Meet Tia Banks | Motivational Speaker, Author, Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tia Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Last year I reached the top of the highest free-standing mountain in the world Mt. Kilimanjaro, just as the saying goes, sometimes without risk there is no reward. I was battling altitude sickness in addition to having an upper respiratory infection. Any nurse will tell you when climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro if you keep climbing sick after 13,000 ft it can be very detrimental to your health. That mountain is a total of 19,341 ft. I honestly should have stopped, but I wanted to reach the summit of that mountain so bad, I was willing to risk my health. I achieved so much despite the risks. I found a stronger part of myself . A side I never knew existed. The risk built my risk-taking muscle and since then I took a risk by being vulnerable in sharing my story, I wrote and published a book to help people overcome their life mountains like anxiety, depression, fear. I started a hiking community that connects people with nature, each other and their highest selves and something I’m most excited about is I organized a group of black, Indigenous and African women who are climbing the highest volcano in North America, Pico de, Orizaba, in November 2022. We are called the Ombreclimbers and we are showing the world that mountain climbers come in all shades of color.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Schools across the nation demand me to speak because I’m willing to do what’s necessary to build a lasting rapport with students. I am a motivational speaker, but my work doesn’t stop when the speech ends. I make myself accessible as a mentor and additional resource to help students cope with life. last year 40% of college students experienced depression and having experienced it myself I understand how challenging it can be to overcome. But it can be done. I’ve done it twice and this last time was with the help of a mentor.

I have been a Big Brother Big Sister mentor for over 10 years and now I am a board member for the organization. I realize when I speak to students, I’m speaking to my younger self.
I am the mentor and the voice that I needed as I was coming into an age where I questioned my identity and that’s what excites me, making a positive impact into the lives of others.

Becoming a motivational speaker required me to dig deep into the vulnerable spaces I’ve protected for years. Before I can help motivate people I had to embrace my own pain points and honestly motivate myself first. I’ve been homeless before, mentally, spiritually and financially broke. I’ve endured life experiences that affected my ability to believe in myself. I never knew what self-love was. I went through a period of self-discovery . Who am I ? I’ve always been an athlete. I played professional flag football for 12 years, I’ve played basketball overseas, but who am I without sports because deep down I knew I was more than a player in life. I think seeing myself in a different light and going through that process led me to where I am today. I have never felt more peace, I’ve never felt more empowered than I do today, but I had to find me and fall in love with her, my highest self, first.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were coming to visit me here in Dallas we would without a doubt go hiking in Cedar Hill at Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve. We would come back to my house and we would order Ohm Woke meals (Best Plant-based cuisines in DFW). Plus I don’t like to cook. We would go check out an open mic Either at Fluid Fridays hosted by Crush or go to Makers Gym open mic, both have a dope vibe with live music and artistry I love being around other creatives and live music gives me goosebumps. Then we would have to try something different like glass blowing in the design district.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout my partners in climb. The Ombre climbers. The women who are climbing the highest volcano in North America with me. Sheena Winston, Chriis Briggs and Katlego. We are going to make HERstory ladies!

I must shoutout my mom who is 64 years old and in the best shape of her life. She wakes up at 4 and 5am every morning to train with her personal trainer so that she can compete in track meets across the globe. My mom inspires me to know that it’s never too late, you’re never too old to go for your dreams as long as you’re willing to preserve. My mom recently graduated from college and received her bachelors degree and may be going for her Masters. Just as a parent can be proud of their child, I’m super proud of my parents and I have to shout them out, Mom and Dad both!

I am also blessed to live my purpose speaking to students throughout the US showing them how they can overcome anxiety and depression, increase confidence and achieve more goals. I get to help students in high school and college, with strategies to manage the stress that comes with the pressure to perform and for that I have to shoutout my mentors Jeremy Anderson, Jessica Lundy, Chris Crump and The Next Level Speakers Academy for helping me grow into the motivational speaker that I am today.

Website: www.tiabanks.com

Instagram: @thetiabanks

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-banks-581558223/

Twitter: @thetiabanks

Facebook: https://ne-np.facebook.com/tia.banks.92754

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiZViSruiUGAsB7t0JZ8KNg

Other: Follow our instagram: Ombre Climbers and follow our journey to climb the highest volcano in North America. Pico de Orizaba. Support our mission: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/black-african-indigenous-women-climb-pico

Image Credits
Next Level Speakers Academy Tia Banks