Conversations with Rashouna Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rashouna Harris.

Hi Rashouna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m a 40yr old mother of an amazing 3yr old young king (Royal R. Taylor). I have been a Master Cosmetologist for over 20yrs. A lash technician for 6yrs. A bodybuilding figure competitor of about 15yrs. I also hold the 2017 NPC Miss Missouri Figure Overall Champion title and 2 times an NPC National qualifier. I am also a personal Trainer of 5yrs. 2 a times Kansas City People Choice Awards Finalist. I also have grown my brand Champion Made Fitness “It’s time to bring out The CHAMP that already resides within you,” which consists of numerous fitness accessories. My objective with my brand was to have things that can be useful to anyone of any fitness level in almost any setting. That way, there is no reason for one not to stay active. And I’m also still an overseer of Power House Fitness Apparel, my late boyfriend/my son’s father Gary G. Taylor Jr. (1987-2021) brand. And my newest baby, Show Me KC Cuties. I’ve brought together a collaboration of some of Kansas City’s most amazing black African American personal trainers, fitness coaches, and fitness influencers as a collective. To name a few, Tonielle of StarrLuvlyBodies, FitRee of FitReeFitness, Rocki Mitchell of BodyRokcFitness, and Leyla Moore of MooreFitness. And that’s only a few out of a group of 11 ladies right now. We hold a big fitness event with an hour workout led by multiple trainers, and I also encourage small local businesses to be vendors at the event. That way, everyone (trainers, local businesses, entrepreneurs, etc.) gets exposure and network, all while in a highly positive energy environment. The first event was amazing, and I’m sure future events will only improve!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the first obstacles or challenges that I thought was one of the hardest things I would have to go through was being a victim of physical, mental, verbal, and emotional abuse by my ex-husband. Looking back now, I can honestly say that i was damaged goods for longer than I realized after i was finally able to divorce and remove myself from that toxic situation. One of my largest obstacles, I would say, has been the loss, the murder of my boyfriend, life partner, and the father of my child. It has been the most tragic thing in my life, and I still struggle with it daily. Just knowing the struggles my son (and his siblings) will face not having his father anymore scares me. The world is so hard on this world’s black and brown kings. Not having his father to help him learn how to best navigate through this world hurts me every day. I am very thankful and appreciative of the men in his life that have and will help him along the way especially now that his father can’t. But my son also is my strength that keeps me pushing through.

Another Obstacle or challenge im currently dealing with has been the diagnosis of my mother having stage 4 breast cancer. Breast cancer that spread from her breast to lymph nodes to the liver to bone. One day she was perfectly fine, with minimal to no health issues, to a life of her dealing with scan after test after scanning almost every day and now weekly chemo treatment. Though i definitely know that the most stress and strain of this disease is on the person’s body, its attacks. While in the same instance, those right-hand men of that person hold a lot on their shoulder (my younger sister and I), you/we automatically want to hold and carry all the pain, worry, stress, etc. of this journey for them along with your own. Still, through it, all, God, my amazing village, The Gym, and now my Royal is what keeps my head on straight. All of those things and people feed into my mind body and soul in such a healthy positive way. I couldnt imagine navigating life without any of those components.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Entrepreneur, businesswoman, and mother; the work I have been doing all my life has been aligned without me knowing. Being a cosmetologist for over 20 years and then stepping into personal training involves me being the vessel of using my talents and expertise to help someone feel better from the inside out. Instead, as a cosmetologist, it’s a hairstyle that allows them to see their true beauty now and brightens their day or lifts their spirits. Or if it’s as a personal Trainer guiding or teaching someone the tools they need to become or feel healthier through proper exercise and eating regimens. Both start from the inside. Once the inside is in good condition, nothing can stop that bright light from shining on the outside. It always feels good to know that with your knowledge and expertise, you may have helped or allowed someone to see or “Bring Out the CHAMP That Already Resides Within Them.

Please talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy.
My happiness lies in God, My son, My family, My clients, and The gym.

Pricing:

• $350/month = 3 group sessions weekly
• $40 per drop in session

Contact Info:

• Website: www.championmadefitness.com
• Instagram: darkdivabeastmode
• Facebook: Rashouna Harris or Champion Made Fitness

Image Credits
D33 Photography and Voltage ViZions Studios