Zaina Sesay: Why Embracing Vulnerability Is More Important Than Striving For Perfect Balance

We had the pleasure of talking with Zaina Sesay. Zaina is a content creator, entrepreneur, and advocate for holistic living, whose career journey bridges the entertainment industry and the digital creator space. With roots in Maryland and family heritage from Sierra Leone and Lebanon, Sesay grew up in a strict Christian household as one of four siblings. A turning point in her life came during high school when she discovered her passion for media production through a television production class — a realization that would set the stage for her career.

She pursued a degree in film and media arts at Temple University, where her creativity earned her national recognition. As a sophomore, she won a competitive YouTube Creator Institute contest, which led to an intensive six-week content creation program in Los Angeles. The experience solidified her ambition to build a career in the entertainment industry, spurring her to undertake internships while commuting from Philadelphia to New York.

Sesay’s professional career took root at FremantleMedia, where she gained experience in development and digital content. She later joined Paramount, contributing to shows across MTV and VH1, including Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, Basketball Wives, and Teyana & Iman. In a dual role blending series and talent development, she helped develop concepts, book talent, and shape content — a rare hybrid opportunity that showcased her versatility. One standout project was MTV’s revival of Cribs, where she secured high-profile talent like rapper Big Sean.

Her journey has been shaped by lessons learned on and off set, particularly the value of speaking up and contributing authentic perspectives. Sesay emphasizes that being heard, even as a junior team member, can influence how stories are told and represented on screen.

In recent years, Sesay has successfully transitioned from a behind-the-scenes executive to a digital creator and entrepreneur. Her content centers on fitness, wellness, and self-care, reflecting her personal commitment to holistic living. Inspired by her own transformative health journey, she shares fitness challenges, wellness experiments, and lifestyle tips with her growing online community.

Mental health advocacy is central to her platform. Sesay believes in the power of transparency and uses her experiences to foster a supportive space for personal growth. Through content that balances vulnerability with empowerment, she encourages her followers to embrace progress over perfection.

Currently pursuing a personal trainer certification, she aims to lend professional expertise to her wellness initiatives. Her entrepreneurial goals include launching products and services that promote holistic well-being, from fitness programs to self-care kits.

Looking ahead, Sesay remains driven by a belief in “transforming together” — a philosophy rooted in community, shared accountability, and mutual support. Her vision extends beyond individual success toward building an inclusive, uplifting space where people can thrive together.

Sesay’s career evolution from entertainment industry executive to digital entrepreneur exemplifies adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to purpose-driven storytelling. As she continues to expand her brand, her focus remains clear: inspiring others to unlock their full potential through a life of balance, authenticity, and intentional growth.

Zaina, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us a story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Zaina: For sure. I’m originally from Maryland, but a lot of people don’t know that my parents are actually from Sierra Leone. My mom is Lebanese — her whole side of the family is Lebanese — but they were born and raised in Sierra Leone. My dad is Sierra Leonean, so I’m first generation.

I’m one of four kids — I’m the second oldest — and I grew up in a pretty strict Christian household. But I’ve always been the goofy one. I’ve always loved making people laugh and having a good time.

Funny enough, in high school, I didn’t think I had any talent. All of my friends were either playing sports or they were cheerleaders, and I just couldn’t figure out what my passion was until I took a television production class as an elective. I didn’t realize I could be creative in that way. That class ended up setting me on the path toward my career.

Can you share with us a bit about what got you into the entertainment industry and what happened after that?

Zaina: Absolutely. After that television production course, I realized I had a passion for creating — though at the time, I didn’t know it was called “content.” I just thought, “Oh, I want to be a film director or producer.” That realization led me to Temple University, where I studied film and media arts.

One of the most interesting stories from my college years happened during my sophomore year when I entered a YouTube contest called the YouTube Creator Institute. It was a nationwide competition, and I submitted a 60-second video. To my surprise, I ended up winning! I was one of about 10 winners, I believe.

They flew me out to Los Angeles, which was my first time ever on a plane. I was freaking out a little, but I was also really excited. It was also my first time in LA, so the whole experience was incredibly eye-opening.

I participated in a six-week program where YouTube and Google partnered with USC to teach us how to create successful content on YouTube. That experience was a huge turning point for me. It made me realize that I could build a career in the entertainment industry while living on the West Coast.

That experience planted a seed that later blossomed into me pursuing internships throughout college in unscripted reality TV. I even interned at MTV while I was still in school. I was commuting from Philly to New York three times a week, riding the Greyhound bus. It was absolutely crazy — but that’s what ultimately set me on the path of working in unscripted television.

So you mentioned one story. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite stories that stand out about your professional life?

Zaina: When I worked at MTV, there was a time I was based on the West Coast, but a position opened up at the East Coast headquarters in New York. I decided to take that leap of faith and move to New York. Even though I’m from the East Coast, I had gotten used to the West Coast weather, so adjusting was… interesting.

