Meet Monique Flores | Founder / Creator @ Mija Fitness

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monique Flores and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monique, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I stopped blaming others and the world around me for my shortcomings. I stopped blaming my parents for the life I thought they should’ve given me, for the way I thought they should’ve raised me. I stopped letting childhood trauma be the reason I wasn’t where or who I wanted to be. I started holding myself accountable and taking responsibility for everything, especially the negative things. Because every decision that was made (the smart and the reckless) was made by me. No matter how much someone tried to sway me one way or the other, it was always ME who took the step. I got into the habit of taking ownership of my actions and life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mija Fitness is more than just the only all women’s boxing space in Los Angeles; it’s a safe, empowering space designed specifically for queer and women of color, with a focus on the Latina community. Our mission is to create an environment where women feel supported and encouraged to evolve—both physically and mentally. What sets us apart is the way we teach the technique of boxing, prioritize community, connection, and cultural identity. We’re not just teaching boxing; we’re building a sisterhood where everyone feels seen, valued, and inspired to grow.

I’m most proud of how Mija Fitness has created a ripple effect of empowerment. Members will tell me how their confidence has increased or how our classes have brought them clarity during challenging times. I’m also incredibly excited about the future—expanding our impact through online programs, merchandise, and eventually opening multiple physical locations to make this safe space accessible to even more women.

Getting to where we are today hasn’t been easy. Mija Fitness started in my home garage, during a time when traditional gyms didn’t feel like an option for many women, especially in my community. As a small business owner, I’ve faced a good amount of challenges—limited resources, learning marketing from scratch (well, really learning everything from scratch…), and balancing the demands of running a business while staying true to my vision. But every setback has taught me resilience and creativity. For example, I turned to social media to grow our audience organically, and I’ve leaned on our community to guide the brand’s direction, ensuring it always feels authentic and aligned.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t mean compromising your values. In fact, staying true to our core mission—empowering women and creating a community—has gotten Mija Fitness to where she is now.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know about Mija Fitness, it’s that we’re not just about boxing. We’re about reclaiming space, breaking barriers, and embracing the unique power that comes from being unapologetically yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ooo okay! First stop would definitely be Alchemist Coffee Project in K-Town for my favorite mocha latte and some good food to start the day right. After that, we’d head to Leimert Park to step into a really special community and check out The Plant Chica’s new spot—plants and good energy all around.

They’d obviously have to take a boxing class at Mija Fitness because they’d really have no choice. After we throw some punches, we’d chill and recharge at Wispa, the Korean spa where you can stay ALL day for a great price.

For dinner, I’d take them to Nativo in Highland Park. It’s Latina-owned, the food is amazing, and the colorful, cultural decor makes it such a special experience.

If they’re into dancing, I’d see what Pangea (@pangeasound) or Cuties LA (@cutiesla) have going on. Pangea throws amazing events with actual danceable and good music, and Cuties LA is always throwing events for the queer community of color—good energy and good people. Gone are the days where I allow myself to be in spaces where there are men standing outside the dance floor with a drink in their hand and a predatory look in their eye. It’s very unlikely to find this energy at these events.

I really love hiking in LA (especially in the Spring when it’s lush). We’d go to a hiking trail near Pasadena. There’s nothing like those mountain views on a clear day.

LA is VAST with so many different cultures, local businesses and communities, you just have to know where to look.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Mija Fitness would probably not exist if it wasn’t for my partner encouraging me to dream when I didn’t know how to. I wouldn’t have a space to build such an beautiful community if it wasn’t for my parents opening up their home. I couldn’t have pushed through the tough times without the countless members who believed in what I was creating and cheered me on (still do!). Countless books and podcasts have helped me shift my mindset and offered new ways of looking at life. I encourage anyone who is trying to make a change in their life to ingest the right type of content. Whatever content you ingest, you digest and it starts to be your nutrients and minerals that make up your mindset. Don’t play with the content that you’re letting in your life.

Website: https://www.mijafitness.com

Instagram: @mija.fitness

Youtube: Mija Fitness

Image Credits
Timothy Kwon