About the Author
I’m Simone Samuels, a fitness professional, writer, and advocate for body liberation. As a Zumba instructor, personal trainer, and certified aquatic fitness professional, I spend my days helping people from marginalized communities—especially those in marginalized bodies—find joy and confidence in their physicality. My background as a wellness expert provides me with a unique perspective on the intersection of body, identity, and wellness, and my personal experience of late sexual onset adds another layer to my understanding of the ways that societal stigma and cultural expectations shape our experiences with sexuality.
I believe I’m uniquely qualified to write this book because I live its themes every day. I’m a fitness professional who works with people from all walks of life, many of whom live in marginalized bodies and communities. My work centers joy, confidence, and embodiment, and I approach wellness from a holistic, inclusive, and trauma-informed perspective.
Unlike many books on sexuality or social identity that are written from a more academic or clinical distance, this book is rooted in my lived experience as a Black woman with late sexual onset. I bring both personal insight and professional expertise, drawing connections between embodiment, wellness, and liberation. I share more about my background in the sample chapter and expand on my personal story throughout the book.

It’s not just a theoretical analysis; it’s a deeply personal account, rooted in my work with clients, my exploration of my own sexuality, and my desire to amplify the voices of those who have been underrepresented or misrepresented. The insights shared here come from real-world engagement with the issues and struggles I’m writing about.

Biography

In the context of this book, Simone Samuels has never had sex. But, as she demonstrates with her book, she is so much more than the experiences she has never had.

Simone Samuels (simonesamuels.ca) is a multi-hyphenate professional whose expertise spans equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), fitness, and personal empowerment—making her uniquely positioned to write about the intersection of race, sexuality, and personal liberation.

As an Investigator and EDI Specialist at the Ontario College of Teachers, Simone brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles, including Senior Advisor in EDI at the Office of the Vice-Provost, Division of Students, Director of Inclusion at CivicAction and Director of Outreach Programs at the Ontario Justice Education Network. Her career has been dedicated to advancing fairness and representation across sectors, and she has developed a holistic approach to wellness that incorporates sexuality and psycho-social factors.

Simone was born and raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where she navigated the complex dynamics of purity culture. As a Master Guide (the highest level of youth ministry training in the Adventist Church) and ordained elder, Simone remains deeply involved in Christian communities, regularly preaching and presenting on topics such as singleness. Her background provides a unique lens through which she explores the nuanced intersections of faith, race, and sexuality in her writing.

Academically, Simone holds a B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science and Philosophy from York University and she also earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) (J.D. equivalent) and Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) at McGill University. Her educational background informs her research and advocacy on matters of human rights, social justice, and equity.
In addition to her work in EDI, Simone is a certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer. She also served as a canfitpro PRO Trainer, educating the next generation of fitness professionals. I am also a fitness professional. So i have expertise and passion about the embodied experience of people, especially those in marginalized bodies and marginalized communities. I help people find joy and confidence in their bodies. This book is about wellness This book is about representation.

Simone’s expertise extends to writing and public speaking. Her blog, simonesamuels.blog, covers topics such as sexuality, singleness, and race, and she has contributed to Medium, Shape Magazine, and numerous other platforms. Her viral essays and YouTube videos on sexuality have garnered attention, and her essay on body image, “The Unpopularity of Being Plump in Pop Culture: A Case Study on Gabourey Sidibe,” was published in the body image anthology In Our Skin: Our Bodies, Our Stories (Demeter Press).

A sought-after speaker, Simone has presented at churches, schools, and conferences across Ontario and Quebec. In 2009, she founded the Girls in Transition Initiative, dedicated to empowering young women through self-esteem and life skills development. She has also been featured on major media outlets, including The TODAY Show, The Real Daytime Talkshow, and CBC.

Simone’s work centers on wellness—specifically the intersection of physical and sexual wellness. She is passionate about the unique needs of adult virgins, a demographic often overlooked in wellness and sexual health discussions. Through her writing, public speaking, and professional work, she advocates for a more inclusive understanding of wellness that incorporates diverse experiences of sexuality and personal expression.

Simone Samuels is a certified fitness professional and wellness advocate with over ten years of experience in the fitness industry. She holds certifications with Canfitpro, the Body Positive Fitness Alliance, and the Canadian Aquafitness Leaders Alliance, and is licensed to teach Zumba and Aqua Zumba. She is also an experienced writer and speaker on topics of body positivity, identity, and wellness, with a growing following across multiple platforms, including social media, her personal blog, and as a public speaker at events.

Simone’s passion for body autonomy and her work with marginalized communities provides her with a unique perspective on the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality. She regularly leads workshops and classes focused on empowering individuals to embrace their bodies and build confidence in themselves. Simone has worked with individuals and communities across Canada and the Caribbean, sharing her message of body positivity and self-liberation.

In her personal life, Simone enjoys dancing bachata and salsa, swimming, reading, writing, cooking, gardening and spending time with friends. She currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.
Simone’s praxis is wellness – wellness corporately and as a corps. DEI makes us well. But wellness in terms of sexuality and sexual expression being is a part of a person’s wellness, and neglecting the and unique needs of a neglected demographic that is a detriment to their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.