Meet Monica Jackson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Monica Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

For me, being a personal trainer who doesn’t fit the mold of what people expect has always made me a “stand out”.

I’m a curvy girl who loves to train, but it wasn’t always easy stepping into this space. For a long time, I struggled with feeling like I didn’t belong. I questioned myself because I didn’t look like the ‘standard’ fit trainer. But over time, I’ve done the work—deep, personal work—to find my place in the world, regardless of the room I stand in.

I had to stop letting the opinions of others define my worth. Instead, I started focusing on how I feel about myself. That meant learning to love my body for what it can do, not just how it looks. I remind myself daily that I am beautifully and uniquely made. There’s only one me, and that’s my superpower. When I shifted my perspective to honor me, it changed everything.

If you’re struggling to feel confident in your own skin, here are a few things that have helped me:

Focus on how you feel, not how you look. Celebrate the strength, energy, and confidence you gain through movement—not just the physical changes.

Stop comparing yourself to others. It’s easier said than done, but remember, we’re all on our own journey. Your progress is yours alone, and that’s what matters.

Speak kindly to yourself. When those negative thoughts creep in, replace them with something positive. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress and self-acceptance.

And here’s an affirmation for you: “I am one of one. I am beautifully and uniquely made, and I deserve to take up space exactly as I am.”

Say it, feel it, and own it.

You belong in every room you walk into, just as you are.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Monica, a mom of two, a personal trainer, glute specialist, life coach, and self-love advocate. Through my brand, MoCoaching and MoFitness, I help women connect their mind, body, and soul by focusing on fitness, better eating habits, and mindset shifts. My mission is to empower women to feel confident, strong, and aligned with their healthiest, happiest selves.

What’s most exciting about my work is seeing women transform—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. It’s powerful to watch someone shift from doubting themselves to feeling strong, capable, and proud of their progress. I create a space where women feel supported, heard, and encouraged to grow in ways that go beyond just the gym.

Right now, I’m expanding my offerings to connect with even more women. My new podcast, The Unfit Podcast, is launching soon! I’ll be sharing stories, tips, and inspiration to help women on their journey to health and self-love. I’m also working on new virtual coaching programs and wellness challenges to help women build sustainable habits for life.

At the heart of everything I do is the belief that every woman is worthy of taking up space, showing up as she is, and pursuing her goals unapologetically. Whether it’s through one-on-one coaching, group challenges, or the podcast, I’m here to help women embrace their beautifully unique selves and step into their power.

Stay tuned and be on the lookout for The Unfit Podcast launching soon on all platforms! Follow me on TikTok at @MoFitness01 and on Instagram at @ItsMonicaJackson for updates, content, and inspiration.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say there were three key things that had the biggest impact on my journey: self-awareness, resilience, and authenticity.

Self-awareness: Understanding myself—my strengths, weaknesses, and values—was a game-changer. It helped me define what success means to me and not anyone else. If you’re early in your journey, start by spending time reflecting on who you are and what you want. Journaling, mindfulness, or even working with a coach can help you tap into that. When you’re clear on your “why,” it becomes easier to stay focused and motivated.

Resilience: There were plenty of times I doubted myself, faced rejection, or felt like giving up. Learning how to push through those tough moments and keep going was critical. To build resilience, surround yourself with supportive people who lift you up and create small, actionable goals. Celebrate the wins—no matter how small—and don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is where the growth happens.

Authenticity: For a long time, I felt like I had to fit a certain mold to succeed, but the more I leaned into who I truly am, the more everything clicked. People connect with the real you, not the version you think you should be. If you’re just starting out, focus on being yourself and showing up genuinely in everything you do. People respect and are drawn to authenticity—it’s your superpower.

For anyone just starting, my advice is to give yourself grace. You don’t have to have it all figured out at once. Focus on building these three areas step by step, and trust that the process is just as important as the destination. You’ve got this!

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

One book that played a huge role in my development is The Emotional Detox by Sherianna Boyle. It completely shifted the way I think about emotions, healing, and personal growth. Here are a few nuggets of wisdom that stuck with me:

“All emotions are meant to be felt.” This hit me hard because so many of us are taught to avoid or suppress emotions like anger, sadness, or frustration. The book teaches that emotions aren’t meant to be labeled as ‘good’ or ‘bad’—they’re energy meant to flow through us. The real work is allowing yourself to feel and process them without judgment or fear.

“Cleansing is about releasing, not avoiding.” Boyle introduces the idea of an emotional cleanse, which isn’t about avoiding or distracting yourself from emotions but fully experiencing and then releasing them. It’s such a powerful tool for growth because it helps you let go of old emotional patterns that might be holding you back.

“Reacting is not the same as processing.” This was a game-changer for me. I used to think that venting or reacting was the same as dealing with my emotions, but the book helped me see that those reactions are often just our ego taking over. True processing comes from sitting with your feelings, understanding them, and letting them move through you.

What I took from this book is the importance of emotional health in every area of life. It’s not just about healing—it’s about becoming more connected with yourself and freeing up energy to grow and thrive. If you’re feeling stuck or weighed down by emotions, this book is an amazing guide to help you cleanse and move forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itsmonicajackson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mocoaching
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mofitness01
• Other:
  The Unfit Podcast is dropping soon on all platforms! I’m Monica, a curvy girl, personal trainer, and self-love advocate, here to help you embrace your unique self and redefine fitness on your own terms. LET’S GET REAL ABOUT WOMENS WELLNESS!

  This podcast is all about real talk, growth, and showing up for yourself, no matter where you are in your journey. It’s not about perfect—it’s about progress. Stay tuned—you don’t want to miss this! 💪✨