We recently connected with Kenya Elliott and have shared our conversation below.

Kenya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission began in a place of unimaginable darkness and despair. At 592 pounds, I was bedridden, suffering from a terminal illness, and given just 30 days to live. My body had become a prison, weighed down by years of unresolved trauma and the crushing grip of food addiction. Food had been my escape for as long as I could remember, a means to bury the pain of abuse and the void left by loss. By the time I reached my breaking point, I was on the edge of surrender. My only comfort was the thought that, if I was going to die, I would die with a full stomach.

But in that bleak moment, a friend reached out to me, encouraging me to keep fighting. I was so broken that I resisted, refusing to fight any longer. Then, in one quiet moment, something whispered, “Just do it. Just try.” I couldn’t yet believe that there was any hope, but for the simple purpose of having a bit more energy, I listened to that voice. I took a hesitant step toward change, not out of confidence or optimism, but simply because something inside me stirred.

That small act of reaching for life became my turning point. With each day, I learned a little more—how to fuel my body instead of numb it, how to confront my past instead of bury it, and how to shed the weight not just from my body but from my spirit. Through resilience and sheer will, I was able to lose 468 pounds naturally, and I came out on the other side transformed. In that transformation, I found my purpose.

This journey led me to create I.R.I.S.E., which stands for “I Realize I’m Strong Enough.” I realized that my life wasn’t meant to end in a hospice bed; it was meant to serve as a beacon of hope for others trapped in their own battles with weight, trauma, and self-doubt. Today, my mission is about much more than weight loss—it’s about helping others break free from the chains of food addiction, emotional pain, and self-sabotage. It’s about
Through my coaching services and proven transformation programs, I offer clients a holistic path to healing that goes far beyond diets or temporary fixes.
My programs combine daily support, guided meal plans, mindful practices, family support sessions 1:1 intensive coaching therapeutic coaching to help individuals reclaim their health, build resilience, and silence the constant “food noise” that so many live with daily. I also introduce them to the same nutritional cleansing that aided me, helping them nourish and cleanse their bodies, heal from within, and gain a sense of freedom they may have thought was impossible.

This mission means everything to me because I have been where my clients are. I know the feeling of isolation, of thinking you’ll never be free from the shame and pain. My purpose is to show others that they are stronger than they know and that with the right guidance and support, they can rise above any challenge. Every day, I am reminded that my story didn’t end in that bed—it became a catalyst for change, not just for myself but for everyone who dares to believe that they, too, are strong enough to rise.

Kenya, 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?

For those unfamiliar with my journey, I’m Coach Kenya LaShelle Elliott, the founder of I.R.I.S.E., a brand centered on transformative wellness and empowerment. My work is intensely personal—it’s a mission born from my own journey through obesity, food addiction, and trauma. I’ve traveled a long, challenging path to get here, and today,

I dedicate my life to helping others break free from cycles of dieting, food noise, food addiction, food disorders, self-sabotage, and hopelessness.

My journey began in a place of deep physical and emotional pain. I once weighed over 592 pounds, was bedridden, and was told I had only 30 days to live. Food had been my escape for years, a way to cope with trauma and loss, until it led me to a life of immobility and despair. At my lowest point, all I could think was that if I died, at least I would die with a full stomach. But with a glimmer of hope and the thought of regaining even a little energy, I decided to take a small step toward healing.

From that single choice, I started my transformation—ultimately losing over 470 pounds naturally, reclaiming my health, and finding my purpose.

With I.R.I.S.E., I support others who are struggling with obesity, food addiction, food noise, orthorexia, and the relentless cycle of chronic dieting. My clients range from those who have undergone or are preparing for weight loss surgery to people grappling with emotional eating and the constant “food noise”—that mental chatter around food that so many of us know well. My personal experience gives me a unique understanding of these struggles and drives my compassionate approach.

At I.R.I.S.E., I offer a range of programs and products designed to support a holistic transformation. My flagship 5-Week Transformation program is a comprehensive journey that combines daily coaching, customized meal plans complete with grocery lists and recipes, workouts, meditation practices, and therapeutic support. This approach is unlike anything else in the weight loss industry because it’s focused on creating lasting change. We don’t count calories or follow restrictive diets; instead, we focus on nourishing the body, managing emotional triggers, and empowering clients through the I.R.I.S.E. method—“I Realize I’m Strong Enough.”

Additionally, I offer VIP 1:1 intensive coaching for clients needing a personalized approach to overcome challenges like food addiction and unresolved trauma. My coaching is not about a quick fix for weight loss; it’s about transforming lives by helping clients take control of their health, mindset, and habits. My programs also include nutritional cleansing, using the same supplements that supported my own journey, to help clients detoxify and restore their bodies.

What sets I.R.I.S.E. apart is our commitment to true, holistic transformation. Every aspect of the program is designed to build resilience, self-confidence, and a healthier relationship with food and self. I am incredibly proud of the thousands of clients who have transformed their lives through our programs, reclaiming health, and freedom from food dependency and emotional pain.

For those considering this journey, know that you’re not alone. My brand, I.R.I.S.E., is here to walk with you every step of the way. My greatest goal is to show people that no matter how low they may feel, they have the strength within themselves to rise. Every product, service, and word of encouragement from my team is crafted to help clients realize their potential and live fuller, freer lives.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A pivotal moment in my life happened when I broke my back in 12 places and was left paralyzed from the waist down. At the time, I was already on my weight loss journey, having released 457 pounds, but this injury stopped me in my tracks. It was an unimaginable setback, both physically and mentally, but it turned out to be only part of the challenge. While I was still bedridden, my husband, who was visiting me in the hospital, suddenly had a seizure and, incredibly, also broke his back. I realized that I had to fight harder than I ever had before—not only for myself but for him and our survival.

In that moment, I had no choice but to push forward. I had to relearn how to live, how to move, and eventually, how to walk again. I focused intensely on rebuilding my strength, determined to keep progressing on my journey no matter what. I worked through pain, frustration, and countless setbacks, but I never stopped pushing my way back. That experience taught me the true power of resilience. I realized that if I could overcome this, I could overcome anything.

This journey back to mobility became one of the most important pivots in my life, reinforcing my belief that no obstacle is too great. It fueled my commitment to helping others find their strength through I.R.I.S.E., knowing that we’re all capable of rising above the most challenging circumstances.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A powerful lesson I had to unlearn was that “being strong” means holding everything inside and handling it on my own. For years, I believed that suppressing my pain and putting on a brave face was the way to survive. Growing up, I faced deep traumas, and in adulthood, I turned to food as a way to bury the memories and emotions that I was too afraid to face. I thought if I could just stay strong enough, the pain would somehow disappear.

It took hitting rock bottom—being bedridden, overweight, and facing death—for me to realize that real strength doesn’t come from hiding. It comes from facing my pain, seeking support, and being willing to ask for help. I had to unlearn the idea that isolation was strength, and instead embrace vulnerability as a powerful path to healing. This shift didn’t just save my life; it shaped my mission with I.R.I.S.E.. Now, I teach others that they don’t have to face their struggles alone and that true strength is found in allowing yourself to heal, with support, from the inside out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whatifirise.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachkenyaelliott/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRISETransformation
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachkenyaelliott
• Other: Tik Tok @Coachkenyaelliott