We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rashaye Freeman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
RaShaye, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
From a very young age (somewhere around 6 years old), I decided that I wanted to work in the field of healthcare. I am moved with compassion and empathy for people who are suffering. I also have an interest and passion for teaching, encouraging, and helping others.
When I started college, life was moving right along toward my goal. Not long after completing my undergrad degree, my journey brought me to an unexpected crossroad in my education. At that point, I was unsure which direction to go in order to fulfill my dream. For the first time, completely unsure of the next step to take –
just imagine walking down a rocky windy mountain path when suddenly it becomes pitch black, like someone switched off the light. A dear cousin of mine was instrumental in steering me in the right direction regarding which career path to take and the next step in my education. It was as if my cousin flipped the light back on again!
Of course, that was only the first hurdle. I scrambled to take all of the required pre-requisite courses in one summer and applied to a single out-of-state University. The chosen school had the exact program I wanted to pursue. Now, it was mid-summer and here I was requesting admission for the upcoming fall semester. It was a longshot but I wanted so badly to get into that year’s program for fear that I might otherwise lose momentum. After completing the application process, and anxiously waiting and praying, I finally heard back from the University. They happily told me that I was accepted (YAAAAY!) …but not for the current school year (NOOOOO!). They stated that my application was submitted too late, so I would be admitted the following academic year. I was genuinely grateful to get the verbal acceptance but it was overshadowed by a deep disappointment about the delay.
I can still remember feeling defeated as I relayed the news to my parents. They heard the sadness and weary resignation in my voice. To my surprise, they had a response that I never would have even imagined. My parents said, you are going to get in this year. Let’s go down there! (Here is a bit of context that is critical to understand at this point in the story. The University was 2000 miles away from where I lived. We have to make the trip by car and not on a plane.) At first, I was skeptical. To be honest, I was downright doubtful. Then something about my parents’ determination sparked a glimmer of hope in me, too. I shocked myself when I heard my own voice say, ok!
My parents came to my home the next day with a moving van and helped packed up the essentials. We hit the road…riding on faith and a prayer. My dad was behind the wheel. Meanwhile, my mom and I called up the same close cousin who had helped set me on this course. Not only was this University her alma mater but she had completed the very same program that I was trying to get into. My cousin jumped right in and contacted a friend who also worked at the school to appeal on my behalf. There were more phone calls and appeals, but after we had done all that we could do, we waited and kept moving forward. We were still about a day’s drive away from our destination when I got a phone call from the admissions office. The lady on the phone told me that they made an exception. They had never accepted a student into the program this late. However, she said that if I could get there by the start of orientation, then I was in! My dad drove all night long that night, heading straight to the University. It was like something from a movie. We pulled up in front of the school right at the start time of orientation and I jumped out of the truck and ran straight inside. Let’s just say the rest was history. Of course, I am not saying that there were no more trials or difficulties but I made it through the program and thankfully did quite well.
That experience was a pivotal moment. It changed the course of my life and left an indelible impression on my mind. Decades later I have not forgotten it. I owe an eternal debt of gratitude to God, my parents, my amazing cousin, and those (known and unknown) who worked behind the scenes to get me to that pivotal point. So many lessons came about of this experience for me. I will just share a few of them.
First of all, I learned this. Do not give up. Hold onto hope. Faith is an action word. Everybody needs somebody.
I learned a crucial lesson about being in position to receive your blessing. I still get chills up my spine when I think about it. If my parents had not convinced me to hit the road that day and start driving across the country without having an acceptance letter in my hand, then I would not have made it in time to start the program that year. I don’t even want to know what else would have been altered along my journey.
I also learned that sometimes you have to take a chance (against the odds), a leap (without a net), and a risk (without a plan B) in order to reap the rewards that life has to offer. My reward is not just what I get out of life for my own enjoyment, it is how I use the blessings I have been given to bless others.
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?
From childhood, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare. For well over a decade, I have had the privilege of utilizing my education and training as a nurse practitioner to work and volunteer in various clinical and leadership capacities. This includes over 10 years as a diabetes specialist providing comprehensive diabetes management and education to patients and training clinicians. This field of care remains near and dear to my heart, in large part because of the severe impact diabetes is having in my community and our country.
Although I have seen and encountered the brokenness of our healthcare system while working as a clinician, a recent personal experience changed the course of my life. A good friend of mine was diagnosed with gestational diabetes – diabetes during pregnancy – during her second trimester. Despite being a diabetes specialist (though not an expert in gestational diabetes), I wished so much to help her but, I did not know how. I decided to accompany her to doctor’s visits. Her doctor, though well-meaning, tossed too many vague instructions at her. I certainly felt bad for her, but I did not have the knowledge in this specialized case as to how to help her safely implement the necessary lifestyle changes during this critical time. Despite my background, and the numerous patients I had helped with their diabetes, I found it difficult and discouraging trying to help her find a knowledgeable dietitian, educator, or health coach who could effectively guide her through this critical time – a time when she greatly feared losing her precious unborn child. Finally, I thought about the depth of research I have done in the past, and how this has helped many of my patients. So, I began spending many late nights sifting through research articles and information on the internet and other sources from my previous experience. I was fortunate to have so many resources that others would not have.
