Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Smiley Elmore Jr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Smiley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
My then-girlfriend, Tiara (who’s my wife now), made me feel extra special on Father’s Day 2022.
Tiara informed me that she wanted me to go watch a movie after Church instead of coming directly home. I picked out a movie at 1 of our big local movie theaters, & about 1/2 way through the movie, I get a text. It was Tiara texting that she needed me to please pick out another movie & watch it.
I figured she was doing something special for me, like cooking dinner and cleaning my apartment, & she just needed more time.
Well, seven hours later, I walk into my apartment & to my joyful surprise, Tiara gifted me with a full-on glow-up! She had beautifully redecorated my entire apartment with all new furniture, including beautiful art decor, and a 55-inch smart TV.
What was once just a small apartment became a true luxury makeover in my Tiara’s hands — she transformed the space the same way she transforms my life: with grace, style, and a heart full of love. Additionally, my Tiara had 15 gift boxes for me to open, a delicious dinner cooked, along with decadent dessert.
Needless to say, Tiara did something extraordinary for me Father’s Day 2022. We were married this past Memorial Day, May 26th — and through the grace God has woven into her life, she transformed our wedding into a storybook moment. It felt anointed… a romantic, almost cinematic day where every detail reflected God’s goodness and the elegance He’s placed within her.
Smiley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Smiley Elmore, Jr.: Built to Rise
Trailblazing runs in my blood. My father was one of Tulsa’s first successful Black businessmen and among the first Black football players to graduate from the University of Tulsa. Recently, our family was honored as one of Oklahoma’s longest-running Black-owned businesses.
I carried that legacy to the University of Missouri. In my first start as a Tiger, I rushed for 187 yards on just 18 carries — the fifth-best single-game performance in Mizzou history. That week, I was the nation’s second-leading rusher, right behind a little guy named Barry Sanders. Co-Big 8 Player of the Week honors confirmed it: I was built to rise.
That same fire fuels Smiley Champions Fitness, my training business built on love, faith, forgiveness, commitment… and sweat. We transform bodies, minds, and spirits through 1-on-1 coaching, Group Bootcamps, Online Training, and Motivational Speaking — inspiring kids, teens, adults, and athletes to pursue their God-given potential.
Bodybuilding taught me discipline, strength, and the thrill of transformation. My first competition lit a fire in me that never burned out. On stage, I combine motivation with jaw-dropping feats — blowing up hot water bottles, ripping phone books, and bursting my 18+-inch arms through stacks of concrete, & more — all to inspire audiences before I speak life into them.
God, Education, and dedication are my compass. With three academic degrees, I live by one conviction: it’s never too late to become all that God intended you to be.
Have you ever had to pivot?
We opened Smiley Champions Fitness in the summer of 2017, building a business fueled by love, faith, commitment, and sweat. Then late in 2019, COVID hit. Like many, we were forced to shut our doors — what was meant to be a two-week pause became a moment that demanded creativity and perseverance.
I informed my trainers, launched online Zoom classes, and began sending out my resume, showcasing my three academic degrees. That same week, the local youth detention center called. After a Zoom interview, I was hired, working 3 PM to 11 PM while continuing to train clients virtually in the mornings and early afternoons.
Soon, a promotion opened: Chaplain of Tulsa County. With a Doctorate in Christian Education, I knew this ministry role was a perfect fit. I applied, interviewed, and was hired as Assistant Chaplain. The UnderSheriff personally told me they loved my credentials, my energy, and my heart for the work.
Five years later, I still serve as Assistant Chaplain for the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office. My days are long — a 5 AM fitness class, 1-on-1 clients before 8:30 AM, a shift until 4:30 PM, and evening training sessions — but each day is purposeful. The pivot allowed me to keep Smiley Champions Fitness thriving while ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of inmates, deputies, and staff across Tulsa County.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
By year 17 in my 36-year fitness career, I knew I needed to provide more abundantly for my family. That drive led me to Lifetime Fitness, a massive gym offering benefits, incentives, and stock options — the perfect place for someone who refuses to let “no” stop them. I was hired as a Floor Trainer and quickly started mastering their philosophy, building my skills and confidence.
Then life hit hard. One evening, my then-1st wife told me she wanted me out of the house — that very night. Confused, distraught, and unwilling to leave my three young children, I slept in my car in our driveway. For the next three months, I stayed with my parents, continued visiting my family, shared meals, weekends, and most importantly, leaned fully on God. I prayed with my kids every night and ensured we met at church every Sunday. Work suffered; I fell to the bottom five trainers in production.
But I didn’t give up. My resilience shone through, my love for my family never wavered, and miraculously, my “wife” allowed me back home. Once reunited, my focus and drive returned with a vengeance. Within two months, I became the top trainer in production and was promoted to Assistant Director.
That chapter of my life taught me that faith, perseverance, and unwavering dedication can turn even the most painful trials into triumphs. No matter how hard life knocks you down, resilience and love will always guide you back to VICTORY— stronger, wiser, and ready to rise higher than before.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Smiley Champions Fitness/ Dr. Smiley
- Facebook: Smiley Wydell Elmore Jr & Dr. Smiley
- Linkedin: Smiley Elmore Jr
- Youtube: Smiley Champions Fitness
- Other: 918-841-9993
