Eziaha Bolaji-Olojo studied pharmacy for 4 years at the University of Ibadan before being asked to withdraw from the faculty. She graduated with a 1st class degree in Sociology from the same university, emerging best graduating student in her class. Eziaha went on to obtain a Diploma in Health and Fitness, and a Diploma in Personal Nutrition, both from Shaw Academy, UK. She is also a Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist, certified by the American Fitness Professionals Association.
She talks to Connect Nigeria about her business, Coach E’Squad.
CN: How would you describe what you do as Coach E?
At CoachE’Squad, we serve Jesus and fitness to our world, we set fat on fire, and help you bring healthy back. It is important for us that you stay strong, healthy, and fit so you can be about your God-given assignments.
CN: How did you know you were meant to be doing this?
First, I lost 30kg in 4 months with God’s help, intense determination, and a lot of hard and smart work (if you send me a mail eziaha@eziaha.com, I can send you my free e-book telling that story). No pills, drugs, fad diets and the likes. Next, I started to help women for free and they were getting amazing results. Then next I knew God wanted to use this not just as a channel to help others but also bless me financially and wham, a business was birthed.
CN: Did you do a course for this, or did you learn “on the job”?
At first, I was my own guinea pig. I researched a lot and was applying it to my own weight loss journey which was giving me crazy results. However, when my business started, I knew I needed more so I went for knowledge. So far, in 2 years of running CoachE’Squad Ltd., I have a UK degree in Health & Fitness, Personal Nutrition, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT, which helps me understand the emotional aspect of this gig) and a US Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist certification. This one is huge because it is endorsed by the American Fitness Professionals Association. I just completed my Advanced Nutrition course and will be writing my exams in December. So, while I learn on the job, I also go for knowledge quite voraciously.
CN: What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Helping people fight the emotional and mental battles they need to win before results can happen. Very closely related to that is helping people stay motivated and giving their all for the long haul, not just the initial emotional “gragra” that quickly fades away when the rubber hits the road. Once I have helped them past these 2, results are guaranteed ultimately.
CN: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Phew. Results! We have helped hundreds of women lose weight and bring healthy back. Also, when I see women who have passed through my coaching adopt a healthier lifestyle beyond just weight loss, and even bring their family especially kids along for the ride, I am intensely joyful.
CN: Which form of exercise do you personally prefer?
I prefer cardio all day every day; I love to skip (I can do 5000 a day), run, and take long walks outdoors and on the treadmill. But cardio alone won’t give me the body of my dreams or the full benefits of exercising, so I have to do strength training too for those lean muscles, abs workouts and even general conditioning. So even though I don’t like it, I certainly have to incorporate all into my fitness routine.
One of many Coach E transformations.
CN: What makes Coach E unique? Why should potential clients choose you over other coaches?
I usually find it hard to answer this question because I think there is a Coach for everyone, and it won’t always be me. So, I would say if your spirit is fine with anyone and they know their onions, go for ‘em.
CN: Beyond coaching, in what other ways do you educate or support women?
Through my blog. I absolutely love to see strong chicks going hard after their passions and assignment even in the face of real battles from the enemy. It pains me to see women give up or live far below the level they are well able to. I mean, we have the Holy Spirit and the entire power that raised Christ living on our inside as Christians and that is not a give-up spirit. That is a go-through and whoop devil ass spirit, and I hope my blog teaches, and reminds women to be terrorists to the devil. Also, I am on assignment to stay-at-home moms helping them flip the unnecessary pity party for a fruitful party and we host regular meetings for them as well as try to encourage them via my Instagram handle @stayhomemoms.ng
CN: What common misconception about weight loss would you like to correct?
Fat runs in the family
We are fat in our family.
I find it hard to lose weight
Pregnancy/breastfeeding makes one fat.
In these cases, indiscipline is usually the culprit (plus a lack of patience) and I am living proof. I once thought fat was a thing in my family but I beat that. Also, with my first pregnancy, I gained 40kg but with my second, I gained less than 12kg.
CN: Which books have really made a difference in the way you think and live?
Oh gosh, we can’t even do this question because I have been an avid reader for at least 29 years —I am 32, so go figure. I’ll just share books that have made a difference recently, and a few old ones I can recall.
All of James Dobson’s books I have read on raising kids have made a huge difference in parenting my two boys.
Pastor Bimbo Odukoya and Pastors Kingsley and Mildred Okonkwo’s books and messages on marriage and relationships have helped mine.
Joyce Meyer and Christine Caine’s books and teachings have truly helped my faith and kept me on track even when I am no longer excited about an assignment.
Chris Carey’s Getting to Know You really introduced me to me at a young age, and 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teensby Sean Covey set me on track from my teenage years.
The Richest Man in Babylon and The Alchemist really helped my finances and savings culture.
Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy and Deep Work by Cal Newport have helped me stay productive.
Carly Fiorina’s biography,Tough Choices, really made a career impact on me.
And finally, the Bible gets my entire life all the way together every day and is the single most influential book in my life. I read it daily and I have a great relationship with it. I’m so thankful it has so many translations.
