Byron Nichols, Owner and Lead Trainer of BNFIT Fitness, is an emerging fitness professional whose career is an extension from music and business.
Byron was reared in Louisville, KY and topped the scale in high school at 315 lbs. After enrolling at Howard University in Washington, DC, he started jogging during his sophomore year and dropped 60 lbs. The BNFIT conceptual seed was planted, yet Byron would relapse again and again. Upon earning his Accounting degree, Byron spent three years teaching in DC Public Schools, before entering the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Management Training Program. Musically, Byron sings with Richard Smallwood with Vision and has recorded background vocals for Vanessa Williams, Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark-Sheard, and toured with Stephanie Mills for several years.
Despite previous fitness relapses, Byron publicly announced his fitness intentions on Facebook in the summer of 2008 — to ride his bike every day and get fit; he also took classes at the Capital Sports Complex (CSC) with Paula Reiss who would eventually become a mentor. The challenge garnered a lot of support and became a movement. In addition to losing 50 lbs, Byron parlayed this personal project into a career as a fitness specialist when Reiss developed an internship program that prepared Byron to teach every class the gym offered — Kickboxing, Step, Plyometrics, and Spin. He lost an additional 50 lbs — totally 100 pounds — and was certified by the AFAA as a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. BNFIT Personal Fitness took on it’s first personal training client in August 2010, quickly growing to 25 clients. Byron began BNFIT Bootcamp in January 2011 to bring affordable fitness to everyone with the desire to get healthy and strong. At the same time, Byron began the “Excuses or Results” Initiative, with a goal of bringing exercise the African American community — especially through the Music Industry. He has spoken and trained groups at fitness expos, summer youth camps, and church groups. Byron has trained the University of Maryland Boxing Team.
The BNFIT movement will continue Group Training, online and personal training and wellness content and fitness videos.