Bao Su shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Bao , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
If I had to choose, I’d say integrity is the most important.
Intelligence can sharpen your mind, and energy can fuel your drive—but without integrity, both can be misused. Integrity is the compass that ensures intelligence is applied wisely and that energy is directed toward something meaningful and just. It means standing firm in values, being honest even when it’s inconvenient, and treating people with fairness and respect.
With integrity, intelligence and energy become tools for building trust, creating impact, and leading a life that aligns with who you truly are. Without it, even the brightest mind and the strongest drive can lose their way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Bao Su, and I’m the founder of Body Bling Jewelry, a bespoke jewelry brand created in 2018 to bring luxury, stage-ready sparkle to the bodybuilding and fitness community. What makes Body Bling unique is that every piece is designed with intention—crafted to highlight an athlete’s presence, confidence, and individuality under the stage lights. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of styling competitors at some of the biggest NPC and IFBB shows, and watching athletes step into their power with the perfect finishing touch never gets old.
Beyond jewelry, my story is one of resilience, creativity, and purpose. I’ve built my brand not only on rhinestones and glamour, but on connection—collaborating with suit designers, tailoring pieces to match an athlete’s vision, and celebrating their milestones as if they were my own.
Currently, I’m focused on perfecting my craft and elevating the customer experience to a truly top-tier level. My goal is to ensure every client feels seen, valued, and celebrated, making the journey with Body Bling just as special as the jewelry itself. At the heart of it all, my belief is that success is about detail, integrity, and creating something that serves people in a meaningful way.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is my relationship with my kids. Being their mother has taught me resilience, patience, and unconditional love in ways nothing else ever could. Every decision, sacrifice, and victory has been influenced by wanting to give them the best of me and a strong foundation for their own lives. They’ve shown me my strength, softened my edges, and reminded me daily of my purpose. In many ways, who I am today is because of the lessons and love I’ve shared with them.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
As hard as some struggles have been, giving up was never an option for me. Being strong for my kids was mission critical—it’s what kept me moving forward when life felt heavy. It was also existential for me to know I was helping them shape into young adults rooted in love and compassion. They became my “why,” and that responsibility gave me the strength to push through challenges, grow from them, and keep building a future we could all be proud of.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
It’s not particularly a person whose ideas I rely on most, but rather my faith and the values that come with striving to be a good person. Leaning into that inner guidance—choosing integrity, compassion, and grace—has always been the compass I trust when making decisions or navigating challenges.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know I’m out of my depth when I start to feel stretched beyond clarity—when the answers aren’t clear, and I find myself needing to pause and realign. Motherhood taught me that I won’t always have it all figured out, but I can always choose patience and a willingness to grow. In business, especially with my brand, I’ve learned that those moments are reminders to step back, gain perspective, and approach challenges with humility. For me, recognizing when I’m out of my depth isn’t about limitation—it’s about awareness, growth, and protecting the integrity of everything I pour my name into.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bodyblingjewelry.com/
- Instagram: @bodybling.jewelry
- Facebook: bodyblingjewelry
