Meet Ladriana Williams | Founder of Bodied By La & Women’s Fitness Coach

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

Hi Ladriana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, I never set out to be an entrepreneur. At the end of 2022, I created a fitness page just to document my own journey — it was more of an experiment than a business idea. I believed that consistency brings results, so I wanted to see what would happen if I consistently worked out and consistently showed up on that page. And wow… it worked. About six months in, I started seeing real changes in my body, and my page started to grow too.

Then one day, a makeup artist with a big following reached out and asked if I could make her a workout plan — and how much I charged. At the time, I wasn’t offering any services, but I saw an opportunity. I gave her the plan for free, but asked her to shout me out on her page. As soon as she did, I got flooded with inquiries, and it really took off from there. That moment sparked everything. I spent the next few months getting certified as a personal trainer, and from there, my business started to truly take shape.

As I built Bodied By La, I realized this was bigger than fitness — it was about purpose. Being healthy and fit is something that’s often overlooked or taken for granted, especially in the Black community. I wanted to inspire all women, but especially Black women, to prioritize their health. To not only get in shape, but to see how consistency and discipline in the gym can carry over into every part of their lives. It’s about building strength — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bodied By La is a fitness brand dedicated to helping women feel confident and strong — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It started as a personal journey that turned into a passion, and now it’s a growing movement. I offer in-person training, small group sessions, digital workout guides, and fitness events designed to not only transform bodies, but build discipline, self-love, and community.

What sets Bodied By La apart is that I practice what I preach. I’m not just telling women to be consistent, to push through, or to believe in themselves — I’m doing it right alongside them. I’ve been on both sides: the girl who wasn’t sure where to start, and the coach now helping others reach their goals. Everything I offer comes from experience — the wins, the setbacks, the growth, and the glow-up. I’m walking proof that consistency pays off, and I show up every day to help my clients see that in themselves, too.

I’m most proud of how far this business has come in such a short time. I went from posting my workouts online to training women in-person, selling out events, and shipping out branded merch across the country. I started out working a full-time job with training on the side — I would train clients before and after work, so the days were long. But when you’re working in your purpose, it doesn’t feel like work… even though it does get tiring and overwhelming at times. There were moments I wanted to quit, but having faith — not just in myself, but in God — is what kept me going. One quote that kept me grounded was: you only lose if you quit.

It hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced burnout, self-doubt, and financial stress — but every challenge taught me something. I learned the importance of showing up even when it’s hard, of being patient with growth, and of protecting your vision even when others don’t fully understand it.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will. Keep going — even on the days you don’t feel like it. Keep showing up, even when the applause stops. Because hard work never goes unnoticed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s honestly so much to do in Dallas, I never know where to start. But if my best friend was visiting, we’d definitely eat good. One of my go-to spots is Kitchen + Kocktails — the food always hits and the vibes are top tier. I just found this new gem called Roots Southern Table in Farmers Branch too. The food there is amazing, and I think it’s run by a renowned chef if I’m not mistaken. Super worth checking out.

We’d definitely have to go to WorldSprings Spa — it’s beautiful, relaxing, and has a little bit of everything. You can chill in the saunas, get in the hot pools, have a drink, eat some good food, all while enjoying the views. It’s giving self-care and soft life.

One thing about Dallas — there’s always something going on. There are festivals like the Wine Festival, Taco & Tequila Fest, and all kinds of pop-ups that make it easy to stumble into a fun day without even planning. I don’t go out as much as I used to, but I’m sure we’d find a cute rooftop day party somewhere in Deep Ellum or Uptown to dance a little, sip a little, and catch a good vibe.

Between the food, the fun, and the chill days to recharge, Dallas never disappoints. It really has something for everybody.

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?
So many people and moments have played a part in this journey, but if I had to pinpoint a spark, it would be the book The Alchemist. That book truly shifted my mindset. It made me wonder, “What if I could turn this little idea — this experiment — into something bigger?” The message that stuck with me was: you already have everything you need to achieve your purpose, you just have to learn how to use it. That mindset helped me believe in my vision, even before it was fully clear.

I also have to give the biggest shoutout to my dad. Fitness has been a huge part of his life, and growing up, he always preached how important it was to stay active, eat healthy, and drink water — even when I wasn’t trying to hear it back then! But now I see it. Not only did he plant those seeds early on, but he also invested in me when I was getting started. I genuinely wouldn’t have been able to build Bodied By La without him.

I’m endlessly grateful for my clients — especially the ones who supported me in the early days, when I was still learning and finding my rhythm. Their trust, loyalty, and word-of-mouth love helped shape my business more than anything. Some of those women are still with me today, and it means the world.

And of course, I can’t forget my friends and family who supported me from day one — sharing my page, showing up for events, cheering me on, and keeping me going when doubt crept in. I’m here because of the village around me.

Website: https://bodiedbyla.com

Instagram: @_bodiedbyla

Other: Tik Tok: @ladrianasimone

Image Credits
Micah Clarke
Thaige Doran