Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monica Ellis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Monica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

You know, one of the biggest risks I ever took was when I made the decision to live in my Jeep. Now, a lot of people assume it was because I fell on hard times — and yes, I had my share of challenges — but truthfully, it started out as a choice. I wanted to become a minimalist, to step away from the rat race of high bills, noise, and stress. I wanted peace. I wanted freedom. So I made the decision to go off the grid and really live life on my own terms.

I remember saying to myself, “If I can simplify my life, I can focus on what really matters — my health, my purpose, and my faith.” And honestly, at first, it felt liberating. I was traveling more, going on my book tour, meeting people, and sharing my story. It was like God was using me in a new way. But at the same time, it was still a huge risk — especially because all this was happening during the pandemic.

I became really sick during that period — sicker than I’d ever been — and eventually, I slipped into a coma. That was a turning point for me. When I came out of that coma, everything hit me differently. The life I had chosen to live so freely suddenly felt fragile. But I also realized how powerful that season was. It stripped me down and showed me who I truly was without the titles, the bills, the distractions — just me and God.

That risk changed my entire perspective. It wasn’t just about surviving anymore; it was about living with intention. It taught me resilience, faith, and surrender. And even though it came with pain and uncertainty, I wouldn’t trade that experience because it made me who I am today — a woman who’s still standing, still thriving, and still that chick, no matter what storm comes my way.

Monica , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Monica Ellis, and I wear quite a few hats — I’m an author, filmmaker, advocate, lupus warrior, and the founder of Lupus Matters Corporation, a nonprofit that’s all about education, empowerment, and community support for people living with lupus. My journey into this work didn’t start in a boardroom — it started in a hospital bed, in pain, with questions, and with a deep desire to make sure no one else ever felt invisible while battling an invisible illness.

When I was diagnosed with lupus, my whole world changed. I had to learn how to fight for my life — literally — and for my peace, my health, and my purpose. Out of that fight came my mission: to use my voice and my story to make a difference. That’s how Lupus Matters Corporation was born. We host community-based programs like the LUPing the Community Together Annual Toy and Backpack Giveaways, Lupus Conversations That Matter, and the Soulful Elegance Award Ceremony that honors women who embody strength and resilience.

I’m also developing The Lupus Harmony Hub, a space that will focus on bringing connection, creativity, and healing together through music, art, and education for the lupus community.

Beyond the nonprofit work, I’m a creative at heart — I write books, produce films, and even create music that raises awareness about lupus and tells the real stories of living with it. My current projects include my book Dialysis to Destiny: A Lupie Chick’s Journey of Faith, Fight, and Freedom and the film The Lupus Effect — both deeply personal works that give voice to what so many lupus warriors experience behind closed doors. I believe storytelling is medicine — it connects, it heals, and it teaches.

What sets me apart is authenticity. I’ve lived the struggle, I’ve faced the storms — I even lived in my Jeep for 19 months by choice, chasing minimalism, freedom, and a break from the rat race. I got sick during that time, ended up in a coma, and still found the strength to rebuild. That’s what my work embodies — real stories, real healing, real hope.

I’m most proud of how my pain turned into purpose. I want people to know that my brand isn’t about perfection; it’s about perseverance. It’s about reminding others that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can rise — stronger, softer, and more self-aware than before. Whether it’s through my nonprofit, my music, my books, my films, or my advocacy, my goal is the same: to show that healing is possible, transformation is real, and purpose is waiting on the other side of pain.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Honestly, I believe what really helped me build my reputation was my authenticity and transparency. I never tried to hide my story or pretend that living with lupus was easy. I’ve always shared the real, raw parts of my journey — from hospital stays and setbacks to moments of triumph and purpose. People connect with that. They see my strength, but they also see my faith and my humanity.

Consistency has also played a huge part. Whether I’m advocating through Lupus Matters Corporation, creating music that speaks to the lupus experience, or producing projects that educate and inspire, I show up with passion and purpose every time. I think my reputation grew because people know my heart — they know I’m not doing this for clout or attention, but because I genuinely want to make a difference. Everything I touch comes from a place of service, love, and resilience.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was thinking that being strong meant doing everything by myself. For a long time, I carried this “I got it” mentality — even when I was hurting, even when I was sick, even when life was falling apart. I thought asking for help made me weak, or that people would see me differently if I let them see the cracks in my armor.

But life, lupus, and loss taught me otherwise. When I was at my lowest — in the hospital, on dialysis, or trying to rebuild after losing everything — I realized that real strength isn’t about how much you can carry alone. It’s about allowing others to pour into you, to love you, to help you heal. I had to unlearn that “superwoman” mindset and understand that community, vulnerability, and faith are what truly keep me going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.facebook.com/lupusmatters
• Instagram: @mo_free_dom
• Facebook: @tsunamiraynedance
• Linkedin: @lupusmatterscorporation
• Youtube: LupusMattersCorporation
• Other: TikTok
  @LupusMattersCorporation

  YouTube:
  MoFreedom Nomad

Image Credits

Myself (tripod)