13 Motivational Quotes to Celebrate Black History Month

It’s Black History Month! And to celebrate we’ve put together 13 of the of our favorite motivational quotes. While obviously these weren’t said about working out and eating right exactly, they were all said to inspire and share universal truths — and we think they totally relate. So get ready to have some healthy wisdom dropped on ya!

13 Black History Month Quotes That’ll Motivate You

“There’s always something to suggest that you’ll never be who you wanted to be. Your choice is to take it or keep on moving.” —Phylicia Rashad

Why we love it: You can’t listen to the naysers or even your very own self doubts when it comes to your life and your choices. In each moment, you get the opportunity to choose what step to take next. So choose to be the best version of you, no matter what anyone says. Take the next healthy step!

“Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals.” —Dorothy Height

Why we love it: It’s not just about the to-dos checked off your list or the race times or the number on the scale. Instead, it’s about everything you’ve done and fought through to make your dreams come true. It’s about the journey!

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” —Rosa Parks

Why we love it: Fear is a powerful beast that does horrendous things to a healthy soul. It keeps us from growing, expanding and thriving. There’s power in knowing without a doubt you HAVE to do something. You HAVE to get healthy. You HAVE to find peace. You HAVE to live the life you’ve dreamed of. Resolve gets you everywhere; fear doesn’t stand a chance.

“The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself — the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us — that’s where it’s at.” —Jesse Owens

Why we love it: Getting healthy and being your best isn’t just about the changes you see on the outside; it’s about the stuff on the inside, too. It’s facing fears, treating yourself like your very own best friend and having the courage to go after your best life every single darn day.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” —Harriet Tubman

Why we love it: We are the dreamers of dreams … I’m referring to those who write for FBG and those who read it. We’re the folks who know dreams/thoughts/ideas can lead to amazing (fill in the blank). We love this one most especially because it gives the secret ingredients to dreams fulfilled — strength plus patience plus passion can do wonders for the soul.

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” —Booker T. Washington

Why we love it: It’s not about how fast of a runner you are or how many push-ups you can do or how fit foodie of a meal you can create. It’s about the process and journey of working your way to doing and being your best. It’s about running your own race.

“Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable.” –Janelle Monáe

Why we love it: It’s so easy to get wrapped into what you ‘should’ look like and who you ‘should’ act like, but the things that make you unique — both in your body and your personality? Well, those are worth celebrating and loving.

“The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within — strength, courage, dignity.” —Ruby Dee

Why we love it: We’re hard-core advocates of inner beauty and strength if you haven’t already guessed that from prior posts. We’ve learned first hand that true happiness, health and wellness starts from the inside, and works its way out.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” —Martin Luther King Jr.

Why we love it: We run marathons and beast out triathlons. We say, “Why not?!” to mud runs and obstacle courses aplenty. We take lots of first steps and have learned that they lead to some pretty cool places. What step can you take now that’ll lead to a healthier staircase tomorrow?

“As you become more clear about who you are, you’ll be better able to decide what is best for you — the first time around.” —Oprah

Why we love it: Don’t we all know it! We take pride in taking care of and nurturing our true selves here at FBG. Being strong women means doing the work. You do the work for long enough and you start to make some pretty groovy decisions about your future wellness that come easier and easier with practice and over time. Doesn’t Queen O always say, “If you know better, you do better”? God, we love us some Oprah!

“Hey, I’m going to be. No matter what I do. If I eat sushi and dance an Irish jig, that’s black, because I’m doing it.” —Jacquetta Szathmari

Why we love it: This quote comes from one of THE best books, How to Be Black. In a world that’s changing by the tweeting second, it’s good to see so many variations and expressions of “blackness.” I (this is Tish!) am a black woman totally and completely sans boxes. I do me all day every day, and I love that more and more people are encouraging that liberty in being. I swear I read Jacquetta’s quote and put my hand in the air for a long distance high-five. I don’t know her, but I would do an Irish jig with her any day of the week! You never know; it could be the new Zumba.

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” —Langston Hughes

Why we love it: Like we said previously, we’re all about dreaming and encouraging those dreams. It was our dream to change the dialogue on health and fitness. We dreamed of a day when diet would turn into a four-letter word. When “fat” and “skinny” would appear in the same banned-words list. We dreamed all that, and we’re still dreaming of a better day in the world of fitness. We promise to keep hanging on to those dreams.

“A woman needs someone she can trust, someone who laughs when she laughs, but who has different ideas so she can learn from and teach to them. She needs someone who will stand up with her and encourage her to be a woman—not just a female. See where you are, admit what you know, and what you need, and search for a sister friend.” —Maya Angelou

Why we love it: Gosh, I (this is Jenn!) wrote a whole post on why this quote is so amazing. Be a good friend, share your story and keep good company, and there’s no doubt that you’ll go farther than you dreamed — and have a damn good time in the process!

What motivational quote would you add to help celebrate Black History Month? —Tish & Jenn