Meet Sumiyah Mshaka | Founder/Owner, 722 Sweat Mvmt

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

Hi Sumiyah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I work full-time as a licensed clinical social worker. Most social workers I know–including my beloved mother–a side hustle. My side hustle from June 2013–March 2020 was teaching group fitness classes at a national gym chain three to six days per week. When the gyms shut down here in L.A. in March 2020, I had five permanent (weekly) classes and I often subbed additional classes when I had time. When the first quarantine shutdown occurred, my fellow instructors and I had no idea what was going on–we honestly thought everything would be back to normal in two weeks. Little did we know. On June 10, 2020, the gym laid off hundreds of group fitness instructors across the nation, including me. I was in shock for three days. When the shock wore off, I thought to myself, “So am I just never going to teach again?” That was unacceptable. A few of my friends who were also instructors had started teaching virtually via Facebook or Instagram. I decided to start a YouTube channel for my Turbo Kickboxing workouts. A month or so later, I was hired by a new company to teach live virtual group fitness classes. A couple of months later, I was approached by three fitness instructors who had formed a co-op of instructors teaching live virtual classes. They asked me to join them as an Independent Contractor, indicating that by doing so, I was starting my own business. I was excited to be able to share my love of fitness with people through live virtual classes in the comfort of their homes. Thus, my business, 722 Sweat Mvmt was born in October 2020.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m not your average fitness instructor. “Don’t let the thickness fool ya,” is my tagline. It came to me shortly after I started teaching group fitness classes for a national gym chain in 2013. I was subbing a Turbo Kick class in Panorama City. I noticed a man watching the class through the glass walls. After class, he approached me and said, “Wow, you can really move and you can kick really high! That was something to watch!” I smiled and replied, “Thanks! Don’t let the thickness fool ya!” During the past eight years as a fitness instructor, some people have judged me and/or discriminated against me because of my size. I didn’t fit their idea of what a fitness instructor should look like. A few of them turned around and walked out when they saw me approach the front of the class and put on the mic. They snickered to themselves or their friends while staring at me. One person even said it to my face–“I’m just saying, she doesn’t look like she’s fit.” But you know what? I didn’t let them stop me because I believed God had given me a gift. If the haters and disbelievers stayed for the workout, they turned into fans by the end of class. My classes were full most of the time. I had members who repeatedly braved rush-hour traffic and drove across LA County to attend my classes. Members who called themselves my groupies. Members who told newcomers, “She’s good! You’re going to like her.” Members who gave me big smiles, big hugs, cards and gifts. Because they said I inspired them. I motivated them. I helped them improve their health. They had so much fun in class that time flew by and they didn’t realize how hard they had worked. I’m excited about growing the number of monthly members my business, 722 Sweat Mvmt, has and the online T-shirt store I launched in June 2021 as part of my business. We offer high-quality unisex short-sleeve t-shirts, unisex long-sleeve t-shirts, womens’ tank tops and unisex sweatshirts. I designed all the shirts myself, with the exception of my logo.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite places is Six Flags Magic Mountain! So if my best friend enjoyed roller coasters, that would definitely be at the top of my list of places to visit. I don’t drink, but I enjoy good food. We would eat Pakistani, Persian, Texas BBQ, Chinese Food and a couple of my favorite brunch spots, all while doing our best to patronize Black business, Muslim-owned businesses and women-owned businesses. I exercise almost every day, so my friend and I would stay active. I would bring my friend as a guest to one of the in-person group fitness classes I teach, we would hike in Griffith Park or the new trail that extends from South LA to Playa del Ray, ride our bikes from Manhattan Beach to Santa Monica or explore our neighborhoods with walks. I love concerts. theater and cultural events so they would be included too. We would cap it off with a few hours at the spa–Burke Williams is my fave.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shout out my dearly departed mother, Fulani, and my older sister, Thembisa. Without my mother, I would not be here. She was an amazingly strong and loving woman. She was a licensed clinical social worker and she had a private practice as well. She continues to inspire me everyday. My sister, Thembisa is a #BAWSE. She is a copy director and has owned her own business, Mshaka Media, for several years. Check out her T-shirt line, Hashtag by T. She has given me direction, referred me to mentors and even helped me come up with the name of my business! Finally, I would like to shout out Rochele Jones for referring me to Shoutout LA

Website: https://linktr.ee/722SweatMvmt

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/722SweatMvmt/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq5zYu3RCc5vhiV_ns9cIiw