Rochelle Okoye is a renowned professional Hollywood stuntwoman, actress, best-selling author, motivational speaker, and trauma-informed breathwork facilitator certified under Soma Breath. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she began her gymnastics career at the tender age of two. When she was seven years old, her parents decided to relocate the family to Leeds, England, where her father completed his PhD at Cambridge and Oxford University.
Rochelle became a member of the Great Britain Gymnastics Team at the age of ten and went on to compete internationally. In 1996, she won the Great Britain National Gymnastics Championship and retained the title for three consecutive years. She was also nominated and awarded 'The Top Sports Person in England under the age of 13 category' for two consecutive years.
At the age of fourteen, the BBC produced and aired a one-hour documentary, 'Going for Gold,' focusing on her goals of competing in the 2000 Olympics. However, her dreams were shattered when the International Gymnastics Federation announced that competitors must be at least sixteen years old to participate in the Olympics. Rochelle was turning fifteen, and unfortunately, was one year shy of being eligible to qualify.
With the Olympics four years out of reach, her family decided to return to Canada, hoping she would continue her career on the Canadian National team. However, Rochelle had other plans. She resigned from gymnastics, earned a B.Sc. degree in Psychology from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2006, and graduated among her peers a year early in both high school and university.
After completing her degree, Rochelle worked with and counselled children and youth with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, and cognitive and behavioral issues in and outside the school system for several years. To challenge herself physically and mentally, she journeyed into the world of martial arts, training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and professional boxing. In 2008, she made history as the first female professional boxer in British Columbia.
Rochelle is also the founder and former co-owner of a successful MMA gym in Vancouver, BC, Canada, formerly known as Tristar Vancouver Martial Arts. Her books and motivational talks focus on empowering others to overcome adversity and turn their pain into power. After facing and conquering a life full of hardships and adversity, Rochelle has become an advocate for women's empowerment and helping others heal their childhood wounds and traumas.
Rochelle's best-selling book, 'With Every Damn Brick,' is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Her Tedx Talk, 'How to turn your pain into power,' can be found on the official Tedx YouTube channel or on the Ted Talk website. Follow her on Instagram at @rochelle_okoye or @rochelleokoyehealth.
