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

LaTrice, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s go back in time to when you were an intern or apprentice – what’s an interesting story you can share from that stage of your career?

I wanted to highlight the opportunity I was afforded during my practicum in school to work as a therapist in training with at risk youth. The reason I wanted to highlight this is because in doing so, I was able to learn more about myself as an individual and also as a mother. I’ve expanded the knowledge of how truly important it is to have self – love and to be in positions to allow that to bleed over into the next generation whether that’s your children, nieces, nephews, or whomever. They need it. They need us. And one way for us to truly show up for them, is to truly be able to show up for us in healthy ways.

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.

It all started from a bad marriage you guys and having my beautiful daughter. I was filling a void and I realized that in trying to fill that void, it would effect my daughter in a way that I didn’t wany. So, I had to make a decision, a simple decision to take time to fill that void and fill my cup so that I can be better for not only myself but for my daughter and others who may need be. Once I gotten myself to a certain place and was able to maintain, I knew it was important to teach other women and raise awareness for them so that this cycle would stop happening because we haven’t learned to love ourselves.

I have a Podcast called The Self Love Playbook which is available on all major platforms. I have a NPO called The Self Love Kindle Project where we raise awareness of self love and aim to help women kindle a love they deserve from themselves. On top of those, I am a full time Mental Health Counselor at a psychiatric hospital. My major mission is to be of service to women’s healing and self love journey the best way I can. I have created a self- love journal called The Self Love Playbook and I like to call it the self love journey starter kit! You can DM on my IG page for the link to get yours! (@iamlatricerainer). What sticks out about me is I get to the point. If you listen to my podcast, purchase my journal, they are short. Many call it pep talks. I call it a release. Another thing for me, is just meeting people where they are. That’s so important to me.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than those two things, just having personal experience. Training and knowledge is all good, but I think it’s pretty cool when you have lived a life that has taught you much of your resiliency.

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

So, before getting into my profession now, I was in the military. It was comfortable. It was stable. It was secure. Transitioning into my field now, I had no training or professional experience so I was scared. I can’t lie. But, life is truly about trusting God, that intuition, and taking risks. Because I did so, I am where I am today and I’m pretty darn happy with that!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://the-self-love-playbook.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: @iamlatricerainer
• Other: Podcast: Girl, let’s talk! The Self Love Playbook