more ABOUT US
Our journey began in 2020 when our Executive Director & Founder, LaShatá Grayson, realized no one should ever feel as alone as she did back in 2016. As a first-generation college student navigating life, LaShatá later found herself at a crossroads as a mid-level professional—where the hustle and bustle of her career caused her to lose sight of her own well-being. Climbing the ladder felt like success, but deep down, she recognized significant gaps in her holistic wellness. Balancing high achievement with self-care felt impossible.
As she began sharing her story, LaShatá discovered many others—especially women—were carrying the same burden. Colleagues and peers were trying to do it all, often without the support or community needed to prioritize their mental health and overall wellness.
In response, LaShatá launched a fitness community like Black Girls Who Lift and mental health workshops tailored for leaders. These gatherings quickly gained momentum, revealing a clear need for broader support and resources.
As demand grew, LaShatá leveraged her deep expertise in health, fitness, and mental health to create Carrying The Weight—an educational and wellness consulting agency dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve holistic well-being. Our core belief is simple: you can’t pour into others until you’ve learned to nurture and care for yourself. You should never have to figure it out alone.
At Carrying The Weight, we are committed to helping you find balance, reach your goals, and prioritize your health—mind, body, and spirit. Join us on this transformative journey toward holistic wellness, and together, we’ll lighten the load and thrive.
about carrying the weight
Rest. reclaim. rebuild.
meet our executive director
LASHATÁ GRAYSON
LaShatá Marie Grayson is a visionary Executive Director, dynamic speaker, and dedicated wellness advocate whose mission is clear: to walk alongside others as they navigate life’s complex and often overwhelming journey—ensuring no one ever feels alone in the process.
With a deep belief that life’s path is rarely linear and often layered with unseen challenges, LaShatá brings unwavering support, honesty, and compassion to every space she enters. She is a seasoned speaker, certified wellness coach, and a Level 1 CrossFit Coach, blending physical movement with mental and emotional resilience to create holistic wellness experiences that meet people where they are.
Her career spans over a decade of work in education—from primary classrooms to higher education and edtech. Her research centers on the health and well-being of today’s college students, exploring how access to health and wellness education can reshape personal and academic journeys.
In 2015, LaShatá began a personal transformation that changed everything. She lost over 70 pounds—but more importantly, she shed the internal weight that had been holding her back. That journey taught her that wellness is not just about the physical—it's mental, emotional, and spiritual too. She saw firsthand how many people are carrying silent burdens and how desperately they need spaces that allow them to lay those burdens down.
Now, she uses her story to empower others—especially leaders—to embrace the beauty of carrying the weight, to pull back the layers, and to show up fully in their lives and work. Through immersive training, storytelling, and wellness coaching, LaShatá equips people to lead from a place of alignment and authenticity.
For LaShatá, this isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. She’s here to make sure that no one has to walk through the hard stuff alone.