Exploring Life & Business with Tia Banks LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Banks. She and her team shared her story with us below:

Tia Banks has become the second African American woman to conquer the towering heights of the highest volcano in North America, Pico de Orizaba. This achievement is just one milestone in Tia’s extraordinary journey, as she sets her sights on climbing all seven volcanic summits across seven continents. Tia’s passion for mountain climbing transcends the physical realm; it is a powerful metaphor for her triumph over depression. A former professional athlete, Tia found solace and strength in the challenging world of mountain climbing. Her mission extends beyond personal fulfillment to a broader purpose, raising awareness for mental health struggles, particularly anxiety and depression. The symbolism in Tia’s climbs reflects her belief in rising above life’s adversities. Through her expeditions, she aims to shed light on the importance of mental health and encourage others to overcome their mountains. Tia’s dedication goes beyond individual triumphs; she advocates for inclusivity in the mountaineering community, challenging stereotypes and showcasing that black women, too, can conquer the world’s peaks. Tia embarks on a nationwide journey with her Mind Over Mountains school tour, taking her mission to new heights. Visiting middle schools, high schools, and colleges, Tia shares her story and imparts valuable insights to educators and students alike. The impact is profound, with increased student attendance and empowered individuals equipped with social, emotional, and mental health strategies. Tia Banks is more than an accomplished mountain climber; she is a respected resilience expert, retention specialist, and growth mindset advocate. Her professional development trainings inspire educators to overcome burnout, fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. In a world where mountains represent physical and metaphorical challenges, Tia Banks is a beacon of resilience, breaking barriers and inspiring others to conquer their summits. Through her remarkable journey and impactful initiatives, Tia continues to elevate the conversation around mental health, representation, and empowerment.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, but being familiar with adversity and understanding how to overcome it taught me a lot. It took me 7 days to summit my first mountain 3 years ago, which happened to be the highest volcano in Africa. Mt. Kilimanjaro. I was sick before I even arrived in Africa. I was told by a nurse after day 2, I should not have continued. I was plagued with a terrible cough and struggled to breathe so badly that I needed oxygen, but having resilience is a choice. And I chose not to let my physical factors control my destiny to summit. This past year, I summited Pico de Orizaba, the highest volcano in North America. This mountain was even more challenging than Mt. Kilimanjaro. A year earlier, I took a group called “The Omberclimbers,” Black African and indigenous women, to climb two mountains in Mexico, including Pico. We summited one, shoutout to the omber climbers, but Pico was too much for us. We reached about 5k meters, and due to timing and safety, we had to turn around. I waited an entire year to go back. I trained smarter and re-strategized our route, and one year and one month later, I stood on top of the highest volcanic summit in North America. You only fail when you quit; you may have to go back to the lab, pause, take a break, learn more about your skills and abilities, decide where to improve, and try again. And that’s what we did. And I wasn’t taking “No” for an answer.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Tia Banks LLC?
Tis Banks LLC is a company that provides motivational speaking programs, products, professional development trainings, events, and curriculum to empower students and educators with actionable strategies to build resilience and enhance mental health and social-emotional education. What I am most proud of is our outdoor education called Summit Saturday. We take teachers and student-athletes into nature for a guided hiking experience and include a mental performance coaching session. As a result, teams see success in their athletes’ academic and athletic performance. Teachers and staff are equipped with tools to improve their work-life balance. Educators get more out of their students because our curriculum addresses their needs.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Tia Banks is a mentor to teens and young adults, board leader for Big Brother and Big Sister, and the Next Level Speakers Academy Dallas chapter president.

Contact Info:

• Website: WWW.TIABANKS.COM
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetiabanks/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Thetiabanks-100064323240028/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-banks-581558223
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetiabanks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetiabanks1
• Other: https://songwhip.com/tiabanks/inpowered

Image Credits
Chris Hase, Rodney Hamilton, Tia Banks