We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cathleen Benjamin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cathleen , appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

In 2018, after years of fasting and deep healing, I took a leap of faith and left my corporate job of over a decade. Before making this decision, I spent nearly a year dreading each workday—crying on my way in and giving myself pep talks just to step into the building. I carried lavender essential oil, applying it to my chakra points to calm my racing thoughts and call in peace. At one point, I even took an abrupt leave of absence due to postpartum depression, hoping to gather myself and figure out a way not to return. That was in 2016. When I did go back in 2017, I made up my mind: this was temporary. I trusted that God would make a way.

Living by faith and not by sight has been freeing. I’ve learned to trust that everything is taken care of because I surrender to a higher power. I believe that every leap of faith I take is leading me toward my destiny.

I’ll never forget the day I handed in my resignation letter. I was buzzing with excitement all day, telling myself, At 3:00 PM, I’m doing it. But as the moment approached, fear started creeping in. That’s when I remembered Mel Robbins’ book, The 5 Second Rule. Sitting at my desk, I counted down: 5…4…3…2… Then, without hesitation, I grabbed the envelope and walked straight to my supervisor’s office, my heart pounding in my chest. All day, I had been praying, asking God to walk with me.

It was a Friday in December. By the time I left my supervisor’s office, she had proposed an entirely different plan. At first, I was set on leaving immediately—I was so ready to go that I was willing to leave money on the table. But she convinced me to consider staying a little longer. Her plan?

Wait until March to receive my earned bonus—she didn’t see the sense in walking away from it.
Officially resign at the end of January, giving them two months (until March) for a smooth transition.
Inform HR that I was leaving to pursue a new career.
She took my resignation letter, looked me in the eye, and said, I never saw this. I know nothing. Take the weekend to think about it and talk to your husband. I walked back to my desk, stunned. What just happened? But I couldn’t stop smiling. A weight had lifted off my shoulders—I had finally done it.

I knew, without a doubt, that God, my angels, and my ancestors were with me. For a moment, I didn’t even recognize my supervisor—it felt like divine intercession on my behalf. I left that company on great terms, which was important to me.

Fast forward to 2025, and I am still divinely led in everything I do. Every opportunity and blessing that has come my way has been nothing but provision after provision. I am a walking, answered prayer. And so is this retreat—it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time in my life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Cathleen Benjamin, a holistic nurse-in-training, full-spectrum birth worker, certified wellness coach, herbalist in training, and sound healer. As the founder of Baby Moon Birth and Wellness, I provide holistic pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, specializing in culturally rooted, trauma-informed support for Black and Haitian Creole-speaking families.

My Journey
After over a decade in corporate, I left in 2018 to follow a deeper calling. My own struggles with postpartum depression and lack of culturally sensitive care led me to birth work. What started as supporting new mothers with healing meals and postpartum care evolved into a full-scale wellness boutique and community-centered care practice.

What I Offer
Through Baby Moon Birth and Wellness, I provide:

Doula Services – Birth & postpartum support tailored to cultural traditions.
Herbal & Spiritual Healing – Custom blends, steams, and remedies rooted in ancestral wisdom.
Community Support – Safe spaces for women through The Divine Sisterhood Circle.
Wholly and Healed: Extending the Mission

My brand Wholly and Healed offers handcrafted self-care and spiritual wellness tools to help sustain healing beyond birth, including:
Aura Mists & Home Blessing Boxes – For energy cleansing and harmony.
Self-Care & Postpartum Healing Boxes – To support rest and rejuvenation.
Herbal Steams & Bath Salts – To aid in postpartum recovery and balance.
What Sets Me Apart
I blend ancestral wisdom with evidence-based care, ensuring holistic and informed support. My approach is intuitive, spirit-led, and deeply rooted in cultural healing traditions, creating safe spaces where mothers feel empowered, heard, and held.

My Mission
I am most proud of the community I’ve built and the lives I’ve touched. My work is a sanctuary for healing and transformation, helping mothers reclaim their power and wellness. Everything I do is divinely guided—bridging birth, healing, and spirituality so women can thrive beyond pregnancy and postpartum.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After seven years as a Beachbody coach, I found myself at a crossroads. I had invested so much—time, money, and energy—not just in myself, but in the women I coached. Yet, deep down, spirit had been nudging me for years to step into something greater. I resisted, afraid to walk away from something I had poured so much into.

Those closest to me knew it had been a long time coming. My heart was no longer in it, and no matter how much I tried to push forward, I knew I wasn’t fully aligned. The decision wasn’t easy—I struggled with the thought of leaving behind what I had built. But sometimes, you have to cut your losses to make room for your wins.

Still, I knew that once I left, new doors would open. Things would begin to make more sense, and in turn, I would find myself in a more aligned position—one that truly honored my calling. So, scared and all, I finally listened. I let go. And in doing so, I made space for something far greater—work that feeds my soul and allows me to serve in the way I was always meant to.

In actuality, I’m still an advocate for empowerment and women’s overall wellness, just in a more holistic, spiritually aligned way. Looking back, I know this pivot wasn’t just necessary—it was an act of faith.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe what helped me build my reputation within the market is a blend of authenticity, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to holistic healing. From the start, I prioritized listening deeply to the needs of the women and families I serve, particularly those within the Black and Haitian Creole-speaking communities. I understood that each person’s journey is unique, and meeting them where they are—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—was essential.

By weaving ancestral wisdom into my work, especially in the context of birth and postpartum care, I created a space where women felt seen, heard, and supported in a way that resonated with their cultural traditions. My ability to combine evidence-based practices with spiritual, intuitive care allowed me to offer services that felt personalized and deeply rooted.

Another key factor was my commitment to community. I’ve always aimed to create a safe, supportive environment where women can connect, share, and heal together. This has led to strong word-of-mouth referrals and deep trust among the people I serve.

Finally, being genuine and transparent about my own journey and challenges—such as my decision to pivot away from endeavors that no longer served the overall goal, this helped others see that I wasn’t just a service provider, but someone who had lived the experiences and was truly walking the path of healing alongside them.

In essence, it’s the combination of personal integrity, cultural alignment, community connection, and authentic care that helped me build my reputation in the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://whollyandhealed.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/empoweredbycathy, www.instagram.com/babymoonbirthandwellness, www.instagram.com/whollyandhealed
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/whollyandhealed, www.facebook.com/babymoonbirthandwellness

Image Credits

INKA Originals
memoriesbymakenzie