Life & Work with DeBlair Tate

Today we’d like to introduce you to DeBlair Tate.

Hi DeBlair, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
My journey into health and fitness wasn’t something I wanted to do; it just fell in my lap, and everything started fitting like a glove. After college graduation, I moved to the coast to work for the Air Force. I was there for less than a year when Hurricane Ivan hit, and I decided that I did not want to continue fighting against the storms. I moved to Atlanta and landed a job as a loan officer, as well as worked part-time at a gym near my apartment. One evening, while working at the juice bar in the gym, a gentleman who had come to purchase supplements asked if I had ever thought of doing fitness competitions. He said I looked like I worked out and that I probably would do well in the competition. Unknowledgeable of the competition world, I responded with an “Absolutely not!” My image of female bodybuilders was not something I wanted for myself, so I politely declined. He attempted to explain the difference, but I wasn’t interested. 

Later that day, a young lady came into the juice bar with a book. She introduced herself to me and stated that she was asked to come in and show me some pictures of her as a fitness competitor. I was in awe. She looked amazing. At that moment, I was sold and ready to begin training to become a fitness competitor. 

I joined their gym and began training and prepping myself for upcoming shows. I learned quickly that fitness competitions are not for the faint of heart. It is a serious business, and it requires a commitment of time and effort, as well as a flawless diet. I began training for my first fitness competition in 2006. I hit the stage in April of 2007, where I placed 4th out of 32 competitors in the nationally recognized Supernatural Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition. I later competed in another show where I put first overall, which allowed me to compete worldwide in a Pro-Status—an accomplishment that can take many years to reach. From that point, I competed in shows where I’ve won many titles and awards. I have even been crowned Miss Georgia Fitness for two years in a row. 

During this time, my body changed dramatically, and everyone noticed. I would be out shopping, and people would approach to ask questions as if I was a professional trainer and would ask if I could train them. For a long time, I would say no and direct them to one of the trainers at the gym until I realized that this had become my lifestyle, and I knew to guide people just as I had been guided. 

It became a journey of not only sculpturing my body but having the ability to affect the lives of others. I trained clients to compete in numerous shows. Along the way, I gained several certifications and was on the road to becoming one of the best trainers in the game. To experience the impact my training had on transforming people’s lives—whether for image, health concerns, or self-confidence—passion burned within me and grew increasingly over the years. 

From there, I began to really channel my energy into my hometown and became an advocate to educate them on the importance of being healthy. Mississippi was labeled one of the most obese states among the 50. There were young people passing away at a young age, people suffering from heart disease, diabetes, and poor eating habits, and I wanted to step in and make a difference. That’s where the passion got extremely deep, and it grew full force from there. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has definitely been a struggle. I quickly learned how “always working” and neglecting your self-care could cost you. It took me being faced with my own health issues to realize that I was working backwards and not smart. I lost a lot during this time- healthy relationships, family time, proper rest, to name a few. I had to get to a point where I had more control over my life, and I 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 major changes in my life. My self-care is now non-negotiable. 

The hardest part of it all was trying to achieve a work-life balance. I struggled to balance my career, extracurricular, and personal life for a long time. I can’t even say today that I have it all together, 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 it was important for me to share the things that were important to them. That sometimes meant neglecting self-care. I was always sleep-deprived and exhausted, but I found energy in knowing that I was able to support the ones that supported me- which was not healthy at all 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 make an effort 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 was I. 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. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
DeBlair Tate is a highly acclaimed Health & Wellness Coach, Life Coach, Author, Master Resilience Trainer, former professional figure competitor, Former Military Training Instructor, and the visionary founder of the Figured Brand. With a profound emphasis on mental and physical well-being, DeBlair’s mission centers around instilling unwavering confidence in individuals and fostering profound sense of self-worth. 

She is also a 2X’s Published Author of the books Resilient As F’ck, How To Fight For What You Deserve, and Level Up 325 Days to Empowered Living. In addition, she is a transformational speaker and also serves her community proudly as an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as well as alongside her all-female motorcycle club, in which she is an owner. 

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
All of my favorite memories were times spent with my family, especially my grandmother. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.8figured.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdeblair/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deblair.tate
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deblair-f-tate-16516638/
• Twitter: https://x.com/DeBlairFitness
• Other: www.raf-live.com

Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/kimazingphotos/