Category: Podcasts

In this episode we sit down with a long time family friend Farrah Bledsoe and talk about how life will offer you the chance to build a story of resilience. During our chat Andretta and Farrah share how continuous loss of family members, businesses and more forced Farrah to truly get in touch with her competitive side and grow out of the shell that others designed for her as she was growing up. 

While known to be the pretty one that always has it together – Farrah shares that her gifts of having a business mind, competitive spirit  and keen sense of opportunity have always been the core of her foundation. We dive deep into the power of knowing your story and how your story shows up in the way that you decide to live your life. We break down the power of resilience and the necessary mindset needed to push through everything life throws your way.

5 Ways to Build Resilience 

It’s common for people to credit their success to confidence instead of resilience. Resilience is one of the most overlooked character building attributes a person can have.  But not many people are able to explain how building one’s confidence is often based on how they  utilize resilience. 

It’s tricky, because life often throws different things at us, but overall we grow from the choices and accomplishments that feed our passion and make us feel proud of who we are. Discovering these fundamental things can be one of the most worthwhile pursuits of your life. Here are 5 ways you can begin building your resilience today and bounce back from tough times:

1. Get Things Done  

Resilience is built on accomplishment. If you achieve small and big goals, you’re going to feel much better about yourself after facing a hard time in life. Those day-to-day goals are what you need to accomplish things today, tomorrow, next week or three years from now to help meet your goal and heal from trauma.

2. Monitor Your Progress

Try to quantify your accomplishments: write down how you’re able to show up for yourself in hard times. If you’re able to exercise daily or be more mindful of the things you eat- write that stuff down. It is important to see how the small things can turn into big things while building up your strength at the same time.  Doing so  will help you stay on course, and you will build resilience as you see the progress you’re making in real time.

3. Exercise   

Besides benefiting your health in general, exercising helps memory retention, improves focus, helps manage stress and prevents depression. It’s harder to be anxious when there is no excess energy to draw upon, and outside of being difficult and uncomfortable at times, exercise improves every aspect of your life.

4. Think Long-term 

The foundation of unhappiness is a decision made for short-term comfort that impedes long-term goals. You have to decide if your short-term comfort is more important than your long-term goals, but know that long-term goals will bring you far more happiness in the long run than your short-term comfort. This is the fundamental element of resilience. The ability to have vision beyond where you are now and realizing where you need to be in order to truly prosper. 

5. Do More Of What Makes You Happy 

What do you love to do in your spare time? Whatever it is that you love, create space for it, because life is short- you need time to enrich your life and to recharge to be your best self. Living in the present is the best gift you can give yourself along with permission to enjoy your life. Time is precious- no matter how much life throws at you, your ability to take it, grow from it and move on better because of it will help you build a testimony that can change the world. 

Jumping rope for most may seem like a child’s activity but for a Chicagoland woman it was the unifying element of a life changing purpose realized. Brown Women Wellness founders Andretta and Aaquila sit down for an enlightening discussion with 40+ Double Dutch Club founder Pamela Robinson to talk about all things health and wellness for brown babes around the globe.

During this podcast, the strength of unity and organization rings deep within the realms of the mental fortitude needed to embrace what it is that you love in order to give your body what it needs to be strong. The women break down the perks of working out without it feeling like a chore and the added benefit of sisterhood being sprinkled on top of it. While reminiscing on the last opportunity they had for such a refreshing activity- the women recalled in shock, highlighting their early teens. 

While dealing with transitioning to an empty nester and challenges within her marriage, Pamela saw the Double Dutch club as something all her own that gave her mental peace and support. A random jump rope in the trunk of her car led to a national movement encompassing over 12 thousand women. Her goal to provide a safe haven for physical exercise, connection and accountability has assisted in redefining what age appropriate past times are. She saw a chance to create a space and opportunity to work out that made being healthy a priority. Pamela sees the 40+ Double Dutch Club as a way to support and galvanize minority communities under the umbrella of physical activity worldwide. Double Dutch isn’t for kids any more; it is for anyone that wants a full body workout that assists with keeping your mind and social skills strong as well. 

Make sure you enjoy some of our amazing tea before, during and after your double dutch work out. Stock up for 2021 now at http://www.BrownWomenWellness.com 

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Ever wonder if your doctor is the right one for you? 2020 has taught us all to read the fine print when dealing with our health and wellness. Dr. Tony Hampton breaks down Functional Medicine and how it can take a traditional doctors appointment to the next level with customized care.

Dr Hampton Book On Amazon Fix Your Diabetes
Institute of Functional Medicine http://www.IFM.org
Protecting Your NEST with Dr. Tony Hampton Podcast

Think about the last time you went to the doctor, chances are you went to the wrong person for medical advice. 

In this episode of Well Honestly, the ladies dig deep into the work of Dr Tony Hampton and uncover one of the major reasons many brown women globally aren’t receiving the quality medical care that they need.

What is the difference between a traditional doctor vs a functional  doctor? According to the institute of functional medicine “the Functional Medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes.”

During a traditional doctors appointment you’d meet with a physician and a few supportive medical team members to categorize your current level of health. The goal is to determine any concerning health issues and document the severity. We’ve all been there. You go in to see your doctor to learn about what is going on with your body and you take a few tests and leave with a new medication.  The medication is usually prescribed to treat the symptoms and not the cause for the disruption of your health. 

That is where Functional Medicine comes in. Within this realm of treatment, the patient’s health is the main priority and not the symptoms. The goal is to find the root of the problem and work as a team to restore the patient to optimal health and wellness. This is especially important during the pandemic. 

When breaking down why Black and brown people were impacted the most during the pandemic Dr. Hampton focused on communities of color dealing with stress, unbalanced cultural food choices, lack of sleep and even trauma. His well documented data set that allows him to outline health via the NEST model is shocking.  (Featured below as 😉

• N is for Nutrition, which consists of whole, unprocessed foods with no sugar that are low-carb. “I tell them they can have ribs, but not with barbecue sauce.”
• E is for Exercise, even just walking or easy resistance exercises like pushups and squats at home. “It can be very hard to jog in some communities that are not safe.”
• S is for less Stress and more Sleep. “Sleep is so important to health but it can be hard to get it if you work the night shift or are under a lot of stress.”
• T is for “what you are Thinking” and for how you deal with Trauma in your life. “Instead of focusing on everything that is bad, look for the good, like the fact that it is a beautiful day and the sun is shining.”

With the common notion that vitamin D is a game changing factor for minorities looking for preventative measures to dealing with Covid 19, Dr. Hampton pinpoints the safest levels of vitamin D consumption for most. This was pivotal information as he also mentioned that  where you live can determine how long you live.  It’s best to know what elements your body produces naturally so that you can find ways to support your health and fill in the gaps to ensure you are functioning at your highest capacity. The aim is to be as physically , mentally and emotionally strong as possible.