Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Underwood

Hi Amber, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I didn’t choose the life I’m living – this life chose me. In 2012, I was freshman in college when an attempted suicide informed me that I was depressed, anxious, and stressed out, language that was taboo in my culture.

Thereafter I went on a healing journey – Jesus, therapy, and my journal – and I collided with Hupomone again, a word I didn’t realize would become my purpose. I was invited to retrace my steps to how I ended up in such a low place, so that I could truly experience the life God had for me. While healing internally, I was on a mission to get my college degree. I came into college as a nursing major but after a series of rejections from nursing schools and other setbacks, I prayed and asked God to lead me to what was supposed to be for me – and He did. I became a social work major.

After running from my calling, I graduated with a bachelors and masters in social work, traveled the world, and wrote my first book, Hupomone. Hupomone is someone that runs their race with patient endurance. They endure to the end, no matter how bad it looks or feels, because they know that only good can come from where they are.

I’m often asked how I found my purpose and the honest answer is that I didn’t find it. If I had it my way back then I would have died. But here I am, alive and running my race as a life coach, mental health therapist, author, speaker, and beacon for the becoming. I didn’t choose my purpose. My purpose chose me and I thank God everyday it didn’t go my way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

I wish I could tell you that it has been a smooth road but it hasn’t been. After I decided that I’d live, and said yes to my calling, the heat turned up on my life. In pursuit of my calling and purpose, I graduated from college late, finding myself in that process not knowing how I was going to afford my tuition. But God, and faith being my currency! I made several mistakes while healing and I found myself battling with shame and condemnation that took years to walk out of. My parents didn’t have the money for me to go to college so I spent my time working 3 jobs at a time, while trying to heal. My book idea was accepted by agents and then rejected. It was something I was new too so having to learn how to navigate the publishing industry was hard for me. These challenges are just a fraction of what I had to overcome.
When you are doing something new, something great, you must expect failures and setbacks. But if you endure, I can promise you that the process will fortify you and produce a version of yourself you didn’t know was possible.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I’m a multi-soulful-Godpreneur on a personal mission to see thousands running their race in their lane. I believe that we were all divinely placed here on Earth for a reason much bigger than ourselves and coming to know that reason is important.

I have the gift of faith so I’m the friend that’ll not only remind you to run your race, but I’ll challenge you to keep the faith and believe for you when it all seems impossible.

My experience of higher learning became the voyage to awaken my purpose. I work full time as a school based mental health therapist. After 5:00 you can find me working on my business.

I am the founder and CEO of Hupomone Ventures where our mission is to decrease the rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide in communities of color – with an emphasis on women – by enriching their minds, bodies, and spirits with innovative products, services, and experiences. We are currently working on a daily planner that reduces anxiety and stress in women of color so they can take their superwoman cape off and live their lives intentionally, with purpose, productivity, and peace. We exist to empower you to choose life and not death, because living life purposefully and abundantly should be your norm.

Any big plans?

We are currently in Print School ideating our first ever planner. We are intentional in all that we do so learning the planner stationery industry is our primary focus. I am also still working my 9-5. I am most excited about seeing where my faith and the blueprint God has given me will take me and the business for those that I am called too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ambernunderwood.com
• Instagram: @ambernunderwood