In the world of activewear, sometimes the choice is one or the other: a pair of leggings will be highly functional and lack any stylish personality or it will be on trend but not made strong enough to outlast the wear and tear of exercise. Through a union of functionality and flair, activewear can be the perfect accessory for a successful workout — but this balance is very difficult to find in many activewear and fitness brands.
When it comes to SheWarrior, founded by Natlyn Jones, there’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding activewear that is strong and stylish. A lifelong athlete with a passion for boxing, Jones is no stranger to activewear and was inspired to create SheWarrior so that the sports bras, tanks, tees, bike shorts, leggings and shorts honor the inner fighter and confidence that lives within the wearer.
And the brand honors the environment too, as all SheWarrior products are locally made in the United States in a production house that uses water-free dyeing processes and spins fibers made from 100% recycled plastics. SheWarrior’s impact also includes its charitable commitments: an ongoing partnership with the KlaasKids Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting generations of children and preventing crimes against children.
Below, Jones shared the lessons she’s learned from the fitness world and brought to the fashion industry, SheWarrior’s commitment to giving back and what makes boxing so special.
What initially drew you to the fashion and the fitness industries? Have you always loved them both?
I’ve always loved both industries to be honest with you. Fashion is something I’ve always been drawn to since I was a kid. And even with fitness, I was drawn to it as a child as well. Health and wellness and sports — I’ve always loved it. Even before I was into fashion, I was a personal trainer, and I basically have done every kind of fitness craze there has been. I’ve tried out everything, so it has always been my thing.
What makes boxing so unique from other kinds of exercise?
With boxing, I think it’s unique in that it’s a total body [exercise]. Everything is engaged, from your core to your legs, your glutes and your arms. And then there’s the mental aspect of boxing as well. It’s the technique, it’s a stress reliever and it’s kind of like an all-in-one thing for me. So I think boxing just covers everything across the board.
What have you learned from boxing that you have taken with you in starting your own business?
I would say that from boxing I’ve learned to take my time. Being married to a professional fighter, he knows more about boxing than I will ever know — I always say he’s forgotten more than I will ever know. But from him and from the other fighters in the gym, I’ve learned to take things slow, to really [understand] one technique and get the basics down before I try to move on to something else. I think I’ve transitioned and taken that into my business as well because I don’t just jump into things; I try to make sure that I understand something before I move on to the next aspect. I think that before [boxing], I could be more like, “Hurry, hurry, I want to get to the goal. I want to get to the finish line.” But now I’ve slowed things down a bit, and I’ve found that things work out for the better that way.
Can you share your commitment to sustainability and how SheWarrior embodies this mission?
It was important to me when I started SheWarrior that the brand is sustainable. When I started to do my research, I knew about the impact that certain industries have on the environment, but in all honesty, I was not aware of the impact of fashion … I wasn’t aware of how much waste and negative impact the fashion industry has had on the environment. I didn’t want to contribute to that, so it was important for me to establish sustainability within my brand, to be conscious of the environment and to have more of a positive impact.
What have you found to be the most rewarding in SheWarrior’s partnership with the KlaasKids Foundation?
We’ve worked with [the KlaasKids Founda- tion to provide] donations and things like that from the beginning. It was important for me because one of the things that has always been close to my heart is children. I have children of my own. Anytime someone’s freedom is taken from them — children, men and women — it is one of the most detrimental, heart-wrenching things that could happen. Any organization that fights against that is one I’m more than willing to help in any type of way because I think [the removal of freedoms] is one of the worst things. Working with [the KlaasKids Foundation] has been really reward- ing, and I try to align myself with organizations that are like them.
What is the most exciting part of merging fashion with fitness?
I work out almost every day, and it’s great to wear something I’ve designed and something that I’m proud of — a quality product that is sustainable, feels good and is squat-proof. It’s kind of like both of my loves are married together: fashion with fitness, fitness with fashion.
What does confidence mean to you?
I would say that confidence means not necessarily being completely sure or unafraid but still moving ahead and trying despite [uncertainty]. Having the confidence to pursue something even though you may have doubts, even though there’s some fear there — you still have the confidence to pursue it and to not be afraid of failure.
What’s coming next for SheWarrior?
We’re in talks regarding some retail-type things, so I want to be able to expand my e-commerce platform and get into retail stores. Those are some of my goals moving forward with SheWarrior.
