Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Cleveland.
Hi Ingrid, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, I learned early that resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build through life’s challenges. Today, I’m proud to wear many hats: mother of three, entrepreneur, athlete, model, mentor, and someone who believes purpose is found in serving others.
Motherhood has always been my greatest motivation. Every decision I make, every business I build, and every goal I pursue is rooted in showing my children that it’s possible to create a life driven by purpose instead of limitations. I want them to see firsthand that dreams don’t have expiration dates and that success isn’t defined by one title—it’s built through consistency, faith, and the willingness to keep showing up.
My journey began in 2016 when I stepped onto the field to play women’s tackle football. I quickly fell in love with the game because of the discipline, teamwork, and mental toughness it required. Football challenged me physically, but more importantly, it shaped my character. It taught me resilience, leadership, accountability, and how to keep pushing forward when life gets difficult.
In 2019, I expanded into flag football, giving me another avenue to compete while continuing to grow within the sport I love. Football has become so much more than competition—it’s become a platform to inspire young girls and women to pursue athletics confidently and unapologetically.
Now, I’m preparing for my return to the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), a goal that represents years of perseverance. Life has brought seasons of motherhood, entrepreneurship, rebuilding, and personal growth, but none of those chapters have taken away my passion for the game. If anything, they’ve made my “why” even stronger. I’m returning to the field with greater purpose, determined to prove that it’s never too late to chase the dreams that continue calling you.
As if football wasn’t enough, another unexpected opportunity found me through modeling. Stepping into the fashion industry pushed me outside of my comfort zone and challenged me to embrace confidence in an entirely different way. That leap of faith led to one of the most exciting milestones of my journey—earning the opportunity to walk during New York Fashion Week. For me, modeling isn’t just about fashion; it’s about representation. I hope to encourage women, especially mothers, athletes, and entrepreneurs, to embrace every part of who they are without feeling pressured to fit into a single box.
Professionally, I’m equally passionate about helping others build security and opportunity. Through Unity Assurance, I work alongside an incredible team dedicated to helping individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and small business owners protect what matters most. We provide solutions that include legal protection, identity theft protection, business resources, and planning services designed to help people prepare for life’s unexpected moments while building a stronger financial future.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this business is that we’re not just offering services—we’re creating opportunities. I enjoy mentoring people who are looking to earn additional income, build a business of their own, develop professionally, and make a meaningful impact within their communities. Watching someone discover confidence and financial possibility through entrepreneurship is one of the greatest rewards of what I do.
I’ve learned that success isn’t about choosing one dream over another. On any given day, I might be training for football, preparing for Fashion Week, meeting with clients, creating educational content, mentoring others, or simply being present with my children. Every role complements the others because they’re all connected by the same mission: to inspire people to believe that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.
If there’s one thing I hope people take from my story, it’s that your circumstances don’t have to define your future. You can reinvent yourself. You can pursue multiple passions. You can build a business while chasing athletic goals. You don’t have to give up your dreams as a mother. The journey won’t always be easy, but every step is worth taking when it’s aligned with your purpose.
As I continue preparing for my return to the WNFC, walking the runway during New York Fashion Week, and growing Unity Assurance, I’m focused on building more than a career—I’m building a legacy. I want my children and my community to remember me as someone who led with faith, served with purpose, and never stopped believing that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things when they’re willing to bet on themselves.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think any meaningful journey is ever completely smooth, and mine certainly hasn’t been. There have been seasons where I questioned whether I was doing enough or if I should put some of my dreams on hold. Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, athletics, and now modeling has required countless sacrifices, long nights, and a willingness to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t clear.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve experienced financial setbacks while investing in myself and building business from the ground up. There were times when I had to take on additional work just to keep pursuing my long-term vision. I’ve learned that success isn’t always glamorous—sometimes it’s choosing to stay disciplined when no one else sees the effort happening behind the scenes.
