The Obstacle is the Way — Nana The Rebel | Proof of Life, Episode 17

From beauty queen to bold storyteller, Nana’s proof of life is reinvention, resilience, and overcoming rape trauma through fearless self-expression.

Aug 16, 2025

Have you ever watched someone reinvent themselves so many times and still manage to feel more themselves each time? That’s Bright Udoh—though to most of us, she’s Arya Bryt or Nana the Rebel.

From beauty queen days to creative director, from building businesses to trading forex, from ghostwriting for brands to holding down her own Substack—she’s lived many lives in one. What ties them all together isn’t the hustle, but her refusal to shrink. She wears rebellion not just as a name, but as a mindset: daring to be authentic, daring to try again, daring to stay true.

This episode of Proof of Life isn’t just about her story—it’s about the many phases, the resilience beneath them, and the woman who’s teaching us that obstacles aren’t roadblocks; they’re the way forward. And maybe—just maybe—proof that men are scum.

Proof of Life is partly about documenting beginnings and transitions—and you’ve had plenty. What does “Proof of Life” mean to you right now, at this phase where you’ve evolved from beauty queen to creative director, entrepreneur, forex trader, and ghostwriter?

At this phase of my life, proof of life means staying true to myself despite whatever hat I have on at the moment. I know it is very easy to want to make a job your entire identity but because I have lived so many lives and been so many things, I have had to define my non-negotiables so I can have some form of grounding for myself. Those non-negotiables are my proof of life

We first met during the Ibom Trek shoot, and over the years I’ve watched you shapeshift fearlessly. What’s been the most challenging leap you’ve made—and which leap are you most proud of?

It might come as a shock to you but becoming Nana The Rebel is my biggest leap and the one I’m most proud of. I say this because Nana The Rebel is everything I used to aspire to be; free, confident and daring. I am the eldest daughter and child of a very conservative family where rebellion was unthinkable and had very steep consequences.
So, to become this version of myself meant I had to do some internal work and trust me, changing my mindset was way harder than getting piercings or colouring my hair because I had to battle against years of indoctrination and build a thick skin to prepare for resistance that was going to come from family and society alike. It’s a continuous battle but I’m winning the war on being the most authentic version of myself and that brings me peace.

Your WhatsApp stories are a consistent push against procrastination, and your mantra “The obstacle is the way” has stuck with many of us. How did that belief take root for you?

This mantra changed my life and I’m not even saying this to be dramatic or anything. When you are the black sheep, the universe finds comic relief in giving you obstacles to overcome and boy, did they come.
I stumbled on the quote that now forms my mantra during a very dark time in my life when I was looking for light in even the most mundane things. The quote is from a Roman Philosopher, Marcus Aurelius and it says “The impediment to action advances action, what stands in the way becomes the way”.
It’s also backed by the stoic belief that our perception of things affect our will and the action we take. It stayed with me long after I read it and even now, it still inspires hope as long as I am willing to face my challenges head-on because the obstacle is the way.(I should get this as my first tattoo, hahaha)

Fun fact—you and I started a Substack together in 2020, “BADASS BROS,” before I jumped ship and came back years later with Proof of Life, while you kept building Nana-bong’s Letters. What has that consistency taught you about yourself?

Runaway soldier, lol. Well, for one Nanabong’s Letters has shown me that I am not incapable, just lazy. The fact that I have kept at it for 5 years shows that I can do anything consistently if I want to and this is something I have to remind myself when imposter syndrome kicks in.

Let’s talk about family—what’s one lesson your family has taught you? And what’s it like having a brother who, in your own words, drives you insane and gives you joy all at once?

Life has shown me that you can pick your family if the one you got isn’t everything you need on your journey. The women in my family even though we don’t always agree have taught me resilience and taking up space which is very important.
My brother is a very interesting human being and honestly my first and last attempt at parenting anybody. He’s my ride or die and as my only sibling, his existence is a lesson in understanding that my actions and inactions have a ripple effect as I always have to consider him.
His presence has taught me how to share and that it is possible to love someone without owning them because me and my brother are as different as day and night. I mean how is it that I have a Man United fan as a brother when I am a Chelsea fan, something doesn’t just add up.

Editor’s Notes: He choosed the way, you stayed at the obstacle

You’ve been open in the past about your rape incident. If you’re willing, can you share how you’ve navigated life after that experience and what healing has looked like for you?