The position itself was unique — it was kind of a two-in-one role that involved both series development and talent development. That meant working on creating shows around talent, casting for those shows, and even booking celebrities.

One of my favorite memories from that time was working on MTV Cribs when we brought it back — maybe for the second time? Don’t quote me on that. But I got to be really hands-on throughout the entire process. I booked talent for the show, and one of my biggest “gets” that season was Big Sean. That was such a huge win for me.

The coolest part was that, because I was involved in both the talent and series development sides, I wasn’t limited to just one role. I got to be on set as a creative producer, help shape the show, and even watch the edits and give notes. It was honestly one of my favorite career experiences because MTV Cribs is so iconic — and being able to work on something that felt so nostalgic for me was really special.

That’s amazing. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting out in entertainment and the lesson you learned from it?

Zaina: I would say one of the biggest lessons I learned early in my career was the importance of speaking up. When you’re just starting out — fresh out of college — people often see you as a kid, especially if you have a baby face like I do. I felt like people automatically assumed I was 12!

There was a specific moment early on where I should have spoken up about something on the creative side but didn’t. The thing is, when you’re on a creative team, your input matters, even if you’re new. Everyone brings different life experiences to the table, and that perspective can really shape how stories are told.

I realized that if I didn’t use my voice and give direct feedback — especially about how something could impact my specific community or be perceived through my lens — that oversight could make it into the final product and shape someone else’s narrative in a way that didn’t feel authentic or accurate.

That experience taught me that even if you’re the youngest or least experienced person in the room, your perspective is still valuable. In TV and content creation, what we put out into the world influences people, especially the next generation. So it’s important to tell stories that are accurate, meaningful, and positive. That realization really helped me build confidence in sharing my voice.

Zaina, you have such an impressive body of work. Can you share with our readers some exciting new projects you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future?

Zaina: Absolutely. So, just to give a little backstory, growing up I struggled with a lot of insecurities — mainly around how people perceived me. If someone told me I was bad at something, I’d just give up or believe it. But as I’ve grown into a more confident woman, I’ve learned how to shake off those limiting beliefs.

Now, I’m really passionate about fitness, wellness, and self-care, especially with a holistic approach. To me, it’s all about becoming the best version of yourself while also giving yourself grace — but still holding yourself accountable. It’s a balance, and I believe those things can coexist.

With that in mind, a big focus for me right now is content creation centered around inspiring people to push past the limits they’ve placed on themselves and unlock their full potential. I do this by sharing my authentic journey of self-improvement. On my platforms, I try all sorts of things — from juicing for a week and sharing the results, to fitness challenges, to testing out new makeup routines.

As an entrepreneur, my mission is to build a personal brand that empowers people to transform their lives through fitness, wellness, and self-care. My ultimate goal is to create a range of products and services that support holistic well-being. I’m excited about expanding into areas like fitness programs, wellness teas, self-care kits, mindfulness tools, and more.

I’m also about to get my personal trainer certification in fitness and wellness so I can add more credibility to what I’m doing. Right now, I’m an enthusiast, but soon I’ll have those official credentials. I’m really excited about everything that’s in the works!

You mentioned the idea of holistic living. How do you define holistic living, and what does it look like in your daily life?

Zaina: For me, I like to say “holistic-ish” because I don’t want people to think there’s only one way to live holistically or that it has to be perfect. When I think of holistic living, it’s really about making sure your life feels balanced.

That means prioritizing fitness, taking care of yourself through self-care, pouring into your relationships with friends and family, and being mindful of what you’re eating — following something like the 80/20 rule. It’s not about being perfect 100% of the time, but about striving for balance in all areas of life.

For me, holistic living is about creating a life I can be proud of, where I can wake up feeling energized, not drained or stressed. It’s about continuously working toward being my best self while accepting that life isn’t always going to be perfectly balanced — and that’s okay.

Mental health is a recurring topic in your content. What draws you specifically to that, and how do you hope your platform contributes to the mental health conversation?

Zaina: Mental health is so important. I know it’s a term that gets thrown around a lot, but everything really starts in your mind. It’s essential to take care of yourself mentally before you can fully give to others — whether that’s your family, friends, or your job. You have to make sure your own cup is full first.

Another thing I’ve learned is the importance of being able to look within and become a confident version of yourself. If you don’t, you may find yourself seeking validation from a partner, family, or other external sources to feel whole. But real fulfillment comes from within — you have to build yourself up first.

That’s something I’ve prioritized as I’ve grown into the person I am today. I’m constantly checking in with myself, going to therapy, being honest about what I’m feeling, and recognizing the areas I’m working on. I believe in showing that journey and being vulnerable with my audience because I don’t want anyone to think I have this perfect life where I’m never upset, angry, jealous, or insecure.

