Life & Work with Whitney Tinsley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Tinsley.  

Whitney, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved writing and reading. Growing up I did not have many people that I could talk to and express myself freely, so I always wrote my feelings. I had a journal where I would express myself freely. If I was not reading a book, I was writing down my goals or making some kind of poetry. I always knew that my story would be special and knew that I wanted to write it to help other young women. 

In high school, my passion for local news came about, and one of my dreams were to become a producer for the news. While going to school for my first master’s, I was able to create a website that allowed me to post real community stories that I were passionate about. After school, I was able to land a job in local news as a digital content producer, but I knew there was more to do. 

Being forced to quit during COVID due to childcare, I knew I wanted to still do what I love so I started my podcast Sports Talk with Whitney B and then wrote my book Life Support: Success Against All Odds to reach the community and show others that you can still reach success and achieve your goals. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not been smooth at all. While in college for my first masters, I lost my mother, and then eight months later my grandmother passed away. I was lost and did not know how I would make it every day. I wanted to quit so many times, but I knew they would not want that for me, and quitting could not be an option. 

After feeling like I was forced to quit my job in news I was depressed. I felt that I had worked so hard to get there and worked hard at the job, but it was not good enough. Because, at that time, I had two master’s degrees, I was looked at as overqualified and jobs did not want to hire me. There were many days I felt defeated, but then I started my podcast to continuing doing what I love on my own terms, and it brings me joy. 

When starting my book, I did not want to be so vulnerable, and writing it made so many of my feelings that I thought I out to bed come back. I was sad and really contemplated if I should release it, but I knew that it would help someone, so I did it. Sometimes I feel that life has thrown me several lemons, but I have learned to make the best lemonade and even add some fruit at time. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of releasing my book Life Support: Success Against All Odds. I was able to really speak about me and my struggles and the things that I went through to get to where I am today. In the book, I express a lot of my fears and things that I knew would hold me back but didn’t. It shows people that they can set goals and achieve them even though life can get in the way and things can get difficult. 

It has been rewarding getting the feedback from people. Learning that my work and my life was not in vain but that it has helped people and gave them hope. It’s pressure, but I love that people are waiting on the next book and wanting to know more and learn more about me. 

What matters most to you?
My family matters the most to me. Growing up I never wanted a child or a husband, and now I have both. I never questioned God and why things have happened to me, but for him to bring me two things I was so against, and they mean so much to me, I will do anything for my family. I work hard every day to be someone that my daughter will look up to and be proud of. I work hard every day to be my daughters’ first example of a woman. I want her to see that working hard and achieving your goals is important. I want her to know that it is ok to march to the beat of her own drum. I work hard every day so that I can be a woman my husband is proud to say that is my wife. When he speaks of me, I want me to smile, and I want his heart to continue to melt like does when I think of him or speak on him. My family keeps my going, and without them, I am not sure where I would be. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mywhitneyb.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mywhitneyb/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mywhitneyb/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Mx-rgZty-RBWh59qJfi2Q