Britany Dukes is building strength inside and out

Britany Dukes, a certified personal trainer and founder of BD Active, has long been involved in fitness. She began strength training at home before learning structured gym training after becoming a member of Express Fitness in 2021. Dukes also played volleyball during her high school years at Convent of Mercy Academy ‘Alpha’. However, it wasn’t until March 2024 that she turned her focus to running after joining the Pacers Running Club.

“Being surrounded by experienced runners and a supportive community really ignited my passion for the sport and pushed me to challenge myself even more,” the 27-year-old explained to Lifestyle.

Having the discipline to pursue running, or even just fitness, is not easy. Dukes says her consistency comes from her personal pride and mental fortitude. She decided to show up regardless of how she was feeling, and however she was able to.

“Even on bad days, I committed to getting something done and sticking to the plan. Over time, that discipline became second nature,” Dukes pointed out. “Eventually, showing up for myself was no longer something I had to force; it simply became part of who I am.”

Fitness, which she says is an essential part of her daily routine, has enhanced Dukes’ entire way of life and changed her self-perception.

“I used to struggle with confidence, but fitness became the foundation on which my confidence was built. It also became my safe space. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I can always count on a good run or strength session to ground me,” Dukes shared.

Then came BD Active, which started in 2022 when Dukes wanted to document her fitness journey online, as well as encourage others who may have similar interests.

Dukes explained that, “From the beginning, the vision for BD Active was to be performance-driven and rooted in both physical and mental strength. I wanted the brand to represent purpose, commitment, and discipline – values that extend far beyond the gym.”

That same year, she created a planner for herself titled The Level Up Daily Planner: A 6-Month Guide to Build Better Habits for a Greater Life, which she later published on Amazon.

“I was looking for something that allowed me to track multiple areas of my life in a detailed and structured way, but I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. So I decided to create one that fit my needs. Once it was finished, I realised that if it was helpful for me, it might be helpful for someone else as well,” Dukes said.

Her hope is that users get to live more intentional and organised lives through building better daily habits.

After becoming a certified trainer with the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) in 2023, Dukes began creating training programmes for herself and others who asked for assistance.

“It became something I wanted to pursue seriously when I realised how much of an impact strength training had on me both physically and mentally. It quickly became my mental escape,” Dukes added.

The personal trainer says one common misconception about starting a fitness journey is that everything has to be figured out before getting started.

“Starting a fitness journey can be as simple as taking a daily walk or following a guided bodyweight workout at home [via] YouTube. Once you build momentum, you can gradually add more tools and resources. But at the beginning, the most important thing you need is simply the willingness to start,” Dukes advised.

For those who feel overwhelmed about starting, Dukes encourages not comparing themselves to others, especially on social media. She suggests beginning where you are, by doing a self-assessment and deciding what steps are needed to move forward. That’s when you can create a realistic plan that works for your lifestyle.

“If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a professional such as a personal trainer or life coach. The most important thing is to build momentum and keep showing up for yourself, even on the days when motivation is low,” Dukes said.

To leave a lingering reminder, Dukes emphasised, “I remind people that we all have a choice: the pain of greatness or the comfort of mediocrity?’”

Looking ahead, Dukes hopes BD Active will become an international, multifaceted brand.

“I would love to open my own gym and launch a performance-based activewear line. I’m also interested in expanding into performance-focused supplements. Another goal I have is to start my own run club. I would love to build a community that makes running more accessible and enjoyable for others,” the hybrid athlete told Lifestyle.

ruth-ann.briscoe@gleanerjm.com