Shalliea Mitchell’s journey from the rural town of Mayo, Florida, to becoming a beacon of strength and empowerment has been one of resistance, resilience, and renewal. Born on October 2, 1992, in Tampa, she was raised in a close-knit but complex blended family. With a brother who required constant care due to cerebral palsy, and a younger sister who brought her own set of challenges, Shalliea’s early years were anything but ordinary. Often stepping into the role of the “oldest,” her experience shaped her understanding of responsibility, empathy, and sacrifice.

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Raised under the wings of a Pentecostal faith, Shalliea was heavily influenced by the teachings of her grandmother and grandfather, who pastored a small church. It was here that she discovered the power of faith and community—a cornerstone that would later guide her through life’s darkest moments. Her childhood was not just defined by love and devotion but by moments that tested her resilience. Among them, a family fishing trip remains one of her most cherished memories, a day when, armed with little more than a makeshift fishing pole, she caught the biggest catfish of the day. It was the first sign that her strength lay not just in her determination, but in the courage to try.

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However, it wasn’t until a pivotal moment during an elementary school basketball game that Shalliea truly grasped the meaning of courage. With the clock ticking down and the score tied, she took a leap of faith—an unexpected shot that won the game. The eruption of cheers from the crowd and her stepfather’s jubilant praise were moments of clarity: you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. It was a lesson that would stay with her forever—one that would help her face life’s trials head-on, no matter the adversity.

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Her path, however, was not always smooth. After high school, Shalliea enlisted in the United States Army, where she began her journey as a mechanic. The discipline and structure of the military transformed her, propelling her to the rank of Sergeant. Yet, despite her professional success, the military served as a crucible that would test her in ways she never anticipated. Amidst the trauma of sexual assault, the loss of friends, and the strain of a toxic marriage, Shalliea faced deep emotional turmoil. At one point, she found herself at a breaking point, so overwhelmed by the weight of her experiences that she contemplated ending it all.

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But something within her refused to break. Choosing life over despair, Shalliea focused on the opportunity to become an officer through a Green to Gold Scholarship. Yet, another twist of fate—an unexpected medical discharge—forced her to confront her pain head-on, forcing her to leave the Army and search for a new sense of purpose. It was during this period of self-discovery that Shalliea made a radical decision: to pursue higher education and transform her life from the inside out.