Meet Evad Ponder | President of AMPS Wellness

We had the good fortune of connecting with Evad Ponder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Evad, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
AMPS Wellness was started by Tamia Harrell, Raven Jeffress, and Evad Ponder, three friends from East Point, Georgia in May 2021. Tamia was interested in starting a group fitness program with Raven and I. Raven thought it would be great to incorporate mental and spiritual health as well, and I came up with the acronym A.M.P.S. for the Alignment of the Mental, Physical, and Spiritual. Our intentions are to inspire collective elevation and evolution by exploring the mind, strengthening the body and connecting to the soul. Tamia was in Atlanta for the summer coming home from Alabama State University (ASU), and Raven and I were on break from Georgia State University (GSU) also. We decided our business plan would be hosting weekly events that uplift ourselves and the community. We lead group yoga sessions, exercises, vision board parties and more. Working and collaborating with local business owners and creators is very important to us as support and solidarity is how we all rise. We became officially incorporated in October 2021 and have continued to build the foundation, growing in ambassadors at currently over 40. AMPS hopes to help amplify communities through self-improvement to fulfill our personal and collective potential.

What should our readers know about your business?
AMPS Wellness is a nonprofit organization focused on community health and development. A big inspiration for our business model is the Black Panther Party. We aim to create centers that bring neighborhoods together by encouraging group economics and providing opportunities for personal advancement. We believe by working to bring together individuals committed to bettering themselves, we can improve our environments. We understand that everyone’s journey is different and filled with highs and lows. By creating open spaces of love, truth, and wisdom, we can rehabilitate ourselves and step into our power. Currently we practice this by hosting weekly events in person or virtually, and often collaborating with others. We have been so proud to stay consistent and constantly expand our network and possibilities. Though we are only still at the beginning, obtaining our nonprofit 501(c)3 status took a lot of research, determination, investments, and faith! Starting a business is by no means easy and there are many risks you take. You truly must trust and commit to your vision and learn the required skills as well as work with well-informed people to ensure you’re taking the appropriate steps. Though it’s not a simple thing, we believe anyone with ambition and passion behind their ideas can start and run a successful business. Any challenges we faced, we overcame with perseverance, optimism, and sometimes improvisation. There have been times where Tamia, Raven, and I were overwhelmed with our responsibilities between school, work, bills, on top of our dreams, but we always receive a tremendous amount of support, and our teamwork holds us together. We are so grateful for the people who have been with us from the start. This experience has taught us true humility, marketing, business in general and how real manifestation is. AMPS is excited to create programs that focus on mental, physical, and spiritual wellness that we will provide as free services at local schools and businesses. There are two quotes that really represent the mission and purpose behind AMPS Wellness. One would be, “When ‘I’ is replaced with ‘We’, even ‘Illness’ becomes ‘Wellness'” by Malcolm X and the other, “One Love” from Bob Marley. It’s important that we are open to all people despite labels or identities. Love is greater than fear!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since AMPS Wellness has grown, we’ve gotten the opportunity to work with several people all over Atlanta and were introduced to many awesome spots around town. Raven Jeffress, our co-founder and current Vice President, use to work at I’m S.H.E. (Soul Healing Energy) crystal shop in the East Atlanta Village. They sell holistic items as well as reiki healing sessions, and we’ve had the opportunity to host a Chakra, Astrology, and Alchemy class there. We love to eat at Slutty Vegan for a healthy and delicious meal from a local entrepreneur. There’s a bar called Cigar Hookah Lounge in EAV that has good vibes and nice drinks. AMPS had a block party there too that was fun. Another cool place to check out is Royal Health World off Boulevard Ave, a vegan cafe and retail store near downtown. Also, special shout out to Piedmont Park for a vast green space to enjoy nature with friends. We love to spend time outside so places like Roswell Mills, Sweetwater Creek, and Cascade Preserve trails are high on our lists of favorite spots as well.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We at AMPS Wellness would love to give a shoutout to Ken Johnson of Inner Athlete and YouTube star. He gave us the opportunity to open his field day event with a yoga class. From there we’ve made some valuable connections and had a chance to partner with several of those awesome individuals to host activities. We are so grateful to all the ambassadors and members in our communities like Wisdom of Define Your Legacy and Jason of Jay Fitness Factory, who support us and contribute to our growth and development. Last but not least, a special shoutout to our family and friends who guide us along this process of becoming an official nonprofit organization. Tamia’s mom, Ms.Windy Harrell, is the owner of Your Healthy Hair Connect if anyone is looking for an awesome natural hairstylist in Atlanta. Raven’s mom, Ms. Pamela Pinkney, is a licensed Psychotherapist and owner of Manifested Destiny Counseling. LaTonya Ponder, my mom, recently started a transportation company called WT Family Global. Our mother’s have definitely inspired our entrepreneurial spirits!

Website: ampswellness.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amps.wellness/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ampswellness333

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ampswellness

Other: Email: ampswellness333@gmail.com