Since as early as I can remember, I have feared failure and disappointing others, and though at times I feel defined by this fear, I just try to be the best I can be.

I believe when times get tough it is God that carries us through. I find joy in many things and contentment in each stage of life I find myself in. Whether it's being married, single or widowed I believe in always finding joy.

For years I picked my body apart, but now I'm extremely confident in my body, whether I'm extremely fit or thicker. I've learned to love my body no matter what state it's in.

At times I'm viewed as too black or too white. I wish people could just accept me for who I am. I wish there was more empathy in the world. I wish humanity appreciated the importance of BIPOC and their contribution.

I constantly feel like I should be doing more. I can be my own worst enemy. I need to remember that I AM enough, and I do enough. I need to remember I'm a role model to my younger sisters and my nieces and I would never want any of them to feel this way.

I have definitely felt "not good enough". With social media and everything, how can you NOT at times? However, the best advice I ever got was to stop comparing. To do what you want without caring what others think. When you can finally do that well - everything will come to you.

I wish more people knew how hard it is to find worthiness today, as an overweight female. You have to fight every societal message that’s been established since the moment you were born. I’m proud that I don’t let obstacles get in my way.

I'd tell a 12 year old me that life will get hard but to remember that love always wins and to never allow the world to change her heart. I wish there was more equality and less inequity in the world.

I began listening to the inner me that longs for freedom from alcohol and from the need to be drunk and blackout as an escape from reality… I take it one day at a time and whenever the urge to have a drink, or stress around it arises, I try to connect to what is causing the urge or stress.

I'd tell a 12 year old me that she is beautiful and strong. That her body is amazing, because it's HERS. I'd tell her she has something that no one else has and not to let anyone or anything tell her otherwise.

Right now I’m so grateful to be cancer free & hope to help others with everything I’ve learned. I am stronger than cancer. I don’t want to be afraid of being vulnerable and I don’t want to leave this planet feeling like I haven’t finished my work here.

I left my day job in 2018 to pursue my own businesses in art and fitness. I remember feeling ungrateful for being so miserable in the "good jobs" that I had. I've come to realize they were good jobs, they just weren't meant for me.