product on celebrities like Syleena Johnson and Draya Michele, I knew that her story was something that had to be shared. Despite having every excuse in the book to take a day off or just cruise through life, she doesn't. You may say to yourself, well she's like everyone else, but she is not. Za continues to battle a brain disorder and anxiety while moving past an attempted murder. If for no other reason, those three things are worth reading some of the jewels she has to offer.

Everyone experiences something that gives birth to an idea or resolution. What was the experience that prompted you to start FBF Fitness?

About 5 years ago, my father passed and I had gained about 30 lbs in 3 months. I went home to visit my family and my grandmother, a small woman of the age 87 at the time, pulled me into a bathroom and said, “Baby you’re getting too big”. LOL, I had thought I was in trouble, so I was happy that she only called me fat. LOL, around that time I was also diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, a brain disorder that causes me to have severe migraines and a host of other side effects. The doctors had me on so much medication, I looked at diet and exercise as a way to get me off my meds. After I lost the weight, I wanted to help others do the same. Not for vanity purposes, but to LIVE.

You managed to birth this idea while being open and honest about your brain disorder. Tell us how you managed to run a profitable brand while having every excuse to quit?

I am the QUEEN of modification. My business is not run like many others because I have to take into account that I could very well have a migraine for 10 days this month, which happens! So for example, my store is only open 3 days a month and we ship a week and a half after that. I do it to give myself time in the event that I do get sick. I don’t have to worry about trying to run myself in the hole fulfilling orders daily. With this schedule, I can still fulfill orders even if I do get sick.

Being an entrepreneur comes with its highs and its lows. It can even affect your mental and emotional health. You've spoken openly about your personal mental health issues, what daily practices have you incorporated to preserve your peace and mental health?

I suffer from PTSD and panic/anxiety disorder, so I have a daily practice of reading, prayer, and meditation before my feet even hit the floor in the morning. Before I open my eyes, I say THANK YOU…this for me is to set my mind at ease, to start my day in peace. too often as entrepreneurs we get so caught up and overwhelmed with what’s next, our minds are spinning a mile a minute…you have to have a daily practice of peace.

Is there anything wrong with taking the 9-5 route instead of the entrepreneurial route?

NO, we live in a time where entrepreneurship is trendy. Everyone wants to be a boss, but it’s not for everyone and that is okay. For some people, their purpose can be found in that 9-5… teachers, home health aides, mechanics, people who work 9-5’s are the backbone of our country. I worked two careers for 11 years simultaneously, it was those 9-5s that helped me in running my own business.

You've introduced your supporters to " Don't nothing work but work". What has this meant for you and why is it so important for others?

At the end of the day, if you want something, ANYTHING in this life you have to WORK for it. We live in a society of instant gratification. So many people feel like they are entitled to money, status, information etc. But how can you be entitled to anything if you are not willing to WORK for it? As I mentioned before, I have every VALID excuse not to get up and WORK, but how is that going to help the people who need me, or help my children or myself for that matter? When we work hard for something, it gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment. Also in working, we learn and once we learn something, that skill is with us forever, therefore creating an arsenal of information and knowledge that we can use to face anything life has to throw at us.

I use the word remarkable to describe you because you've almost seen death after having an attempted murder incident. What did that situation teach you? How did you bounce back from the trauma you experienced and get back to your purpose?

It taught me to trust my gut. I knew I should not have put myself in that situation, but I did it anyway trying to appease others. Honestly, I have faced so much trauma in my life as most people who grow up in the hood can attest to. I never missed a beat. I was just happy to be alive.

Self-love is something many people struggle with. Thanks to social media we now have a front row seat into the lives of people we wish we were like, or whose lives we wish we had. How do you fight the battle of comparison?

It’s hard to not compare yourself to others on the internet, and we all have our moments. When I find myself even starting to compare, I know it’s my time to take a break from social media or unfollow people I find myself comparing myself to. Not because I don’t like them, but because I never want the energy of envy or jealousy to consume me. Have you ever noticed Beyonce does not follow ANYONE on IG? Sometimes in life and in business, you have to have tunnel vision, otherwise, you can become so distracted with what others are doing that it sidetracks you from cultivating your greatness.

FBF offers several programs to engage people in living their healthiest lives. Tell us about some of them and how can our readers get involved.

For starters, we have the #FCKbeingFAT Weight Loss Challenge which is the foundation of our business. We start a new challenge every 8 weeks to help people all over the world meet their health and weight loss goals.

The #ILVHERPROJECT, which is an assembly program for girls 11-18 focusing on self-esteem and body image.

You can keep up with all things FBF by subscribing to our mailing list at FBFFitness.com and following us on social media @FBFFitness on all social media platforms.

You're an author, business woman, and mother. What's the next thing you're adding to your list?

I want to change as many lives as I can, by being transparent and letting the world know that even when life deals you a shitty hand if you learn how to play the hell out of it, you can end up a winner.

For the Za's out there, what advice do you offer them?

Stop acting like you get more than one life. You only get one, live the hell out of it. Do what makes YOU happy, work hard, have faith, and it will all work out.

I am truly inspired by the work and life of Za. I hope that you are too. If you want more from Za and FBFFitness, follow her on IG here. If you're interested in joining a challenge her next challenge starts January 23rd and her next drop for exclusive FBF gear drops January 27th so have your coins ready.

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