We were lucky to catch up with Charlene Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Charlene, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
I have experienced three defining moments that have profoundly changed the trajectory of my career:
Burnout and Renewal (2010): After over 30 years as a nurse and nurse leader, by 2010, I found myself burnt out and on the verge of leaving the profession. However, my organization introduced the theory of Caring Science by Dr. Jean Watson, which reignited my passion for nursing. This led me to become a coach, where I began to reignite the passion of other healthcare workers. The content I developed during this time has since been transformational, particularly in helping the wounded and mentally exhausted nurses post-pandemic. Today, my curriculum is being utilized across the entire Northern region, continuing to make a lasting impact.
The Double Pandemic (2020): The year 2020 brought with it the dual challenges of COVID-19 and the heightened awareness of racial injustice. As a Black nurse leader, these events were pivotal. I found my voice amidst this turmoil and began sharing my story, which propelled me into a leadership role as a trailblazer. I led listening sessions for our frontline healthcare workers and leaders, developed healing content, and facilitated transformative experiences within my organization. These efforts have not only helped others heal but also solidified my commitment to advocacy and leadership in the healthcare space.
Launching a Podcast and Early Retirement (2022): In 2022, I launched a podcast that had been birthed in 2020. Through this platform, I interview trailblazers and change agents who are disrupting their systems, themselves, and those around them. This journey through podcasting has brought new meaning to my life, ultimately leading me to retire early to focus on creating programs and experiences that prioritize the well-being of healthcare workers. Through my podcast and other initiatives, I continue to help others find their voice and share their stories, ensuring that their experiences and wisdom can inspire change..
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Charlene Johnson, a nurse, coach, speaker, and the visionary founder of The Wellness Whisperer Coaching & Consulting LLC, a new startup company that I plan to officially launch in December 2024. With over 30 years of experience in nursing and leadership, my journey into this industry has been shaped by a deep commitment to the well-being of healthcare workers. My career has always centered on humanity-both for patients and for the caregivers who dedicate their lives to this noble profession.
I entered this field because of my deep-seated heart & love for people. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the immense challenges that healthcare workers face, including burnout, stress, and the systemic issues that often go unaddressed. In 2010, after experiencing burnout myself, I was introduced to the theory of Caring Science, which reignited my passion for nursing and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. This pivotal moment led me to become a Caritas Coach and HeartMath trainer, enabling me to support other healthcare professionals in reclaiming their well-being and effectiveness.
At The Wellness Whisperer, I offer a variety of services aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by healthcare workers today. These include personalized coaching, transformational leadership development, holistic practice enhancement, and organizational wellness strategies. My work goes beyond simply preventing burnout; it’s about reigniting passion, helping healthcare workers reconnect with their purpose, and cultivating a deeper sense of fulfillment in their work.
What truly sets me apart is my holistic heart-centered approach and profound understanding of the people that serve the healthcare industry and beyond. I combine evidence-based practices like HeartMath and Caring Science with decades of real-world experience to create customized solutions that are both practical and transformative. My work is not just about teaching strategies; it’s about inspiring deep personal healing, personal development and professional growth.
One of the defining moments in my career occurred in 2022 when I launched my podcast, “When the Moment Chooses You.” The inspiration to start the podcast came when I stumbled upon a quote that profoundly resonated with me: “You don’t die when your heart stops beating, you die when your heartbeats have no meaning.” This quote encapsulated my mission and fueled my desire to create a platform where trailblazers and change agents could share their stories and inspire others. Through the podcast, I found new meaning in my work, ultimately leading me to retire early to focus on creating programs and experiences that prioritize the well-being of healthcare workers.
One of my proudest achievements is the positive impact my work has had on the lives of healthcare professionals, particularly in the post-pandemic world. The curriculum I developed is now being used across the Northern region, transforming the way nurses approach their work and their well-being. Additionally, my podcast has become a powerful tool for amplifying the voices of those who are making a difference in healthcare.
