We recently connected with Chinelle Gwartney and have shared our conversation below.
Chinelle , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Elite Vixen Paranormal was product of the oppression Samantha Biggs and Chinelle Gwartney experienced while being on a team with male founders. Chinelle and Sam learned quickly that women were not treated as equals in the paranormal field. Samantha particularly was silenced in multiple occasions, her voice and ideas were not being heard. She and Chinelle remained on the team for a few months, and after their final investigation with that team, they realized it was time to move on. Samantha and Chinelle started Elite Vixen Paranormal in November 2018. They decided their mission was to represent the women in the paranormal field, to show that women are able to scientifically investigate haunted locations with the same professionalism and knowledge as our male colleagues. We continue to provide empirical evidence of paranormal activity or hauntings, and will often provide evidence others may not have experienced since they are women. They use the same technology, and do their own tech set up, video and audio editing, and investigating, all while wearing black and hot pink!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Elite Vixen Paranormal is an all female paranormal investigation team centrally located in Nashville, Tennessee. There are currently nine members on the team- Samantha Biggs, Chinelle Gwartney, Jessica Smith, Rayna Woodman, Rachel Krebbs-Trisilla, Janice Landis, Abigail Gwartney, Erica McElroy, and Emily Murphy. All of the ladies bring a varying level of experience to the team, and they all have their own way of investigating. The Vixens specialize in investigating locations with documented paranormal evidence of spiritual hauntings. They investigate scientifically, and try to replicate or interact with spirits who are thought to remain at these locations. The reason for this is to capture evidence that would be considered empirical in a field which interactions and responses can’t always be replicated. They have a variety of tools and equipment to complete their experiments to capture their evidence. Audio and video equipment, trigger items, equipment designed for physics, and electrical work are just a few of the items they use to interact with the spirits. They are always researching new ways to investigate, and they keep up with the latest technology to ensure they are using every method possible to get as much evidence as they are able to present to the paranormal community.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three things which have been impactful to our journey have to always remember safety first, know that the paranormal field is highly competitive and everyone is in the field for their own reasons, and to know that the field is ever changing, and no one is an “expert” in this field.
A few of the members of Elite Vixen Paranormal have had the joy of mentoring new investigators. When we are provided this opportunity, we stress the importance of being safe in this field and that extends to not only physical safety but spiritual and mental safety. As women in this field, we are subject to danger, and it’s more common for that danger to come from the living than the dead. We have had requests for investigations to completed only by an individual team member alone, and this goes against our policies. When the client was informed the team member would not be going alone, they no longer needed our services, We also tell these mentees to be mindful of their spiritual and mental or emotional status. When completing an investigation, if someone is not in the right spiritual or mental state, that can have negative affects on the investigation. This also can place others in danger, and the other team members can be open to spiritual attacks.
Everyone who is in the paranormal field has their own reasons for being in it. Some people feel what can only be described as a “calling” to help others and help the spirits reach their “rest in peace”. Some are in the field to attempt to get famous whether by being on TV or Youtube famous. Others still are in the field as a hobby. The recognition that some will be committed to the field for the rest of their lives, and some will be in it for a short time is crucial. This field is not for everyone. It seems like it is all fun and games (and Demons according to some), but once a person begins investigating and sees that is a lot of sitting in the dark seemingly talking to yourself, a lot quickly learn this field is not for them. The understanding of this is helpful, because new teams or new investigators come in expecting what is portrayed on Television, and when they don’t have those same experiences, they because frustrated or disappointed. Furthermore, those which are in the field to become “famous” fuel to competition in the field. Those who are wanting to help with furthering the science do not tend to perpetuate the competition, since those investigators share a common goal. The recognition of others’ intention is important when choosing to interact with others in this field.
Another important factor to learn is that no one is an “expert” in this field, and the techniques use to investigate are ever evolving. In the United States currently, investigation of the paranormal is not considered a natural science, but a meta science. This is not the case in other countries, and this is part of the reason Elite Vixen Paranormal does what they do. Since this is not a recognized degree or certification, there is no one who can be considered an “expert” in paranormal. Futhermore, there is so much which can not be explained or understood, that until these instances can be explained, there will not be experts. To get the that point, the technology and instigate techniques are always evolving. The old methods of using a handheld camcorder and a voice recorder are still relevant, so are techniques which involve using a new meter or modified motion sensor light. Combing these practices to be able to hopefully produce quality scientific evidence is important to perpetuate the push to move paranormal investigation from a meta science to a natural science.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Elite Vixen Paranormal loves to collaborate with others in the paranormal field! Working with colleagues is important while investigating to be able to compare evidence, experiences, and learn new practices. Since every team has their own methods and practices, working with others provides various new perspectives. Furthermore, on larger locations, sometimes more investigators are needed for safety and/or evidence documentation. We are open to investigate with any of our colleagues who share similar ideals, those who do not release false footage or false representation of locations. Elite Vixen Paranormal is also open to mentoring and working with new paranormal teams or budding enthusiasts. The Vixens are located in Middle Tennessee, Nashville area, but are willing to travel to anywhere!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elitevixenparanormal.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/elite_vixen_paranormal
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/evphunters
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/elitevixenpara1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_XjDupXMcyVgZMzgWB9mQ
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@elitevixenparanormal [email protected]
Image Credits
All photos are the intellectual property of Elite Vixen Paranormal (SM)
