Mark Jenkins: Fitness and Program Director

Highly-recruited celebrity fitness trainer Mark Jenkins has worked with many prominent figures in the business, entertainment and publishing worlds. Although incomplete, the list includes an array of prominent figures, including L.A. Reid; Sean “Diddy” Combs (Bad Boy CEO); business executives Benny Medina, Chris Lighty & Andre Harrell; former Essence director Susan Taylor, famed lawyer Johnny Cochran; director Tyler Perry; radio personality Angie Martinez and string of A-list entertainers from Mary J. Blige, to Beyonce, Busta Rhymes, L.L. Cool J, Eve, Q-Tip, Anthony Hamilton, N.O.R.E, Missy Elliott, Brandy and D’Angelo. 

Prior his work motivating and whipping multi-platinum artists into shape, Mark was in the Navy and 

served in the Persian Gulf War. Upon return, he continued his intense workout regiment at a nearby gym, located directly across the street from the Worldwide Plaza, which is home to many top record-label executives and superstar artists. Mark was soon recruited by Moesha star and R&B sensation Brandy, as her personal trainer. 

Gaining notoriety for his outstanding results, Mark was afterwards responsible for sculpting the legendary chiseled body of famed soul crooner D’Angelo during the release of his platinum album, Voodoo. During this time, Mark Shadowed the singer’s every move, intercepting food and adding martial arts to his training program. 

Although the hit song, “(Untitled) How Does It Feel” was an instant smash, it was the star’s defined physique in the groundbreaking music video that gave rise to his newfound “sex symbol” status with adoring female fans across the country.

Mark Jenkins Fitness: www.markjenkinsfitness.com 

Nadia Bey Jenkins: Yoga & Wellness

Nadia Bey Jenkins is a deep and passionate student and teacher of  Sadhana, a physical and spiritual practice of conscious intentions and disciplined prayer. A striving Yogi, she cultivates the practice in herself and others through ongoing study of meditational and spiritual texts, as well as various trainings and workshops. 

Her quest incorporates a blend of other energy and physical disciplines, from alpha/theta meditation to imagery, plyometrics, Reconnective Healing®, running and swimming. She received Yoga training from Lauren Hanna and Johanna Aldrich (Shiva Rea teachers) of the renowned Sonic School of Yogic Studies NYC, and was trained by Eric Pearl to facilitate Reconnective Healing®, a source frequency healing modality. 

Embracing a decidedly holistic and unconventional approach, Nadia integrates her knowledge of Hatha (force) and Vinyasa (breath) Asanas with the practice of Mudras (gestures), bandhas (locks) and mantra to change mental patterns. She delves into the sciences of meditation, incorporating creative visualization techniques and heart based gratitude.

Fascinated with the connection between spiritual and physical well-being, Nadia completed the Mind Brain Health and Education graduate course through Harvard University. She has since continued to study the areas of education, health, neuroscience and psychology, as they relate to the intersection of science and spirituality.  

In 2000, Nadia worked in entertainment marketing and had the opportunity to tour with Mary J. Blige. During the tour, she met Mary’s fitness trainer – Mark Jenkins – the man soon destined to become her husband and life partner. 

Over the next 5 years, Nadia worked with Mark to design a more congenial, holistic approach to his training methodology. Nadia specializes in Yoga for Sports Performance and was able to incorporate her philosophy of asana and functional training into Mark’s practice. The resulting system was an exclusive balance of agility, flexibility, strength and weight loss, offering a powerful combination of physical wellbeing and spiritual awareness. 

In 2005, Nadia made a conscious decision to focus her efforts on advocacy, philanthropy and life as a Yogi.

When not at BUILD BURN BREATHE, Nadia runs Bent Bamboo Yoga in Washington, D.C., where she endeavors to develop a yogic framework as a Healer and Mind Brain Health and Education practitioner. Her class – “Love, Sweat and Bliss,” utilizes a vigorous moving meditation of physical asana, intention setting, and a guided meditation to open the heart and increase flow of Prana. Her students report leaving class feeling deeply cleansed and invigorated, thanks to a series of purifying and liberating poses followed by rigorous practice and eventually concluding with a guided meditational experience. 

Bent Bamboo Yoga: www.bentbambooyoga.com 

Participants

• Julie Jensen
• John Bishop
• Andrew Meyer
• Melinda Richardson
• Lisa Bishop
• Cheo Vidal
• Randy Adler
• Alex Keith

• Joey Daigneault
• Angie Ridgewell
• Kara Errickson
• James Macidonio
• Amber Brust
• Justin Mayo
• Matt Schwartz
• Charles Meyer