Our next Femme Voices interview is with Cameil Ross of SealedClutch. Cameil is a fitness instructor who is dedicated to making sure that her clients not only get fit but that they have fun during the process. She does a great job of making those who work with her feel at ease and comfortable as she guides them through the steps it takes to live a more active lifestyle. As a fashion lover, Cameil uses her personal style and passion for fitness to create a brand that speaks to many different people and, most importantly, best represents herself.
Read on to learn more about Cameil and SealedClutch!
Please introduce yourself. What is your name? Where are you located? What are your pronouns and how do you identify?
Hi! I’m Cameil Ross, I’m located in Brooklyn, NY. My pronouns are she/her and I identify as a Lesbian.
How long have you been working in the fitness field? How/why did you start?
I’ve been working in fitness for about 7 years now. I started SealedClutch after trying tons of fad diets and failed weight loss attempts. I was doing almost anything I would read in a magazine or that a coworker would mention. Then, I decided to start a weight loss challenge in the office I was working at during that time. I’m wildly competitive so I was determined not to lose lol!
Throughout the two months of the challenge, I learned A LOT about my body. I learned that I can gain muscles easier than it is for me to burn body fat. I learned that I really enjoy the “hard” workouts that most of my peers at the time didn’t.
So at the end of the two-month challenge, I lost 20 pounds, I won the challenge and SEALEDCLUTCH was born! I started to train people on the side and decided to become certified. Shortly after, I began training full time! Today, I curate special events such as “Burpees & Bubbly,” “Yoga & Wine,” “Stiletto Sweat Session,” as well as conduct personal one-on-one training in my own studio.
In your Instagram bio, you call yourself a “Fitness Vibe Creator” and also a “Fashion lover”. As a personal trainer, how do you integrate your love of fashion into your business?
It’s weird because those who follow me on social media know that I have a love for both things but I don’t go out of my way to prove that on a daily basis. During my sessions, I wear whatever moves me. The same applies to when I am not training. I think my personal style just emits thru whatever I decide to wear at the moment.
These days, creativity and entrepreneurship play a big part in peoples’ professional careers. Would you agree and how has this affected you?
Yes! I would definitely agree! I think what sets me apart from other trainers is my special fitness events that bring the “fun” aspect to fitness! Whether it be “Burpees & Bubbly” (which is basically a fitness brunch party) or my “Stiletto Sweat Session”, I find a way to have fun with fitness! It’s a blessing being known as the innovator of these things.
Does what you do make you feel like a part of a bigger community? If so, what is your biggest/most important contribution to this community?
My clients come from all walks of life, from different sexual identities, races, age, and genders. I try my best to make people feel at home when training with me. In doing so, I’m able to relate to everyone. It makes my clients feel more open to converse and therefore open up dialogue and exchange ideas.
My sexuality has never been a secret nor have I ever hid it. I often times find myself having open and candid conversations with hetero clients who feel comfortable asking questions they never thought they would be able to and I help them understand that sexuality does not have a “face” or a “type”. I’m just like you but this is also a part of who I am.
The Glam Femme seeks to explore the multi-dimensionality of queer women and folks of color. In what ways would you consider yourself multi-dimensional, if at all?
Well, my brand “Sealedclutch” is actually a synonym for “Closed Group” because, at the beginning of my fitness journey, I felt that many of the women I knew who were into fashion were definitely not into fitness so I created this “closed group” of people who can effortlessly do both. Layer on top of that the fact that people have misconceptions of what a lesbian woman “should look like” and I’m just here to break that notion down as well.
What is your favorite or most effective self-care method?
I’m an introvert at heart, so alone time to think, write, plan, burn sage, and listen to music is my ideal form of self-care!
What are you most proud of about yourself and what you have accomplished?
I’m proud that I am able to help and guide people on their journey thru fitness!
Do you have any upcoming projects or goals?
I will continue to do all of my fun fitness events! Stay tuned for the next boot camp classes and the upcoming “Burpees & Bubbly”!
How can we learn more about your services/contact you/etc.?
I am very active on my Instagram @sealedclutch and all services and classes can be found on my website www.sealedclutch.com.
