Glamography Magazine aims to feature everyday women and their stories. Our mission is to give these women the opportunity to break out of their day-to-day, get glammed up a little, and celebrate their true, authentic selves. This is Amber's feature from the Summer 2024 issue of Glamography:

"I was always ‘never enough,’" Amber Bates began, reflecting on her teenage years marred by a pervasive sense of inadequacy. She shared her journey with a candid openness, laying bare the struggles and triumphs that have shaped her life.

Amber's story is one of resilience, determination, and self-empowerment. "I was sexually abused when I was young and when that happens you just never feel like enough," she said, her voice tinged with the pain of those memories. These experiences led her to hide behind a facade, masking her pain with a physical shield. "I was fat because I didn't want people to see me. I thought fat was ugly... It was harder for someone to hurt me again because I thought I was unattractive. But the truth is if someone wants to hurt you that doesn’t matter."

Despite these struggles, Amber embarked on a journey, pushing herself to reclaim her body and self-worth. "When I did the photoshoot, it was after my weight loss journey," she shared. "I still wasn't completely happy with the way my body looked, but I was like, you know what? I'm going to do this for me." This photoshoot marked a pivotal moment in her life—a declaration of independence and self-acceptance. "Those pictures say a thousand words to me. And being in relationships - like being seen by a man, I never wanted to be seen... Now, I can see myself and I know my worth."

Her journey to self-discovery wasn't linear. It was shaped by significant events and relationships, including a 17-year relationship that ended abruptly. "Two days after my birthday, he's like, 'Oh, I don't want to be with you no more. I don't want this. I'm not happy. I want out,'" she recalled.

This moment of rejection, although painful, became a catalyst for her transformation. "I lost 150 pounds, almost like, all that weight just went away... I don't have to be okay with just settling."

Amber's professional journey has been equally transformative. From working at various jobs to becoming a store manager at Dollar General, she has demonstrated her leadership and dedication. "I love my new job. I have an amazing team... My store sales are up 120% since I've taken over," she said proudly. Despite the challenges of managing a "broken store," Amber's determination to succeed has been unwavering. "I'm harder on myself, but I see the difference in the store from the time I got it to where it's at now."

Amber's life has been a series of challenges and triumphs, and her journey to self-discovery and empowerment is a testament to her strength and resilience. "I used to be addicted to drugs. My husband had me addicted to drugs... I used crack cocaine for about five years," she revealed. Her journey to sobriety was a testament to her strength and determination. "I walked away and I've never looked back."

Throughout our conversation, Amber's message was clear: self-worth and self-love are paramount. "At the end of the day, I'm happy with me. I don't care what nobody else says, nobody else thinks... I know my worth now, and I learned that the hard way."

Her journey serves as an inspiration to anyone struggling with self-doubt and external validation. "Only you as the person know what's best for you, know where you need to be... Your story is your story. You paint it your way."

From Darkness to Light: Amber's Battle with Addiction

Amber's journey hasn't been without its dark moments. Her struggle with addiction began in her late twenties. "I used crack cocaine for about five years. I was homeless on the streets in Dallas," she recounted. Despite the chaos of addiction, Amber managed to hold down a full-time job. "People never knew I was out in the street smoking crack cocaine. All they knew was that I was homeless in Dallas."

Her turning point came in a moment of clarity and determination. "I was in a hotel room, and we probably smoked about $500 worth of crack cocaine in less than, like, three or four hours. If it wasn't for the person I was with being smart on his feet and knowing the signs, I could have overdosed that night," she revealed. This realization led her to make a life-changing decision. "I decided then it was me or the drugs. I walked away and never looked back."

"I consider myself very blessed and very lucky that I was able to just walk away and not want it anymore," she said. “Something people don’t tell you is that it only matters when YOU want to change. You have to hit your rock bottom before anything will change. I see friends that struggle and it doesn’t matter what I say, they have to decide when it’s time.”

Building a New Life

After leaving her husband and overcoming addiction, Amber rebuilt her life from the ground up. Moving to a new city, she found stability and a sense of purpose. "I worked at Walmart and I did asset protection there. Then, I worked a few other places," she said, recounting her journey. "I bought my house. I’ve bought everything myself. I just kind of built my life here with myself and my daughter."

Amber's resilience and determination are evident in every aspect of her life. From her professional achievements to her personal growth, she has continually strived to better herself and create a stable, fulfilling life for her and her daughter. "I'm at the top of my game right now, and I've accomplished it myself. No one's put me there but me and my hard work and my intelligence," she said with pride.

From her struggles with self-worth and addiction to her triumphs in her professional and personal life, Amber's journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-love and self-worth. "At the end of the day, I'm happy with me. I don't care what nobody else says, nobody else thinks... I know my worth now, and I learned that the hard way," she said. "Just be true to yourself. Be absolutely true 100% to yourself. That’s all you can do"

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