

Danai Gurira makes no excuses when it comes to strengthening her body and her mind.
Whether it's her workout routine, drinking plenty of water, or eating the foods that nourish her body, the Black Panther star sets an inspiring example for anyone on the path towards a healthier life. So much so that Reebok recently named her one of the newest faces of the brand.
In conversation with Reebok, Gurira revealed her goals as the face of the brand, the importance of being each other's hero, and why listening to our bodies is the most nurturing thing we can do when it comes to fitness.
When I think of my own personal strength, I imagine myself a little toner and more active in the gym all while balancing my personal goals and reminding myself that everything I've been through is preparing me for the life I've always dreamed of. Gurira reminds us that while each of our definitions of strength will vary, true strength comes through a collective and collaborative effort in empowering those around us. The "cultural revolution" is being televised, and Gurira says that we need to be each other's hero:
"We all view strength differently: through physicality, through mental fortitude, through honesty and perhaps most importantly through community. My goal is to work with Reebok to galvanize women in all communities to find strength within themselves so that we may continue to lead this cultural revolution. Each one of us should be a hero to each other."
We are all on different journeys in life, and that includes our fitness journey, as well. Health and wellness are important ingredients in the recipe for self-care, but if we aren't in tune with what our bodies really need, we might miss the mark entirely. In yoga, for example, they say the pose you avoid is the one you need the most. Not only is this a metaphor for our fitness goals, it also speaks to our paths and the creation of our best lives.
Reebok
Gurira points out that although jogging isn't her favorite form of exercise, she pushes herself to do it and encourages us all to listen to the needs of our bodies. She says:
"It's a journey to keep your body feeling healthy and strong. One of the key things is to listen to your body and challenge it at the same time. Jogging is not my favorite thing, but I know it's a very powerful form of exercise, so challenging myself to do it, or listening and going to do something more nurturing when my body feels like it needs a little break from the strenuous stuff. It's really about keeping the palate very variant for me."
In a letter to her younger self, Gurira emotes the essence of fierce determination towards pushing her physical limits all while making the connection that exterior strength transfers inward and increases mental fortitude. She also reminds herself that it's okay to let go of things that do not serve her well, but she also knows that she is indeed on the right track.
"You're on the right track. You really, really are. Trust that. Develop a rhythm to your life, rules of how you believe is the best to live with balance and well being. Make your rules then stick to them. Don't doubt that your journey is culminating into your purpose.
"Give yourself breaks, working hard but enjoying life just as much. Breathe, deeply, a lot. Find the joy in the sweat, in the burn, in the discomfort, it's there. Continue to trust yourself, develop that ability to hear your voice inside of you; your gut, listen to it. Ruminate less. Let go of things quickly: they may perturb you now, they will mean so much less tomorrow. Be courageous.
"Never doubt that your hard work, your pursuit of integrity and authenticity, your struggles to do what is right will not be in vain."
One of the best ways to see true growth in life is found in setting new challenges for ourselves. There is nothing like setting a goal, pursuing it, and then coming out on the other side victoriously. In the pursuit of our passion, sometimes we just have to stop and listen to what our inner self is trying to say. Gurira tells her younger self that making her own rules and goals is the key to being able to hear the voice within, and while it is important to always do what's right, it's also okay to take Sundays off.
"Continue to find new, healthy ways to challenge yourself, your body, your mind. Continue to make goals, big and small, and strive to meet them, because nothing beats that feeling of completion, of accomplishment, and no one can take that from you."
"Develop your musculature, not just physically but emotionally, musculature of compassion, kindness, gentleness, and generosity. Take Sundays off.
"Listen very carefully to your body, but push it to new places also try new ways of fitness and health, diversify your routines, break new barriers, demolish your limits. Your body will remember, and thank you for it."
When I grow up, I want to be more like Danai, and I'm already an actual adult, apparently. A letter to our younger selves is such a powerful exercise in that much of the time, we will find that we are actually doing much better than we sometimes give ourselves credit for. Her letter to herself is a powerful reminder to all of us that although we continue to forge along on this journey filled with ups and downs, we are not only on the right track, but we are also responsible for creating a life based on our passions and physical and emotional health.
To read more about the new campaign and to follow Danai on her Reebok journey, click here.
Have you ever written a letter to your younger self? What is the most life-changing thing you would have told yourself? Let us know.
Featured image by Reebok
'Sistas' Star Skyh Black On The Power Of Hypnotherapy & Emotional Vulnerability For Men
In this insightful episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Sistas star Skyh Black, as he opened up about his journey of emotional growth, resilience, and self-discovery. The episode touches on emotional availability, self-worth, masculinity, and the importance of therapy in overcoming personal struggles.
