ARTS & CULTURE
KANSAN.COM
Brittany Harrell-Miller, Alumna and local math teacher, competes in NBC reality show "Strong"
> BRIANNA CHILDERS
@breeanuhh3
before Brittany Harrell-Miller went on NBC's new workout reality show "Strong," her biggest goal, she said, was to become the best version of herself and to redeem the confidence she had in high school. Harrell-Miller graduated from the University in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics. She also completed the UKanTeach program through the University.
Harrell-Miller, a middle school math teacher at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, can be seen on "Strong" starting with a sneak peek episode April 13 at 8 p.m. The official premiere of the show is April 14, she said.
"Strong" follows 10 women who are looking to improve themselves mentally and physically with the help of 10 of the top male fitness trainers in the country, according to NBC. com. Harrell-Miller said in each episode the women go through a different challenge and at the end of each episode, two teams head to the elimination tower. The winner at the end of the show goes home with a cash prize of $500,000.
"Everyone makes it to the elimination tower at some point, but it became the opportunity tower to show what you gained and earned," Harrell-Miller said. "As far as toughness, it came down to mentally preparing yourself for everyday challenges."
Harrell-Miller became a mother at 17 and wants to be able to inspire other
teenage mothers out in the world.
"I was a cheerleader and super athletic in high school, but once I had my son those things got set on the back burner," she said. "Just because you have a kid doesn't mean that should stop you from achieving all the goals you want in life."
Jordan Harrell-Miller, Brittany's wife, said at the beginning of the application process for the show, it seemed like something that
wasn't possible.
"It felt like one of those 'it would never happen to us' scenarios, but once we got the info and saw what she was applying for, I told her right away that if she applies for it, she was going to get it," Jordan said.
Brittany said the main experience that pushed her to do the show was having her son at a young age.
"You see these teen moms not being successful and not doing the things they are capable of, and I didn't want to be another statistic," Brittany said. "When you grow up in a situation like that, you are either going to swim or sink and I chose to swim."
I think the biggest thing I gained from doing the show is that I am now the best version of myself."
Brittany Harrell-Miller alumna
While on the show, Brittany said she used her son as her main motivation but also wants to be able to motivate her students and teach them they can be anything they want to be.
Brittany also said she has been able to motivate her family and friends on a daily basis.
"I think the biggest thing I gained from doing the show is that I am now the best version of myself," Brittany said. "I am healthy, fit, able to motivate others, and I have the knowledge to share with the world about my journey and what I went through."
Jordan said Brittany has been trying to change her lifestyle for a long time and to get to the maximum level of fitness.
"The physical appearance was a big change — I don't want to downplay that — but the mental change was even bigger," Jordan said. "She has always been super determined and does whatever she has to do to get it done."
Brittany said she hopes after people watch the show that they set goals for themselves that they didn't set before.
"The one thing I can take from the show about myself was that no matter where I am at, I know how to pick myself back up," Brittany said. "Just because you fail doesn't mean you actually failed, but you are learning from mistakes and you can pick yourself back up from that."
Edited by Deanna Ambrose
Contributed Photo
Contributed Photo Lawrence resident and middle school teacher, Brittany Harrel-Miller (right), competed in the first season of "Strong," which will air April 13.
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