Recently, actress, activist and wife to Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari-Parker, debuted her remedy to one of the main reasons why Black women don’t work out: they don’t want to mess up their hair.
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Hair is a serious issue for most of black women because of the investment of time and money to have it styled, many don’t want to sweat and mess it up all over again.
Bu when the Surgeon General issued a statement saying “Women have got to stop using their hair as an excuse not to exercise” and that Black women’s health issues had reached a state of emergency, this nationwide call to action inspired Ari-Parker.
Her solution?
The Save Your Do gym wrap, a stylish headband developed with a patent-pending revolutionary “Edge Control Technology” that minimizes sweat absorption, resulting in drier hair.
BlackDoctor.org recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ari-Parker to talk about her health, her daughter, her marriage and why she cares so much about saving all our do’s…
BDO: What made you come up with the idea for Save Your Do?
AP: It was something that I created out of pure vanity. I know what it feels like to be a Black woman and just get your hair done. The desire that many women have to keep the hairstyle that we spend so much time and money on to last. I had to come up with something. Initially, I began cutting and testing different fabrics I had at home, anything I could find. I made a lot different prototypes that were just headbands, until I linked up with my business partner, who had a contact with someone experienced in producing garments for the U.S. military. We created a workable product and tested it all over the country, from young women to old women. Down south and up north. It took us over a year and half to get the product just right. And it works!
BDO: How do YOU stay fit & healthy with such a demanding schedule?
AP: First off, I hate exercising! No seriously, I hate to get up and get ready to go to the gym, but as soon as I’m done, it feels so good. It makes me wonder how come it took me so long to get ready. Ha! The key to staying healthy is literally just doing it. If you say you’re going to do it, then the first step is actually doing it. No excuses. You’ll feel better after you do.
BDO: What are some of your guilty pleasure foods?
AP: I love, love, love French fries! And spaghetti. And I’m a sucker for great wine.
BDO: What are some things that you’ve learned while raising a daughter with spina bifida?
AP: Sophie is such a blessing. Being a parent is difficult in itself, so having a child with special needs is more of a lifestyle change. We know to get prepared earlier, to call ahead for certain things, make sure we have extra this or that. It’s just about being a parent and being extra conscious about what needs to be done on a daily basis.
BDO: Having a healthy relationship is also a part of having a healthy lifestyle overall. What are some of your keys to being happily married?
AP: Having a healthy relationship is different for everybody, but for Boris and me, we’re seven years in. We’re still learning, but we both come from divorced parents, so we’re both determined to make our marriage work. The key for us is to take time for ourselves, which usually just means a night at home, without the kids, and a movie. We laugh a lot, and that helps as well. Also, really listening when someone is talking. It’s all about the little things that add up to something great.
BDO: What’s next for you?
AP: I just finished “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway. Besides being a new entrepreneur, now I’m reviewing scripts for upcoming projects, including one that will feature both Boris and I.
BDO: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with us?
AP: In everything, in order to get to that next level, you need to quickly expand what you think you can do, because you can do more if you believe you can.
For more information, visit Save Your Do today!
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