Royal Spotlight: Tisha Downing, Ms. Virginia US Continental 2019

The Royal Spotlight is an interview series where I highlight queens from a variety of pageant systems. This month I have the pleasure of featuring Tisha Downing, Ms. Virginia US Continental 2019.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania. I have always enjoyed performing and entertaining. I was a cheerleader throughout high school, an active member in the drama club, performed in the school choir, and served on the Usher Board at my family church. I am trained in several dance techniques ranging from jazz to modern, pointe, and tap. My career was thrown off course when I was diagnosed with dislocated kneecaps, which decelerated my dancing career, but I continued to perform. Later I attended New York University Tisch School of The Arts majoring in drama.

I am the mother of five children, three, which were born prematurely. My twins, who were born at 24 weeks, weighed a little over a pound each and another at 32 weeks. Now I am a new grandmother to a beautiful baby girl.

My next struggle in life began when I gained over 100 pounds and being diagnosed pre diabetic, borderline high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and other obesity related health issues. In 2011, I decided to take back control of my life and fight for my fitness. Low carb, high protein diet, and incorporating walking into my new lifestyle is how I took control of my health. I have lost about 135 pounds and have continued to maintain my weight loss and stay healthy.

I use my platform Fighting for Fitness to bring awareness of how incorporating 30 minutes a day of physical activity can change your life, health, and body. I am currently attending Yoga Teacher Training to become a certified yoga instructor in July 2019. I married my husband, Travis Downing 19 years ago. He is a retired Navy Chief who served 22 years in the United States Navy.

When did you start competing in pageants?

I started competing in pageants when I was about 13 years old.

Why do you compete in pageants?

I first started to compete in pageants to try something different. I loved dancing and musical theater so pageantry seemed like the next step but as I got older, I wanted to spread my love for fitness and how good the benefits of it are.

How many titles have you won?

I have won several titles to include Hal Jacksons Miss Talented Teen Pennsylvania 1987, Miss Successful Achiever, Male and Female Model of the Year Teen Division 1988, Mrs. Virginia International 2018, and Ms. Virginia US Continental 2019. I will be competing for the title of Ms. US Continental 2019 in May.

Tell us about the U.S. Continental Pageant system.

The US Continental Pageant was developed to recognize the modern woman of the 21^st Women should be recognized not only for their strengthsmbut also for accomplishments achieved in life. This pageant promotes intelligent women, women of integrity, women with strong moral values, and inner beauty. We are about empowering women! The US Continental Pageant provides unique opportunities to women as they strive to reach their goals and dreams in life.

What have you learned about yourself through your pageant experience?

I have learned that you get out of pageantry what you put into it. Going in with just the main goal to win is not necessarily what you need all the time. I go into a pageant of course with the goal of winning but also to make lifelong friends, learn something new, network, and experience different things. Pageantry is a sisterhood.

What are your future plans for your pageant career?

My plans for my pageant career are to win a national title and try as many pageants for married women that I can. I enjoy meeting new and amazing women and talking about my platform. I do not want people to think that my platform is about losing weight but it is about being healthy no matter what size you are.

What words of advice do you live by?

I want to tell people entering pageants to stay true to yourself. You will not win every pageant, and you are not meant to. Not every pageant is for everyone. Never change who you are deep down inside. Pageants need to change for us. Woman come in all shapes and sizes, diverse backgrounds, education levels, different cultures, and we need to respect the variances in each other while staying true to who we are.

Please provide your contact information so that others can reach
out to you. Email? Social media handles?

I can be reached at Tishadowning@verizon.net or TishaDowning@hotmail.com.

Twitter: @TishaDowning

Facebook: Fighting For Fitness