We were lucky to catch up with Dr. LaToya Wiggins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. LaToya , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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 the middle of a very rigorous doctoral program, I became pregnant with my first child. I was not in a program that allowed you to take a class here and there or a semester off, so I would have to take an entire year off if approved or take my chances of continuing in the program without taking a break. I also had to consider how much time I would have to sacrifice being away from my child each day and studying when I returned home. After weighing my options and looking at my support system at home, I decided to stay in school and took a few weeks off after giving birth to my son. I failed a few tests after I returned to school and was encouraged by a professor to take a break and return a year later to finish the program. Despite my circumstances, I was confident that I could pass the remainder of the semester, so I did not drop out, but worked hard to pass that difficult semester. I went on to finish the next and final year of my doctoral program with no setbacks. I worked hard as a single mom to get my doctorate, and here I am 12 years later as a licensed doctor of physical therapy. I overcame the odds of a single black woman dropping out of college and received the highest post- graduate degree.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a self-care strategist and wellness coach for Christian moms. I transition moms from worn-out to winning and teach them to prioritize peace and joy in motherhood and beyond using self-care strategies and biblical principles. As a self-care strategist, physical therapist, wife, and mom of three, I know the importance of prioritizing self-care and the health problems that arise when self-care is neglected. After the birth of my third son, I experienced depression and anxiety and often gave my children the worn-out, depleted, grumpy version of myself. Once I took steps to strengthen my relationship with God, improve my self-care routine, and receive mental health therapy, I became a much happier, calm, and patient mom who experiences more peace and joy in motherhood and other areas of my life. This transformation inspired me to support other moms with prioritizing self-care using a holistic approach to nourishing themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually.

As a self-care strategist, I support Christian moms via 1:1 coaching, group coaching, masterclasses, and workshops. I also support moms via motivational speaking, my podcast, She is a Nourished Mom, and my blog, She is a Nourished Mom Blog.

It brings me great joy to see and hear moms telling me the changes they have made to make motherhood and other areas of their lives less stressful and filled with more peace.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After working in physical therapy for six years and having my second child in 2017, I desired to have more flexibility with my work schedule as a busy mom, so I began to look at other options to stay home with my children but still support others in the health and wellness industry. After going through my personal health and wellness journey and improving my physical and mental well-being, I decided to become a health coach, which progressed to self-care coaching for Christian moms.

Although I worked really hard to obtain my doctorate in physical therapy and enjoyed rehabilitating people, it gives me great joy to support others with their health and wellness from a preventative standpoint and have more flexibility with my schedule as a busy mom. As a physical therapist, I get to support clients physically, but as a self-care strategist, I get to support clients holistically, which brings me greater joy.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I would still choose the path I took as a physical therapist. I believe that my background in physical therapy and working in the inpatient hospital setting prepared me to have the skills and expertise needed to support others with their health and wellness goals. Life is a journey, and sometimes, the different experiences we have personally and professionally lead us to walking in our life’s purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sheisanourishedmom.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sheisanourishedmom
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/sheisanourishedmom
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/sheisanourishedmom
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sheisanourishedmom
• Other: She is a Nourished Mom Podcast: http://sheisanourishedmom.podbean.com