Today we’d like to introduce you to Nahiema Craig.
Nahiema, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story began on the track long before I ever realized it would become my life’s purpose. At 9 years old, I would spend time with my grandmother while she worked at Saint Joseph’s University. I would run laps and play on the track for hours until one day the head track coach noticed me. After watching me run, he wanted to begin training me. Unfortunately, because I had recently been diagnosed with a heart murmur, my grandmother declined the opportunity out of concern for my health.
Although I understood why my family wanted to protect me, I never stopped believing that running was part of who I was. I continued training on my own, walking miles just to get to a track and pushing myself because I knew there was more inside of me.
At 16, I finally joined an organized track team, but I still felt like I wasn’t reaching my full potential. That search for growth led me down a painful path, but it also became the beginning of my greatest transformation.
Fitness eventually became my therapy—my healing in motion. Through every setback, running gave me a place to process grief, trauma, and life’s challenges. That healing inspired me to build something bigger than myself.
Today, I am the founder of Girls Who Run and co-founder of SHESHRED Society, organizations built to empower women through fitness, connection, and community. My mission extends beyond workouts—it’s about creating spaces where women feel safe, valued, encouraged, and capable of becoming the strongest version of themselves. Watching women find confidence, friendships, and healing through these communities is the greatest accomplishment of my journey. I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible community that has supported me, and now I strive to be that same source of support for others.
This year has been especially meaningful and a reminder of how far this journey has come. I have been incredibly blessed to partner with amazing brands and organizations that align with my mission, including Saucony, On, New Balance, Pure Fuel, Anomaly Athletics, DEKA, Strides for Peace, and many more. These partnerships are more than opportunities they are proof that perseverance, authenticity, and community truly open doors. Being able to represent brands and races while continuing to pour back into my own community is something I never take for granted, and it motivates me to keep creating spaces where others can discover their own strength and purpose.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been filled with challenges, but every obstacle has shaped the woman I am today.
At 9 years old, I was diagnosed with a heart murmur, which caused my family to discourage me from running because they feared for my health. While I understood they wanted to protect me, it was difficult feeling like my dreams were constantly being put on hold.
When I finally joined a track team as a teenager, I still struggled with feeling overlooked and restricted. Eager to improve, I sought additional coaching outside of my team. That decision led to sexual assault by someone I trusted an experience that deeply affected my confidence, mental health, and sense of safety.
As I grew older, I also faced the challenges of becoming a mother while continuing to pursue my passion. Balancing motherhood, training, entrepreneurship, and building community has required resilience, sacrifice, and faith. There were times when finding childcare, making time to train, and recovering properly felt nearly impossible.
Despite everything I’ve endured, I refused to let my circumstances define me. Instead, I turned my pain into purpose. Running became my healing, and today I use my experiences to create safe, empowering spaces where women and young girls can feel seen, supported, and strong. Every obstacle I’ve overcome has strengthened my mission to remind others that your past does not determine your future.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear many hats, but at the core of everything I do is serving people. Professionally, I work in a mental health crisis facility, where I support individuals during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. That work has taught me the importance of compassion, resilience, and meeting people where they are—values that extend into every part of my life.
Outside of my career, I’m a community leader, runner, photographer, artist, event organizer, and founder of Girls Who Run, a movement created to empower women through fitness, connection, and confidence. What started as a simple idea has grown into a supportive community where women of all backgrounds can show up, challenge themselves, and feel seen.
I’m also passionate about using creativity as a form of storytelling through photography and art, creating work that sparks conversations around healing, resilience, and representation. Whether I’m organizing community events, capturing meaningful moments behind the camera, or encouraging someone to cross their first finish line, my goal is always to make a positive impact.
What I’m most proud of is turning my own pain into purpose. Every challenge I’ve faced has fueled my desire to create safe spaces, inspire others, and remind people that their story doesn’t end with their struggles. This year has been especially meaningful, as I’ve been blessed to partner with incredible brands and organizations including Saucony, On, New Balance, Pure Fuel, Anomaly Athletics, DEKA, Strides for Peace, and others who believe in the work I’m doing within the community.
What sets me apart is my authenticity. I don’t just promote wellness—I live it. I lead with transparency, serve with intention, and genuinely care about the people I’m impacting. Whether it’s through mental health advocacy, community fitness, creative expression, or mentorship, everything I do is rooted in helping others believe they’re capable of more than they ever imagined.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, my vision is to continue growing Girls Who Run and SHESHRED Society into organizations that impact women on an even larger scale. I want to expand our events, mentorship opportunities, and community programs so that more women and young girls have access to safe, empowering spaces where they can grow physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I’m also excited to continue combining my passion for fitness, leadership, and community outreach through partnerships, speaking opportunities, and initiatives that inspire others to keep going despite life’s obstacles. My goal isn’t just to build a brand—it’s to build a legacy that reminds people that healing, strength, and purpose can grow from even the most difficult experiences.
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