Instagram fitness model and bodybuilder Nashali Alma, 24, has come forward with her story in a bid to encourage other women never to give up the fight in such circumstances.

Alma said: “I was confident I had the strength and mentality to fight back. I was much stronger than I think with all my fitness work and bodybuilding; I am proud to be a bodybuilder!”

In the surveillance footage, Nashali is alone at the gym in the Inwood Park apartment complex in Tampa, Florida, when she opens the door for a man shortly before 10 PM on January 22, 2023. She only opened the door because she had seen the man, identified as 25-year-old Xavier Thomas-Jones, at the gym before.

Thomas-Jones sits still for several minutes while Nashali continues her workout in the next room. Eventually, he approaches her. After he tries to grab her, Nashali pushes him off, putting a piece of gym equipment between them. Alma runs into the next room, and he chases her.

He grabs her, and even as she hits back at him, she keeps hold of her phone as she tries calling 911. After he pins her to the ground, Nashali continues fighting back and is eventually able to break away, running out of the gym to a nearby apartment.

Thomas-Jones was arrested less than 24 hours after the incident, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He faces charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and kidnapping.

Nashali tells FACTZ, ”I would tell every woman always to keep fighting, never give up. As long as you fight back and show him that you’re strong and you’re not giving up, I believe it’s possible to escape. It’s better to reach out to law enforcement sooner than later. The sooner they have the information, the sooner they can catch that person.”

Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement: “I was disgusted by the suspect’s actions, how he preyed on this young woman. I’m grateful that she came forward; I know her story is going to be an inspiration to other women.”