We know exercise can help prevent and manage chronic disease. But knowing what is good for our health does not necessarily make it easier to do.
For Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) alumna Dr. Andreena M. Jackson, DBH, MSSA, LSW, that gap between knowing and doing became a question worth investigating. Her doctoral research on barriers to physical activity among African American women has now grown into Fit for a Queen: Understanding the Barriers to Exercise for African American Women, a new book designed to move research beyond the academic setting and into the hands of people who can use it.
The book combines research, practical strategies, and personal experiences to help readers better understand barriers to physical activity and develop sustainable approaches to improving their health.
Looking Beyond the Recommendation
The idea for Fit for a Queen began during an independent study course in the DBH program, when Dr. Jackson examined the relationship between chronic disease and preventive health behaviors. Regular physical activity repeatedly emerged as an important protective factor for improving health outcomes. That led her to a deeper question: if the benefits of exercise are well established, why does participation differ across populations?
Her exploration of disparities related to race and gender eventually shaped the focus of her DBH Culminating Project.
“As an African American woman, I recognized that I am part of a population disproportionately affected by many of the nation’s leading chronic health conditions,” Dr. Jackson said. “This reality fueled my passion to examine the barriers to physical fitness among African American women and contribute to the growing body of literature addressing health disparities.”
Her DBH education also encouraged her to move beyond identifying barriers and consider how research could contribute to solutions.
“My DBH education challenged me to think beyond identifying problems and instead focus on developing meaningful, evidence-based solutions that can improve individual and community health,” she said.
After successfully defending her Culminating Project, Dr. Jackson decided the work should not end in the classroom. She committed to expanding the study through a partnership with a fitness organization in her community while also transforming the research into a book for a broader audience.
Taking Research Off the Academic Shelf
While grounded in doctoral research, Fit for a Queen was intentionally designed to bridge the gap between scholarly findings and everyday life. The book is written at approximately a 12th-grade reading level and combines evidence with practical strategies, personal stories, and lived experiences.
“Too often, valuable health information remains confined to academic journals and is never fully accessible to the communities that could benefit most from it,” Dr. Jackson explained.
For Dr. Jackson, making the research accessible did not mean removing the science. It meant making the science useful and relatable.
“As both a behavioral health professional and an African American woman, I understand that data alone rarely changes behavior, people connect with stories,” she said. “By sharing my own experiences, challenges, and lessons learned, I wanted readers to see that meaningful change is possible, regardless of where they are in their health journey.”
The book is primarily intended for African American women, particularly those living with chronic health conditions, struggling to establish or maintain a fitness routine, or seeking greater motivation to prioritize their physical well-being. Its broader messages about overcoming barriers, building healthier habits, and developing a sustainable approach to wellness can also benefit anyone seeking to improve their health.
From Research to Real-World Impact
As CEO of MindFitness Coaching & Consulting LLC, a behavioral health professional, consultant, and educator, Dr. Jackson has built her career around translating knowledge into strategies people can use. Publishing Fit for a Queen extends that work to a broader audience and creates another avenue for conversations about behavioral health, preventive health, and health equity.
“As an author and thought leader, I believe we have a responsibility not only to generate knowledge but also to ensure that it reaches the people who can benefit from it most,” Dr. Jackson said.
She hopes the book contributes to conversations about preventive health, helps reduce barriers to physical activity, and encourages future research focused on improving outcomes for underserved populations.
For Dr. Jackson, seeing her doctoral research become a public resource also represents something larger than publishing a book.
“What began as a Culminating Project became an opportunity to contribute to the scholarly literature, educate the public, and inspire healthier lifestyles,” she said. “For me, this journey reflects the true purpose of doctoral education—not simply earning a degree, but transforming research into knowledge that can improve lives, influence practice, and leave a lasting contribution to the field.”
Fit for a Queen: Understanding the Barriers to Exercise for African American Women is currently available for pre-order through DrDreena.com and Mindfitnessllc.com and is expected to be available through Amazon this fall. Readers can use code CGI2026 for a discount when ordering through Dr. Jackson’s websites.
At its core, Fit for a Queen asks readers and healthcare professionals to look beyond what we know about the benefits of exercise and consider a more challenging question: If we already know what people need to do to improve their health, are we doing enough to understand what stands in their way?
