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Graduated from MXC

Graduated with an Associate in Arts in psychology.

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Enrolled in the PFT Program

Jumped into a one-semester long Personal Fitness Trainer program.

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Begins Moetion Fitness

Begins her personal fitness training business.

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Fitness is Tyla Allen’s passion. Thanks to Malcolm X College’s Personal Fitness Trainer program, her passion is now making her money.

Tyla was very familiar with Malcolm X College before beginning the Personal Fitness Trainer program. She received an Associate in Arts in psychology from the school in 2020, she won a regional championship with the Malcolm X College Lady Hawks and was also a basketball coach at the college. According to Tyla, joining the program in the fall of 2023 was a no-brainer.

She jumped into the five-month-long program with excitement and determination, sometimes staying at school from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The rigorous, one-semester-long program included both lab and classroom work. In the classroom, students studied kinesiology and anatomy, learning about the bones and muscles and how they work. In lab, students used the weights and equipment in the brand-new, state-of-the-art Sports Performance Lab to learn different exercises and ways to train the muscles. Students also got the opportunity to train Malcolm X students and faculty to apply what they were learning in class.

The entire experience was transformative for Tyla. Personal Fitness Trainer program director LaMarr Magnus played a big role in that experience.

“[Director Magnus] told me everything I need to know about the business,” she said. “Throughout the semester, he gave me tips on how to train and he really supported me.”

Magnus is proud of all his student has accomplished.

“[Tyla] has a very focused and determined attitude,” he said. “She wants to learn and will do anything to succeed.”

Tyla also found support from the Star Scholarship and Project MPACT during her time at Malcom X. The scholarship is awarded to Chicago Public Schools seniors who graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. It allowed Tyla to receive her associate in arts at no cost. In addition, Tyla maintained a strong GPA and became a member of many scholar programs including Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, One Million Degrees (OMD), and Transfer Scholars.  Tyla says the scholarships have been vital for her success.

“The Star Scholarship and Project MPACT allowed me to really focus on my academics and not on financial aid. They really just helped me get to the next level,” she said. “Not only does City Colleges provide scholarships, but they also provide support, mentorship, and resources to help us move forward.”

Tyla now has her own personal fitness training business called “Moetion Fitness.” She trains three clients at Precision Human Performance and has the availability to train more.

In addition to her business, Tyla will be a student-athlete playing basketball at Roosevelt University in the fall. In the next three years, she wants to get a master’s degree in business, keep learning more about the fitness industry, and continue growing Moetion Fitness.

No matter where fitness takes Tyla, she’ll never forget that Malcolm X College is where she fell in love with the industry.

"Not only does City Colleges provide scholarships, but they also provide support, mentorship, and resources to help us move forward."

Tyla

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