Shakira Akabusi is an award-winning women’s health expert, author, television presenter, motivational speaker and founder of StrongLikeMum. Known for her warmth, honesty and practical approach, she empowers audiences to improve their confidence, physical wellbeing and emotional resilience. Shakira is particularly recognised for challenging outdated stereotypes surrounding motherhood, postnatal fitness, maternal mental health and women’s health in the workplace. Drawing on her professional expertise and personal experience as a mother of four, she delivers engaging talks that encourage people to reconnect with their bodies, ambitions and sense of identity.
Shakira began her career in London’s West End, where she spent five years working as a professional musical theatre performer. This experience helped her develop the confidence, stage presence and communication skills that now shape her work as a presenter and speaker. In 2013, she retrained as a specialist in pregnancy exercise and postnatal rehabilitation, initially supporting women through one-to-one coaching. As her online audience grew, Shakira expanded her work to reach thousands of women seeking reliable advice on pregnancy, postnatal recovery, fitness and mental wellbeing. She later developed expertise in perimenopause, hormones, biomechanics and functional training for women.
In 2018, Shakira founded StrongLikeMum, an inclusive community created to help mothers rebuild strength, confidence and self-belief following pregnancy. She published her debut book, ‘The StrongLikeMum Method’ with Hachette in 2022, combining advice on movement, nutrition, sleep and mental health. Shakira has also launched two series of the StrongLikeMum Podcast and expanded the brand into a YouTube platform in partnership with The Independent Media Group. Her television work includes appearances on ITV’s Lorraine, BBC Morning Live, This Morning, Good Morning Britain, BBC Breakfast and Channel 5’s Vanessa. She has also worked with leading organisations including Adidas Global, Amazon UK, Bupa, Warner Bros. Discovery, Gymshark and Goldman Sachs.
As a motivational speaker, Shakira combines credible expertise with personal storytelling, humour and genuine compassion. She speaks openly about burnout, anxiety, identity, motherhood and the pressures placed on women, while sharing techniques that audiences can use immediately. Her talks are especially valuable for organisations seeking to support working parents, improve workplace wellbeing and create more inclusive cultures. Shakira is also an ambassador for 50:50 Parliament, works closely with Mental Health UK and has won the Glo Mama Sport and Fitness Mama of the Year Award. With her ability to connect quickly and communicate complex health topics clearly, Shakira leaves audiences feeling informed, understood and motivated to make lasting positive changes.
