Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kerlyn (aka Dr. Kerleen) Joseph.
Hi Dr. Kerlyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Yes, of course. Born in America to immigrant parents from Haiti, I was raised at the intersection of two worlds, rooted in the richness, resilience, and traditions of Haitian culture while embracing the possibility, ambition, and optimism of the American experience. That duality has shaped the way I see the world and informs everything I create.
I am a multifaceted creative, educator, author, and woman of faith with a deep desire to help others step fully into their God given potential. I hold a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University and have spent more than 14 years in education, cultivating spaces where learning, personal growth, and purpose intersect.
In July of 2025, I became a published author with the release of Align & Reign, a devotional created for the busy woman who desires a deeper relationship with God but often struggles to make space for it. The 30 day devotional pairs reflection and scripture with guided journaling, offering an intentional pause for women to reconnect with their faith in the midst of everyday life.
A little known fact about me is that I am also a singer. Music has always been another creative expression for me, and I have released music under the artist name Ker-leen. My most recent work is a song titled L4Y, available on iTunes. Singing allows me to explore another dimension of creativity and storytelling while connecting with people in a completely different way. Beyond my work, I am a wife to my high school sweetheart, Joe, and a mother of three. These roles continually remind me that purpose is not something reserved for the classroom, the boardroom, or the stage. It is woven into the everyday moments of our lives.
That philosophy is at the heart of Fitness Princess, the company I founded to create a space where faith, fitness, and community can coexist. Through fitness and faith centered events, resources, and apparel, Fitness Princess is becoming a growing community of women from all walks of life who recognize that our relationship with our Creator is the foundation from which everything else flows.
For me, faith was never meant to be confined to a Sunday, a building, or a particular activity. It belongs in the way we move, the way we care for ourselves, the way we show up for others, and the way we pursue our purpose. Fitness Princess is an invitation to embrace a more holistic way of being, one that strengthens the body, nourishes the spirit, and reminds women that they can pursue wellness, creativity, and ambition without losing sight of what matters most.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly not been a smooth road, but I have learned to see the obstacles as part of the story rather than evidence that I was not meant to succeed.
Growing up as the daughter of Haitian immigrants, resources were not always abundant. My parents worked multiple jobs to give my siblings and me the best life they could, and I learned very early that you can build something meaningful even when you do not start with much. Their sacrifice instilled in me a strong work ethic, resilience, and an appreciation for every opportunity I have been given.
As I progressed professionally, I also experienced the frustration of being overlooked for positions and opportunities for which I was qualified. At times, I believe race and gender played a role in those decisions. Those experiences were difficult because rejection can make you question your value, even when you know you have earned your seat at the table. Over time, however, I learned not to allow someone else’s decision to define my capacity or my calling.
Today, one of my biggest challenges is building Fitness Princess with limited resources. I have a vision for what this community can become and a deep conviction that there are women who need what we are creating. The challenge is having the financial resources, visibility, and reach to get Fitness Princess in front of those women.
But if there is one thing my journey has taught me, it is that limited resources do not have to mean a limited vision. I come from parents who built a life for their children through sacrifice, perseverance, and faith. I carry that same spirit with me. So while the road has not been easy, every challenge has strengthened my resolve to keep building, keep creating, and keep believing in what is possible.
We’ve been impressed with Fitness Princess LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Fitness Princess LLC is a faith and wellness brand built around a simple but powerful idea: wellness is about more than the body. We believe that caring for ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually creates a more holistic approach to living. At the center of that philosophy is our relationship with God.
Fitness Princess creates experiences and resources that bring faith, fitness, and community together. We host events that pair movement with meaningful spiritual connection, including experiences such as Grace & Strength, which combines Bible study, reflection, community, and accessible workouts. We also provide resources and apparel designed to encourage women to live out their faith and wellness journeys beyond the walls of a church or the four walls of a gym.
What sets Fitness Princess apart is that we are not simply a fitness brand with faith messaging added to it. Faith is foundational to who we are. We want women to understand that their relationship with God can be integrated into every part of their lives, including how they move their bodies, care for themselves, build community, and pursue their goals.
I am especially proud of the community we are beginning to build. Fitness Princess is designed for women from all walks of life and all fitness levels. You do not have to be an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or theologian to belong. You simply have to be a woman who wants to grow, move, connect, and become more intentional about her life and her relationship with God.
As a founder, I am also proud that Fitness Princess is deeply connected to my own story. My background as an educator, creative, author, woman of faith, wife, and mother has shaped the brand into something that feels bigger than fitness. It is about helping women become strong in every sense of the word.
Fitness Princess is still a growing company, officially established in 2025, but the vision is much bigger than where we are today. I envision Fitness Princess becoming a recognizable lifestyle community where women can find encouragement, authentic connection, movement, faith based resources, and products that reflect who they are.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that Fitness Princess is not about striving for perfection. It is about alignment. It is about bringing our faith in Jesus into the way we live, move, lead, create, and care for ourselves. We want to remind women that they can be strong and feminine, ambitious and grounded, physically fit and spiritually nourished. We are building a community where women can pursue their fullest lives without having to separate their faith from the rest of who they are.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is knowing that I am living in my purpose and using what I have been given to serve my family, encourage others, and create something meaningful. I love inspiring people to find beauty and possibility in the small, sometimes mundane moments of everyday life while also reminding them that they are allowed to dream bigger for themselves. And I genuinely love connecting with people deeply. There is something incredibly fulfilling about making someone feel seen, encouraged, or inspired.
Fitness is a huge part of my life and one of the ways I feel most grounded and empowered. I love weight training and bodybuilding, and I currently lift four days a week in addition to taking heated Pilates. There is something incredibly rewarding about challenging my body, getting stronger, and discovering what I am capable of physically. Fitness is not just about how I look; it has become an important part of how I cultivate discipline, confidence, and wellness.
I am also happiest when I am creating. That can look very different depending on the day. I love making music and performing, writing, creating content, and exploring new ideas. I have a very playful, feminine side too. At my core, I am a girly girl. I love shopping until I drop, getting dressed up, and going out for a beautiful dinner. I believe there is something special about embracing those little pleasures that make life feel beautiful.
And then there is fragrance, which has become its own creative outlet and community for me. Every week, I share my love of perfume with my YouTube fragrance family on my channel, Dr. Kerleen, where I talk about fragrances, discover new releases, and connect with fellow fragrance lovers. What started as a passion has become a wonderful way for me to build community and share another part of my personality.
Ultimately, happiness for me is a full life: faith, family, fitness, creativity, beauty, connection, and the freedom to dream. I do not believe women have to choose between being serious and being playful, ambitious and feminine, or purposeful and having fun. I want to experience all of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fitnessprincess.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessprincesswellness/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.kerleen
