As a child, Ishakamusa “Sha” Mualimm-Ak was rooted in his parents’ WuShu Academy of Physical Fitness and Martial Arts in the South Bronx. Sha watched his father, Abu Bakr (popularly known as Sijo) instill in students young and old that embracing health, fitness and community is fundamental to shaping happy families and individuals. Both his mother and father were martial artists and freedom fighters. Beyond them, Sha’s mentors included athletes and coaches from across the country and around the world.

At age 15, Sha was already teaching youth classes, practicing parkour and gymnastics and researching techniques for strength and conditioning. He went on to compete in the Sport Parkour League and received certification through NASM as a personal trainer and with USA Parkour and USA Gymnastics as a certified coach. Now, with almost 20 years of professional experience, he mindfully blends global professional insights with foundational experiences as he works with clients of all ages and abilities to build stronger bodies and more resilient minds. 

Since everyone has different starting points and goals, Sha provides a free consultation to create a customized plan. Clients can choose from in-studio, online and in-home personal training sessions, with discounts on packages. He also leads workshops that include Functional Strength and Mobility, Youth Team Programs and Adult Bootcamps that include elements of fitness, parkour and self-defense, allowing each student to hone skills from the ground up.

Sha’s resilient, patient mindset and high internal motivation make him an exceptionally effective trainer, as well as his personal values for discipline and forward planning (developed through martial arts and competitive athletics from a young age). By offering personalized guidance and recognizing the difficulty of lifestyle changes, his wisdom empowers students to own their progress and stay on track. He says that “use it or lose it” is scientifically sound advice for aging gracefully.

“I help individuals stay ahead of preventable health issues and address joint and nerve pain caused by muscular imbalances, overuse and injury,” says Sha. 

His general advice to people wanting to stay or get fit is to understand the nutrients they need at their stage of life and to find a form of movement they truly enjoy. “Strive to be your best self and live simply,” recommends Sha. His mission to carry on his parents’ legacy to create programs that positively impact communities worldwide.  As he works toward his legacy to make his family and ancestors proud, he finds joy on his path. 

“Seeing the transformation that occurs when individuals become masters of their own health always puts a smile on my face,” he says.