In this episode, Dr. Knowles shares her journey of self-love, her love of exercise and body building, along with the barriers that she has overcome to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle.   A 25-year veteran in higher education, Dr. Matteel D. Knowlescurrently serves as the Vice President for Student Services at Greenville Technical College.  Prior to that, she served at the Technical College of the Lowcountry in Beaufort as the Vice President for Student Affairs; and prior to that, at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood in various roles in Student Development.     Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dr. Knowles’ family relocated to Jacksonville, Florida when she was 12.  The first in her family to earn a college degree, Dr. Knowles first earned an Associate of Arts degree from Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood.  She then went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling and Human Services from Limestone College in Gaffney; a Masters in Career and Technology Education from Clemson; a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership from the USC-Columbia; and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, alsofrom USC-Columbia.   Prior to serving in executive-level leadership roles, Dr. Knowlesserved for approximately 13 years in administrative support positions – supporting executives in mortgage banking, universities, law firms, and manufacturing companies . . . eventually transitioning into higher education.   Very active in the community, Dr. Knowles has served as a board member or member for the following service organizations: Urban League of the Upstate, Arts Council of Greenwood, Meg’s House women’s shelter, the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club, the Rotary Club of Greenville, the United Way of Greenville County, the Hispanic Alliance, Upstate Bootcamp, Greenville Women Giving, Education First, Incorporated, the National Coalition Building Institute, and The Links, Incorporated.   An active public speaker and workshop presenter through her company MatteelSpeaks (www.matteelspeaks.com), Dr. Knowles was a featured TED Talk presenter in 2016.  She has served as a keynote speaker in various settings and has presented numerous professional and community workshops on a variety of topics designed to inform and inspire those who desire to transform their lives.   An overcomer, Dr. Knowles’ intense desire to support others through positive change and authentic transformation is directly related to some of her own personal life transformations – surfacing and thriving on the other side of divorce, morbid obesity, first-generation education, and a lack of purpose, she now fully embraces a lifestyle grounded in choices that are mentally, physically and spiritually healthy and devotes much of her free time to personally coaching others through their own life makeovers.   When she’s not working, Dr. Knowles enjoys working out, cooking, watching movies, and spending time with her husband Alex.  Dr. Knowles is excited to announce the February 14, 2023release of her personal development book, It’s Your Time to Soar!