Chesna’s multicultural heritage includes West African, British, Irish, East Asian, and Native American ancestry. She enjoys weaving this diversity into her workshops. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and is an integrative health coach and personal trainer with extensive experience working with adults, seniors, teen girls, children, and people living with chronic issues and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. She has collaborated with physicians and allied professionals to support individuals in creating and maintaining healthier lifestyles.

Her professional leadership includes a three-year term as a Governor-appointed member of the New Jersey Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. As Founder and Executive Director of Fit Esteem (the feeling you get from being fit in body, mind, and spirit), she designs fitness, health and wellness programs that are unique, engaging, and culturally relevant. Her passion for children’s fitness inspired her to create Fit Esteem Kids, featuring original characters, stories, and verses designed to help instill healthy habits in younger children.

Influenced by her own adolescent experiences with identity and self-image, Chesna also facilitates workshops that give teen girls a safe space to explore body image, beauty ideals, and fitness. Prior to her career in wellness, she worked in social services with diverse populations including developmentally disabled adults, blind and visually impaired youth, and pregnant and parenting teens. Chesna is passionate about helping people live healthier lives. Her workshops invite participants of all ages to discover how fitness, wellness and culture can connect us all. In 2024, Chesna moved to Iowa from NYC. She is excited to call Iowa her home.

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