Meet Akaira Cryer-Simmons | Personal Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Akaira Cryer-Simmons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Akaira, what matters most to you?
Family and remaining true to my identity are the principles that matter to me the most. I am a wife and mother of two (expecting a second child currently). In any endeavor that I embark upon, I consider how it may impact our home as a whole. Also, I think about the ones that supported me during my successes and failures throughout life, which are my family members. Therefore, I make it a priority to be of support and give a lending hand where I am able to.

Remaining true to my identity is non-negotiable. I believe in Christ and live each day with the mindset of having endless peace. I have put boundaries in place to remain aligned with who I am and continue to thrive in my safe space. I am happy, I am wealthy, and I am enjoying my life. Having the courage to stand firm in my beliefs and remove any negative energy is the reason I will continue soaring in life.

What should our readers know about your business?
MRS X AKFITNESS is a fitness brand that caters to women. I created this brand to provide a safe space for women. As a woman, I understand that we are the first called to assist but the last ones considered in many occasions. We play various roles in the lives of others around us, and we often put our needs to the side. With that being said, not only did I want women to gain health benefits physically under my guidance, but mentally, spiritually, and emotionally as well.

Whether the setting is a guide/challenge, group fitness, or personal training, I am learning about my clients, inquiring about their happenings, praying with them, speaking affirmations, and giving them tasks to focus on their self-care once they leave my presence. I genuinely care about the success of my ladies and will go beyond measures to see them BE HEARD and WIN!

The journey entering the fitness world happened because I took a leap of FAITH. I earned my Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration in​ May 2020 and started working at a local hospital. The initial schedule that I had was decent, but as the number of COVID cases raised, I had to be moved to a different department, which required 12-hour shifts on consecutive days. This change impacted my life drastically. I was barely able to see my husband and daughter due to the new schedule or work my part-time job. I began to be depressed and learned that I had anxiety. I prayed constantly asking God for change and to give me signs on what my next step should be. In three different situations, he revealed that my purpose was to take on my fitness brand (that I started during a pandemic) and serve his people. On the same day that I submitted my two-weeks notice to the hospital, I interviewed at McGruder Fitness By Design and was officially a member of the fitness organization operating as my OWN BRAND! God spoke to me and I listened. I am extremely grateful that I was obedient!

The lessons that I have learned along the way are to consult with God always and identify who supports you genuinely! If you have individuals that want to see you succeed, it is okay to ask for help and not weigh yourself down with an overload of tasks. I encourage everyone to create a daily gratitude list. By doing so, this action permits you to see how blessed you truly are and allows you to put more energy into what’s to come instead of what you may lack.

One thing that I stand on firmly is that MRS X AKFITNESS has and will continue to impact the lives of women! I am only a vessel being used!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend visiting town, I would of course invite her to work out at one of my group fitness sessions (Thursdays at 7 PM or Saturdays at 9 AM) in Grand Prairie, Texas. For breakfast, I would go to my favorite breakfast spot, which is First Watch because the locations are convenient to where I live (I prefer not to drive too far lol) and I love their healthy options. Later in the day, I would bring her to The Daiquiri Shoppe (Grand Prairie or Carrollton location) for cajun cuisine, good music, and strong flavorful daiquiris. Another must-have is Taji’s Cajun Corner Food Truck for the seafood potato and TJ’s Trap Kitchen for the seafood mac and jerk chicken. Other than that, we would go to a local bowling alley and hang out with my close friends because I am in the house more than out of it.lol

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am MRS X AKFitness because of my princess, Maddox Roux Simmons (MRS), and my love for fitness (AKFitness). I want to thank all of my current clients! Also, I have to mention the ladies that would watch me post daily workouts on social media in 2020 and inquired to work out with me. Because of the many inquiries, I started the brand as a side gig to get those ladies together and incorporate a fun physical routine that consisted of HIIT workouts and dance moves. I had no idea that I would leave my Corporate America job to pursue a full-time career in fitness and STILL have a majority of the clients I gained when I started the brand in November 2020.

Most importantly, I have to acknowledge my immediate family (husband, sister, mother, and father) and village! They are the ultimate dream team! Whether it is giving sound advice, financial guidance, business tips, or simply showing up to EACH and EVERY event, I know that I can count on them to help my business flourish continuously!

Website: https://linktr.ee/mrsxakfitness

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mrsxakfitness

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

Image Credits
Otis Clayborne Phive-14 Photography