For potential clients, followers, or fans, I want them to know that my work is deeply rooted in a mission to heal the healers and to facilitate love one for another. Whether through one-on-one coaching, workshops, or my podcast, everything I do is designed to empower healthcare professionals to be the highest expression of themselves. I believe that by transforming individuals, we can transform themselves first then the systems in which they work, ultimately leading to a more compassionate and effective healthcare industry and world.
In summary, The Wellness Whisperer is more than just a brand—it’s a movement dedicated to the well-being and empowerment of those who care for others. My goal is to help every healthcare worker I encounter rediscover their passion, reconnect with their purpose, and reclaim their well-being so that they can continue to do the important work they were called to do.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
A Moment to Love the Unlovable
Have you ever had moments where you had to love beyond yourself? I watched my parents demonstrate this continually as I was growing up, but I never imagined that I would be tested in so many ways as I went through life. My story of having to practice this idea of loving beyond will be totally different from yours, but I guarantee you that you have had to practice it. Whether you practiced it and felt you failed or triumphed, you’ve had moments where you had to forgive and let things go to find freedom. Or maybe you have not gotten to that place of forgiveness yet, nevertheless, there is a place of healing waiting for you if only you would forgive. Let me share a story that has impacted my life forever.
Charlene’s Story
I was an exceptional student, consistently earning A’s and B’s throughout my academic journey. I disliked missing school so much that the only time I was absent was due to an emergency surgery to remove my appendix during high school—a traumatic experience as it marked the first instance of my absence for recovery. I graduated #8 in my class, but the lack of resources and readily available support or scholarships left me without funds for further education.
Growing up in the mid-sixties in a divided town, with whites on one side and blacks on the other, I was the first in my family to pursue higher education—a fact I’m truly grateful for. My hardworking parents provided excellent family support, but there was no extra money for school.
With about a year left to graduate, I found myself pondering my life’s direction while heading to the mall. Unsure of what to do next, despite my academic success, I stumbled upon a sign that read, “Army College Fund $25,000.” The allure drew me in, and I found myself signing up for the US Army’s early entry program. Although I didn’t fully understand what I was doing, it felt like the right move. Fast forward, I graduated, joined the US Army, underwent boot camp and training, and was eventually discharged to pursue my desire to become a nurse.
While in nursing school, I encountered a pivotal moment that tested my ability to love beyond myself. I was caring for an older white woman who hadn’t seen her family in a while. My goal for the day was to dress her up and make her feel beautiful for their visit. However, this well-intentioned moment turned traumatic when, after introducing myself, commencing to clean her up, she grabbed my wrist, dug her sharp fingernails in, looked me in the eyes, and shouted—get your hands off me you n******. As I cleaned her up, a torrent of thoughts flooded my mind—a distinct thought arose, “Just put a pillow over her head.” Almost immediately, another thought countered, “What if that was your mother?” I could hear my mom’s voice urging me to love beyond. In that shocking moment, I pressed through the pain to achieve my goal, but the encounter lingered as a poignant memory of hate. This painful moment became an opportunity for me to drop from my head to my heart. I had a choice—to love beyond. I refused to let her hateful words define me. I chose to release love instead of hate. It was my decision, a choice to be better, not bitter.
While I didn’t feel better in that moment, the experience empowered me over time. It showed me the depth of my capacity to love, a capacity instilled by my wonderful parents who not only demonstrated God’s love but introduced me to it. As a child, my parents exemplified the principle of loving beyond, especially when I faced hurtful relationships outside the home. My father’s servant heart, demonstrating love through actions, laid the foundation for the deep well of love that guided me in that challenging moment. It wasn’t just words; it was a foundation of love that continued to grow as I connected with a God who is love.
