Its a Hard Knock Life  Have you ever been in a situation where you felt your life was in shambles and you were out of ideas on how to fix it? Life can feel unbearable sometimes. It may not even be possible for you to comprehend how you got there in the first place. Whether you just hit a wall, or you just screwed things up, it can get so overwhelming to an extent you just want to bury your head under the safety of your covers, never to leave. Worse still if your rights and freedom are curtailed and you no longer can make your own decisions.  No matter what your struggles are, and how excruciating your pain is, just know that you can pull through. As you may have heard, struggles are not permanent. You are just on a path leading to a much better destination. Ebony Chipman is a perfect example of someone whose rights were stripped off and she eventually overcame.  Ebony Chipman is a professional bikini pro born in the Bahamas and now living in Vancouver where she earned her pro card in 2012 in Canadian National. Besides competing, Ebony works full time in human resources and as a public speaker with Her Time organization. She is very distinct in the bikini world as she is the first and only black Canadian Pro. Learning from her past experiences, she has become authentic while brimming with confidence and radiating happiness.  In this episode, I had a real, raw, and enlightening conversation with Ebony. She candidly opens up about how her rights were stripped of her and how that experience shaped her to become the incredible woman that she has become - confidence and authentic.  Ebony also talks about how her experiences have led her to public speaking all over helping thousands to understand just how important human growth and self-development is in life. She also shares about how illegal fat burners and supplements are widely used in the fitness industry. Stay tuned!   Takeaways Pain is temporary, pride is forever You can do so much if you put your mind to something Keep yourself motivate Take your time to make sure you do your research and find a good reputable coach Don't be afraid to ask questions Be brave: don't be afraid to speak up Be honest with yourself  Surround yourself with the right people Cut toxic people out of your life Learn from your own mistakes Be yourself; don't pretend Don't stagnate, grow and blossom into something beautiful You don't have to go with a coach who has a big name Trust your gut instinct and make sure you follow your heart.   Important Questions [00:10:34] Have you been competing? [00:15:01] What would you say is your why behind competing?  [00:20:19] Can you tell us a little bit about how you started competing? [00:22:03] What was the first show that you competed in after winning your pro card?  [00:24:26] What other experiences have you had with other coaches? [00:26:12] How much cardio would you say that you went through? [00:31:52] Why do you think a lot of girls are afraid to ask questions? [00:33:07] What kind of supplements were you taking?  [00:37:57] Why were you so addicted to finding more and more caffeine sources? [00:39:10] Did you ever feel like you now is the time to stop doing the high fat burners?  [00:42:26] Why do you think that it's so taboo to talk about supplements? [00:44:43] What experience did you go through that has definitely contributed to the type of person you are today? [00:49:01] What things did you change in your life when you got out of prison? [00:53:33] What's the best way to actually start becoming more authentic?  [00:54:35] Why do you think it's so important to grow? [00:56:52] How long has it been since you've taken time off from the stage?  [01:00:23] How do you feel about the direction that the industry is going now?  [01:03:56] How do you feel about being the first and only black Canadian Pro? [01:06:24] What are your goals in the sport?  [01:09:26] What piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to become a professional in the sport?   Shop