“Prove it. I don’t believe you.”
Around age 12, competing in a Taekwondo tournament. Outside the dojang, people would say, “Prove it. I don’t believe you.” FitKind™ was born from moments like this, so no one has to justify their strength or belonging.
I’ve heard that since I was a kid from boys and men questioning my Taekwondo skills, despite starting at six and now being a Taekwondo Master with over 20 years of experience. I tried to convince myself these weren’t misogynist remarks, but I couldn’t help but notice that no one ever questioned my younger brother’s skills, even though we both practice Taekwondo.
Growing up in a family of healthcare professionals, I believed health and fitness should be accessible to all. As my career took me from LGBTQIA+ healthcare, to becoming a best-selling author and speaker, I met countless people who felt excluded from fitness because it was too expensive, too time-consuming, or just didn’t feel welcomed.
After learning that 198M+ adults in the U.S. aren’t meeting CDC recommended guidelines for physical activity, I made it my mission to help shift that reality, stop waiting for someone else to fix the barriers in fitness, and bet on this idea.
We spoke with over 100 people and uncovered three key barriers keeping them out. FitKind™ was created to break those barriers and help everyone find their place in fitness.
The Three Barriers to Fitness
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1. Practical Accessibility
Fitness should fit into your life—not the other way around. We offer flexible, on-demand workouts you can do anytime, anywhere.
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2. Social Inclusivity
You deserve to feel safe, seen, and respected. At FitKind™, we create spaces where your identity is affirmed and your lived experience matters.
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3. Physical Adaptability
There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all fitness. Our trainers offer thoughtful modifications so you can move in ways that feel right for you, every step of the way.
Our Journey Forward
FitKind™ was born out of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where our team first came together. Two of us are current MBA students, and two are proud alumni, united by a shared passion for making fitness more inclusive, affordable, and accessible to all. Over the past six months, we’ve worked to bring our vision to life through Booth’s innovation programs and are currently competing in the Social New Venture Challenge.
FitKind™ is building a platform that offers:
On-demand workouts led by inclusive and adaptive trainers
Community groups for connection and accountability
A trainer director where people can discover inclusive trainers and easily book sessions that support their personal fitness journey
Our mission is to reach 100,000 people through inclusive, accessible fitness that meets them where they are.
We believe fitness should fit everyone, and we're building FitKind™ to make that possible.
With love and gratitude,
Nisha, Founder & CEO + The FitKind™ Team
Becoming a Taekwondo Master reinforced my belief that everyone deserves to feel strong, seen, and supported in their fitness journey. That’s the heart of FitKind™.