Taversha: A Current Perspective

Taversha’s personal story is a compelling one. She is a native of Rhine, Georgia, and spent the majority of her youth in suburban Georgia with her mother. At an early age, she discovered gymnastics. Gymnastics was Taversha’s introduction to sports, and she excelled at it beyond measure. She achieved level nine-category as a gymnast—two levels below the Olympic qualifying status. This experience was Taversha’s first indication that she possessed a gift—one to be both cherished and cultivated. She was committed and comfortable in the sport, a point that was proven when as a high school freshman she won the World Cheerleading Association (WCA) national championship. She had found her niche.

Taversha immersed herself in training as a gymnast and was awarded a Cheerleading scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University. During her matriculation, she continuously made the Dean’s list. Unfortunately, Taversha’s mother had long-suffered from sickle cell anemia, a painful condition that robbed her of much of her strength and mobility. In 2002, her mother’s condition worsened; she needed more assistance than she had in the past. In response to her mother’s need, Taversha returned home. She attended a local college until her mother regained independence—after which she urged Taversha to continue to pursue her passion, competitive cheerleading.

Taversha enrolled at Southern University in Louisiana, where she was a National Cheerleader’s Association (NCA) Collegiate All-American cheerleader; the Black College Individual National Champion; Black College Cheerleader of the Year (for overcoming adversity); and a participant on the repeat Co-Ed National Championship team. By then, it was clear to most people who met Taversha that to her, sports was an art form, and she had a level of skill that was hard to duplicate.

Formal education is as much about self-discovery as it is about training and vocational preparation. In college, Taversha discovered two things: a) the enthusiasm and sense of completion that had she felt as a child during competitions had increased—sports was an intricate part of who she was, and b) she gravitated toward academic subjects that included human involvement and altruism—she was very motivated to help others obtain the sense of accomplishment and self-worth that she had felt when she competed.

Some would posit that there are two types of people—those that succumb to adverse situations, and those that use all experiences (positive and negative) to define their own realities. Taversha falls squarely in the latter category. Since graduating from college, two things have happened that have helped to shape her perspective:

She lost her mother in 2007. While not uncommon, the loss of her biggest supporter and most ardent fan has solidified in Taversha the incentive to make the most of life; she understands that years are not promised, and health can be tenuous. Subsequently, she enrolled in a Master’s program, wherein she studied Sports Psychology—a field that is a natural blend of the things that matter most to her.

Then, she discovered BOXING. To look at Taversha’s physical, one might not anticipate the fleetness with which she moves or the cunning way she uses an opponent’s perspective to best her. If you ever had the chance to see her compete, you would understand that to Taversha, boxing is a natural culmination of the dexterity and deftness that she developed in gymnastics and cheerleading. In what may perhaps be the most un-anticipated path to boxing, Taversha has discovered, yet again, her purpose.

In 2012 with her hard work and tenacity, Taversha made the first-ever 2012 Female Olympic Boxing Trials Team. While she didn't make the Olympic Team, after the trials she relocated to Southern California to further pursue boxing. She went on win numerous championships. But, there was something missing. While focusing on boxing she wasn't able to focus on what began all of this, the desire to help other people. At that point, she sought out a professional career that would allow her to operate in her passion of assisting people with their physical and mental struggles as it pertains to fitness. She began working for Anytime Fitness as a Personal Trainer and within a month, she was promoted to Fitness Manager. Fast forward a few years and Elbowgrease was born!

She has been a coach and team captain throughout her athletic and professional career, so this position is only fitting. Thus began the premise for this blog, which is to help people reach their optimum potential both physically and mentally. She is hopeful that you will allow her to better assist you towards your fitness goals through commenting and sharing your stories and her blog posts.