You're Here on Purpose

Hey Releaser,

Do you feel like every time you start, life gets in the way? The stress, anxiety, and daily grind keeps pulling you back to square one. Or maybe you’ve tried everything, but nothing seems to stick. That’s because true transformation isn’t just physical—it’s mental too.

At Release the Dope, we provide a safe space for you to build strength, resilience, and confidence. Our mission is to help you overcome the obstacles that keep you from staying consistent. Through personal development and strength training, we focus on both your mental and physical health—because true transformation starts from the inside out.

It’s not just about the workouts. It’s about releasing what's holding you back from sticking to your healthy intentions. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, body image struggles, or procrastination, together we’ll break through the mental and physical roadblocks keeping you from living your

healthiest, strongest life.

You’re not just lifting weights; you’re lifting the weight of stress, anxiety, and self-doubt off your shoulders.

You're Here on Purpose

Meet Your DOPE Coach

Hi, I'm Coach Shanika

and I need you to know something

I wasn’t always strong, confident, resilient or consistent. There was a time when I didn’t think I’d make it through.

In 2018, I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety after attempting to take my life for the seventh time. For years, I lived under the weight of suicidal thoughts. I felt stuck, powerless, and tired of life itself.

Therapy saved my life. Healing and doing the inner work gave me the tools to face my pain, find my worth, and begin writing a new story.

Strength training became my therapy in motion. I turned my pain into purpose, and I’m still here because I chose to build a lifestyle that keeps me alive.

What saved me wasn’t one quick fix. It was, and still is, the process of building strength, confidence, and resilience—brick by brick, rep by rep, day by day.

That’s why I created Release the Dope Fitness.
Because “dope” is more than a word. It means releasing unhealthy habits, toxic thoughts, and the weight of what no longer serves you—so you can embrace the strength, confidence, and purpose already inside you.

Today, I help beginners who are struggling with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, or simply feeling lost. I guide them through self-care and strength training so they can:

Release what’s been holding them back

Build strong, resilient bodies that support them as they age

Create healthy habits that last a lifetime

Step into a life of confidence, purpose, and freedom

Staying healthy for me isn’t about aesthetics—it’s stability. It’s longevity. It’s staying here for my children, for my clients, and for the people who need to see that resilience is possible.

If I can transform my pain into power, so can you. We're Here on Purpose to Release the Dope together.

Welcome to Release The Dope Fitness

Our Services

Memberships

You're not just signing up for workouts—you're joining a community of strong, resilient women committed to transforming from the inside out.

Group Fitness Classes

High-energy strength and cardio-based workouts/circuits designed to build muscle, improve mobility, and elevate mental health in a motivating group setting.

Try a class

Personal Training

Whether you're new to fitness or getting back on track, each session is tailored to your body, your goals, and your lifestyle. This isn’t just personal training—it’s personal transformation.

Get Started

Personal Training

Whether you're new to fitness or getting back on track, each session is tailored to your body, your goals, and your lifestyle. This isn’t just personal training—it’s personal transformation.

Get Started

Our Partner

We’re proud to partner with Silver Sneakers to make wellness and strength training even more accessible to the seniors in our community. Join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00am.

DISCOVER YOUR INNER DOPENESS…

… This is more than a workout. This is how you reclaim your power.

Client

TESTIMONIALS

Candice

If you’re looking for a coach who knows how to bring the best out of you—physically, mentally, and motivationally—look no further than Coach Shanika! She brings a strength-based focus that challenges you to grow while still meeting you where you are.

Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or looking to level up, her sessions are both empowering and effective.

Pam

I have been personally training with Release the Dope Fitness for over a month now.
Shanika is an excellent trainer who focuses primarily on your fitness needs. She will motivate you and push you to become a better person inside and out.
I feel physically and mentally stronger.

Deirdra

Shanika is a great trainer! She makes you feel comfortable and is attentive to your needs. I have been going to her strength class for about 9 months now and in the beginning I had pain and weakness in my knees. I’m happy to report that my knees are stronger. Steps are easier to navigate and I am able to kneel and apply pressure that was impossible to do in the beginning.