If you’ve ever felt unsure about where you belong in fitness spaces, Kayla Jeter understands that feeling deeply. She’s a Chicago based run coach, digital creator, and wellness consultant who talks about movement in a way that feels honest and approachable. Her work brings together sport, mindfulness, and mental health not to push perfection, but to help people show up for themselves in ways that actually feel sustainable.

“I sit at the intersection of so many things,” Kayla says. “Through my content, I bridge sport, mindfulness, and mental health. I encourage people to live their healthiest lives and pursue big goals, but I also hold space for people to be inspired.”

That balance has shaped everything she has built. Kayla’s platform did not grow because of a perfectly planned strategy or a chase for trends. It grew because she showed up consistently as herself, trusted her values, and let the rest unfold.

Building Without a Strategy and Leading With Values
When Kayla looks back at the early days of her platform, she’s quick to say there was no blueprint behind it.

“I didn’t really focus on anything. I don’t really have a content strategy,” she says. “What worked was authentically telling my story. Showing up in line with my values. Sharing the highs and lows. The sparkly moments and the not so great.”

For Kayla, authenticity was never a tactic. It was simply how she lives. “I lead with who I am,” she explains. “The best compliment I’ve ever received is that I’m the same person in person as I am online. I think that’s why the growth felt organic.”

That honesty created a community that doesn’t just follow her for workouts or motivation, but because they feel reflected in her experience. There is room for ambition, but also for rest, emotion, and imperfection.

Redefining Strength Beyond the Physical
Kayla’s understanding of strength has shifted dramatically since her days as a Division I athlete. While physical performance once defined it, mental strength now leads the way.

“My definition of strength has evolved to include and lead with mental strength,” she says. “That came from the resilience and confidence I had to build after athletics. Not even just transitioning out of sport. Life in general.”

She shares that both of her parents have passed away and that she was her mother’s caregiver before she died. Those experiences reshaped how she moves through the world and how she leads.

“The mental strength and optimism I had to build during that time directly impacted how I show up within my community,” Kayla says. “It taught me that we’re better together and that everything needs to be done with grace. For me, mental strength is what leads the way.”

Representation, Belonging, and Why the Starting Line Matters
For Kayla, movement has always been about more than miles or metrics. It’s about access, belonging, and the quiet courage it takes to show up.

Some of the most meaningful moments in her work come from women who reach out to say they finally felt seen. “It’s when a woman of color tells me I inspired her to get out of the house or take care of her mental health,” she says. “They tell me they didn’t think they could run because they don’t see women who look like us portrayed in the sport.”

That insight shaped how Kayla began thinking about community and eventually led to initiatives like 100 Miles of Summer, which reframed running as something expansive and welcoming rather than exclusive or intimidating. What mattered most was not how fast people moved, but that they felt invited to start.

“The starting line is the first invitation,” Kayla says. “It’s choosing to show up for yourself in a space where you might not feel welcome or represented. The starting line celebrates that you’re here and that you matter.”

For her, that moment carries more weight than any podium. “The finish line only tells us who got there fastest,” she explains. “The greater moment is the start.”

This perspective also shapes how she thinks about representation across the fitness and wellness industry. When brands want to do better, she believes the work has to begin long before a campaign launches.

“They don’t always include the communities they want to represent in the planning or execution,” Kayla says. “They might want diversity visually, but not authentically.”

Her experience working with lululemon showed her what meaningful representation can look like. Being supported by women and women of color throughout the creative process, not just in front of the camera, made a real difference. “I feel seen and comfortable,” she says. “I know my story will be told accurately.”

Power, Movement, and Designing for Real Bodies
That same intention shows up in Kayla’s work with lululemon and the launch of Unrestricted Power™, a collection designed for how women actually train. Built for deep squats, heavy lifts, and dynamic strength work, Unrestricted Power™ balances support and mobility so each piece moves with you, rep after rep, without distraction or restriction.

“Unrestricted means limitless and free. Power means supported and strong,” Kayla says. “If something feels too constricting, it caps your power.”

What mattered most to her was how the clothing performed in real life, not just how it looked. “I needed something that allowed me to move in a variety of ways without distraction,” she explains. “That usually comes down to seams and the rise of the tight. If I feel sucked in or compressed, that’s the opposite of power.”

As more women embrace lifting heavy as a source of confidence and resilience, the collection reflects a broader shift in how strength is defined. It is not just about performance. It is about feeling grounded, capable, and fully in your body while you move. SHOP THE COLLECTION HERE

Consistency, Care, and Moving Through Life
When it comes to staying consistent, Kayla’s advice is refreshingly grounded. “Pick a movement you actually enjoy,” she says. “You don’t need to do every trend. You don’t have to like them all.”

She also emphasizes community as a form of support. “Commit to something where someone expects you,” she explains. “Consistency doesn’t mean every day. It means showing up in a way that makes sense for your life.”

Despite being a steady source of encouragement for others, Kayla is open about what she is still learning to carry herself. “Grief,” she says. “Or learning to move with it.”

Some days it feels heavy. Other days it becomes strength. “When things get tough, I ask my parents to carry me,” she shares. “Allowing myself to feel everything is something I’m still learning.”

Each year, Kayla chooses a guiding word. This year, it is legacy. “Legacy is about the impact you leave behind,” she says. “If I’m not well, we’re not well. I can’t show up for others if I don’t take care of myself.”

The Advice She Leaves Us With
When asked what advice she would give to someone trying to feel better in their body and life, Kayla doesn’t hesitate.

“This is the only body and life you get,” she says. “Take care of yourself the way you would someone you love. Spend your time well. People don’t forget how you made them feel. They don’t forget your sparkle.”

And that idea sits at the heart of everything she does. Strength is not about proving something. It is about showing up, starting where you are, and knowing you belong from the very first step.