Skyh Black on Emotional Availability & Love
On Emotional Availability & Vulnerability
“My wife and I wouldn't be where we are today if both of us weren't emotionally available,” he shared about his wife and Sistas co-star KJ Smith, highlighting the value of vulnerability and emotional openness in a relationship. His approach to masculinity stands in contrast to the traditional, stoic ideals. Skyh is not afraid to embrace softness as part of his emotional expression.
On Overcoming Self-Doubt & Worthiness Issues
Skyh reflected on the self-doubt and worthiness issues that he struggled with, especially early in his career. He opens up about his time in Los Angeles, living what he calls the “LA struggle story”—in a one-bedroom with three roommates—and being homeless three times over the span of 16 years. “I always had this self-sabotaging thought process,” Skyh said. “For me, I feel therapy is essential, period. I have a regular therapist and I go to a hypnotherapist.”
How Therapy Helped Him Heal From Self-Doubt
On Hypnotherapy & Empowering Self-Acceptance
Skyh’s journey is a testament to the power of tapping into self-development despite life’s struggles and being open to growth. “I had to submit to the fact that God was doing good in my life, and that I'm worthy of it. I had a worthiness issue and I did not realize that. So, that’s what the hypnotherapy did. It brought me back to the core. What is wrong so that I can fix it?”
Watch the full podcast episode below:
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How A Group Chat Became A Game-Changer For Empowering Black Professionals In Sports
In 2016, Shaina Wiel started a simple group chat with friends and colleagues in the New York sports industry. What began as a space for professionals of color in sports to share resources and opportunities blossomed into the Minorities in Sports Business Network, a thriving community of more than 1,000 members and a full-fledged company shaping the future of sports business.
Shaina, who has held roles at companies including ESPN and the NBA and has taught strategic sports marketing at esteemed institutions like Georgetown University, officially launched the network as a business in 2019. Since then, it’s hosted high-impact events like the Toast to Black Sports luncheon during Super Bowl weekend and built student chapters at both HBCUs and PWIs to pipeline underrepresented talent into the industry.
She shared with xoNecole more on the early days of launch, the turning point that made her realize she had a platform with real influence, and what keeps her going. With 17 years of experience across agencies, teams, and networks, Shaina is proof that grassroots efforts can turn into transformative change—especially when backed by passion, vision, and community.
xoNecole: How did the Minorities In Sports Business Network come to life?
Shaina Wiel: So, I just started the group chat and added a few of my friends who work in the industry as well. We were all kind of in New York at the same time working in the sports space… Very quickly over the next few years, the chat grew to over 800 individuals within the chat. Then, we had over 1000 individuals.
xoN: What was your ‘aha’ moment to expand?
SW: I noticed a bunch of employees from the Big Four leagues— NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB— within my group chat had all started posting roles. And when I asked, 'What is going on? Why are there so many posting jobs within the group chat?' I was told that HR had sent a note to their Black Employee Resource Group and had told them they had heard about this group chat.
That's when I realized, ‘Okay, this is more than, you know, my little friend group chat. Let's see if we can turn this into an actual business. And then in summer, 2019 I decided to do this full time.
Brittany Dacoff
xoN: What was the transition like growing the group chat into a full platform offering membership perks like access to job listings, networking opportunities and more?
SW: I was working at an agency, and the agency had lost their account. It was the account that I was working on. So they were like, you know, we can try to find another or we can separate. I decided to leave. And then, as we know, COVID happened, which actually was a blessing in disguise.
I was able to really focus on building the vision with this group chat and turning it into an actual company, seeing what works, seeing things from an events and a relationship standpoint, in terms of like, how we were interacting with different partners from different companies, and actually turning that into something substantial that could last.
xoN: Speaking of events, talk more about what inspired the Toast to Black Sports event you held earlier this year during the Super Bowl. Why is it important?
SW: This was the second year. There are so many dope people of color, specifically Black people, who work in this industry who are just doing the work behind the scenes. They’re not getting their flowers. I took it upon myself to say, I want to celebrate you. We’ve honored Kimberly Fields, Esq. of the NFL, Kevin Warren, CEO of the Chicago Bears, sports executive Jason Wright, sports and entertainment vet Carmen Green-Wilson, and NFL coach Jennifer King—all of whom have made major contributions to the industry.
xoN: What do you enjoy most about your role today?
SW: I think the work that I enjoy the most, honestly, is with our college students. We have 12 chapters across different colleges and universities. We help eliminate some of the barriers a lot of us had coming out of college. What I love seeing is that we have students who are now looking at roles they never even thought of.
xoN: What’s a bit of career advice for women breaking into the sports industry?
SW: I would say, build relationships. That’s really it: Build authentic relationships. Make sure it's a give and take and that you're supporting other people because once you're building those relationships, then it's a lot easier to either get into a space or to have those conversations when you want to do something.
And always be willing and ready to do the work.
Featured image by Hosea Johnson