We recently connected with Chiquita Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chiquita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Growing up as a child, Mental Health was not something that was discussed in my household and even in moments of feeling depressed or even anxious those things were are often overlooked and frowned upo. I remember times telling my mother or grandmother that I was feeling sad and didn’t know why and they would always say “Girl, you have too much to be sad about. Just go outside and play with your friends.” Those emotions and feelings became far too normal and without proper guidance and understanding of what I was feeling, those feelings continued to grow with me into adulthood. Even though there were many good memories from childhood, my childhood is a dark place that I never wanted to relive, full of sadness and abuse.

At a young and vulnerable age, I was sexually abused by a close relative and endured many moments of physical abuse. Hidden away for many years, I carried the secrets of the things that were going on, until the day came where it all came out and I was forced to speak on these horrific things that had taken place all these years. I can almost feel the feeling again just like it was yesterday when I had to sit in front of the States Attorney and law enforcement officers and tell them what happened to me detail for detail. It was in that moment I knew that my life was about to change even more, and I couldn’t show no signs of pain or emotions because I was always taught to be strong.

As I grew into a teenager and then made it through my young adult years, my life felt like it was always spinning out of control. Along the way, I realized that one way to help me get through things was to always uplift and encourage others and even sometimes tell my own story as a way to motivate people to never give up. I decided to go onto college and received my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and Masters degree in Human Services counseling with the intent to keep spreading positive awareness for other survivors of abuse, but also for anyone else that was struggling with their share of mental health issues. Even though I had felt alone most of the time during my journey, I wanted people to know that they weren’t alone and that someone else in this world has experienced some tough things as well in life

Chiquita, 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 Chiquita Johnson and I’m 33 years old and from Baltimore, MD (GO RAVENS). I am also the host and creator of Chronicles of a Virgo podcast and blog. The idea of my brand originated in 2019 after my last suicidal attempt when I was in a really dark place in my life. I created my blog Chronicles of a Virgo to vent my feelings and ideas in a positive way and to also encourage anyone else that may come across my work. Had already been working in the mental health field close to 10 years, I was determined to create a better life for myself and to find more therapeutic ways to heal properly. In 2020, after losing my grandmother, I stopped blogging and had no interest in the work that I had done. My grandmother was my biggest fan and supporter and at the time I really didn’t know how I was going to adapt to new life without her.

With the support from family, friends and an amazing therapist I began to find my passion for writing again, but this time I wanted to expand and touch the lives of many more people. In January of 2022, I launched my Chronicles of a Virgo Podcast in which my intended purpose was to help and motivate others to be a better and healed version of themselves! Streaming in over 17 countries and on numerous platforms, my podcast Chronicles of a Virgo has been able to motivate and help others heal and be the mustard seed of Faith that one may need to know that things will get better. I have been able to connect with other professionals and likeminded people to speak on their on mental health or life experiences and how they were able to turn their pain into power and pushed through their circumstances to heal and overcome adversity.

Something that I think sets me apart from others is that I have finally stepped into my true authentic self and will always encourage others to live unapologetically. For so long in my life, I have tried to fit in spaces I didn’t fit and just felt completely as an outsider. I have finally stepped into my true self and taking my power back and using my voice and platform as a tool to encourage others to do the same.

I am most proud of my determination and drive to always keep going even when it felt like I was at the end of the road. There have been so many days where I just felt lost and alone and all I could do was cry, but even in those days I knew in my heart that it was more to living and that God had bigger blessings waiting for me. With so many circumstances around me showing me all the reasons I couldn’t do or have things I decided to make an avenue for myself and just be me. I now know that I am the author of my story and I deserve to live a wonderful life and it is my purpose to encourage others to live theirs as well.

For my future supporters and fans, I would want them to know that I am human. I still make mistakes and still have bad days. No matter how hard something may appear, I refuse to give up or be silenced ever again in my life and I will continue to pour out positive messages to everyone and even be the voice for the ones that feel that they are voiceless. My journey is far from over, but it is never too late to start your own and be who you want to be and do all the amazing things in life that you desire. Chronicles of a Virgo podcast and blog will continue to spread positivity and encourage others no matter where a person maybe in their journey. We will stand in the gap for those who need it because no one deserves to be left behind.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love getting the opportunity to tell my story as a way to encourage others. I love being able to connect with other like-minded people and speak on topics and experiences that can help create a foundation of healing for someone else. This world needs more people spreading positive awareness and it always helps to hear from other people that have overcame some tough things in their life.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

After experiencing so much trauma at a young age and being silenced for so long from speaking out, it was always hard for me to find my own voice let alone try to fit in with other groups of people. Now don’t get me wrong, I played basketball all through grade school and to college and felt a genuine connection with many of my teammates, but even in those moments I struggled to find my own lane at times. I truly did not know who Chiquita was let alone how to discover my true self.

It wasn’t really until I began this podcasting and blogging journey that I realized I didn’t have to any longer force myself into spaces and circles. I no longer had to seek others for validation or approval about my feelings. I could just unapologetically show up as my true self and make my own decisions. I gradually learned not to be ashamed of my past, but to instead show gratitude for the things I learned and even those people that wronged me. I was finally able to see past the box that I had allowed others to put me in for so long and now I was breaking free!

Podcasting specifically has given me the voice I never had and with that I have been able to finally speak my truth and encourage others to do the same. No one deserves to be silenced from telling their story!.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chroniclesofavirgo.wixsite.com/my-site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicles_of_a_virgo_podcast/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fit_Free_Ki

Image Credits
Pic 1- Imperfect Mello Podcast Pic 2- Speaking of Solidarity podcast Pic 3- Sarcasm and Orgasms podcast Pic 4- Sports Talk with Cee podcast Pic 5- The chronicles of a blacksheep podcast Pic 6- pic of me Pic 7- pic of my grandma and I that I spoke about Pic 8- pic of me on my Chronicles of a virgo show (all images from other podcasts came from youtube)