Today we’d like to introduce you to Nita L. Watson.
Nita, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Early in 2014, I was unemployed and needed an outlet. I looked online and found a “Groupon” for a local boxing club and signed up. The first week was life-changing. Growing up in lower socio-economical neighborhoods, you were taught to be tough. So I thought. I quickly learned the beauty of humility as I got the crap kicked out of me.
I slowly began to gain a passion for fitness but an overwhelming desire to see what this underlying driving force was. I was different. Boxing gave me hope again. It was an outlet. My sanctuary. I was downtown (Pomona) one day, getting lunch and heard loud music and punching on bags. As I walked out, I see there was another boxing club literally next door. I quickly joined and began training vigorously. Two to six times per week. Wham! The club closes. I had no outlet. So I joined a local gym and later began asking peers to work out with me at parks. I slowly began to gain knowledge of the sport (boxing) and its training mechanisms. Something else kept brewing. I wanted my own! I would tell peers and family members, “one day you guys are going to call me and ask, where are you… then I am going to reply, I’m at The Lab!!” Unknowingly, I was sealing my future. I began drawing logos on paper, with chemistry beakers and vials, just doodling around.
So I thought. I have always been an advocate for self-care and wanted to create a place where I could share my story. My story of survival during my transition, my struggle with anxiety, depression and self-harm. The Self-Care Lab was born. I am to combine my mental and physical health professions. I would go to local boxing clubs and ask (male) coaches, “hey, let me bring some women and youth in here,” while wearing cheap branded “Self-Care Lab” trainer shirts. Unfortunately, I gained no luck. I was in my therapy office one day and a youth I had trained with some years prior called me. “Hey, Nita, it’s me, Robert, Coach said we could re-open the gym and manage it… all we have to do is pay the monthly lease.” The look on my face was priceless. It felt like a joke, because some weeks back, I had messaged our coach on social media and asked if I could purchase one of the boxing bags he had left inside of the building. No reply. The phone call this time around was different. I was calling to talk business. Let’s just say I got a reply this time around. I was proud of myself. I had been diligent. I felt something big was about to happen. I started looking at buildings, pricing equipment, branding my name, attending women in business workshops, etc. All of this for this very moment.
As I met with my coach and his wife, he looked at me with such surprise. I simply just smiled and signed the paperwork. I had no idea what I was in for. I thought the start was going to be a breeze. I struggled with maintenance, clients, support, etc. As I begin to grow and get off to a safe start, my relationships began to break off. Peers and partners. My grandmother passing. Going into debt. Broke. Alone. Scared. Yet, still having courage to keep going. With an entire community behind me and an awesome team, I slowly began to rebuild. Here we are, some three years later. I have seen some horrible, horrible days but they have been filled with beautiful memories. To date, with the support of my team, we have trained over two-thousand youth and adults. We have introduced the importance of mental and physical health in our community by encouraging self-care. We have won tournaments and have celebrated accomplishments. I am proud to represent the city in which I was raised and be able to beat the odds!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been far from smooth. I have seen some lonely, hungry, desperate nights. I have had nights when I wanted to throw in the towel due to being overwhelmed, broke and lack of hope. The loss of my grandmother was one aspect that questioned my very existence. Am I suppose to be doing this? I did not think I had anything left in my tank. However, my community stood right behind me. Never let me miss a beat. I honestly do not know where I would be without my Self-Care Lab family and teammates.
You know you were destined to be great. You know you were set-apart and meant to shine. You know that you created to change the lives of people. The hardest part is accepting the failure that comes with greatness. I have lost personal and professional relationships as well due to going into business. You begin to question so many things. Which ultimately affects your trust. Which makes or breaks your professional relationships. Every dollar I have ever owned went into this project. Often times, I have been told, “it’s going to pay off…” “you’re doing great…” “you helped changed my life…” All the while, your life is rapidly falling apart. Again, the road has NOT been smooth, but I have the courage to see this thing all the way through! No matter what!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Self-Care Lab Boxing Club – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Self-Care Lab Boxing & Fitness Club is a USA Boxing certified training facility, which uses exercise (boxing) to target mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and impulsive behavior stemming from trauma. Research has proven that intense exercise helps eliminate or reduce symptoms of P.T.S.D. I wanted to create an unorthodox methodology to address mental health (especially in lower socio-economical environments and amongst black and brown families). I wanted to make seeking a mental health professional, cool. Breaking stigmatisms is the key ingredient to this project. Improving the lives of others with exercise.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Futuristically, within (2) years, I would like to increase the number of athletes by 50%. Meaning, I would like to take the daily active athletes and prepare them to become competitive athletes. By year (5), I would like to expand by purchasing a larger building as I am almost at capacity. With the larger building, I plan to cross train (various sports) as well as train athletes (boxers) from other countries. The increased space will allow me to continue hosting boxing and clinical workshops. By year (10), my goal is to pass the baton to my teammates and continue developing the clinical aspect of the program.
Pricing:
- Adults – $65
- Youth – $55
- Foster/Probation Youth – $35
- Drop-In – $15
- Personal Training – $40
- Seniors (60+) – $50
- USA Military Veteran’s – $50
Contact Info:
- Address: 273 South Park Avenue
Pomona, CA 91766 - Website: www.theselfcarelab.com
- Phone: 9095611751
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: theselfcarelab
- Facebook: theselfcarelab
- Twitter: theselfcarelab
- Yelp: theselfcarelab
- Other: Youtube: theselfcarelab
Image Credit:
Jorge Ortega; “Pro”
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