Debra is the Founder and President of the 501(c)3 Breaking The Chains Foundation (BTCF) as well as an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Health Coach. She holds several ACE certifications, such as Behavioral Change Specialist, Corrective Exercise Program Design, Coaching Behavior Change, Special Olympics Inclusive Fitness Training, Mental and Physical Exercises for Long-Term Stress Management, among many others.

After receiving a full-ride college dance scholarship to Oakland University in Michigan and there after a successful dance career, Debra became a leading health and fitness expert with clients such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), Sony, Warner Brothers, and other Time Warner Entities, Rancho La Puerta as well as a personal trainer. She has taught nationally in various prominent fitness facilities, including as the Health and Fitness Director for RCCL. As an ACE Faculty member and teacher, she presented her workshops/seminars internationally to other health/fitness professionals.

In June 2025, Debra was invited to join the Behavioral Health Team at Polk Vision in Lakeland, Florida. She was a guest on TEDx Santa Barbara Salon, discussing her non-profit BTCF, which empowers creativity and community through art and connection. As a guest speaker, Debra has spoken at the Eating Recovery Center/Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center’s national virtual symposium, “No Wait, That’s Grief”, and the NAMI Eastside Virtual Educational Support Forum. Under her leadership, BTCF was the first-ever eating disorder platform to present at the 4th annual 2019 Worldwide Women Girl’s Festival at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California, including Debra being a featured panelist on the Arts & Entertainment Career Mentoring Panel. In 2020-21, Debra had the honor of being a NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) Network Co-Vice Chair.

From personal experience, she has shared her story and creative works with a variety of publications and media platforms including TEDx Santa Barbara Salon, Deborah Kobylt Live, Canvas Rebel, Bold Journey, Shout Out LA, On Fire, LA Voyage, TZ Element Magazine, Alexis Joy VIP, Say It Brave, Good Celebrity, Whosay, Meghan McCain’s Take Part Live, Maximo TV, I Am That Girl, Jess Fama, and Red Carpet Report, and NEDA Connections. In addition to community events such as the NEDA Walks and the Los Angeles International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) Gala.

Debra is married for over 20 years and has two sons

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Canvas Rebel Feature Interview with Debra Hopkins
Bold Journey Feature Interview with Debra Hopkins