Meet Eliza: Boston Fitness Founder, Kick It Creator, and Leader of the Fempire®

From college rec-center classes to a global fitness platform, Eliza Shirazi has built more than a workout — she’s built a movement. As the founder of Kick It by Eliza, Eliza has spent over 15 years creating a space where strength, rhythm, and confidence collide, with community always at the center.

We caught up with Eliza to talk about how Kick It began, the evolution of the Fempire®, training the next generation of instructors, and what’s ahead.

Q&A With Eliza Shirazi

1. Tell us your origin story! How did Kick It by Eliza begin?

Kick It actually started from failure. I grew up dancing, and when I got to college, I tried out for the dance team twice — and got cut twice. It was heartbreaking, but it also pushed me to find a new outlet that gave me what dance always had: community, movement, and creativity. I ended up taking a step aerobics class at the campus rec center, fell in love with the energy, and started teaching my second semester freshman year. And yes — it was called Kick It from the start! What started as a college rec class became the foundation for everything that exists today.

2. What inspired you to build a female-empowerment–focused fitness modality, and how has the Fempire® evolved from the early days?

From the beginning, I was less interested in creating the “hardest” workout and more interested in how people felt while doing it. I saw how powerful it was when women felt confident in their bodies, supported in a room, and free to move without judgment.

The Fempire® began as that feeling — people staying after class, hyping each other up, coming back week after week. Over time, it grew into a global virtual community, live events, instructor education, and certifications. The scale has changed, but the mission hasn’t: confidence first, community always.

3. Was there a moment when you realized Kick It was becoming something bigger than a class?

I always say my career has been a slow burn. I started teaching my freshman year of college in 2009, and every step since then has been a building block — different locations, different studios, different seasons of life. There wasn’t one viral moment or overnight shift; it was the consistency. When people kept showing up, when instructors wanted to carry the method forward, and when the community began to grow beyond a single room, I realized Kick It wasn’t just a class anymore — it was a platform built over time, with intention.

4. For someone who’s never taken Kick It by Eliza, how would you describe the experience?

Supportive. Athletic. Empowering.

5. What’s one misconception about kickboxing-inspired workouts that you wish more people understood?

That they’re aggressive or intimidating. Kick It is strong and athletic, but it’s also rhythmic, expressive, and incredibly welcoming.

6. What do you hope people walk away feeling after class?

More confident than when they walked in. More connected to themselves. And reminded that they’re capable of more than they think.

7. What has your journey been like creating the Kick It Certification, and how does it feel to be training the next generation of instructors?

Creating the certification has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. It’s not just about learning choreography — it’s about finding your voice, leading with presence, and holding space for others. Watching instructors grow into confident leaders in and out of the room is incredibly special.

8. What’s one piece of advice you give every new instructor in training stepping into their first class?

You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be present. People remember how you make them feel far more than the moves you teach.

9. What wellness or recovery practices help keep you grounded while balancing so many roles?

Daily movement that’s not performance-based, quiet morning routines, time outside, and protecting my nervous system. I’ve learned that rest and regulation are just as important as intensity.

10. If Kick It had a theme or mantra for 2026, what would it be? Any exciting things ahead?

2026 is about rooting down and refining. We’ve built something really special over the years, and this next chapter is focused on optimizing what already exists — deepening the community, strengthening our instructor education, and elevating the experience across virtual, in-person, and certification offerings.

There’s exciting growth ahead, but it’s intentional growth. Less about chasing what’s new, and more about doing what we do best — exceptionally well.

Quick Fire Questions

• Coffee or tea? Coffee

• Go-to hype song? Not just right now, but for life: Just Fine by Mary J. Blige 

• A wellness trend you’re into? I’m really into nervous-system regulation over burnout culture- prioritizing sustainability, recovery, and actually listening to your body instead of constantly pushing through it.

• If you weren’t in fitness, what career would you want to try? Broadcasting or storytelling — still centered around people and connection.

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From high-energy classes to instructor education and certification, Eliza continues to build spaces where confidence and community come first. You can take Kick It classes in Boston, join the global virtual community, or explore becoming a certified Kick It instructor through her training programs.

💥 Looking for more standout instructors and studios in Boston? Explore our Studio Directory to find your next class.