Bella's Legacy

Bella’s Story -  

Bella was a light—radiant, encouraging, and full of life. She had a heart for others, a passion for fitness and mental wellness, and a deep love for Jesus, her family, and the young athletes she coached. She lived to lift others up. 

A proud graduate of Northwest High School in Justin, Texas, and a Division I college cheerleader at the University of North Texas, Bella was a gifted athlete. She was a competitive gymnast, an All-Star cheerleader, and a strong performer under pressure—lighting up fan-filled stadiums and national broadcasts with her talent and energy. Off the mat, she brought that same spirit into her work as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and gymnastics and cheerleading coach. Bella believed that every girl, teen, and woman deserved to love and accept her body and that physical health meant nothing without mental wellness. 

Bella was also a powerful voice for mental health awareness. She filled her social media with life-affirming stories, scripture, and quotes that reminded others of their worth and potential. She was known as “the encourager,” always seeing the best in people and helping them believe in themselves. 

But on May 20th, 2022—just five days after her 24th birthday—Bella's life was tragically and unexpectedly cut short. Her passing shattered our family and everyone who loved her. 

In the painful aftermath, we discovered truths that Bella had been too afraid to share during her life. Through her journals, we learned she had been a victim of dating violence. In a relationship that lasted less than nine months, Bella endured physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and digital abuse at the hands of someone she believed she could help. Someone who slowly stripped away her confidence, her safety, and her voice. She had been sleeping in the closet of her apartment, terrified. 

Bella was a fighter. She didn’t run from hard things—she stood up for others, challenged injustice, and radiated resilience. But even the strongest among us are vulnerable when it comes to intimate partner violence. Abuse doesn’t always look like what we think it does, and far too often, it hides in plain sight. 

Out of the devastation of losing Bella, we founded Shine Bright Like Bella—a nonprofit committed to carrying her light into the world and changing the narrative around dating and domestic violence. Our mission is to: 

• Educate young people and families with life-saving curriculum on dating violence prevention 
• Empower survivors and students through scholarships, resources, and mentorship 
• Support victims with access to mental health services and emergency help 
• Advocate for policy change that protects and prevents, not just responds 

Bella once wrote: 

“I strive to be a light; to educate & empower you to enjoy the life you are given... It is important to pursue mental health alongside physical health through fitness and nutrition. I encourage you to be proud of yourself and the work you put in to succeed beyond your own belief.” 

This is our why. 
This is Bella’s legacy. 
And this is how we shine. 

We invite you to join us in honoring her life by protecting others. By spreading awareness. By believing survivors. By Shining Bright—Like Bella always did.