Meet Shabnam Islam | Exercise Physiologist & Spokesperson for Vkind

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

Hi Shabnam, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“A jack of all trades is a master of none” is often used to emphasize someone’s multifaceted abilities as a hinderance towards staying focused on ONE goal/task/skill in order to succeed. However, the full quote, ” A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one” should be remembered and stated in full! This is your reminder that the various, unique qualities that make you, YOU, are the reason WHY you will succeed. Be passionate about many things and fill your life with art, science, relationships, nature, technology, and whatever interests and inspires you. You never know how these various interests and talents may curtail into a uniquely, curated career that you love. Never be pigeonholed into one box that doesn’t fully define you.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have spent a majority of my professional career in academia and broadcast journalism – they are in two totally different worlds but, they share a common theme: to educate others. My professional career in health education and fitness promotion really began with my Master’s program in Kinesiology at CSUN. I had already spent over 5 years as a personal trainer before I entered the program and I felt that I required more academic knowledge to truly be an authority in the field of movement science and exercise physiology. Through my program, I co-developed a student-led, fitness program called “Commit to be Fit” that provides fitness training for individuals and groups for free to University staff, faculty, and students and surrounding community members. As the Executive Director of CTBF for the past decade, I have taken great pride in the continued development of this service-learning program. The goal of the program is twofold: To empower students to apply evidence-based practices and develop the professional skills needed to succeed in a healthcare-related career while simultaneously, providing a needed service to the community. As obesity continues to be a growing issue we face in the U.S., we truly are in need of providing affordable, sustainable, and innovative solutions to attenuating this health care crisis. I am so passionate about this issue that I have chosen to continue my doctoral studies in Educational Leadership and Policy in hopes of being in a better position to implement institutional changes with education and food policy reform.

I feel honored to have taught and mentored thousands of students during my academic career at CSUN and it has been one of the most fulfilling professional experiences of my life. Most importantly, my experience as a professor of Exercise Science has enabled me to serve as a mentor for women (particularly those that identify as BIPOC) in a field that is dominated by men. It has allowed me to be an advocate for social justice, examine academic tenets in healthcare through a critical lens, and empower future generations of healthcare professionals to think with service in mind.

Simultaneously, I was a TV host and reporter for LA36, a local Los Angeles TV station that offers a wide range of educational and community programs for SoCal residents. For over eight years I hosted a show on the LA36 channel called, “Eat, Move, Live, LA!” where we highlighted local resources, events, and family-friendly activities around LA County that helped residents make healthier choices in their daily lives. Being given the opportunity to combine my passion for community outreach and health education through the lens of multimedia journalism truly made me feel like I could build the life that I want: One of impact and purpose.

I truly believe the amalgamation of these two professional experiences (in academia and broadcast journalism) helped develop me into the global health educator and spokesperson I am today. Thus far, the highlight of my career has been joining Vkind as their official spokesperson in 2022. Alongside the enigmatic Chef Babette Davis. I had the opportunity to co-host, “Peeled,” an original vegan cooking competition show that featured an all vegan cast. My work with Vkind also includes hosting the Vkind Connects series, where I interview influential leaders in the plant-based space who are making large impacts to develop a more just and sustainable food system and economy. Vkind is a community-based search platform that aims to connect conscience consumers with plant-based companies committed to sustainability. As a proud vegan, I am honored to speak at events around the country and share the science of plant-based nutrition and its varying impacts on the health of individuals, communities, businesses, and our planet.

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?
But first… coffee. We would obviously stop for the BEST (oat milk) latte in town at Millcross Coffee in Culver City, CA to start off our morning. I would then take them to The Grain Cafe to try the best vegan breakfast in town. After carb-loading, I would take them on a bike ride (E-bike is recommended for novice riders) to ride the Marvin-Braude bike path along the coast from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach (Approximately 15 miles one-way). We would then stop at Pura-Vita in Redondo Beach for some authentic Italian cuisine that is fully plant-based. I highly recommend the Bastoncini Di Mozzarella (Mozzarella Sticks), Carbonara pasta, and the Margherita Pizza with “BE-Hive Pepperoni. We would ride back to Santa Monica and stop on Main Street for a beer at the Library Alehouse and explore the shops on Main. We would then walk along the boardwalk through Venice and enjoy happy hour on the Rooftop of Hotel Erwin and watch the sunset. I would make sure to not miss the Santa Monica Pier at night and ride the rollercoaster!

Other essential stops would include Sunday brunch at Crossroads Kitchen, enjoying a live concert at the Hollywood Bowl, watching the sunset at Griffith Park, eating a plantbased happy meal at Mr. Charlie’s, spending a day at the Gentle Barn, spending an evening at Universal Studios, walking around the Grove (especially during the holidays), Grabbing vegan sushi from Makin Vegan (in Calabassas) and spending the day at Zuma Beach, and of course, working out at the Santa Monica Stairs, Culver City Stairs, and hiking Runyon Canyon (obviously not in the same day – lol).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The truth is – no-one ever gets anywhere on their own. I have been lucky to be impacted by so many powerful individuals and organizations who have developed me into the person and professional I am today. From friends, to family members, to academic and professional influences, I feel blessed to have a network of people that have inspired me, taught me, and lifted me up when I needed it most. However, I do believe that the Vkind team has allowed me to curate a professional career and life that I love and to them, I am forever thankful and would like to dedicate this shoutout to them.

Website: https://www.vkindconnects.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshabnamislam/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drshabnamislam/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shabnamsaysfitness/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vegancornhub

Other: THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@drshabnamislam

Image Credits
Fitness Photo – Javier Rodriguez (IG: @javierphotoshoots )