Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gisbel Chapa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gisbel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

To say that I have been extremely blessed with wonderful parents will always be such a huge understatement for me to truly express what my parents mean to me.

To think that they have always sacrificed so much for my siblings and I is overwhelming. I am thankful that they always showed us what it means to be respectful, to put others before ourselves and most importantly to treat others the way we would like to be treated regardless of skin color, background, orientation, etc. Not to mention that is how we stay blessed in life, by blessing others.

If I have been anything close to being successful in life it’s because of my parents and the core values that they would always emphasize. They showed me how to be humble, to never give up no matter how hard it might be, to chase my dreams, that there is truly nothing we cant have in this world when we work hard and put in the effort along with remaining steadfast in our faith.

My mother Maria Gloria Chapa Salinas, earned her degree in Mexico and when she was applying for teaching jobs in Texas, school districts would turn her away being that her degree was not issued in Texas. So, instead of being disappointed she did what any determined mother, any determined woman would do… She went back to school, learned English and regained her degree in Texas to be able to teach. To me, my mother will always be real life version of Wonder Woman and a true testament of what it means to be strong, You are the real Chingona Mom!

My father Luis L. Chapa, what I can say, he is the best man I know.
My father, has always been a risk taker.. he stayed in Chicago, Illinois while my mom raised my siblings and I in Dallas while starting a business from scratch. He later on moved to Dallas with where he continued his business, Chapa’s Trucking, proving all kinds of services from hauling, building homes, patios, driveways, you name it and he got it done no matter what.

He also would make sure everyone else would be taken care of before himself, he is by far the most selfless man I know and by far the only man that has my heart in a way no other person could. My father had a bunch of silly phrases but one of my favorites will always be, “Only the crazy survive” – I love you so incredibly much old man, may you Rest In Power and In Peace Sir.

My father was a big people person, he always could start up a conversation with anyone, crack a joke with anyone and he made sure that whoever he came in contact with would leave with a big smile just like he had. There’s no doubt that I am mixture of them both but I most definitely am my father’s daughter being that I too am a big people person. I too like to take risks, I too enjoy making people smilie and most importantly showing others what it means to be respectful and what happens when we genuinely act with good intentions.

A life not lived for others is not a life well lived.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Gisbel Chapa but most call me Bell or Chapa.

I love everything about my first name being that it is so different but my mother is the only one who would ever say my first name especially if I got into trouble or if she needed my undivided attention.
-Needles to say I heard it a lot growing up. lol

Im 33 and to think I am still above ground is a blessing of its own as crazy as I am and after all the heat strokes that I have had.
I enjoy doing a lot of outdoor activities such as hiking especially with my dogs. Hanging out with friends or chilling at home in my pj’s, cooking while dancing and learning new things but one of my favorite things to do is working out.

Fitness/ working out to me is not just how we look on the outside but how we feel on the inside. I have always been overweight with my heaviest being 270 pounds and i currently weigh 145 pounds. I hit the gym everyday even on the days that I do not feel like showing up but it’s true what they say, those days are the ones that count the most. Not only does it help physically and spiritually but most importantly it helps me mentally.

If it wasn’t for all the sacrifices, all the work ethic that my parents have shown me time after time that I witnessed growing up I wouldn’t have the discipline that I currently have to keep pushing myself to be a better person everyday. To maintain a healthy lifestyle and be there for others, to provide, to serve, to help. Actions speak louder than words and for me that’s taking care of myself physically so I can be there for those that need me.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized how extremely important it is to have the right mentors, the right coaches, the right people in our lives, especially when we want to see true growth.

My crossfit coach Leah Irons, who coaches out of Crossfit Ammo in Allen, Texas, knows how much I disliked running and if it wasn’t for her telling me to just add 100 meters everyday, I wouldn’t be the runner I am today if it wasn’t for her, Plus, as silly as it sounds, when i go for a run it is the only time I feel closes to God.

