Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Brown

Hi Ariel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My story began the moment my daughter became fearful of my diabetes. In August of 2019, I began looking for a book for
her to understand my diabetes. I asked my endocrinologist to assist me with looking for a book. We searched the internet to find one, but we were unsuccessful. My endocrinologist said that none of these books could help my daughter to relate and he suggested that I write a book. I told him I wanted to find the book, not write one. From that moment, we never talked about the book again and I never thought about the idea ever again. Fast forward 5 years later, I self-published that book “Pumped 4 My Journey” that I was trying to find for my daughter. Through this entire process, I know in my heart that it was God that brought all things to past. I tried to find a book for my daughter, but God said you are the book. If I can be completely honest, I laughed at the idea because I didn’t think I could do it. Growing up, I never had a desire to write a book and especially not to share my story with diabetes. What I love about God is how he wrote the pages of my story before I even realized I had one. The reason I couldn’t find the book in 2019 was because I hadn’t written the book yet. What started off as a book for my daughter, God has blessed me to become a self-published author, inspirational speaker, mentor, podcaster, businesswoman, owner of my own t shirt brand that inspires others living with diabetes, and most importantly a woman of faith. I thank God for Pumped 4 My Journey because it changed my life and transformed me from the inside out. The girl that use to be afraid of her diabetes, ashamed of her diabetes, scared to try new things, and scared to step out of her comfort has stepped in who God created her to be. God allowed me to go through so much in my 22 years with diabetes so that I can help others know they can conquer this as well. I strongly believe that God allows you to go through things in life, not for yourself but so you can help others along their journey.

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?

Pumped 4 My Journey has not been a smooth road. I truly believe God allowed me to endure so much to teach me to trust in Him. I feel like my biggest struggle was working through grief. As I mentioned in my story, I never thought about the book ever again until October 2021. My Aunt Nita whom I was very close to passed away. When she passed away, I felt like I couldn’t live anymore. My aunt and I had a very close relationship. Even though she lived in New York, and I lived in Virginia, that never stopped her from having that relationship with me. What I loved about our relationship was that she would call our house every Saturday. Our Saturday conversions consisted of what we were doing for the day, talking about the latest movies, and she always found a way to bring humor as well as give advice. My aunt was a God-fearing woman who was willing to help all and never wanted any credit. I couldn’t take living life without her and in a sense, I wanted to die with her. Those Saturday calls were no more and the fact that she died on a Saturday was even worst. I began to ask God, what do I do now that she’s gone? God didn’t answer me. I kept asking and it was complete silence. I thought about it again and asked God again for the last time. The last time I asked, God gave me an answer. He instructed me to write the book. Now, I hadn’t talked about the book since 2019 and I forgot about it, but God didn’t. I began to tell God that I couldn’t because I was hurting, and I couldn’t help anyone. The more I told Him no, the stronger his voice grew. God began to speak in ways that I knew it was Him. He reminded me of the Saturdays that my Aunt Nita would call. God instructed me that the Saturdays would now be to work on the book. Even now when God was speaking and giving instructions, I still ignored Him until January 2022. I was sitting at home watching a virtual church service. I heard a voice tell him, go write the book. I grabbed a pen and paper, ran into the bathroom, locked the door, sat on the floor, and I began to write. As I was writing, tears began to hit the pages and I had no control of my pen. 3 hours later, the book was complete. I called my mom to ask what I should do and she advised me to pray and ask God to send me a mentor. I prayed for one, but God sent many. My life forever changed after I followed God instructions. I began to speak at different events, participate as a vendor at several events, and God began to speak again. He reminded me how I hated Saturdays and how now Saturdays are filled with Pumped 4 My Journey. The same way my aunt made it a priority to call; I now was given that responsibility from God to help children living with diabetes and to share my story with others. God works in mysterious ways. When I wanted to give up because my aunt passed away, God couldn’t allow that. My Aunt Nita’s legacy had to continue through me, and it was my time to make calls from Pumped 4 My Journey.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pumped 4 My Journey?

Pumped 4 My Journey was created to inspire and empower school age children living with diabetes to let them know they can overcome this. Growing up with diabetes at the age of 12, I didn’t see anyone that looked like me telling me I could survive, and I become that person. God really has amazed me with Pumped 4 My Journey because it was originally suppose to go in my daughter’s hands and that was it. God had a much powerful plan for my life. My daughter knew my story and it was time to place my story in other children’s hands. Since releasing my book, my motto has been that I’m going back for that 12-year-old girl and I’m placing a book in her hand. I’m going to tell that girl that Pumped 4 My Journey was created for her and we’re taking this journey together. I asked God after I wrote this book, please don’t allow it to collect dust and God has answered my prayers. Since accepting my call to write the book, God has taken me out of my comfort zone. With God’s help, I was able to create my own website, launch my podcast, speak at several event, participate as a vendor for several events, launch my t shirt brand to empower others living with diabetes, featured in magazines, interviewed for several podcast platforms, featured on the radio as well as television, receive book placement in libraries, schools, and other community areas, collaborate with a pediatrician, social media recognition from Omnipod, Dexcom as well as Tandem, and most of all become a mentor. Becoming a mentor has been life changing for me. I love being able to support children and their families living with diabetes. Growing up, I didn’t have a mentor that could relate to me, and God has allowed me to become one. What is so special about becoming a mentor is that I started in August of 2023. I was diagnosed in August of 2002 and my first child was a 12-year-old girl. God has shown me that if you trust what I speak to you, then you will see it come to pass. There’s so much I could share about Pumped 4 My Journey, but I believe the greatest of them all is sharing how good God has been to me and how he has made ways for me. I would love to share in closing how I came up with the name. After writing the book, I began to ask God what I should title it. God began to bring back to my remembrance of my past. When I was 17 years old, I tried to commit suicide. I would pump so much insulin in my body and pray that I wouldn’t wake up. I tried this several times, but it never worked. God said what you used to kill yourself is going to push you to your purpose and that’s Pumped 4 My Journey. I’m a miracle that God has allowed to survive, and I want to share my story with others to let them know, “Live like you have a future.”

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?

After writing Pumped 4 My Journey, God began to give me more instructions. God instructed me to reach out to several podcast on Instagram and see if they would be willing to interview me. I had several podcasters read my message and not respond. I even had a few tell me that I wasn’t a good fit now. This one time, I reached out to a diabetes podcast. I figured if they created a space for diabetes, then they would be willing to allow me to share my story. I will never forget the moment I received an email back, and I was accused of being an actor. I was crushed and hurt at the same time but with God’s help, I realized I couldn’t stay down. I believe in my heart everything happens for a reason. From that moment, I grew a desire to start my own podcast. I wanted to create a space to encourage and uplift people. Fast forward several years later, I’m the proud podcaster of Pumped 4 My Journey. I’m grateful to God for his guidance and his many blessings. I’m so grateful for the many podcasters that allowed me to share my story with them and always give encouraging advice. My advice to anyone reading my story, never let someone stop what God has already spoken to you. If he spoke the word, then he would bring it to pass. You must always believe in yourself and allow God to create in you what was designed especially for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pumped4myjourney.com
• Instagram: Pumped 4 My Journey

Image Credits

Sharda J.