Nationwide — Two of Flint, Michigan’s most inspiring figures — celebrity cosmetic dentist Dr. Catrise Austin and two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed world boxing champion Claressa Shields—come together for an exclusive Black History Month special on the Let’s Talk Smiles Podcast.
Now, their full-circle moment—from two young girls with big dreams in Flint to leaders in their respective fields—is captured in this powerful episode, airing Tuesday, February 11th.
Flint Roots: A Champion’s Story of Overcoming Adversity
Shields, now one of the greatest female athletes of all time, recalls her humble beginnings, tough childhood, and the obstacles she overcame to become a history-making boxer. Raised in a difficult environment, Shields fought against doubt, stereotypes, and naysayers who told her women didn’t belong in boxing.
“When I first started boxing, everybody told me I’d never make any money, I’d never fight on TV, and I’d be brain dead by 17. But my grandmother taught me, ‘You control your own life.’” – Claressa Shields
At just 17 years old, Shields proved them all wrong by becoming the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing—a feat she accomplished again at 21. Today, she stands as a seven-time world champion across two weight divisions, with an undefeated professional record.
A Knockout Smile for a Knockout Career
While Shields is best known for her dominance in the ring, she shares on the podcast how she struggled with self-confidence when it came to her smile. Years of boxing had led to chipped, shifting teeth—something she had learned to hide in photos and interviews.
That changed in 2019, when Shields decided to invest in herself by trusting Dr. Austin to transform her smile.
“I still wanted to look like me, just better. I didn’t want my teeth too big or too little—I just wanted them straight and white,” Claressa comments.
Now, as her career continues to expand with endorsements, TV appearances, and public speaking engagements, she no longer feels the need to hide any part of herself.
She continues, “Now, I can take photos, do interviews, and not worry about my angles. It’s just one less thing to think about—I can just be me.”
Bringing Smiles Back to Flint
Dr. Catrise is a nationally renowned cosmetic dentist known for her celebrity clientele, including Cardi B, Wendy Williams, and top athletes and entertainers. After years of success in New York City, she decided to bring her expertise back home to Flint, ensuring that residents in her community had access to high-quality dental care.
She comments, “Flint is where I got my start, and I always knew I wanted to give back to the city that shaped me. Expanding VIP Smiles to Flint was about making confident, healthy smiles accessible to everyone—not just celebrities.”
Her VIP Smiles Dental Office in Flint specializes in dental hygiene services, teeth whitening, and porcelain veneers, helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles in a professional and welcoming environment.
A Black History Month Celebration of Excellence
Dr. Catrice Austin and Claressa Shields represent Flint’s excellence and resilience—two women who overcame barriers, shattered stereotypes and reached the top of their industries.
The full behind-the-scenes story of Claressa’s journey, her rise from Flint to world champion, and her transformation with Dr. Catrise was featured in an exclusive Black History Month special on the Let’s Talk Smiles Podcast, available Tuesday, February 4th on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
To listen and/or subscribe to the podcast, visit LetsTalkSmilesPodcast.com
Watch This Special Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1cP6oeRNOWc