Fitness has helped in every aspect of my life, personal, with work, with friendships. How?
In the sense that I care so much for others that I force myself to workout because I want to add years to my life to simply be around. Working out puts me in a good positive mood and that mood that helps me, help others who might lack a bit of positivity n their life’s and need a boost. I strongly believe we radiate off energy and good vibes, that is why I listen to music while I cook, I even dance while Im cooking, it’s so therapeutic for me.

In the summer of 2020, I started doing a lot of different things and even meal prepping.
I wanted to share that eating clean does not have to be boring at all, we have to mix it up along with substituting a few things out and that the results could still be the same. So, i did a weight loss challenge with my best friend’s son, Xavier who at time was 12 years old and weighing about 220 pounds and in less than two months or so lost 22 pounds.

The real game changer in this weight loss challenge was when I picked him up and we were on our way to a boxing class. I am a big big fan of mix martial arts since it targets every muscle group, it teaches resilience, confidence and you learn some pretty cool self defense moves. I encourage every one to take a class. But back to my story, the day I picked him up, Xavier was wearing a sweater and it was 100 degress that day. I jokingly said, man what are you doing wearing that sweater, you are going to give me a heart attack just looking at you. Xavier responded with well Chapa, it’s because I don’t like that my shirt does not cover my stomach fully. At that moment, it took back to what I felt so many years of not being comfortable in my clothes and in my own skin. I told him, today will be the last day you wear a sweater in the heat, we are doing this together. Sure enough, Xavier lost 22 pounds and I don’t think I have ever been more proud of him. There would be days where my best friend would call me and say he is walking around with no shirt when he would never even dare. Seeing his confidence grow little by little was the. true reward for me. Kids get bullied all the time, hell some resort to suicide due to do being bullied and it is a tremendous tragedy.

If you are being bullied, please speak up, get help before it is too late.

To anyone who is struggling to lose the weight, please know I am with you every step of the way and doing a little each day goes a long way. Others will say yeah, i feel you but I truly DO understand how it feels to be uncomfortable in my own skin, to not like how a piece of clothing fits and for that reason alone is what separates me from others who are struggling to think they cannot lose the weight. I promise you if you get the right people in your corner, you will get the results you desire without a doubt. Don’t get me wrong, I know first hand that there are good coaches, bad coaches, good mentors, bad mentors, good people, bad people, etc. But each one plays an important role in our daily lives.

The good ones help us to be a better person, they help us reach the potential that we don’t see in ourselves, The bad ones, well they show us what not to be. Im thankful for all of those who have helped me be the person the I am and the person I have yet to become. Even, the bad ones, because the bad ones show me what I do not inspire to be.

To those, who inspire me on the daily and help push me to be a better person each day, I cant thank y’all enough.

Especially to the Lord above, my parents, my dogs, my closes friends new and old, coworkers/ managers new and old, coaches, etc.

My love for y’all is hella deep.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Years ago in a sales meeting that I attended while I worked at Fitness Connection, we were told that in order to be successful in life you have to be an asshole.

I personally, do not agree with that at all. I believe that if we are doing anything and everything with good intentions that there is no reason for us not to be anything but successful in life. At the end of day, the answer to our success is how we treat people.

I have been fired from jobs, Ive gained new jobs, I have given my last dollar I had to my name away to anyone struggling at times when I needed that last dollar yet I still have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet and a meal before me, a ride to get to point a to point b.

Zig Ziglar said it best, “Life is an echo. What you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap”.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I am a big fan of self help books, positive podcasts, yoga in the morning, drinking tea.

One of my favorite podcasts to listen to is, The Power Of Your Why by Eric Thomas.
I listened to that podcast everyday for 2 years straight to help push me to reach one of my goals which was to purchase a home while I lived in my apartment.

Sure enough with the Grace of God, I purchased my first home at the age of 31.

My home is and will forever be my biggest accomplishment because to think that we live in a world where society makes it seem that women need a man, partner or someone by their side to make such a purchase is ridiculous. Let me tell you honey, that is not the case for some of us who are a rare breed!

Work hard, believe in God or whatever higher power you would like but know dreams do come true!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: chapa_g_x
• Other: Email contact: [email protected]