Hidden Gems: Meet Tinissia English of OCB Colorado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tinissia English.

Tinissia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started bodybuilding 8 years ago when I developed a stress-induced eating disorder after meeting my partner’s mistress. I truly believed it would kill me and I needed to do something to force myself to eat, so I started lifting weights. Unbeknownst to me, the gym I was going to was owned by a professional bikini bodybuilder who asked if I was training for a show. At the time I knew nothing about bodybuilding but I was desperate for some control over my life so I dove in and never looked back. The first time I competed was with the OCB at a free show in Florida.

That promoter puts on one free show a year to give back and after the show, he told me why I didn’t place well and to keep going because I was meant for this sport. I was hooked on the OCB and their culture and in 2019 I went to another show that same promoter put on and earned my OCB Bikini Pro Card. As I was driving to work the next week his words were ringing in my ear as I felt like just earning my Pro Card wasn’t why I was “meant for this sport.”

In 2020, I finally decided to publicly tell my story on social media, and within a week the OCB reached out to me and asked if I wanted my show. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I knew the culture and felt like this was how I was meant for this sport. Bodybuilders often get a bad reputation for being selfish but everyone who competes has a story and I was determined to bring a quality show to Colorado that would allow people to tell/live out their stories. My first show was on September 11, 2021, and after being part of so many athlete’s stories I set out to be the biggest and best natural bodybuilding show promoter in Colorado.

Not for myself but because I knew there were so many more people with stories, ambitions, and people I needed to reach and spread the word so that they could compete at a highly competitive level free of any performance-enhancing drugs. I now have one show in Nebraska and three shows in Colorado, one of which is the only fully drug-tested natural bodybuilding pro show in Colorado which I am very proud to bring here!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being an entrepreneur, solo mom, and woman in a male-dominated industry has certainly come with its unique set of obstacles. Fortunately, the OCB is a family and has supported me immensely throughout my journey. I have found the best way to be a mom and entrepreneur is to include my kids and family in my shows. My teenager is my go-to person at shows and knows so many people often think she is me!

She’s an absolute beast backstage running music, getting everyone into place, answering questions and even handing out awards. My parents come to every show and do all my extra running around for me, my kid’s dad does my live streaming and tabulating and my boyfriend is my lead expeditor and hype man backstage. I truly couldn’t do any of this without them.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about OCB Colorado?
Ages 16 and over can compete in the OCB and because we allow teens to compete, I give every teen (16-19) a free backstage pass/admission to every show of mine they compete in. We want parents and families involved in their journey and we also want them to feel comfortable with their teen athletes in this industry and in particular at my shows.

The OCB as an organization has a unique culture which I believe comes from how they select their promoters. They take their time to select every single promoter and ensure the potential promoter loves the sport of natural bodybuilding as well as has a vested interest in athlete experience. Every company wants to make money but we truly work to put our athletes and their experience before our bottom line and that changes the feel of the entire experience. Because of that, our shows are fair, family-friendly, fun, and keep people coming back.

The backstage experience brings me to tears every single show as athletes gather on the side of the stage to cheer each other on, making it an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. The friendships are everlasting and so special, and I am so thankful to be part of it and to see the journeys of so many amazing athletes and their time on stage.

What were you like growing up?
I have been in gyms since before I could walk, my dad was a professional boxer and had me in sports at a very young age. I started in martial arts for many years and ran DII Track and Cross Country.

When in college, I chaired multiple committees and helped coordinate various leadership conferences which gave me the knowledge and background for show promotion which I was extremely grateful for.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ocbcolorado.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocbcolorado/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/OCBColorado/

Image Credits
Chandler Thornton Photography