Makkoy got featured in the Telegraph Newspaper a couple weeks ago. Wanted to share the interview with you. I hope my story would inspire you to take action in life and on your fitness journey. Many thanks to Lanre Odukoya for such an awesome and candid interview.
You were first of all an electrical engineer and then you made a career detour to fitness practice, what informed this?
Honestly, my passion for fitness came from my frustration with it. Though I had not bothered with any physical activities most of my life I had been relatively slim. I was proud to tell people I never worked out whenever it came up. You know the whole “I naturally look like this” deal. Haha. My stamina was zero because even if I tried, I could not run to save my life, but like most “skiny fat” people, I figured as long as I looked good I had nothing to worry about.
Fast-forward to 5 years ago when I met my wonderful husband. The Kilos just started piling on. People called it the love weight. I became chunky and was very unhappy with how I looked and felt, so I made my first attempt at getting fit. 2 hour gym sessions (no clue what I was doing) and dieting- which really meant eating “disgusting” foods because they must be better but I saw no results. I was so upset. I had more than 3 rounds of these attempts over 2 years, sometimes I even gained weight in the process and eventually I got fed up.
I then decided to do things differently, the engineer in me kicked in. I wanted to know how my body REALLY worked, and how to get it to do exactly what I wanted. I started out reading a lot about the body and different aspects of fitness. Then I enrolled in the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America(AFAA) Fitness Instructor program to dive even deeper. Initially, I did not even plan to get certified I just wanted to learn… such a nerd! Haha
The more I learned, the more upset I got. The body is so simple and it follows very basic principles. I discovered that the fitness industry makes so much more money if they keep individuals confused and that was what birthed Makkoy. The joy, satisfaction and confidence that clients have at the end of the 6 week Ignition program gives me more fulfillment than words can explain. I am still the same old laid back me, so for me to be in the fitness industry, trust me, it really must be simple!
What was even your earliest influence into engineering?
I went to secondary school at Adesoye College Offa(ACO). I was there for 6 years and had the best memories and friends that are still close to me today. My first few years, I was not considered very sharp. HAHAHA. I was lazy and scoring 90s on a test was just fascinating to me. Who does that?! But I am that person, who will do ANYHING I put my mind to. On my JSCE I had like 7 Cs.(Don’t judge me!) I saw my results and was like oh well. Then I saw one of my teachers and he said “Great job Morenike!”. Wait what?? I was confused “ Is that all this man thinks I am capable of. That was the first straw. So usually, in your 4th year, you get a choice “Arts or Sciences”. I automatically went the Art’s route.
I was in literature class that day, it was second term, and the teacher made a joke or something. I responded with some snooty comment, along the lines of “I don’t have to be here, I can be a science student if I want” He laughed so hard! It was too insulting. (Laughing hard). I had already missed a term of science classes but I marched out of the class and to the Vice principals office “I want to change to science”. He looked confused, tried to talk me out of it, then eventually said he would call my parents
A week or so later he told me he had talked to my parents and they said I could switch believing that I could do it. Of all the decisions my parents ever made for me, this one definitely changed my life. The challenge was fire in my belly! I got notes from friends, made my own notes and studied my butt off. During the process I fell madly in love with Physics and Math’s which eventually influenced my decision to become an Electrical Engineer. By graduation, I went from 7 Cs in JSCE to all distinctions in SSCE. Take that! J.
Did you not feel odd out studying electrical engineering, a field mostly dominated by the opposite sex?
That is such a good question because I am struggling to answer it. Truth is, I never felt odd. Yes, I was the only Black female electrical engineer in my graduating class but it did not define me. I had some of the smartest course mates and there were a few other female EEs. I put in my work to get what was mine and it didn’t matter if I was a guy or chick doing it… The real question was if I was good at it. And *cough cough*, I was 🙂
Now, there were some typical things that guys found interesting that was not my cup of tea plus on the other end, I stayed dolled up. So even if I was an EE major, I was a darn cute one. Haha.
Is your newly-found passion going to be more rewarding?
Oh very much so. It already is! Your opinion of the person you see in the mirror each day can really define who you are. So every time I help someone rebuild their confidence, feel better, improve their perception of themselves it is an amazing feeling! Helping a client get healthy and fit truly gives joy and fulfillment that words can’t explain and that fulfillment exceeds anything I had experienced in the past.
Is anything wrong achieving fitness through dieting and gym routines?
That is such a vague question. What does that even mean? I say that to say this, if you understand how your body works, you will be able to build a fitness routine that fits into your life and is sustainable. It’s not about setting impossible rules for you to meet. “Oh now that I want to lose weight, I will not eat after 7, no more rice, fufu or Banga soup, I will be at the gym 7 days a week and I will spend 1 hour minimum”
This is why people hate the idea of getting fit. They feel like they cannot enjoy anything anymore and they must punish themselves. On the contrary the body is so much simpler than that. This is where I come in. In the Ignition program we work to make small changes that create big results. I had a wrap-up meeting with one of my clients who lives in Abuja yesterday and she goes “Moren! I have lost 6kg! in 6 weeks?!, wow,, I just cannot believe this, that with that effort I put in, I lost that much. Forget the weight even Moren, I have dropped 2 dress sizes!” My soul was happy to hear it and that is what it’s all about.
Don’t get me wrong, it requires effort and commitment but it is definitely not as complicated as most people make it seem.
How does the Makkoy Ignition Program work?
