Savelina Fanene (born May 29, 1984), known professionally as Nia Jax, is an Australian-American professional wrestler who has made a significant impact in WWE. Jax signed with WWE in early 2014 and was first assigned to the developmental brand NXT, debuting in May 2015 under the ring name Zada, which was changed to Nia Jax in August that year. As part of the 2016 WWE Draft, she was promoted to the main roster. Nia Jax, a dominant force in WWE, has always stood out for her impressive physical presence and incredible strength. Her larger-than-life persona, combined with her undeniable skill in the ring, made her a fan favorite. Known for embracing her unique body and strength, Nia’s decision to lose weight came as a surprise to many.
What makes her transformation even more relatable is the fact that, like many of us, Nia faced her own challenges, both physically and mentally, on her path to better health. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the strategies that helped Nia Jax transform her body and how you can follow in her footsteps. Nia Jax’s weight loss journey is proof that, with the right tools, anyone can achieve their fitness goals.
Nia Jax: A WWE Powerhouse
Born Savelina Fanene, Nia Jax is a professional wrestler signed to WWE, where she quickly became one of the most recognizable figures in the women’s division. In early 2014, Jax signed with WWE and was assigned to their developmental territory NXT, which is based at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. She debuted in May 2015 under the ring name Zada, which was changed to Nia Jax in August of that year. As part of the 2016 WWE Draft, she was promoted to the main roster.
Nia’s wrestling persona was built around her imposing presence, which she embraced with confidence. Jax was a formidable presence among female WWE Superstars, renowned for her commanding presence inside the wrestling ring. She was released by WWE back in 2021 and largely stayed away from the company since then. The controversial star was not seen on WWE television since the September 20th 2021 edition of Monday Night RAW. Eventually, she was released by the company entirely, something that truly made fans happier than ever.
Of course, that all changed after Nia Jax returned during the Women’s Royal Rumble match earlier this year. Jax was also happy that people actually remembered her during the match. Naturally, she was very happy about her results. You got this woman” Officially started in October…6 months later, down 48lbs🥺🙏🏽 Sends me killer workouts and motivates me 💪🏾🥺 Nia Jax is also leaving the door open for a WWE return in the future. It is certainly great to show that Nia Jax is learning to love herself more by working out and dropping weight. We’ll have to see if she will return to WWE as a whole new person. What’s your take on what Nia Jax did? Are you happy for her weight loss? Sound off in the comments!
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On January 27, 2019, at the Royal Rumble event, Jax competed in the women's Royal Rumble match, entering at number 29 and lasting for over 11 minutes before she herself was eliminated by the eventual winner Becky Lynch. Later that night, Jax made history as she became the first person to ever compete in two Royal Rumble matches on the same night and the fourth woman to ever compete in a men's Royal Rumble match, after she attacked R-Truth and took his number 30 spot. Jax returned from injury on the April 6, 2020, episode of Raw, defeating Deonna Purrazzo in a squash match. On the May 25 episode of Raw, Jax defeated Charlotte Flair and Natalya in a triple threat match to challenge Asuka for the Raw Women's Championship at Backlash. At Backlash, Jax and Asuka wrestled to a double countout, therefore Asuka retained the title. The next night on Raw, Jax challenged Asuka again for the title. During the match, Jax became upset with the referee and pushed him down. In August, she was paired with Shayna Baszler, defeating the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks at Payback to win the title. They lost the title at TLC against the team of Asuka and Charlotte Flair. At Royal Rumble on January 31, 2021, Baszler and Jax defeated Asuka and Flair to become record-tying two-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. During their second reign as tag team champions, they had simultaneous feuds with the teams of Naomi and Lana, Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke, and Natalya and Tamina. At WrestleMania 37, Jax and Baszler retained the tag team championship against Natalya and Tamina. On the May 14 episode of SmackDown, they lost the title to Natalya and Tamina, ending their second reign at 103 days.
Jax returned in the 2023 Women's Royal Rumble for a one-off appearance as the 30th entrant and was eliminated by the combined efforts of the remaining 11 women in the ring. Jax made her full-time return to WWE on the September 11 episode on Raw, attacking Raquel Rodriguez and Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley. At Crown Jewel on November 4, Jax failed to win the title from Ripley in a fatal five-way match also involving Rodriguez, Zoey Stark, and Shayna Baszler, who Ripley pinned to retain. Over the next few months, Jax went on a winning streak, defeating Baszler, Rodriguez, and Stark in several matches. After being drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2024 WWE Draft, Jax participated in the Queen of the Ring tournament defeating Naomi in the first round. Jax went on to defeat Jade Cargill in the quarterfinals by disqualification after Cargill attacked Jax with a steel chair in response to Jax taunting Cargill's daughter at ringside, Bianca Belair in the semifinals, and Lyra Valkyria in the finals at King and Queen of the Ring to win the tournament, earning a WWE Women's Championship match at SummerSlam. At the event on August 3, Jax defeated Bayley to win the title after interference from her new ally, Tiffany Stratton. On the August 30 episode of SmackDown, Jax defeated Michin to retain her title in a street fight in her first title defense. At Bad Blood on October 5, Jax retained her title against Bayley after interference from Stratton. At Crown Jewel on November 2, Jax faced Women's World Champion Liv Morgan for the inaugural WWE Women's Crown Jewel Championship in a losing effort after interference from Morgan's Judgment Day stablemates, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez. At Survivor Series WarGames on November 30, Jax participated in her first WarGames match alongside Stratton, Morgan, Rodriguez and Candice LeRae against Bayley, Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley in a losing effort. On the January 3, 2025 episode of SmackDown, Jax successfully defended the title against Naomi after interference from LeRae and Stratton. At Saturday Night's Main Event, Jax faced Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship, but failed again to win the title. At Royal Rumble on February 1, Jax entered the namesake match at #29, scoring a record-setting nine eliminations. Jax finished in third place, being eliminated by eventual winner Charlotte Flair. At Elimination Chamber: Toronto, Jax and LeRae were defeated by Stratton and Trish Stratus in a tag team match. Jax returned on the April 25 episode of SmackDown, where she attacked Stratton.
