Meet FRÉ Ambassador Tierra Briscoe, Yogi & PhD Candidate

@yogi.tb
sol-full.co
Quarantine & Flow Program 

About me: I was born in La Plata, MD, and now, I live in Prince George’s County, MD. I’ve always been an athlete. In high school, I was a cheerleader and runner. I discovered yoga during my freshman year at college and fell in love with it. Yoga has transformed my body. I am currently writing a PhD dissertation on trauma yoga.

Skincare 

As a yogi, my skin challenges are all about sweat. I sweat a lot, especially when I work out, and even more so if I’m in the sun. Last week, I was in Florida and was drenched in sweat by the end of my practice. When I’m in the sun, I want to make sure my skin is protected against harsh environmental conditions and stays hydrated.

DETOX ME me is my absolute favorite FRÉ. It smells amazing. I use it up so quickly, I don't have any right now! It’s not abrasive as exfoliation goes; often, exfoliating treatments will be abrasive and tear skin. If I train hard, then I use this product for my self-care Friday. I also love the FRÉ Body products. I can use the entire bottle of  GLOW BODY in just 2 weeks. When I love a product, I go through it fast, and, right now, the only FRÉ products that I have left are a drop of  I AM LOVE and  REVIVE ME (I have more products on the way!). I’ve been using FRÉ for 2 years.

I also love the FRÉ Body products. I can use the entire bottle of  GLOW BODY in just 2 weeks.

My fitness journey

I discovered yoga in College. Initially, I thought it was an easy way to get a gym credit, but I ended up totally falling in love with it. I got into lots of different styles of yoga in 2008, and then in 2014, my fitness routine intensified. I did a lot of Bikram hot yoga; I used to practice 6 times a week, in addition to a workout at night. I'd just got out of a toxic relationship, and my body started to transform.

I discovered yoga in College. Initially, I thought it was an easy way to get a gym credit, but I ended up totally falling in love with it.

In 2016, I started working with a trainer. This has been elevating my yoga practice and I’ve been learning different styles. Then in 2018, I began training to prepare for my first bikini competition. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. It was a real lifestyle change, involving serious amounts of discipline and diet.

The workouts aren’t hard per se, but there are some days I hate it! It's a crazy journey. It's been interesting to see how my body transforms in different ways. And although I’ve always been an athlete of some sort, now, I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in. 

Going 10x harder as a black female yogi

In March, I went to Miami for spring break. I like to visit different yoga studios. I went to a super dope studio with 70 people in a heated Vinyasa class. I always introduce myself and sit at the front, and of course, I was the only the black person in the class. The girl next to me actually scooted over so she wouldn’t have to touch me.

I have to buy the expensive yoga mats and clothes to be taken seriously. I have to wear sporty outfits to be able to work with athletes. Everything I post is over sexualized. Basically, I have to work 10 times harder to be taken seriously as a black female yogi and it’s draining. 

Basically, I have to work 10 times harder to be taken seriously as a black female yogi and it’s draining. 

In order to change things, education is critical. Not everyone has money to donate to causes right now, but you can use your voice. So, use your platforms and speak up. Show up to black yogi classes, educate other people. You can’t be scared to use your voice. 

Fitness tips 

1. Trust the journey.  Whatever journey you are on, it's not going to look linear! There will be ups and downs. Embrace light in the dark of your journey. 
2. Extend yourself with grace.  Take photos! Look at yourself naked in the mirror—you will see changes. You give yourself permission to love your body and love yourself. Just be.
3. I recently posted about  body dysmorphia.  I love where I’m at in my fitness journey, but I still have my moments. It’s easy to get impulsive and obsessive, but it’s better to  go in with no expectations, to go in with grace.
4. Don’t weigh yourself!  I don’t weigh myself. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat. There are days you might not feel that you are getting anywhere, but make it fun and be fun with it. Don’t force it. 

Rapid Fire:

• Favorite exercise?  Squats. 
• What does sweat mean to you?  Release. Sweat is also purifying. While I practice, I try not to wipe the sweat from my face.
• What comes to mind when you think of FRÉ?  Empowerment 
• What’s something you’d still love to learn?  How to pole dance 
• If you were a hashtag, what would you be?  #thevibe
• What is your mantra?  I say this at the end of every yoga session: Honor self, acknowledge self, have grace for self, check on self, love self, accept self, observe self, embrace self, create space. 
• What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received in your life?  Take that leap of faith.
• What is an issue that you wish we spoke about more often?  Inclusiveness. Have these uncomfortable conversations. Communication is huge and it’s needed.
• What does women’s empowerment mean in 2020?  Everything! It's so important that we are recognized and acknowledged. I can say this from personal experience working as a police officer and government agent before I became a yogi. It was a male dominated field and I was in the minority. 
• What are your dreams for the FRÉ community?  I believe in this company. I want to keep seeing support for staying active regardless of body type or skin color. I’m excited to see where things go. I use the products and give them out. I want to see the company grow, I want to see longevity. 
  
• How do you give back?  I work with the summer program for PG County Youth Social Services with kids who’ve experienced trauma. As a yogi of color, I’ve also stepped into the role of activist in the yoga community.