In addition to her years of training some of the entertainment industry favorites like Toya Johnson, Shay Johnson, Quad, Scrappy, Lisa Nicole-Cloud, and more, DeBlair was the curator of the 2023 Health and Wellness fitness portion of the Black Women’s Expo held at the Georgia Convention Center and shared the Wellness stage at the 2023 Strength of a Woman Festival.
DeBlair is an active-duty military trainer, recently being promoted from Sr. Master Seargent to Chief Master Seargent, a position less than 1% of service members reach. An even smaller percentage is held by people of color.
DeBlair is NASM and Senior Fitness Specialist certified, working with groups like Silver Sneakers, and assisted living facilities training elderly individuals and helping to keep them moving.
DeBlair is the author of Resilient AF & self-help journal LEVEL UP: 365 Days To Empowered Living.
We had the amazing opportunity of sitting down with DeBlair to learn more about her passion for fitness and what led her to this specific career choice.
Who is DeBlair Tate in five words?
Mississippi Girl Living her Dream.
You spent several years in the military; how did your time in the military prepare you for entrepreneurship?
I’m still in the military, which has played a considerable role in how I show up in my business. Some of the skills that have been impacted as a result are:
My Leadership and Discipline skills—Became stronger. These qualities are crucial for me as an entrepreneur, especially when I must make tough decisions, manage my teams, and stay focused on business goals.
Resilience and Adaptability: Military service often involves facing challenging and unpredictable situations. This experience can cultivate resilience and adaptability, which are essential traits for me as an entrepreneur who faces numerous obstacles and uncertainties in my journey.
Problem-solving and Decision-making: The military trained me to think critically, solve complex problems, and make decisions under pressure. These skills are invaluable because I must constantly tackle challenges, assess risks, and make strategic choices for my business.
Planning and Execution: Military operations require meticulous planning and precise execution. As an entrepreneur, I have similar needs to develop effective business plans, set achievable goals, and execute them efficiently to achieve success.
What inspired your start in the health and wellness industry?
Over the years as a military instructor, trainer, and coach, I’ve witnessed first-hand what it looks like for people to lack self-love or confidence. My journey started with being a personal trainer, but I started to understand deeper-rooted issues in the people I coached or trained.
I’ve encountered many on the brink of suicide, some successful, because they didn’t feel worthy or valued. It’s an icy world when you feel alone, and many find it hard to advocate for themselves or have that “resiliency” during these dark times. In this world of social media, everything is glamourized, making it harder to love yourself- flaws and all.
Because of this, I decided to aim towards giving others a platform to stand on the grounds of being authentically you and making it feel safe to do so– showing them that they are not alone and that there is a community that loves and accepts you as you are. Their mindset is a key factor contributing to this success, and it may take time to erase some of the past trauma, but it must start somewhere. That is why I am so invested- lives depend on it. That was and still is my inspiration.
Can you share the importance of a healthy fitness routine in our daily lives?
Having a healthy fitness routine is incredibly important for several reasons. Some key benefits of incorporating regular exercise into our daily lives are:
Physical activity is essential to help maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and strengthen our cardiovascular system, muscle strength, and endurance.
My favorite quote is, “There is No Health without Mental Health.” Exercise positively impacts our mental health by reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. It stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, leading to improved emotional well-being and increased happiness. Exercise can also enhance cognitive function, memory, and concentration.
Other important reasons to have a healthy fitness routine are the increased boost in energy and less fatigue, and it’s a great stress reliever.
What does an ideal wellness regime look like?
An ideal wellness regime is highly individualized and will vary depending on personal preferences, goals, and health conditions. However, some essential components can be included in an effective wellness routine. Some elements to consider are your physical activity, your nutrition, the amount of sleep you get, your stress level, and your mental and emotional health. It’s essential to listen to your body, respect your individual needs and limitations, and make adjustments as necessary.
You have experienced many successes in your career. Can you share your greatest lesson thus far?
This journey has been a struggle. Even though I’ve had great success, many lessons have intertwined. The greatest lesson that I’ve gained so much clarity on is ensuring that I achieve a work-family life balance. I struggled to balance my career, extracurricular, and personal life for a long time. I can’t say that I have it all together today, but my priorities are much better aligned. I was always the one that wanted to support everyone and participate in everything. I valued my clients and the organizations I was a part of, so I needed to share important things with them. That sometimes meant neglecting self-care. I was always sleep-deprived and exhausted, but I found energy in knowing that I could support the ones that supported me- which was not healthy for my body. The younger mind took a lot for granted. Saying no was not in my vocabulary. I had to learn through my experiences how important it was to try to provide myself the opportunity for balance and
downtime. I also learned how important it was to create boundaries between my work, extracurricular, and family. That meant determining where my priorities should lie. With clear boundaries, it made things easier. My health was no longer a factor, and my family no longer had to ask where I was. I was moving too fast, and taking life for granted is something that definitely can catch you off guard, especially as a career worker and business owner. That has been my greatest lesson thus far.
What is next for you and your brand?
There is so much in store from DeBlair and the 8Figured Brand. My Level Up Journal is out on all e-commerce platforms. We will continue to push that initiative.The annual RAF Live Conference is coming up Sept 15-17th in Atlanta, and I recently landed a nationwide ad campaign with Shell US gas station, so things for me and the brand are looking promising.
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
My definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles does not neglect self-care.
It took me being faced with my own health issues to realize that I was working backward and not smart. I lost a lot during this time- healthy relationships, family time, and proper rest, to name a few. I had to get to a point where I had more control over my life and wasn’t chasing a dollar. Realizing this was a game-changer and is still an ongoing practice. I had to start setting clear-cut boundaries and making significant changes in my life. My self-care is now non-negotiable. You are a Pretty Woman Who Hustles when you have achieved this balance.
Connect With DeBlair Online
https://www.instagram.com/iamdeblair/?hl=en