TBB, I thought we were keeping things light and fun! Anyway, rape is a very traumatic thing to experience and someone who has survived multiple rapes, I can say healing such trauma takes a lot from you but the most important thing I have gotten from this is that the shame is never mine to carry as the victim even though society likes to give the bulk of the shame to the woman with questions like
“What were you wearing?” “What were you doing in his office/house?”etc.
Healing isn’t linear at all, sometimes I’m good and other times, I bump into my rapist at the mall(true event) or on social media celebrating an achievement and all the anger and a deep hatred for the Nigerian justice system bubbles to the surface.
I keep pushing regardless.

We once tried a long-distance relationship back in 2019—and ended with the now legendary breakup text, “Be good.” Looking back, what did that chapter teach you about love, connection, and timing?

Well, for one I learnt that you don’t always have to date your friend. Sometimes, just leave things as they are. It also showed me that you don’t have to force love, it is better to let go and accept that things might just be seasonal and ultimately that men are scum.

Editor Notes: Delete this part later…

From your modelling career, which photographer did you most enjoy working with, and why?

I don’t know why you want to scatter the friendships I’ve worked hard to build. All the photographers I worked with were amazing because they each have their unique strengths that they leverage exceptionally but a special mention would be Judeson Atiasi of Monami Photography.
With Monami, I don’t have to talk a lot, he keys into my vision easily. I remember calling him in the night because I saw a house while running errands and thought we could shoot there and within a week, we had great images. He’s a story teller just like me and that is everything.
Khandee of Crush Fotoz holds me down as well, when I was experimenting with boudoir photography, he was very supportive and respected professional boundaries and even though that is a very low bar, he managed the situation exceptionally.
Kodeblacc is in a league of his own.

We’ve often had opposite views on homosexuality. How do you feel about how the world is handling sexuality conversations today?

I think people are just hypocrites and full of hate because they can’t accept that we are all different and nobody CHOOSES to be gay because no one would choose the hard path where you can be jailed, ostracized or killed because of who you love.
I said people are hypocrites because they tend to hide behind religion when they are all sinning differently but consenting adults loving themselves becomes a problem. I hope one day Nigerians especially would realize that we have a bigger enemy than whoever someone loves and see that being gay is more than sex.

You’ve worn so many hats—The Rebel Closet, content creation, feminism advocacy, Forex trading. Which of these identities feels most you right now?

This is a very funny question because all of them are me and I am all of them.
I was a feminist before I knew what the word meant. I will always be stylish even though I might not be selling clothes right now, I might be procrastinating becoming TikTok famous but I will always create content even if it’s just to make a living. Forex trading is something I am committed to for the rest of my life so I am all of my identities at once, whichever I choose to show you is dependent on what we are talking about.

On Forex—what’s the one sign you’ll take as, “Yes, I’ve made it”?

When I no longer have to edit my CV because I can fully rely on it to fund my creative and living expenses. I don’t need to talk too much as there will be signs, lmao!

What are your hopes and dreams for the next few years?

Phew! Thinking of the future fills me with hope and dread
at the same time because my dreams are very big but I’ve been flirting with the idea of going back to school to get a degree in Marketing.
I also want to get out of my way and become an influencer and finally leave Nigeria so I can be more free and shock everyone with it. At this point, I think I’m an onion because there are more layers as you peel and there will be tears as I reveal what each layer holds.

Finally—drop one random, funny, or profound thought that’s been living rent-free in your head lately.

“You must create opportunity”
Wizkid randomly tweeted this and it got me thinking of how to stop waiting for opportunities however prepared I am for them and how to become a person who creates opportunities for myself.

What I am proud of…

Honestly, I won't preach, but I will say this: little habits like consistently reading the Bible have been my anchor. When I'm in the day-to-day grind, everything can feel so turbulent. There are moments of frustration, uncertainty, and just pure chaos - and this year has had a lot. But when I zoom out and look at this past year as a whole, it's been a profound blessing—a journey of growth, self-control, and unwavering dedication.

It’s in those quiet, daily moments with the Word that I find my center. It’s not about being perfect or understanding every single verse. It's simply about showing up, making a little space for myself to breathe and reflect. That small act of discipline, repeated daily, has helped me navigate the noise and find a sense of peace. It's a reminder that even when things feel out of control, there's a bigger picture unfolding, and I am part of it.

Las las, life na #OnGod