Today we’d like to introduce you to Nakita Manning.
Hi Nakita, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey into wellness and movement has really been one of personal growth, healing, faith, and community. I’ve worked in Human Resources for the federal government for a little over 20 years, but movement has always been something that grounded me outside of my professional career. Over time, Pilates and Yoga became more than just workouts for me, they became spaces where I found strength mentally, physically, and emotionally.
I began teaching fitness while continuing to work full time, Eventually becoming a Pilates instructor and completing an extensive comprehensive Pilates certification program. I am also currently completing my 200-hour Yoga teacher training certification, which has continued to deepen my understanding of movement, mindfulness, breathwork, and the connection between physical and mental well-being.
Throughout that journey, I realized there was a deeper purpose behind what I was building. I wanted to create spaces where people felt seen, supported, encouraged, and connected, Especially, people who may not always see themselves represented in fitness and mindfulness spaces.
That vision led me to create Flex & Flow Collective, a social wellness community centered around Pilates, Yoga, movement, mindfulness, and meaningful connection. What started as an idea grew into hosting pop-up classes, collaborative events, and experiences designed to support both physical and mental well-being. My goal has always been to make movement feel approachable, welcoming, and community-driven rather than intimidating.
Over the last year, I’ve continued growing the brand through partnerships, events, content creation, and teaching throughout the DMV area. I’ve also learned that entrepreneurship requires patience, consistency, faith, and the willingness to keep showing up even when things are uncertain. Every experience, both the successes and challenges, has shaped me into a stronger instructor, business owner, and person.
Today, I’m continuing to grow Flex & Flow Collective with the hope of creating lasting impact through movement, mindfulness, and community while inspiring others to prioritize themselves and their well-being unapologetically.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something valuable about entrepreneurship, leadership, and perseverance.
Building a business while working full time has required an incredible amount of discipline, sacrifice, and faith. A lot of people see the final event, the photos, or the content online, but they don’t always see the behind-the-scenes reality of what it takes to create those experiences. There have been many late nights, early mornings, and moments of exhaustion trying to balance my career, teaching schedule, family life, and building a business from the ground up.
One of the biggest challenges has been funding many of my events and ideas out of my own pocket while still trying to grow the brand in a meaningful way. As a small business owner, especially in the wellness space, marketing and visibility can also be difficult. Sometimes you put your heart, time, energy, and finances into creating an experience and still wonder if people will show up or support it.
I’ve had events where only one person attended, but instead of canceling or becoming discouraged, I chose to still show up fully for that person. To me, that one person mattered. If one person made the decision to prioritize themselves, move their body, breathe, disconnect from the stress of life for a moment, and walk away feeling stronger or more encouraged than when they arrived, then the experience was still meaningful.
Those moments reminded me that impact is not always measured by numbers or packed rooms. Sometimes making one person feel seen, supported, connected, and cared for can have just as much meaning. Entrepreneurship has taught me how important it is to keep showing up with purpose and consistency, even during moments when things feel uncertain or discouraging.
I’ve also learned that entrepreneurship requires you to wear so many different hats at once. In one day, I may be an instructor, event planner, content creator, social media manager, marketer, videographer, editor, administrator, customer service representative, and business owner all at the same time. Creating content alone can feel like a full-time job — from planning ideas and filming workouts to editing videos, posting consistently, and trying to stay visible online in such a fast-moving digital world. It takes far more time, energy, and creativity than most people realize.
Finding the right spaces, building partnerships, and creating opportunities has also taken patience and persistence. I’ve learned that not every space will immediately understand your vision, and not every opportunity will align with your purpose. Over time, I’ve become more intentional about building genuine community connections and collaborating with people and businesses that truly value movement, mindfulness, and connection.
I also think there are unique challenges that come with being a Black woman in spaces where representation is still limited. There have been moments where I’ve had to push past self-doubt, comparison, or feeling unseen. Those experiences have motivated me even more to create spaces where others feel welcomed, empowered, and represented.
Even with the challenges, I’m proud that I’ve continued showing up consistently. Every class, event, partnership, and person impacted reminds me why I started in the first place. The journey has not been easy, but it has absolutely been meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I balance a full-time career in Human Resources with my work as a Pilates instructor, Yoga practitioner, and wellness entrepreneur based in the DMV area, where I create movement and wellness experiences through my brand. My work as a wellness entrepreneur centers around creating intentional movement experiences that support both physical strength and mental well-being. I specialize in Pilates-based movement, mindful flow, and pop-up wellness events that are designed to be both grounding and empowering for all levels.
Through my brand, Flex & Flow Collective, I curate community-driven wellness experiences that bring people together through movement, mindfulness, and connection. My focus is not just on fitness, but on creating spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and supported, especially those who may not always feel represented in traditional wellness environments.
What I am most proud of is the work that happens behind the scenes that most people don’t see. Pop-up wellness is truly a grind, it is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. It means planning every detail, transporting equipment from my home, setting up an entire experience, holding space for others with full energy, and then breaking everything down and packing it all back up afterward. It is a labor of love that requires endurance, intention, and heart every single time.
I’ve learned that I don’t just show up to teach a class, I show up to create an experience. And that requires me to pour into people deeply, even when I may be tired or stretched thin from balancing a full-time career, family and entrepreneurship. There are long days where I go from working my 9-5 straight into teaching or hosting an event and still have to manage the logistics, content creation, and administrative side of my business afterward.
Because of that, one of the most important things I’ve learned is the necessity of pouring back into myself. As wellness practitioners, we can’t just pour endlessly into others without refilling our own cup. I am intentional about my own Pilates practice, rest, grounding, and spiritual wellness so that I can continue to show up with authenticity, presence, and energy for the communities I serve. That balance is not always perfect, but it is something I am committed to honoring.
I am especially proud that despite the challenges, I continue to show up consistently and create spaces where even one person can walk in and feel seen, supported, and encouraged. Whether it’s a full room or a small group, my intention remains the same: to create meaningful, inclusive wellness experiences that remind people they belong.
What sets me apart is the heart and intention behind everything I do. I don’t just teach movement, I create spaces for connection, healing, and presence. My goal is always to make wellness feel approachable, real, and rooted in community, while also modeling what it looks like to care for yourself while caring for others.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about the DMV is the balance and variety you get across Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Every area has its own vibe, but they all connect in a way that just makes sense.
Maryland will always be home. I was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. The community, the pride, the resilience, it’s embedded in everything I do. And honestly, people sleep on how beautiful Maryland is. We’ve got parks, trails, and outdoor spaces where you can actually breathe and reset. There’s so much culture here and so much going on, and it doesn’t always get the credit it deserves.
DC is right there, and that energy is something else. As the nation’s capital, history, culture, and purpose are literally around every corner. It’s always moving, always inspiring, full of opportunity, creativity, and people who are really out here building something meaningful. At this point in my life, I appreciate that energy in a whole different way. You really start to understand the power of being close to that kind of momentum.
Virginia gives you a little more room to exhale. Quiet trails, nature, a slower pace, but you’re still close to everything. Sometimes that balance is exactly what you need.
What I love overall is that the DMV is full of HBCUs, creatives, entrepreneurs, and forward thinkers. There’s a real sense of growth and possibility here that feels authentic. And depending on what season of life you’re in, this area can meet you right where you are.
Honestly, I’ve got nothing bad to say. I love it here. I’m grateful to have been raised here, and I’m proud to still be building here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.flexandflowcollective.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flexandflowcollective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1SJcbxYvGs/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flexflowcollective
