Trashell
Thompson

Yes I remember! It was an exciting time and a good kind of nervous. The model search and competitions were nerve wracking but it marks one of the best times of my life with a great organization and I made lifelong friendships.

I had been to Las Vegas before, but not quite in the way that we experienced it with Tropic Beauty. I have been to Las Vegas so many times with Tropic Beauty that I literally lost count, but probably somewhere in the 30’s ha! One of my favorite trips was the yearly Michael Jordan celebrity golf tournament. Not to mention several events where I was getting to host and judge contests alongside celebs like Scott Eastwood, Jamie Foxx, and of course Dan Bilzerian. We host events and parties with some of the world’s biggest DJs and at the best clubs in Las Vegas.

It’s an honor to appear on the cover of the calendar. It’s a coveted spot and I was in such great company for the cover each time. Honestly, I love the experience of working with Tropic Beauty and the other girls so much that I didn’t really view it as a competition, it was more like a vacation to a fun place with all of my girl friends. One of the covers was shot at Red Rock Canyon and I really enjoyed visiting Las Vegas for the many options and unique locations for photo shoots. The people, the food, the scenery were all amazing!

I think that moving to a magazine format is great! It’s a mile marker for the company and allows another way for people to get to know Tropic Beauty and appreciate the spirit of the contest and the amazing contestants and the fun places we get to visit and people we meet along the way.

Some people may be surprised that I enjoy being outdoors, playing with my dogs, spending time and traveling with my fiancé. Of course, I’m into fashion and beauty as well!

I think most guys want to know if I have a sister or friends who are single. Ha-ha.

Most of the time I get questions from girls related to beauty secrets and if my hair is real and if so how to keep my blonde hair so long and healthy. And yes, it’s real and all mine!

I try to keep to a low sugar diet. I eat mostly green vegetables and drink a lot of water. I don’t really have a fitness regime, but I stay active. Hiking Stone Mountain, yoga, walking the dogs, and if I’m at the gym I work on toning with weights or bands. When I’m getting ready for a competition I’ve worked with a trainer before to help me with toning techniques. I’m fortunate that genetics help me out a lot.

Since it’s usually about my hair, I soak it in melted coconut oil once a month for 1 hour and then wash it out. Also I very rarely blow dry my hair or use hot tools, always air dry and no teasing.

As for modeling, I am focused on smaller projects right now as I plan my wedding to the man of my dreams. I’m working with local companies in Atlanta at this moment but I can see doing a little more after our wedding.

Well that would have to be, I’m getting married early next year, so it is very exciting to start this new chapter in my life. I’m also exploring a few business ideas in hopes of starting my own company in the near future.

Thank you, that is so kind! I would say to anyone wanting to pursue this venture to keep an open mind and be open to critique in order to improve. It is nerve wracking to be in a competition but I would recommend that they slow down and remind themselves to enjoy the experience. The friendships, the travel, and the people you meet are invaluable and really what the Tropic Beauty contest is all about.

We met when I just turned 21 years old. I was still finding myself at that point. I was from a conservative family, knew little of the world outside of my suburb, and was comfortable with my small circle. I grew up a tomboy, played sports, and worked a normal 9-5 while cocktailing on the weekends. I never would have thought that Tropic Beauty was going to create such an impact on my life when I was crowned Miss Cleveland.

I was really shy at first but I got comfortable when I felt how welcoming the Tropic Beauty family was. Being a model was new to me. This whole glam and sparkle world was new. I really felt lost but I put on a smile and followed along with some of the veterans. I would watch the girls do their hair and make-up so I could learn. I grew up closest to my brother so I never had someone to show me how to curl my hair or wear make-up the way they did.

The girls had a big impact on me becoming a woman and feeling confident in myself. That confidence allowed me to really build my personality and let my hard working qualities come out. Becoming family with these incredible women allowed me to understand their needs and be able to coordinate from a staff perspective because I had done it. They were also so supportive! I couldn’t have asked for a better group to work with and work for.

At 21 I didn’t care about my own nutrition. I was young with a high metabolism. I saw the models would eat very healthy and be selective with foods while I was the girl stuffing the bacon cheeseburger with fries down my throat. This eventually caught up with me a few years down the road. We would occasionally visit the gym to get some kind of activity in but once the events got rolling, finding time to sleep was more important than the gym.

Once the weight started sticking, I was trying to change my eating habits. My mentality was to train really hard and eat more protein, less fat. The amount you eat and what you eat should be based on your goals. At that time I was trying to grow muscle through resistance training so eating a standard bodybuilding diet meant frequent meals and lots of protein. Now that I look back, I was just flat out overeating and I know that it was because I was very uneducated on nutrition. Overeating was also a bad habit of mine. I was also following the dietary guidelines that have been taught to us all our lives, which I now believe are very wrong.

