When I met LaShonda I was in a state of transition in my life. I was in the recovery process of trauma that had first occurred in my childhood as well as studying to be a Trauma Recovery Coach. Although I met her in an unconventional way, I instantly felt a connection to her. I knew she was special when out of the blue she asked if she could pray with me. I told her yes, I would appreciate that and that was the beginning of a genuine relationship. 

This summer I realized it was time for me to continue in my recovery by going to the next step and finding a coach. I reached out to LaShonda and started working with her. The first conversation I had with her changed my life. The biggest thing I had to eliminate in life was guilt and shame. I was in complete bondage to these things until she told me I had already been forgiven for the things that I had done wrong and that some of the things were not my guilt and shame to carry. I am a Christian woman and had been told these things in church and many times before but no one had really taken the time to explain this to me or used scripture to help me understand it like she did. Now, when my mind tries to lead me back to those places, I pull myself out of it because I know that I am a child of God and that I am loved for who I am. I owe a huge part of this process to LaShonda.

She and I immediately started working on self-love, self-acceptance and self-worth. This process was heightened even more as I participated in the Self- Esteem Challenge she held with in her group, Living Authentically. She had us doing challenges everyday that strengthened the love we have for ourselves as well as the love God shows us. After each challenge that week I felt more empowered to be my authentic self and to be bolder in the things I tried. Not to long after the challenge, I had an opportunity to use this newfound boldness. My company wanted me to come back full-time. My family thought I was going to ask what they were willing to offer; instead I went in with my demands and guess what… THEY HONORED IT AND MY INCOME HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY!

I would not have had to confidence in myself or my abilities had I not been coaching with LaShonda.  Additionally, I successfully completed my Trauma Coaching Certification and I am happy to say I am now teaching and coaching others on how to recover from their trauma as well. To God be The Glory for His faithfulness and loving-kindness. After all I have been through, I am thrilled to say that guilt and shame did not hold me there and LaShonda is a big reason I am able to go through every stage of my healing successfully. Today, I can sincerely say God loves me and so do I. 

Being a single mom of three wonderful, my life has always surrounded the needs of my children. Now that all three of my children are in college, it was time for me to start focusing on me; however, I had one obstacle. FEAR OF FAILING. This fear caused me to play it safe even though in my heart of hearts I wanted to jump of a cliff and grow wings of faith coming down. The thing that was stopping me was my own inner critic a.k.a. negative self-talk.

I was fortunate enough to participate in a training LaShonda was doing for women to help boost self-esteem and confidence. I learned how to challenge and eliminate the negative talk and replace it with words that would catapult me to my next level. I learned how to thrive in life versus just exist. In addition to prayer and journaling, I now write a positive not to myself everyday that remind me that I ca do and be whatever I choose because my Daddy (God) said that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I must say, this was definitely a piece of my puzzle that I needed in the refocusing on my LIFE. I have learned how to get better acquainted with ME and I am loving it.

My passion has always been to serve children. Several years ago, I opened up a home day care allowed me to serve my community and honor my passion at the same time. The problem with home day care is you’re limited to the number children you can care for. I found myself wanting to expand into a preschool however fear crippled me. I was afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone working with children and parents every day comes with its challenges.

On top of that, I didn’t believe anyone would support a preschool in “the hood”. At the point when I was about to give up on my dream is when I met LaShonda. Not only did she open my eyes to ideas and strategies on how I could make it happened, LaShonda opened my eyes to me. I found out I was worthy, qualified, gifted, talented, anointed and appointed to walk in this calling. I found out I could live authentically and unapologetically. Today, I walk boldly and freely in who God has called me to me and I am happy to say I am now an official preschool facility with my state and doors are opening for me to expand into an even great facility. I’ve never been this happy in my life and it all started with making an investment in “ME”.