“MAKE fitness fun, CULTIVATE a community of active women, UNITE + EMPOWER women through fitness, FLIP the ingrained negative perceptions that sweat holds, TRAIN future health leaders, FIGHT childhood obesity, and LAUNCH careers for the next generation of health journalists and media professionals,” reads the mission statement of PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT. Founded in September of 2011 by Aeshia Devore Branch, PGS was created to combat the growing epidemic of childhood obesity and lack of fitness education. Since its inception, PGS has expanded programming and accessibility with events and chapters across the country. We spoke with Devore Branch, along with DeVonna Brockman and Paige Crawford to get more information on PGS, what it means to them, and more.
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Aeshia DeVore Branch
What is PGS, and what does it mean to you?
PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT is a Black female-owned brand founded in 2011 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The wellness company develops events, content, and products that make fitness fun, affordable, and accessible to women. We donate a portion of profits to our 501(C)3 nonprofit SWEAT MAKES CENTS to train health leaders and wellness journalists at over 30 college campuses nationwide to end childhood obesity for future generations.
PGS is a Sweat Sisterhood highlighting the beauty in the fitness industry’s diversity while erasing the negative stigma that sweat holds for women. Daily we prove that through sweat, we prosper.
What experience with PGS has inspired you the most?
There are too many to name, but if I had to prioritize one, it would be PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT fest ATLANTA. The annual fitness festival, SWEATlebrity Awards Show, and fundraising effort launched in 2017 with 500+ women gathering to “make fitness fun” and “sweat with a purpose” and has grown to attract 1000+ ticketed guests. Our lineup is worth SWEATing with past honorees, including Laila Ali, Keri Hilson, Rasheeda Frost, Riley Burruss, Elise Neal, and Jeanette Jenkins. The one-day event consists of music, self-care, sisterhood, style, fitness, food, and fun, benefiting select nonprofit organizations.
What is one inspirational quote or message that has been helping you during the last few months?
This quote has been riding with me for a decade: “Success is often a marathon. It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.”
Whenever I question why results aren’t happening as fast as I would like or when an obstacle gets in my way, I turn to these words. This quote reminds me that great things take time. I need to keep moving forward. Getting 1% better every day counts for a lot in the long-run.
What advice do you have to anyone who is struggling to achieve their goals or dreams?
Do not fear failure, but please fear regret. Giving up is the birth of regret. No matter how many nos you hear, how many doors slam in your face, or how many times you fail, do not take no for an answer. Let failure be the fuel you use to ignite the fire and fight inside of you to succeed.
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DeVonna Brockman
What is PGS and what does it mean to you?
PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT is a wellness organization for women that focuses on women empowerment, training college health leaders, removing any stigmas that surround women working out, fighting childhood obesity, and overall making fitness fun! We call ourselves a Sweat Sisterhood, meaning that we are united by and bond over our desire to lead healthy lifestyles. To me, PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT means self-love, sisterhood, and empowerment. All women of different shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and experience levels are able to come together and have fun working towards a common goal. Women are oftentimes thought of as being “too weak”, “too pretty”, or “too girly” to get down, dirty, and sweaty with exercising, and we at PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT are proving those perceptions wrong. In a society that can be so damaging, PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT reminds us of the importance of community, love, self-worth, and that being pretty isn’t about the superficial. Every woman is strong, beautiful, and deserves to live a long, happy, and healthy life; that’s what PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT is all about to me.
What experience with PGS has inspired you the most?
This is my first year with PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT, so I haven’t had many experiences yet, but I would have to say interacting with the other PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT chapters has been a great experience. It’s inspiring to see how we can bond and form a sisterhood even though we’re from different colleges, cities, and states. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive, and I really enjoy our monthly Captain calls that we have because it gives us a chance to connect and get to know each other. I’m so inspired by the diversity within each chapter because it’s important to have black women and women of color in leadership positions, especially in fitness since minorities are more likely to struggle with weight and obesity.
What is one inspirational quote or message that has been helping you during the last few months?
“Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway.” In the last few months, I have struggled with sickness, mental health, commitment to goals, and overall stress. I think of this quote to remind me that I have gotten through 100% of my bad days and I am strong enough to do it again.
What advice do you have to anyone who is struggling to achieve their goals or dreams?
If you are having a hard time achieving your goals or reaching your dreams, it may be time to reassess. Don’t change the goal or dream but maybe change your plan of action if it’s not getting you anywhere. Make sure it is something you will be motivated to work towards and are willing to give it time. Remember, it’s okay to cut yourself some slack every now and then and reward yourself. You may feel discouraged, but don’t ever compromise your goals and dreams for your reality. Instead, think of your goal and dream as your future reality; it’s your destiny. Believe in yourself and you will reach your goal; don’t ever downplay your potential.
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Paige Crawford
What is PGS?
PGS is a sisterhood that encourages other women, their peers and the next generation to live a fit and healthy lifestyle.
What experience with PGS inspired you the most?
In college, I interned for PGS as a Product Manager. I am forever grateful for this experience because it was one of the first times I was able to really take lead with my creativity and merge the worlds of product, branding and fitness.
What is one inspirational quote or message that has been helping you during the last few months?
There’s a praise and worship song called “Again” by The Group Fire. The message in this song just reminds me that although circumstances may not always be ideal, I still have tons of blessings to be thankful for and to not forget that.
What advice do you have to anyone who is struggling to achieve their goals or dreams?
I am still striving to achieve my goals. I haven’t really reached all of them, yet. However, what helps me work towards these goals is maintaining consistency in all projects that I take on. Also making sure everything aligns with my own personal brand, standards and morals.
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We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT alongside the release of the Adidas x Beyoncé Superstar sneaker. Enter the raffle here for a chance to win a free pair and shop the RSVP x PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT collaborative t-shirt at the link below. Proceeds will be donated to SWEAT MAKES CENTS. Learn more about PGS here.