I was given a ketogenic meal plan through a diet coach. I was dieting for my first bikini show (I did not compete) and he wanted to reset my insulin sensitivity. I had no idea what the keto diet was at the time.

I never asked questions, just did what I was instructed to do. I ended up transitioning into ketosis very poorly, thought I was going to die and was debating going to the hospital. I thought to myself, maybe I should know what I am doing to my body and not just follow what someone says to do.

I struggled only because I wasn’t educating myself. You shouldn’t make changes to your body without knowing why and what the consequences, positive or negative, may be.

Keto is a diet full of fresh produce and protein. Carbohydrates are very low, allowing your body to make a metabolic switch from sugar burning (carbs) to fat burning. Healthy fats will make up the majority of the diet. Fat is a more powerful and sustainable energy source. Your healthy fats can come from whole eggs, avocados, nuts, pasture raised proteins, and dairy for example. You aren’t eating sticks of butter and packages of bacon like a lot of people think.

No matter how busy any individual is, they have to eat. It’s about what you eat. It is up to any individual to choose healthy foods and it’s not going to come from a box or a bag. If you are willing to prep your meals once or twice a week, a busy person can absolutely manage their diet. I actually think it’s easier to grab your meals and take them with you.

I have launched a coaching program, specifically aimed at teaching the ketogenic diet. I paid a lot of money to have a coach. I want to provide a service to others where they can take their health back into their control, become educated, and live a sustainable, healthy lifestyle without paying a heavy price for it. We all deserve to be healthy and happy and not break the bank to do that.

So much change is happening at once I am mentally overloaded at the moment! My first priority is building my own brand and reach into the keto community. I went into 2019 with my coaching business taking off and I got a life changing call on the 1st. Let’s just say my goals changed within 24 hours and I’m still figuring out how to manage all these great opportunities. I have partnered with a brand called Keto Quest that will be launching very soon, a platform that will allow a group of selected members including myself to help change the lives of people worldwide.

I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, but have been in Vegas now for 5 years. I started college in Florida with a national military scholarship but chose a different path that led me to develop a career in tech and media.

I competed in the Miss Atlanta pageant. I didn’t win but Amy reached out to the top 5 and gave me the opportunity to go and compete in Las Vegas at the international world finals 2013.

I enjoyed meeting so many people from around the world. I have friends in every corner of the world. My network is so big that no matter what endeavor I begin, I have met someone that can help me reach my goals.

Transitioning to Vegas was a scary thought. I had only been there three times, and it was actually during my third trip with Tropic Beauty that I had my interview to start working at the world’s best dayclub, Marquee Las Vegas! It was mind blowing to have such a huge opportunity to join this community. Las Vegas is much more than the party people see when they visit. It is the land of opportunity and you can make it whatever you want it to be.

I had different goals at that time but I was definitely hoping to have a set career path by then. I would say I have 3 career paths right now but all moving in the same direction to build my empire that is my brand.

Experience. I live in a hub for people from all over the world. The number of shows are endless, the restaurants are incredible, the people are all unique. I’ve learned so much and opened my mind to more possibilities in the world than I could have ever imagined.

Currently, I work in digital marketing. I have partnered with a long time friend of mine to create a company where we develop online marketing strategy with an emphasis in social media.

1. Decide what value your Instagram has
2. Decide who it is valuable for
3. Create an enticing bio
4. Use a minimum of 25 hashtags per post
5. Keep track of which hashtags you rank for
6. Post daily
7. Create enticing story highlights
8. Maintain high engagement
9. Reply to all comments
10. Keep content relevant and exciting

I was introduced to a camera by my father as a child, but started being interested in taking photos in high school. I casually took photos until 2008 when I decided to take it a bit more seriously.

I worked for an automotive brand, and was a caregiver in my years before becoming a photographer.

I’m based in Los Angeles, California. And I mainly shoot up and down the West Coast. I travel for projects and have been fortunate to see many beautiful places along the way.

I enjoy taking photos in nature, outdoor backdrops that add a special element to the photo itself.

I believe it’s a mix of workplace comfort and past experience. I had past experience with a lingerie retailer, as well as years of experience as a caregiver. Both helped with patience and communication.

Not a pet peeve, but negatively comparing yourself to others is already a step in the wrong direction. Just focus on being the best version of yourself.

Continue traveling and creating along the way.