The Makkoy Ignition program is a 6-12 week fitness program designed to help clients reach their fitness goals with ease and sustain them. It is renowned for Knowledge Empowerment, Exercise training & Food Dissection
Unlike many other programs, the makkoy ignition program is not extreme on either exercise or food. All meetings are via skype or facetime so they are super convenient. Based on lessons learned during weekly coaching sessions, clients learn how to balance various aspects of fitness. For most clients, exercise is not even required within the first 2 weeks of the 6 week program! That is what I mean when I say we learn how to make small changes that go a long way.
Throughout the program, I do not make clients cut out any foods or workout a certain way; instead they build their lifestyle and determine the changes that make sense for them based on their learnings. What that does is that it makes fitness a lifestyle rather than a crash course. Life will always happen, and understanding the basics allows you to adjust and change your fitness routine as it happens. So you always know how to get the results you want whether you change jobs, have a baby, move to a new city or whatever.
What has been the most exciting feedback you’ve got from a client?
Oh I have so many of these! But I think one of my favorites was from a client I had who started her program exactly 6 weeks before her planned trip to Vegas. In our first meeting, she told me she used to be a dancer when she was younger. She was so confident and never had a problem with her body. As she grew older she stopped dancing and had gained a weight. She had been working tirelessly to try to lose it but nothing seemed to work so her friend to her about Makkoy and she figured she would give it a shot.
In our wrap up meeting she was so excited and grateful “Moren thank you soo much! Like thank you, this program was much more than I expected. I have lost 4kg in 6 weeks! I feel so much better, I don’t wake up feeling uncomfortable. I have so much energy throughout the day. I feel awesome and I have dropped a dress size!” She went on and on about it and this was where it got real “Moren, I have not worn a swimming suit since I stopped dancing. I was always so disgusted by my body… Moren I bought a swimming suit for my trip to Vegas! OMG!” My heart melted!
Are you bringing the expertise back to use in your motherland, Nigeria and how soon?
That is exactly the plan! We already work with clients in Nigeria. Like I mentioned earlier, all meetings are through Skype or Facetime so they are very convenient. So it does not matter where you are located in the world, you can join the Makkoy crew as long as you have an internet connection.
Will your services not only be sought by the privileged few if you plan to bring your expertise to Nigeria?
The Makkoy Ignition Program is at a really good price point. It is personalized and includes food dissection, exercise training, one on one weekly meetings where you learn vital aspects of fitness and unlimited consulting which means we chat as often as you want; For most people it ends up being a few times a week. It also includes weekly goals that are designed just for you. These goals build on each other from week to week and this is how you see great results.
That being said, at our current price point we have clients at all levels, from students to top executives. So I believe that Makkoy will work for individuals from all works of life. Truth be told, you would actually pay a lot more for most other fitness programs and not get a quarter of the services we provide.
What other things excite you about life?
Forgive me for being corny… but my awesome hubby, Ife!! Haha. He is literally the best thing since sliced bread and has been such a huge rock and support for me. Every time my dreams are not big enough he kicks it up a notch and to have him has a partner in everything words cannot explain!
I also seriously believe that everything I go through in life is for several reasons, but one main reason is so that I can help someone else who will go through it. So my life experiences are very priceless to me. Family, building memories, helping people and giving people hope… to me, that’s what life is all about.
Do you love travelling? Where around the world have you found most enchanting?
I lovvvveee traveling! Growing up, my parents did such a great job making sure we had great vacations. It really didn’t matter where we were, as long as Mum, Dad, my brothers and sister were there, it was bound to be an awesome time with great memories. And now that is now a big part of our life..
My favorite place so far will have to be South Africa- Johannesburg, Costa Rica, the Bahamas. Ok I couldn’t pick one! Haha
Are you a fashion freak? What are your best fashion items?
May be not fashion freak but geez, I love to look good! Haha. I don’t particularly have “best fashion items” because everything I wear looks different each time. I think it’s all about how you put things together, your hair, makeup; it’s the whole package that makes it work. Now I’ll say this, I do love to be comfortable, and my favorite types of clothes are dresses… Because you don’t quite have to deal with what top or what bottom to pair it with, you jump straight to the shoes and accessories! Not too much extra thought needed. Haha.
Around the world, who would you rather call your role model and why?
My mum! See my Mum is a pretty amazing woman I have never met anyone that sees life like she does. She finds a way to be encouraged when there is nothing to smile about. She always knows God is in control. She tries to fix herself before asking the next person to change. She finds the sweetest way to say the most annoying things “Moren darling, you’re looking so pretty… when are you going to fix your hair” When she knows I just got it done but she doesn’t like it. haha. She never speaks negative into her situation, so much so that one of the things I admire most…She never called any of us a negative name… Her worst was “You’re not silly in Jesus name” She is such a strong woman and has been the best mum, the best wife and the best friend, I wish everyone would get a chance to learn from her like I have
Would you give a glimpse into your childhood?
My parents have been married for about 30 years now and I think they did such an amazing job of raising us. When I think of having my own kids, I ponder on how my parents were able to be so liberal yet so strict, or how we got so much but somehow were not spoiled. Not to brag on my siblings or anything (I totally am!) but they are such amazing people. I have an older brother, a little, well not so little sister, and a younger brother. I was really going to say baby, but he is so grown! They are kind loving and would give their arm if you needed it.
Growing up, my parents didn’t have that many friends and so our family was everything. I loved it! We built so many awesome memories. Everyone always knew that no matter what happened in life, family would be there for you. It is amazing how much that has stuck and how as adults everyone is still so encouraging and supportive of each person’s goals and dreams.
Growing up was awesome; I pray I can give my kids the same!
Wow