#SHINESTRONG: Balancing Mind, Body and Spirit

These women inspire us to embrace the skin you’re in.

PRE: Laila Ali - Former pro boxer Laila Ali arrived to Debra Lee's PRE looking soft and feminine chic in a tangerine, skater skirt dress. (Photo: Alberto Rodriguez/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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PRE: Laila Ali - Former pro boxer Laila Ali arrived to Debra Lee's PRE looking soft and feminine chic in a tangerine, skater skirt dress. (Photo: Alberto Rodriguez/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Laila Ali

Serena Williams - Not only is Serena Williams an inspiration for staying in shape, the 17-time Grand Slam tennis champion inspires us all to love the curves we were born with. “I just started feeling comfortable with myself about six or seven years ago,” she says. “That's why I tell people that even at 25 or 26, it's OK if you're feeling uncomfortable with yourself. I was too. It's normal. I love who I am, and I encourage other people to love and embrace who they are." (Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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Serena Williams

Alicia Keys - After welcoming son Egypt in 2010 with husband Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys admits that it took “a lot of very difficult, hard, painful work” to get her body back. The singer has long preached that beauty truly shines from within, however, saying in a 2012 interview, “We’re beautiful not because of what size we are, we’re beautiful because of how your mind works and you’re beautiful because you have this gorgeous heart and that comes from way more than you fitting in some size two dress.” (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Alicia Keys

Jill Scott - In 2009, soul songstress Jill Scott was inspired by the birth of her son to take control of her health, and in two years had managed to shed an outstanding 63 pounds. “There’s a world of discovery in his eyes, and I want to be around to enjoy it,” she says of how son Jett motivated her to adopt a healthier lifestyle, which now includes a mix of low-fat meals and hour-long, three-times-a-week cardio and strength training sessions. (Photo: Paras Griffin/WireImage)

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Jill Scott

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Mary Mary - Even with their plates full with performances and studio sessions, gospel stars Erica and Tina Campbell of Mary Mary still make time for fitness and good nutrition. Even if it means running laps around the park when she takes her children to the playground, Erica tells BET.com. “You just have to fit it in where you can. But the same way you have to change the oil in your car, you have to change your body. You have to detox and make sure that you’re drinking lots of water and getting lots of rest, eat as healthy as you can while trying to be a creative entrepreneur.” (Photo: Courtesy of Paras Griffin)

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Mary Mary

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Jeanette Jenkins

Ertharin Cousin - Ertharin Cousin is the executive director of the United Nations Food Program. Nominated to the U.N. by President Barack Obama in 2009, she has remained committed to raising awareness about food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition around the world. With more than 25 years of experience, she has held various executive leadership positions, including serving under President Bill Clinton, and leading the response of Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger organization in the U.S., following Hurricane Katrina.(Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Chicago Tribune/ MCT /LANDOV)

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Ertharin Cousin