“When it’s your passion, it becomes your life.“
CHEERFIT AMBASSADOR FEATURE: SHAWNELLE HAMILTON
The CHEERFIT ambassador community is filled with leaders and motivators who all share a passion for fitness, love for cheering and drive to help inspire others.
Our ambassadors share with us their personal stories and obstacles they overcome along the way. We have an amazing community of athletes who fuel their passion and determination with the CHEERFIT lifestyle.
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AND HOW YOU GOT TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
At 4 months old I was diagnosed with a serious heart disease called cardio-myopathy. Doctors told my parents that I would not make it past age 4.
At age 4 I went to try out to be a cheerleader something doctors told me I couldn’t do. During that time, I was still on the heart transplant list that I had been on since age 1. My mother and coaches believed in me and pushed me very hard, and I also tried very hard because I love cheering.
My first year cheering I cried everyday because I didn’t want to exercise/run etc, but wanted to cheer so my coaches kept pushing me. After cheering for two years, at age 6 I went to get a small procedure done that allowed the doctors to see what was happening inside of my heart. After the procedure, doctors told my mother that my heart was so much better and that I could now be able to go inactive on the heart transplant list if I still took my medicine everyday.
My mother strongly believed that cheering/exercising on a regular basis got me to that point.
I am now 8 years old and although I still take medications daily and my heart is still not as normal as it could be, I am still inactive in the transplant list and doctors said I might not need a new heart until college, but everyday I push to not need a heart at all just medicine and I believe if I stay fit that will happen .Cheering is something I love to do and to be a great cheerleader I have to train hard and stay fit and exercising almost everyday made me the great cheerleader I am today!!!
– CHEERFIT Ambassador Shawnelle Hamilton
ARE YOU INVOLVED IN ANY VOLUNTEER OR NONPROFIT AND HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE OTHERS?
Last season I helped my team Hot Topic Allstars by volunteering on the special needs cheer team. “You can be whatever you want to be if you apply yourself, don’t ever say I can’t or give up – just keep pushing.”
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Overcoming and still fighting a huge medical issue is a big accomplishment for me. I also made honor roll all four quarters for second grade and now will be going to third grade.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A CHEERFIT AMBASSADOR?
My favorite part of being a CHEERFIT ambassador is I get to share my story and encourage others that staying fit is healthy and is sometimes the medication.
HOW HAS BEING AN AMBASSADOR HELPED YOU?
I am still new, but being a ambassador has already helped me build confidence, feel like a leader and work much harder at getting my tumbling skills!!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BECOME A CHEERFIT AMBASSADOR?
Come along and help make a difference by being a CHEERFIT ambassador – it is super fun!
WHAT 3 THINGS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR CHEER BAG?
Snacks, tablet & American girl doll
FAVORITE SONG TO JAM OUT TO DURING A SWEAT SESH:
Any song that comes on supa peach pandora station
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EXERCISE?
Knee ups
FAVORITE QUOTE:
Keep your head high, your bow higher, and your confidence highest!
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story Shawnelle! You are so inspiring and we are so proud that you have joined the CHEERFIT family! We look forward to following your amazing journey and hope you continue to stay healthy, fit, strong, and powerful in all you do!
#CHEERFITSTRONG
Stay FIT <3,
your CHEERFIT team
Loving these fit tips and motivation? Become a CHEERFIT Ambassador and get instant access to the CHEERFIT Ambassador Club, exclusive content, CHEERFIT updates, and ambassador-only giveaways. Start your journey today!
❤️❤️Great story shawnelle ❤️❤️
I am so proud of you Shawnelle. Along your journey remember to keep GOD first, focus and continue to strive for greatness..beginning your cheer mom at HOT Topic for the past 2 years has been an honor.
You are loved..