Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Marshall.
Tiffany, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always had a passion for sports/fitness and I’ve always had a passion for helping others. I just found a way to combine the two. I give full credit to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as well as my parents Darrell and Latie Johnson. They have instilled in me at an early age that nothing in life is free, that everything is earned and never given and to always treat others with the utmost respect. I apply that to every aspect in my life and can say that it has helped me to become the person that I am today.
In my family education is always first because that is the one thing that can’t be taken from you. However, it was also believed that sports were key to the development of a person. In my early life, I played just about every sport you can name; volleyball, basketball, softball, track, soccer and even did cheerleading. It has always been a priority for me to have fun, stay active and help others as much as I can.
Sports has taught me to be a leader and a team player, how to be mentally and physically tough, to encourage and support. Sports has helped me with time management among going to school, simultaneously working all while maintaining a social life. Lastly, sports has helped me to accept my losses and learn from them. Living the life of an athlete I have always been accustomed to a lifestyle filled with hard work and dedication. I have always known that the two were a recipe for success.
I found what I was passionate about and just ran with it. I started off with a softball camp. I contemplated hosting it for a while then finally went for it. No one in the area was doing it and I knew how badly I wanted to attend camps to get better when I was younger without having to drive a crazy distance. I began planning and from that point it all started to feel real. My idea was coming to life. Registration was booming, parents and players were excited. I was excited.
The camp was a success and the start of me hosting private lessons. Parents were so pleased with the outcome that they requested one on one lessons. I’m thinking “Oh God, how am I going to find the time with my work schedule?” BUT I made arrangements and made it happen. When you’re passionate about something, you always find a way. Here I am now giving 10 girls (my max capacity) private lessons.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There has definitely been some obstacles along the way, one of which put my softball career to a premature end. I attended and played softball at Texas Southern University, where I was struck in the face while throwing front toss to a teammate in the cages. The ball was hit directly into the screen I was standing behind, came through a tear and hit me in the face. I was knocked to the ground where I remained unconscious. After receiving medical attention it was determined that I had a concussion, broken cheekbone and would have to undergo facial reconstructive surgery. I immediately broke down. Throughout my entire sports career, I have never suffered from an injury so extreme.
My surgeons made an incision on the side of my head and the inside of my mouth where thy entered to avoid any visible scarring. I was forced to move back home during my recovery period as it would take time to be up and active again. Lying around day in and day out, and being on a liquid diet was not my typical lifestyle. As a result, I lost a great amount of weight and muscle, at that point I didn’t look or feel like myself at all. Fast forward to the end of my recovery, I was notified that I could slowly start working my way back into the exercise scene.
At that very moment, I made a promise to myself that I would take this incident and turn it into a testimony. I got into the gym and took off with it. I was so happy to be able to work out again that I was going two times a day. I became so obsessed with my health and growth that I began helping others with their fitness goals.
My advice to anyone would be to take life as it comes at you. Of course no one wants anything bad to happen along the way, but unfortunately, that’s the way life goes, that’s where the beauty in your process comes from. Unfortunate events happen. You’ve just got to trust it and know that greater good is coming from it.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am currently managing a gym, while also hosting private softball pitching lessons and team practices. At work, I dedicate my time to helping members and guests reach their fitness goals and after work, I dedicate my time to my young girls with the dreams of becoming a softball player at the collegiate level. With my career-ending so abruptly I feel that by doing this not only am I offering my girls the opportunity to become exceptional at what they do but they are also teaching me that just because you can’t play the sport anymore doesn’t mean that there isn’t ways for you to give back or help someone become better. My girls enjoy their time with me. We work hard, we have fun and we get better! Seeing them happy and seeing their results is what makes me most proud. They are my motivation. They push me to be better!
Everything I do is authentic and from the heart, and that alone sets me apart from others. The moment I enter the gym or step on the field to train, I find my peace. All in all I am just so thankful for life, my health and the opportunity to help others. I live by the quote “Aspire to inspire before you expire” just as we all should.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The credit goes to God. I know that without him nothing that I do is possible. My parents and just family, in general, have helped to shape me into the young woman that I am today. The love and support that they show me is felt in every way and I can’t thank them enough. I can go to them with an idea I have and they will encourage me to go for it! However, while we all love to hear “yes, go for it” or “yes, that’s amazing, you should do it” it’s not always like that from the jump. My family always gives me the real. There’s no sugar-coating when it comes to them. If they see a flaw in my plan or something that could be constructed better they let me know. They only want what is best for me so they’re not afraid to give me constructive criticism, and for that, I am thankful.
My girls that I teach also keep me going and pushing to be better. Their love for the game and love for putting in the work with me makes everything that I do worth it. There is no greater feeling than seeing your idea flourish and have such positive impacts on those that are involved.
I can’t leave out my friends. My circle is there for me always whether it’s to discuss my ideas, vent, and laugh or cry it really doesn’t matter. I can always count on them. My social media followers are pretty amazing as well. You’d be amazed at how many people you reach and how many strangers are rooting for you or just being inspired by what it is that you do. Seeing the feedback from others is confirmation that what I’m doing has a purpose.
I believe it is so important to surround yourself with positivity, and people who are like-minded. With positivity comes authenticity. Those that are in my life are supporters, never enemies. Life is all about moving forward and it’s imperative to be around those who help us navigate towards success.
Contact Info:
- Email: marshalltiffany22@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmarshall22/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffany.n.marshall
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiffanym_22
Image Credit:
Donnie Jackson
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