Eliza Shirazi is the genius behind Kick It By Eliza—a 13-round, music-driven, sweat-inducing, kickboxing-inspired fitness method. She developed the program as a student at UMass Amherst, “I saw girls walk in and out of classes to just burn calories, which inevitably burns your soul. It’s unfulfilling, isolating, discouraging. So as I was on the hunt to fix this for myself, I realized I wanted to fix it for everyone.”
Since leaving UMass, the young entrepreneur has expanded her brand at an incredible rate. She has partnered with multiple organizations (including Her Campus!) for awesome kick-a-thons, even venturing as far as South Africa, “My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when I was out on the town and people would recognize me as ‘Kick It’. Or when I would see Kick It Crew girls out and they would break out their moves on the dance floor. That is when I really knew that the Kick It experience didn’t happen just during classes at the Recreation Center, but followed students in their every day lives.”
While practically Superwoman, Shirazi can’t do it all herself, which is where the Kick It Crew comes in. “The moment you become a Kick It Instructor you are entering into a full-blown community of people ready to support and cheer you on,” and (as if that isn’t great enough) certified instructors,“Have access to music, content, community-building techniques, entrepreneurship opportunities, and the chance to grow your own communities.”
Interested? Luckily, Eliza is returning to Amherst for an instructor certification this weekend: February 13 between 9:00AM and 5:00PM. As if that’s not enough, UMass students get 50% off the training and licensing fee. If you’d like to take part, registration is easy. “This community, or Kick It Crew, [has] created best friends, confidence, and empowerment amongst people. I am so excited for other instructors to lead their own Kick It Crew’s and feel the satisfaction of changing people’s lives in a positive way,” Shirazi says, “It’s a powerful method that can reach all fitness levels.”
Feel empowered, get fit and have fun doing it.