Member of the month is back! We’re excited to chat this month with Jada Coleman and hear more about her fitness journey and time at Oak and Iron Fitness.
Meet Jada Coleman
Jada is a Raleigh native who works in Growth Marketing for a healthcare SaaS company in RTP.
When we asked Jada to share something fun that people might not know about her, she shared that she’s a serial hobbyist – “Mah jongg, needlepoint, tennis, and golf to name a few. I love learning something new.”
That love of learning and trying new things has carried over into Jada’s fitness journey, too. Like many of our members, she was looking for a place where she could challenge herself while still feeling supported along the way.
How Jada Found Oak and Iron Fitness in North Raleigh
Jada’s journey with Oak and Iron Fitness initially began thanks to social media. She was looking for something specific in a gym: “I wanted a gym that would push me while still feeling welcoming and supportive.”
When she found Oak and Iron, she quickly realized it offered that combination. Jada added, “Oak + Iron felt like the perfect balance of challenging but doable workouts, great coaching, and an encouraging environment.”
And clearly, she found something that kept her coming back!
When we asked Jada what keeps her at Oak and Iron Fitness, she pointed to the community, structure, and progress she’s experienced in her overall fitness.
But for Jada, fitness is about much more than what happens inside the gym. She shared, “I want to feel strong, confident, and capable in every area of my life, whether that’s traveling, hiking, playing sports, or just feeling good day to day. Fitness has become a way for me to show up for myself consistently.”
That consistency has become one of Jada’s biggest accomplishments.
When we asked about her personal wins and breakthroughs, she shared, “I’m most proud of building consistency and proving to myself that I can do hard things. Strength training used to feel intimidating, and now it’s something I genuinely enjoy and look forward to.”
We love witnessing how much fitness has supported Jada’s life, and even more, we love hearing how that initial intimidation has turned into confidence and enjoyment.
So, what’s next for Jada? She’s focusing on building strength and endurance, improving her overall fitness, and continuing to become the strongest, healthiest version of herself.
Jada’s Favorites at Oak and Iron Fitness
Of course, we couldn’t feature Jada without finding out about some of her Oak and Iron favorites!
When it comes to classes, Jada’s favorite is our LIFT class. And while the workouts are a big part of her experience, she says the coaches have made an equally important impact on her journey.
Her favorite coaches are Diana, Chloe, and Mel: “They have been the most encouraging presence in my fitness journey. They’ve helped build my confidence in performing certain exercises, pushed me to challenge myself, and made the gym feel like a place where I belong.”
That feeling of belonging to a community is something we hear from our members often, and it’s a huge part of what makes the Oak and Iron Fitness special.
We asked Jada to share more about her experience with the community, and she summed it up perfectly: “The community is incredibly supportive and welcoming. Everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed, and that kind of positive environment makes showing up so much easier.”
Jada’s Advice for Strength Training Newbies
Jada’s own experience is one a lot of our members have experienced, from feeling intimidated by strength training to genuinely looking forward to her workouts. This serves as a great reminder that confidence doesn’t have to come before you start. You start, and then the confidence comes along the way.
That’s why we love getting input from our members on the advice and perspectives they can share with others who may be considering joining Oak and Iron Fitness.
Jada’s biggest piece of advice?
“Everyone starts somewhere. The hardest part is walking through the door for the first time, but you don’t have to be ‘in shape’ to begin. Strength training is for everyone, and confidence comes from showing up consistently, not from being perfect.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Whether you’re brand new to strength training or looking for a community that will help you take your fitness to the next level, we’d love to have you join us. Email us at matt@oakandironfitness.com to set up your free class today!
