Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebel Roze.
Hi Rebel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a mother of 4 children and a daughter of an immigrant mother who came to America with hopes to escape poverty in third-world countries. In 1990, My mother fled from my father who was a successful businessman in Honduras to the United States out of fear he would take me from her or want to end her pregnancy. I was 11 when I found out that my father was someone whom I’d never met. I was extremely confused and hurt, I didn’t know what to think. I dove into sports and was one of the top players in my middle school both in Volleyball and track. Sports was my escape from my confused life, at least that is how I took it. That was about till I turned 14 and was being raped by a person whom my aunt allowed to live in her house. I felt worthless and dirty to know a 21-year-old man was raping me and I couldn’t do anything about it because I was stuck in fear & shame. I became pregnant at the age of 15 and this was a blessing to me because this is when the abuse ended for me. I finally felt safe enough to tell my mother I was being raped at her sister’s house. I battled depression for over 15 years of my life, broken and stuck in victim-inflicted thoughts.
Fast forward 12 years later to 2017 I was raped by 3 men & I hit rock bottom, that was my true awakening. The difference with this abuse was that I was no longer a child afraid to speak up. I took these men to courts only to bear witness to the failed court system. The district attorney let 2 of these men walk away free and charged only 1 of them who did not serve anytime but instead was given 5 years probation. I’m blessed to have a partner these past 11 years who never chose to judge my mental health and pushed me year after year to be the woman I am today, through his patience, love, and understanding I became stronger. I lived most of my life since childhood in fear, the day I chose to shift from fear to freedom is when my reality slowly but surely began changing for me. Through my IG beneficial thoughts not only was I sharing inspiration but I was calling back the power that was once taken from me. On February 14, 2018, I stopped talking about all antidepressants & other medications I was “supposed to be on for the rest of my life”. Since then I’ve created so much in my life. I strongly believe that trauma can be carried through generations and knew something had to shift so that the traumas my mother faced which I faced as a child and into my adulthood would not repeat with my daughter.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a teen mother was absolutely not a smooth road. I have to say with each obstacle that came about I became resilient. My church judged me so much I no longer felt comfortable attending a year after my pregnancy. Being I am the first generation in the US and having all my family in a different country definitely came with downfalls as I have no support system. Other than my mother I had no help from 15-18 with my 2 children. I worked at bars and danced during these years which took a heavy toll on me; mentally. That lifestyle was not something I wanted but as a mother of 2 children at that age, I felt I had no other option. If anything this only added more mental exhaustion on top of being a single teen mother of 2.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an entrepreneur, inspiring artist, and chef at heart. I’ve been cooking since I can remember, even before I could reach the stove. My earliest memory in the kitchen was in second grade, I’d pull a chair up and flip tortillas with a fork to have my mom some egg tacos ready when she came home in between jobs. Growing up I loved cooking for my brothers many times it would be ramen and Mac and cheese oh and Chef Boyardee; but it was the best meal ever! At least that’s what they would say, I have 2 younger brothers: we are within 3 years of each other. I began my cooking on TikTok RebelCHEFFIN which now has over 77k followers back in 2020. With my love for creating food that makes people smile I began a dessert business “The Pudding Jar” in the same year July of 2020. This came about after preparing pudding trays for my friends and family for over 8 years at the time. I’m currently working on my first album as an artist and will be releasing my summer single “$avage” on July 1st, 2022. I’m grateful for the tribulations because they’ve brought me a kind of freedom I once thought was not possible. I’m proud of my resilience through every obstacle I’ve been faced with. I want to thank my mother, my brothers, and my children for being my motivation to continue becoming the best version of myself.
Pricing:
- My first ebook “Five Magic Ingredients, 5 Star Meals” is now available for $8 @ REBELCHEFFIN.COM
Contact Info:
- Email: iamrebelroze@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/rebelrozexo
