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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis native is turning her passion for her hometown into an opportunity to empower women and encourage them to prioritize both their mental and physical health
Janerika Owens, a professional sports journalist and Ridgeway High School graduate, created Panels & Pilates. It’s an event designed to bring Memphis women together for meaningful conversations, community and wellness
“I feel like Memphis has so much backlash,” Owens said. “You see a lot of people speak on our town, but we have a light within our community.”
Owens said the event is also a way to highlight the strength and sense of community she believes makes Memphis special
“Memphis is not a violent city. We stick together, we have a lot of community events, and we are all family at the end of the day,” she said
Owens initially dreamed of becoming a meteorologist. While attending Clark Atlanta University, however, her career path shifted toward sports journalism
Her work eventually put her around some of the country’s top athletes
She interned with the Atlanta Hawks, later worked with the Atlanta Falcons and went on to cover the Georgia Bulldogs as an SEC reporter
Owens said those experiences taught her the importance of having a safe space to talk about mental health
“A lot of my friends were top five draft picks, and I was their interviewer,” she said. “I was their safe place where they felt comfortable.”
Being around elite athletes also showed her how closely mental and physical health can be connected
“I’m around a lot of athletes, and the biggest conversation we always have is taking care of mental health and taking care of their bodies,” Owens said
Now, she’s bringing that message home to Memphis
Panels & Pilates combines conversations about life and mental health with a Pilates workout focused on physical wellness
The event will be hosted at the Mercedes-Benz of Collierville
Owens said she wanted to create a space where women could connect with one another and learn from each other’s experiences
“I want this event to be a place and setting where we can come together and find out about one another,” she said
Mental health therapist Jaques Tolbert, Owens’ cousin, will also participate in the panel
Tolbert said Pilates can complement the same skills therapists often encourage people to develop when managing stress and emotions
“Pilates teaches strength, balance, control and breathing,” Tolbert said. “As a therapist, those are the skills that we teach people to manage their stress, regulate their emotions and just become a better person.”
For Tolbert, participating in the event is also a chance to support her cousin
“She is an inspiration for young women who are coming up,” Tolbert said. “She is the definition of not giving up on her dreams.”
Owens hopes Panels & Pilates will become more than a one-time event
Her goal is to bring the experience back to Memphis in the future, giving women another opportunity to focus on themselves, build connections and support one another
For Owens, the effort is also personal
“I feel like my hometown has poured so much into me,” she said. “It’s just right to give back.”
The inaugural Panels & Pilates event is scheduled for Sunday at Mercedes-Benz of Collierville
Owens said the event gained significant interest after being announced last month and has already reached capacity
She hopes to bring Panels & Pilates back to Memphis for another event in the future
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