Pilates, Plunge and Purpose: Inside Coach Zha’s Wellness Revolution

When you meet Zha Dadson, better known as Coach Zha, you feel the kind of energy that makes you sit a little taller, breathe a little deeper, and believe that anything is possible. She is the visionary founder of Pilates+Plunge, a growing wellness movement that blends strength, community, and intentional living.

It’s been effective, as attendees of Coach Zha’s classes affirm. “Coach Zha creates a space where you can be vulnerable and powerful all at once,” says Feven Iyassau, who has attended multiple Pilates + Plunge sessions. “It’s not just about movement. It’s about feeling grounded in your body and supported by the women around you. Every time I leave, I feel lighter, stronger, and more connected.”

For Jordan Savage, the impact has been both physical and emotional. “I’ve tried a lot of fitness spaces, but none have made me feel as celebrated as this one,” she explains. “Coach Zha reminds us that wellness belongs to us and that’s revolutionary. She shows us that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish, it’s powerful.”

But her path here wasn’t linear. It was bold, courageous, and rooted in purpose. In this conversation, she opens up about leaving corporate life, navigating motherhood, breaking barriers, and envisioning a new era of wellness.

Benzii Diaz: “What was going through your mind when you decided to leave corporate life behind?”

Zha Dadson: “I felt a whirlwind of emotions when I made the decision. Fear, excitement and faith, but the strongest feeling was certainty. I just knew in my spirit that it was time. My intentions were pure, and I’ve always believed the universe rewards courage.

I’ve never lost when I’ve bet on myself. I questioned the timing, but I realized I had been unconsciously preparing for this leap by saving, laying a foundation, and building the resilience I’d need. I couldn’t have imagined how beautiful the journey would be, but I trusted it would be worth it.”

BD: “Stepping into entrepreneurship takes courage. Who or what has been your anchor through it all?”

ZD: “I’m actually a single mom and have been since I conceived both of my children. That reality fuels me. There's no one coming to save me, so everything I build has to work for the sake of my children and our future.

While I look forward to having a partner one day, I am deeply grateful for the village I have now. My kids have incredible grandmothers who pour into them, and that support allows me to keep showing up and dreaming bigger.”

BD: “And with that, how do you navigate the balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship?”

ZD: “Motherhood was the very reason I stepped into entrepreneurship. At my corporate job, I was pouring so much into someone else’s dream that I had nothing left for my kids or myself. I made a vow that if I was going to spend time away from my children, it had to be doing work that filled my cup.

Now, I build my schedule around school pick-ups and drop-offs, keeping my hours intentional so I can be both present for my children and fully committed to my purpose.”

BD: “The wellness industry has often been criticized for lacking representation. What has your experience been like as a Black woman in this space?”

ZD: “So many barriers. When I started teaching Pilates in Philadelphia, there were very few women who looked like me in this space. I knew that with the right representation and intention, this industry could be a place where everyone felt welcome.

So, I chose to be a positive disruptor and to be the representation I wished I’d had. My years at Spelman taught me that if you want to see change, you have to be the change. It hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has made me stronger. Like a phoenix, I’ve risen from every fire more committed to creating access, visibility, and belonging for my community.”

BD: “You were recognized as Philly’s Fitness Influencer of the Year. What did that moment mean to you?”

ZD: “It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced. To know that my actions and intentions were seen and celebrated by my city meant everything to me. It affirmed that I’m on the right path.

To win that award in the same year I received a citation from the City of Philadelphia was a dream come true. It gave me the clarity and confidence to step even more boldly into my next chapter and I know this is just the beginning.”

BD: “Community seems to be a recurring theme in your story. Why is it so important to you?”

ZD: “Absolutely! Community is the heartbeat of everything I do. It has carried me through every chapter of my life: from dancing at the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center, to being a CAPA dance major, to Spelman College, to becoming a Delta, to running the NYC Marathon. The community has always been there.

‘Pilates + Plunge’ is an extension of that same energy. I believe that when we are held by the community, we are capable of becoming the very best versions of ourselves. That’s what I try to create in every event. A space where women feel seen, supported, and inspired to rise together.”

BD: “What’s next for you and for Pilates + Plunge?”

ZD: “My vision is bigger than me. I want to show people what happens when you take a chance on yourself, even when it feels impossible.

I hope my work continues to diversify and expand the wellness space, especially at the boutique level, so that women of every background feel they belong here. I want Philly to keep leading the way in redefining what wellness looks like and I want to take that energy global. This is about sparking a movement that reminds people that wellness isn’t a luxury, it’s a birthright.”

Coach Zha’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rising stronger. She left the security of corporate life, not because it was easy, but because she believed there was something greater waiting for her on the other side of fear. Through ‘Pilates + Plunge’, she has not only built a wellness brand but also a movement. One that uplifts women, centers community, and redefines what strength and healing look like.

As she often reminds her community, the journey is not just about the workout, it’s about the transformation that happens when you bet on yourself, and win.