Today we’d like to introduce you to Chenai Milton.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am originally from Bedford Heights, Ohio, which is a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I went to college at Kent State University, where I got my undergraduate degree in Health Promotion and Education, and I got my graduate degree in Public Health Epidemiology. I was working at a health department for three years, and within my third year there I realized that working behind a desk was not for me, but I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do instead. January 2016, I was out shopping at a mall one day, and I was stopped by a woman working a booth. She told me I looked beautiful and that I should be a model, I looked at her and thought she was crazy, I said “I am only 5’7, and I wear a size 10-12 in clothes, I cannot be a model,” and she started telling me about commercial modeling and that the industry is changing and plus size is becoming more “in”. I gave her the side eyes, laughed and said: “no, thank you.” She then proceeded to request I attend an informational meeting with her agency, I was hesitant to give my information to her, but I did, I attended the meeting, and I am so glad I did. I started off with just taking commercial acting training then moved to comedy and drama acting and also dabbled into runway walk and photo movement training. While at the agency I auditioned for something called IMTA (International Modeling and Talent Association) which is a competition event for new talent looking for national and international representation with an agent and/or manager. While there I did eight competitions, six to be eligible for the model of the year and then two general acting competitions. Of my division, I got first runner up for Model of the Year, which was really exciting for me, that someone who just stepped into this industry a few months prior to this experience that I got the 2nd most points of all other women In my division. While at IMTA, I found my National/International representation, and I was given a year to relocate to Los Angeles. I arrived to LA in July 2017, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I gave up my corporate America life, something that was a guaranteed check biweekly to chasing a dream that I had a calling for and always wanted as a little girl but was denied due to size. This journey has not been easy, by far but I am 1,000x happier here in LA than I was back in my suburban town in Ohio. To this day, I have worked on several tv sets as a model or actor and movie sets as an actor. Also, within this journey here in LA, I have also continued teaching my group fitness classes at Crunch Fitness. I have been a group fitness instructor for five years now teaching Zumba,
Cycle/Spinning, Boot Camp, Cardio Kickboxing, and HIIT classes.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I will say that my road hasn’t been the smoothest; however, I have heard the worst stories. Most struggles I have dealt with while here has been due to finances. I have a degree that I can make almost $100,000 a year if went back to corporate America life, but instead, I do other/multiple jobs on top of my acting/modeling gigs because I have to remain flexible with my schedule. I have to have a job where if I need to be off work for multiple days to be on set, I have to be off work. I cannot work where they will tell me, no you can’t have the days off, or I also have to be able to drop everything I am doing for a last-minute audition in 2-3 hours. Due to this type of demand, it makes it very hard to have a very strict job, so sometimes I do not know when my next good check is coming.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your work– tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a plus-size model, commercial model, actor, and a group fitness instructor. I would say I specialize in body positivity and that no matter what size you are, you are beautiful and you can do whatever your heart desires. Many women struggle with feeling beautiful or feeling like they are not “fit enough” and hide in their shell due to today’s society, but they are all beautiful. I will admit I was a woman who hated her body, always wanted to be skinnier, taller, etc. but now I am comfortable in my skin. Being a plus-size model/actor helps to show women that all shapes and sizes are beautiful Being a group fitness instructor, I am proof that you do not have to be “skinny” to be “fit.” I teach multiple classes a week on top of weight lifting, and my stamina and strength is a lot higher than those who are smaller in size than me. I can deadlift more than my body weight; I can squat my body weight, I can run for a long time, bike for miles and do so much more than people who are a size 2. I am most proud of myself for overcoming body shaming myself and realizing how beautiful I am.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future is to have the best of both worlds/my passions. I am actively applying to work as a Community College Instructor teaching Public Health and Fitness college courses, still continue to teach my fitness classes at my gym and be able to expand who I am as a body positivity model and an actress. I am most looking forward to the lives I will touch or influence in all my passions in life. The girls who have curves, the girls who thought they wouldn’t make it big because of their skin tone, the men/women I push every day in my fitness classes to be the best healthy selves they can be and the future of our society through the future public health professionals. I want others to see/hear my name and be inspired.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chenaimonique/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Media/Chenai-Milton-546810909070286/
- Other: https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profile/chenai-milton/973074
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