Athletically, there were moments when life forced me to step away from football to focus on my family, personal responsibilities, and rebuilding my foundation. As much as I missed competing, I realized those seasons weren’t setbacks—they were preparation. They gave me the opportunity to mature, strengthen my mindset, and return with a greater appreciation for the game. My upcoming return to the WNFC represents much more than playing football again; it represents resilience and refusing to let life’s challenges write the final chapter of my story.
Another challenge has been overcoming self-doubt. When you’re pursuing multiple passions, people sometimes expect you to choose one lane or question whether you can truly succeed in all of them. I’ve learned that I don’t have to fit into someone else’s definition of success. I can be a devoted mother, an athlete, an entrepreneur, and a model because each role reflects a different part of who I am.
Through every obstacle, my faith has been my anchor. It has reminded me that purpose often grows through adversity and that every challenge has equipped me to better serve others. Today, I don’t look at my struggles with regret—I see them as the experiences that shaped my resilience and prepared me for the opportunities I’m stepping into now.
As you know, we’re big fans of Unity Assurance. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At the heart of everything I do is one mission: helping people protect what they’ve worked so hard to build while creating opportunities for them to build a better future. Through Unity Assurance, I partner with individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to provide educational resources and solutions that help them prepare for life’s unexpected moments.
Our team helps connect clients with services that can include legal protection, identity theft protection, business resources, estate and legacy planning support, and other solutions designed to give people greater confidence and peace of mind. I believe that education comes first. When people understand their options, they’re empowered to make decisions that best fit their families, businesses, and long-term goals.
One of the things that truly sets us apart is that we’re passionate about creating opportunities, not just offering services. In addition to serving clients, we also provide ways for people to earn additional income by becoming part of our team. Some of those opportunities do not require a professional license to get started. Team members receive product education and training so they’re equipped to confidently share information, connect people with the right resources, and provide excellent support. For those interested in pursuing licensed opportunities, we also help guide them through that process as they continue growing professionally.
What I’m most proud of is the culture we’re building. It’s rooted in collaboration, mentorship, integrity, and service. We celebrate one another’s success because we understand that when one person grows, entire families and communities can benefit. Whether someone comes to us looking for protection, financial education, business resources, or a chance to create an additional stream of income, our goal is to meet them where they are and help them move forward with confidence.
Beyond Unity Assurance, my personal brand reflects the same values. As a mother, entrepreneur, athlete, and model, I want people to see that purpose doesn’t have to be limited to one career or one passion. My journey is about living with intention, continuing to grow, and using every platform I’m given to encourage others to believe in what’s possible for their own lives.
If there’s one thing I’d like readers to remember, it’s this: protection isn’t just about preparing for the unexpected—it’s about creating a foundation that allows you, your family, and your business to thrive. When you combine education, opportunity, and a genuine desire to serve others, you create something much bigger than a business—you create lasting impact.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing that surprises people is that I never set out to build a life with so many different titles. None of this was part of a perfectly mapped-out plan. Every opportunity—from football , licensed hair stylist , to entrepreneurship to modeling—started with me simply saying “yes” to stepping outside of my comfort zone.
Most people know me as the football player, the entrepreneur, but what they may not realize is that I’m naturally someone who enjoys serving behind the scenes. I genuinely love mentoring others, connecting people to resources, and celebrating someone else’s win just as much as my own. Seeing someone gain confidence, protect their family, start a business, or pursue a dream because of one conversation we had is incredibly fulfilling.
Another thing people are often surprised by is that I’m only 4’11”. They expect someone playing women’s tackle football to be much taller! I’ve learned not to let my size define what I’m capable of. If anything, it’s motivated me to work harder, play smarter, and prove that heart, discipline, and determination can outweigh expectations.
At the end of the day, whether I’m wearing football cleats, walking a runway, meeting with clients, or spending time with my children, my purpose remains the same: to inspire people to believe that they don’t have to fit into one box. You can chase multiple dreams, reinvent yourself, and build a life that’s authentic to who you are. I hope my journey encourages others to stop waiting for permission and start pursuing the life they were created to live.
Contact Info:
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