Celia Collymore, Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist, Speaker, Trainer, Assessor, Fitness Instructor – an overall super woman! Read her story and be inspired!
Hi Sporting Barbados Family,
I’m Celia Collymore, the proud Founder and Senior Project Manager of Bajan Fusion, a dynamic Fitness Lifestyle Event Management Service that fuses Barbadian fitness, sports, and music on the global stage.
Sports have transformed my life, and I know they’ve had a powerful impact on yours too. From being a track and field athlete and netballer to becoming a Junior and Senior Barbados National basketball champion, and a 2001 NCAA North-East 10 Regional Champion and Elite 8 Participant at Pace University in New York, my passion for sports has always run deep.
As a business owner of a sport-inspired brand, I hold the fundamentals of sport close to my heart and bring them into my work with professionalism and a commitment to challenge the status quo. Along this journey, we face losses and challenges, but through it all, our focus remains: staying true to ourselves and our mission, adding value, and making a lasting impact in the marketplace.
How did Bajan Fusion begin?
From an accomplished student-athlete, I fell in love with Human Resources (HR) during graduate school. Yet, becoming an entrepreneur was never part of my plan. I started my career in a global financial services company as an HR Assistant, eventually moving through roles as a Recruiter and HR Administrator, while navigating mergers and acquisitions. As a non-immigrant in the USA, I was chasing the American Dream, but with the financial crisis of 2008, I found myself at a crossroads.
Despite earning a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, the journey to HR success was challenging on a non-immigrant visa. The financial recession made obtaining a green card even more difficult, and fate had me return to Barbados in 2011.
That was just the beginning of my journey home, but it came with a health scare I didn’t see coming...
A Sickness-to-Success Story
After battling hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease for years, I had a near-death experience in New York. My body was shutting down, and it was terrifying. That diagnosis shook me, but it also ignited a fire in me to live fully and fearlessly. It’s been 18 years since my diagnosis, and though I now manage hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, I’ve learned to overcome, heal, and thrive. Today, I’m proud to say I feel stronger and more alive than ever.
This journey is deeply intertwined with Bajan Fusion. It’s not just about building a business—it’s about mental toughness, resilience, and a commitment to holistic wellness. I’m here to inspire and guide others on this same journey of taking charge of their health, embracing a full life, and showing up as their best selves every day.
The Birth of Bajan Fusion
When I returned to Barbados, I knew I wanted to incorporate my passions for fitness and community-building. Bajan Fusion was born to fuse fitness, adventure, and culture, empowering borderless communities to embrace health and wellness. Though the early years were filled with challenges – limited resources, marketing setbacks, and vision alignment issues – I was determined.
The setbacks only pushed me to reimagine the brand, incorporating all of my skills in fitness, sports, human resources, and project management.
By year four, Bajan Fusion had expanded from dance fitness to include soft adventure and sporting activities, personal training, personal development coaching, and lifestyle workshops. What started as a vision to bring people together during the Crop Over festival has now evolved into a year-round lifestyle brand that empowers people to Get Fit for Life.
Bajan Fusion Today
Bajan Fusion stands at the intersection of fitness, wellness, and human resource engagement and development, offering a variety of programs tailored to different fitness levels. Our services include:
- Exercise Classes
- Soft Adventure and Sporting Activities
- Lifestyle Workshops
- Team Building
- Personal Training and Coaching
- Personal Development and Mentoring
- Clothing and gear for fitness enthusiasts
We are committed to transforming the health and wellness landscape in Barbados by empowering individuals and communities to take charge of their lives, stand tall in the face of adversity and get moving towards an active, healthy, and holistic lifestyle.
Addressing the Health Crisis in Barbados
Barbados holds the highest obesity rate in Latin America and the Caribbean. Two out of three adults are overweight, and one in three children is either overweight or obese. NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) are the leading cause of illness among adults, with 80% of men and women facing at least one risk factor.
This is a critical issue, and at Bajan Fusion, we’re on a mission to re-engage our communities through education, movement, and holistic wellness.
What Sports Teaches Us About Success
As an athlete and business owner, I’ve learned that certain fundamentals remain constant across generations and industries. Sports have taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of a game plan. These are principles anyone can apply to succeed in life, and I’d love to share them with you through The Champion’s Commitment to Success – A Four-Step Process:
- Plan: Just like athletes prepare for a match, you need a clear game plan. Identify your strengths and set actionable goals.
- Practice: Success takes practice. Consistency in your habits and routines brings you closer to your goals.
- Play: When it’s game day, it’s time to execute. Stay focused and trust the preparation you’ve put in.
- Progress: After the game, reflect on your performance. Celebrate your successes and learn from your setbacks.
By following these steps, you’ll cultivate the discipline and resilience needed to win, both in sports and in life.
At Bajan Fusion, we are excited for what the future holds and grateful for the journey so far. As we continue to grow and make a difference in the marketplace, we invite you to join us in living holistically—longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Cheers to sports and Get Fit For Life!
Connect with us:
www.bajanfusion.com
events@bajanfusion.com
(246) 284-5426