All those emotions can coexist — it’s human — but the key is recognizing them without staying stuck in them. It’s about acknowledging what you’re going through, working through it, and finding ways to move forward. Sharing that process is what makes me feel connected to my audience.

The idea of “transforming together” is another recurring theme in your work. Can you describe what that means to you and how it came to define your professional journey?

Zaina: “Transforming together,” for me, is all about community. I love doing things with my friends, family, and even my online community. It’s about saying, “Alright, let’s try this new thing together. Let’s hold each other accountable. Let’s talk about the ups and downs.”

A lot of people think that personal growth — especially when it comes to fitness and wellness — is a solo journey. But the truth is, many of us need support. We have questions, we need motivation, and we want to check in with others.

Transforming together means opening myself up to be that source of support for others so they don’t feel alone on their journey. It’s about creating a space where we can push ourselves, celebrate wins, learn from setbacks, and keep growing — together. That sense of shared experience is what makes the process so powerful.

This is our signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started — working for entertainment companies and later building your own content platform — you’ve obviously learned a lot. Can you share five things you know now that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

Zaina: Definitely.

1. Start with Your Why:
   Always begin with your “why.” Understand what drives you and why you want certain things because that’s what will keep you grounded through the ups and downs. When things get tough — or even when you reach milestones — you need something deeper than just the external rewards to keep you focused. Regularly check in with yourself and reconnect with your purpose.
2. Be Authentic:
   Authenticity comes from knowing your true self and sticking to your core values. Don’t try to copy or piece together traits from other people to create a version of yourself that isn’t real. Eventually, that mask will fall off, and you’ll be left feeling disconnected. True success and peace come from being yourself unapologetically.
3. Embrace Your Unique Story and Perspective:
   Everyone has a unique life experience for a reason, and your story has value. Don’t run from your past or be ashamed of what makes you different — even the tough parts like childhood traumas. Work through those things, embrace your story, and understand that sharing it can help others. Someone out there might see themselves in your journey and feel inspired to keep going.
4. Be Patient with Yourself:
   Give yourself grace while still holding yourself accountable. Don’t be lazy, but understand that success doesn’t happen overnight. Progress takes time, and you have to stay consistent while being kind to yourself through setbacks and challenges. Growth isn’t linear, and that’s okay.
5. Surround Yourself with a Supportive Community:
   This one is so important. Make sure you have people in your corner who uplift you and genuinely want to see you succeed. But it’s not just about receiving support — you have to be that person for others too. Life is about reciprocity. Friendships, relationships, and even professional connections should be mutually supportive. That’s how you build real, lasting connections.

Before, you mentioned self-care. Can you share with our readers the self-care routines that you follow to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?

Zaina: Absolutely. Self-care is so important to me. One of my friends even calls me “the appointment queen” because I always seem to have some kind of self-care appointment scheduled. But honestly, it’s something I need to keep myself balanced.

Here are a few things that are always in rotation in my self-care routine:

1. Massages (Especially Lymphatic Drainage):
   Getting massages, particularly lymphatic drainage massages, has become a big part of my routine. I learned a lot about my lymphatic system earlier this year when I froze my eggs. After the process, I noticed some scar tissue buildup in my lower abdomen from the injections. The lymphatic massages helped break down that scar tissue, and now I’ve kept them as a regular part of my self-care routine because it’s beneficial for everyone — not just for recovery, but for overall wellness and detoxification.
2. Quality Time with Family and Friends:
   Self-care isn’t just about spa days or skincare — it’s also about nurturing your relationships. Spending time with loved ones brings me so much joy. Since my family is on the East Coast, I cherish time with my close friends and their families here. One of my favorite self-care “activities” is taking the day off to hang out with my two godsons, who are both under three. They light up my life and remind me what’s really important.
3. Skincare and Wellness Routines:
   Taking care of my skin is another major part of my self-care. I love trying new products and experimenting with different face care routines. Skincare feels like a small way I can show up for myself daily, even when life gets busy.
4. Trying Something New:
   For me, self-care also means exploring something new and creative. It could be testing out a new makeup routine or trying a new hobby. Those little moments where I can be creative and have fun with something just for me help me reconnect with myself.

This is our final aspirational question. Zaina, because of your amazing work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

Zaina: I think it would align with my overall mission: to inspire and support each other in transforming into our best selves — whatever that looks like for each individual. It’s about taking it step by step, day by day, and staying committed to that journey together as a community.

Amazing answer — beautiful. How can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they support what you’re doing, purchase anything you’re offering, or get involved in any way?

Zaina: You can follow me across all platforms at @zayxclusive. I’m also launching a website very soon that will be a central hub for everything — from products to new projects and other exciting things I’m working on with my brand. I’ll be announcing all of that on my social platforms, so stay tuned!

Wonderful. Zaina, thank you so much for this amazing conversation. We wish you continued success and blessings and hope we can do this again next year.

Zaina: Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.