K.I.S.H. Magazine Exclusive Interview Tamika Harden

KISH: Tell us about you.

Tamika: I am a certified personal trainer and life coach with a passion for rejuvenating men and women from the inside out through fitness and wellness.

Raised in the urban ghetto of South Jamaica, Queens, I’m no stranger to hardship. Experiencing hardship at such a young age motivated me to ensure that my future was brighter than my sullen past. During my childhood I was overweight. I hated being overweight. Both children and adults were often mean which negatively impacted my self-image. When I turned 16yrs old I joined my very first health club, without the help of an adult. That’s how bad I wanted it. Through hard work I lost 40lbs and fell in love with fitness. At the young age of 19 I was hired to manage and operator the very same fitness club, where it all started. Losing weight for me was my first major life accomplishment. An Accomplishment that taught me I had the power to change anything in my life that I did not like. That discovery led to the desire to become a fitness trainer. I wanted to help others change their lives through fitness, the way it changed mine.

KISH: What is your dream and how will accomplishing your dream benefit you and others?

Tamika: After struggling with obesity throughout my childhood and overcoming it, I knew that I wanted to help others thrive and transform their lives. My dream was to develop a program that would strengthen people’s mind and body interaction. As a result Body By Tamika was born. For over 15 years I’ve helped 100’s of people get in shape and reach fitness goals that once seemed impossible. My passion and excitement for fitness is contagious . My goal is to help people fall in love with self-care. Platforms such as K.I.S.H Corner continue to help make my dream of helping others come true.

KISH: Who or what inspired you to pursue this dream?

Tamika: Growing up over weight I endured negative comments from both children and adults. The negative comments fueled my determination to do something about being overweight. At the age of 16 years old I used the money I earned from my part-time job to invest into a gym membership. After losing 40lbs  I fell in love with fitness. This was the first true testament of my power, my ability to change things that I didn’t like. I used negativity to fuel my desire for change. That’s how Body By Tamika was born.

KISH: What challenges have you encountered while pursuing your dream?

Tamika: Plenty! First I had to gain enough confidence to pursue my dream. For years I’ve gone to college achieving degrees in various areas, all while all I wanted to do was pursue a career as a fitness professional. I was afraid that I wouldn’t make enough money as a personal trainer so I looked to other professions for financial security with the goal of pursuing personal training on the side. It wasn’t until after my very first fitness photo shoot that the lightbulb went off. The positive feedback received by others gave me the courage to pursue my dream. The first battle was won but surely there would be others. With little knowledge of entrepreneurship, I had to figure out where and how to begin. One obstacle after the next I begin to knock them down determined to be successful.

KISH: Who or what inspired you to keep pushing regardless of the challenges you’ve encountered?

Tamika: Years ago I rescued and adopted 2 boys from foster care . Justice, 10 and Kevin, 16 have become my reason to continue pushing regardless of the challenges encountered. I discovered years ago that my purpose in life is to lead. God gives his toughest battles to his toughest soldiers. Because of my strength I am able to endure more than most. For that reason I must continue my dream of helping others, no matter the obstacles.

KISH: My words to aspiring entrepreneurs:

Tamika: If you can’t stop dreaming about, if you can’t stop thinking about, if you enjoy doing it for free, then go for it. Dream it, believe it, see it.