‘Just start!’
Antonae Evans empowers women through summer fitness programme
Published:Wednesday | August 20, 2025 | 12:08 AMNyoka Manning/ Gleaner Writer
A new kind of rhythm is shaping this summer. Since July 7, women have been gathering at Tru Juice Orchards in Bog Walk, St Catherine, under the guidance of 23-year-old fitness enthusiast Antonae Evans for her inaugural Summer Fitness programme, which runs through August 28. More than just a calorie-burning or body-sculpting routine, the programme provides a safe space for women to challenge themselves, support one another, and discover new strength in both body and mind.
“The first step is always the hardest,” she often tells participants. “But once you start, you realise you’re capable of so much more than you think.” That phrase, ‘just start’, has become something of a mantra. And for many women in Bog Walk and beyond, it is the spark that pushed them to show up.
The idea for the programme grew out of Evans’ own journey into fitness. She admits she was not always the most disciplined person when it came to exercise, but through consistency and determination, she came to understand the power of an active lifestyle.
Guided early on by her trainer and mentor, Orain Wilson, she began to master the discipline of exercise and, with time, developed a passion for sharing her knowledge with others.
“I know what it feels like to think you can’t do it,” she told Lifestyle. “That’s why I meet women where they are, and we build together.” When she officially launched Summer Fitness in July, she was determined to use that knowledge to inspire women to tap into what she describes as “the most confident version of themselves”.
At Tru-Juice Orchards, participants are greeted by an atmosphere that feels both vibrant and grounded. The orchard setting, surrounded by greenery, offers a refreshing alternative to indoor gyms. There is music pumping, instructions being called out, and laughter between sets.
What sets this initiative apart is its focus on accessibility. Women of all ages and fitness levels have joined in, and Evans adapts her sessions so no one feels left behind. Some participants are seasoned gym-goers seeking variety, while others are complete beginners looking for motivation. Each week brings a mix of cardio, strength training, and endurance challenges, but also an emphasis on mental resilience.
“It’s not only about the workout,” Evans noted. “It’s about building habits, confidence, and discipline that carry into other parts of life.”
The impact was immediate. Just a week and a half into the programme, one participant, Alax-Ann Russell, messaged her with the kind of news every trainer hopes to hear: “Good morning, [I] weighed myself this morning and I’m down five pounds.” It was a small milestone, but for Evans, a defining one. “That’s when I realised, yes, I am indeed living my purpose,” she said. Since then, she has watched participants begin to embrace not only movement, but also joy, noting that something as simple as seeing them dance to music during workouts reflects a growing sense of confidence.
For Evans, fitness in Jamaica does not need to be confined to gym walls or heavy weights. She insists that movement can happen anywhere, with whatever is available, and that inclusivity is central to her philosophy. She is also intent on challenging misconceptions. “People often say, ‘Look how [you are] slim, [what are you going to the gym for?]’ But fitness is for everyone, regardless of size,” she explained.
Evans knows firsthand that fitness is as much about the mind as it is about the body. Confidence, for Evans, is something she has fought to regain in her own life.
Her relationship with wellness deepened in a personal way. After giving birth, she struggled with postpartum depression and the insecurities of a body she no longer recognised. At just three months postpartum, she made the difficult decision to return to the gym, determined to reclaim not only her physical health, but also her mental stability. “Fitness helped me through my depression and gave me back my confidence tenfold,” she recalled. “That’s when I realised my true love for it. It wasn’t just physical. It was healing.”
Balancing her roles as a teacher, mother and coach is not easy, but she embraces the challenge with intention and faith. Her days include family responsibilities, teaching, lifting weights and grounding herself spiritually. “It takes work and being intentional,” she admitted. “It can be hard, but it’s worth it.”
As the summer nears a close, Evans shows no signs of slowing down. She plans to continue training a select group, explore the possibility of one-day classes, and expand her programme to include nutrition support. For now, though, her focus remains on the women sweating it out in the orchards of Bog Walk, proving to themselves that they are stronger than they imagined.