My name is Jaquaila Johnson, and I own Thriving Gratitude as a mother, holistic health coach, and self-healer. Our success comes from self-awareness, self-acceptance, visualizing, and a community to encourage and support you while you are THRIVING on this life journey. My journey to self-awareness and Healing came after a series of grief and traumatic events that ultimately led to depression. I was at my lowest place in life in March of 2017. My daughter just turned 3, and we recently moved back to my home state of WA from Houston, TX. After leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, I was now a single mother and starting over. I am recovering from heartbreak and still not dealing with the multiple deaths of those closest to me, including my mother. I continued. I completed my master's degree in psychology while trying to make a life for myself and my daughter. I had no time to stop and process all I had experienced over a few short years. To me, bad things happened. Death is inevitable, and relationships don't always last. I couldn't spend too much time dwelling or worrying about those things because I had to keep going. My motto has always been to "keep going and focus on your goals." That's the only way I knew how to live. Create a lane for myself. I couldn't count on anybody else to show me the way. I was the blueprint.

I later realized, after starting therapy, that I had been living in survival mode most of my life. On the one hand, it has made me resilient and independent, has been the reason for my success, and has made up a large part of who I am today. However, on the other hand, that same survival mode eventually caught up with me and forced me to slow down. I had to process the things I had experienced in my life.

I was back in WA and starting over with a child! It all came crashing down, and DEPRESSION hit me hard! After months of internal denial, living on autopilot, and people closest to me reaching out in concern, I finally had to admit that my negative, dark thoughts were not okay and that I needed professional help.

I reached out to my doctor, and we created a plan. That was the start of my healing journey. Still, it has taken me many more years to understand my diagnoses and how to counteract those feelings and deal with the traumas of my past while also learning healing strategies to cope effectively when new stressors/traumas arise.

In 2017, I completed my master's degree in Psychology. When I started my degree program in 2013, I wanted to learn more about human behavior, specifically anxiety and depression. My mother was diagnosed with both during the last ten years of her life. I watched her life deteriorate, and I couldn't understand how someone who was once so lively and full of life now slept all day and never left the house. I didn't know how to help her then. She has since passed away. I wanted to grow my knowledge to help other women like my mom who lived so much of their life in survival mode, suffering in silence because, as Black women, we are told at a young age we have to be "the strong ones." Throughout my journey and experiences, I have learned how our thoughts control how we feel or see ourselves, and our feelings drive our actions or behavior.

Naturally, I have always been a nurturer in helping others, whether it was my family, educational career, or behavioral health. I assist others in solving problems, and the joy I receive is from the small victories and "ah ha" moments folks discover on their own through their journeys. I am happy to be along for the ride, learning from you as you learn from me. Thriving Together is a SISTERHOOD for HEALING. My platform for coaching and community allows me to combine my expertise with my passion for helping others on this journey of self-acceptance, Healing, and personal growth. THRIVING TOGETHER is all about COMMUNITY. The road to Healing is constant, and having a community is a large part of the healing process.

Does any of this sound relatable? Do you want to be in the driver's seat of your life? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? You may want more for yourself, your family, and your career and need guidance. Whatever it is, let me guide you. Join me in this safe space designed specifically for women like you. Let me coach you on your journey to self-acceptance, Healing, and personal growth.

I look forward to joining our community as we THRIVE TOGETHER.