However, as her career progressed, Nia faced the physical toll that carrying extra weight placed on her body. Wrestling is an intensely physical sport, and the strain on her joints, particularly her knees, began to take its toll. Beyond the wrestling ring, Nia also became more conscious of the long-term health risks associated with her weight. This awareness, combined with a desire to prolong her career and improve her overall well-being, motivated Nia Jax to begin her weight loss journey.
The "Why" Behind the Weight Loss
For Nia Jax, the decision to lose weight wasn’t just about aesthetics-it was about taking control of her health and ensuring her future, both inside and outside the ring. One of the main reasons that prompted Nia to make a change was her concern about long-term health. Carrying extra weight can put stress on the heart, increase the risk of diabetes, and lead to joint issues, particularly for someone with an active, physically demanding career.
Another significant factor was her desire to maintain longevity in her wrestling career. WWE is a high-intensity sport, and injuries are common. The extra weight was making it harder for Nia to recover from these injuries and continue performing at her best. Lastly, there was a personal, emotional side to Nia’s decision. Despite her confidence and success in the WWE, she, like many people, wanted to feel healthier and more comfortable in her own skin. Nia Jax’s decision to prioritize her health serves as a reminder that weight loss isn’t just about appearance.
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Dietary Changes
Diet plays a crucial role in any weight loss journey, and for Nia Jax, making key changes to her eating habits was essential to her transformation. One of the first changes Nia made was cutting out processed foods and sugars from her diet. Processed foods, while convenient, often contain high levels of unhealthy fats, added sugars, and empty calories, all of which contribute to weight gain and inflammation. By focusing on whole foods like lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, Nia ensured that her body received the vitamins and minerals needed for optimal performance and recovery.
Protein is a vital nutrient for anyone looking to lose weight while maintaining muscle mass. Nia Jax increased her intake of lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, and plant-based sources like lentils and beans. Protein helps build and repair muscle, which is especially important for athletes like Nia, who rely on strength for their performance. In addition to protein, Nia added healthy fats to her diet, which are important for brain function, hormone regulation, and overall health. Foods like avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil became regular staples in her meals. Nia also focused on increasing her intake of fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables and whole grains, which support digestion and keep you feeling satisfied throughout the day. Along with changing the types of food she ate, Nia became more mindful of portion sizes and meal timing. Eating smaller, balanced meals throughout the day helped her maintain energy levels and avoid overeating at night.
Exercise Regimen
Exercise was the other key component of Nia Jax’s weight loss journey. As a professional wrestler, she was already accustomed to rigorous physical activity. Strength training was central to Nia’s fitness plan. By focusing on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, Nia was able to build muscle while burning fat. Strength training helps boost metabolism, as muscles require more energy to maintain than fat. In addition to strength training, Nia integrated regular cardio into her routine. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) became a favorite for Nia, as it’s one of the most effective ways to burn fat in a short amount of time. To prevent injury and improve her overall movement, Nia incorporated regular stretching and mobility exercises into her routine.
The Importance of Mindset
While diet and exercise are important, Nia Jax’s mindset was perhaps the most critical factor in her success. Like many people, Nia faced moments of self-doubt throughout her weight loss journey. She had to shift her mindset from one of immediate gratification to long-term success. Motivation can wane, especially during long-term weight loss journeys. To stay on track, Nia set small, achievable goals that kept her motivated. Nia Jax was also ridiculed for her weight, which is why she decided to reveal to the world that Charlotte Flair helped her with a significant weight loss.
Controversy
Jax received increasing criticism over the years for reports of her being an "unsafe worker". In November 2018, she accidentally punched Becky Lynch in the face during an episode of Raw and gave Lynch a broken nose, lacerated face, and concussion. In May 2020, Kairi Sane suffered a cut on her head during a match against Jax after Jax threw her onto the ringside steel steps. A similar incident occurred in September 2025 in a triple threat match against Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill, where Cargill was thrown into the metal stairs in the same manner.
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