Choosing love despite having the right to hate was a testament to the values instilled in me from the beginning. In retrospect, I recognize that this challenging scenario propelled me into the moment where I now use this story to help bring transformation to others. We must never underestimate the power of a story. What was sent to destroy and devalue me became the fuel that forced me to be the trailblazer and change agent that I am today.
I truly believe that the way I handled this horrific experience played a major role in how I have led in the midst of all the challenges I have faced as a Black nurse and leader. There have been so many moments where I have had to use love beyond in order to transform and be transformed. I truly believe that experiences, whether positive or negative, make us who we are and prepare us for our journey as we navigate through life.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
After 32 years of dedicated service in the healthcare field, I recently made the difficult decision to retire early and start a new chapter in my life. This pivot wasn’t just a career change; it was a profound journey of self-discovery and alignment with my true purpose.
For the first 18 years of my healthcare career, everything was amazing. I was deeply curious, constantly learning, and developing as expected. I felt fulfilled and passionate about my work, navigating the challenges with resilience and optimism. But around that 18-year mark, I began to experience subtle, persistent whispers from my heart telling me that something was amiss. However, like many, I kept pushing through the demands of the job, and soon those whispers were buried beneath the weight of my responsibilities.
As I approached retirement, I was excited to finally pursue the dreams in my heart. But moving forward wasn’t as easy as I had imagined. It felt as though something was holding me back—it was my past. I often tell others not to hold onto history at the expense of their destiny, yet here I was, feeling that although I was finally free, something was hindering me from moving forward.
In the stillness that followed my decision to retire, I began to recognize the many layers of soul pain that had accumulated over the years from ignoring those whispers of the heart. Every time I pushed through the unrest and silenced my inner voice, I experienced a deep, insidious pain that began to erode my well-being—my soul. This pain stemmed from years of relentless grinding, striving to meet the ever-growing demands of both my organization and my life, even when my heart was whispering that it was time to shift, to change, to do something different.
The decision to retire early wasn’t made lightly; it was a contemplation that spanned six years before I finally took the plunge. I knew that I had endured layers of moral injury and emotional exhaustion from not living in alignment with my true self. As a Black nurse leader, I wanted to be able to say that I did everything in my power to stay in the organization. I took on stretch assignments, extra work that expanded beyond the hospital to regional and national platforms. I created job descriptions, pitched pilot programs, and did everything I could to secure a position that aligned with my skills and passion, but still, no position materialized.
During this time, my mentor coach, Al Hollingsworth, shared powerful words with me that became the catalyst for my decision to pivot: “Charlene, you are trying to swim around in the swimming pool when God is calling you to the ocean, and He wants the ocean to pour back into the pool.” Those words resonated deeply with me and helped me recognize that it was time to expand beyond the confines of my previous role and embrace the vast possibilities that lay ahead.
One quote that also guided me through this transition is by Joseph Campbell: “We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.” After retiring, I took a step back to reflect on my journey. For the first time in decades, I allowed myself to simply “be.” This period of introspection provided me with a chance to reflect on my incredible journey as a nurse and nurse leader, for which I am extremely grateful.
In this space of stillness, I realized that my soul was yearning for something more—a calling to create, to heal, and to inspire on a much broader scale. This led to the birth of The Wellness Whisperer Coaching & Consulting LLC, a new startup company that I plan to officially launch in December 2024. Through this venture, I aim to support healthcare workers in reclaiming their well-being, rediscovering their passion, and living in alignment with their true selves.
This pivot has been one of the most challenging and rewarding decisions of my life. It’s allowed me to heal, grow, and create something that I believe will make a lasting impact on the lives of others. I am now fully committed to helping others find their voice, share their stories, and live in alignment with their true purpose, just as I have learned to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coachcharlene.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlene-johnson-b80bb31a4/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@whenthemomentchoosesyoupodcast
- Other: website and other platforms for my Wellness Whisperer Will launch December 2024: www.wellnesswhispererconsulting.com
Image Credits
Credits to Nehemiah J photographer
White suite: A picture and company by Ammala R