My friend was forever grateful, not only for me just being by her side, but also for my literature review, evidence-based counsel and close support. She delivered a healthy baby girl! However, my heart still breaks for all those who find themselves facing circumstances sometimes much more dire than this who lack the access to necessary support.
Diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate and ravishing the African American community. Many individuals are unaware of their risks and only discover they have diabetes because they start having complications. Many lacking basic knowledge about healthcare and self-care, do not have ready access to quality healthcare services, and they are unclear on how to find and interpret medical information from the internet, and are without adequate social support. This stark realization brought me to the point where I decided that I need to go all in!
The good news is that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through a holistic health approach that includes weight management, healthy nutrition, and regular physical activity. These lifestyle behaviors are also foundational to the effective management of diabetes. Lifestyle change is difficult but it is doable. Knowledge of what to do is important, but it is only a small part of the solution. Successful sustained change comes from coupling that knowledge with additional components of successful change: having a change-oriented mindset and internal motivation; instituting a realistic customized plan for how to implement and sustain the change; accessing the necessary support and tools; and fostering an environment conducive to promoting change.
This is where my business solution fits into the picture. I have taken my years of diabetes education, healthcare training, experience, and behavior change success strategies and founded a healthy lifestyle change support business. In 2023, we formed Abundant LIFE, LLC and began developing the business structure, plan, and materials. In 2024, we commenced servicing clients. Our aim is to EDUCATE, EMPOWER, and EQUIP clients to successfully implement and integrate their health-related goals.
The small group health coaching sessions are ideal for adults living with diabetes and those at risk for diabetes (which easily represents at least 70% of the US adult population), who are looking to make healthy lifestyle changes. However, we have started branching into supporting clients who are interested in implementing other positive lifestyle changes as well, based on their self-determined needs and desired outcomes.
We offer 3 small group coaching session packages. The small group coaching sessions are primarily offered virtually. Our clients self-select their cohort (of 2-6 individuals, 4 is ideal) to participate in the sessions with them. The small group brings added benefits of engagement, shared learning, accountability, support, and comradery. We provide clients with handouts and supplemental materials to facilitate learning, application and reflection. Click here to learn more about Abundant LIFE, LLC small group coaching services: https://abundant-life-llc.com/services/
In addition to the small group coaching sessions, we also offer lectures presentations, workshops and seminars on diabetes prevention, healthy living with diabetes, and strategies for successful implementation and sustaining of healthy lifestyle changes. Click here to learn more about Abundant LIFE, LLC additional services: https://abundant-life-llc.com/abundant-life-llc-services-extended/
We do not offer or promote some great secret sauce nor do we believe in a one size fits all approach that will work for everyone. Instead, my educational background and clinical experience has helped to sharpen and refine my skills, expertise and approach leading to effective successful outcomes when collaborating with our clients. We enjoy engaging with clients who have tried other methods in the past that did not work and are looking for that last hope.
Through the Abundant LIFE, LLC small group coaching program, I have seen many of these clients initiate and sustain lifestyle changes that have resulted in significant improvements in health and quality of life. It is incredibly rewarding to see confidence built and hope restored! These experiences assure me that I am living out my purpose. I have had many years of experience working directly with patients and clients as an educator and clinician as well as having had the privilege of working alongside highly skilled and passionate healthcare providers and educators. I do not know it all. However, I have definitely learned a lot and have discovered how to translate those lessons into principles that can be applied to the varied and unique situations and circumstances of the clients we now serve.
Our approach is not too edgy or radical. It does not require a sudden drastic life overhaul in order to see timely and meaningful results. We do not direct people to do it “our way”. We focus on partnering together to figure out what works best for them. Change starts from the inside out. Our programs are geared toward individuals who have had difficulty with initiating or sustaining lifestyle change. We utilize past experiences to learn and inform the development of future goals and plans. The overall approach is holistic, taking into account the inextricable elements that impact the whole person along and the interplay of their environment. Our clients have shared that it was difficult to conceptualize the benefits of the program until they started into it; but once they got going, they began to see changes in their mindset and actions that motivated them to keep pushing forward. We have tried to convey some of the key elements here that make our company unique, but we suppose the old adage “seeing is believing” still holds merit in this case.
My ultimate desire is to one day be in the position to provide services for ANYONE who is in need regardless of their ability to pay. This is what it will take in order to effectively foster HEALTH, HOPE, and HEALING in communities of greatest need.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
My nature is bent in the direction of being a bit of a perfectionist, particularly when it comes to my own work. If I am not mindful, I can end up putting undo pressure on myself by striving for an unattainable goal of perfection. The perfectionistic tendencies may not be apparent to those who do not know me as well. This is especially true since, most of the time, I also tend to be a genuinely happy and positive person. However, I will admit that this mindset has influenced my internal dialogue in the past and I still find myself struggling against it at times. Although, with years of practice it has become much easier to halt that train of thinking reframe it into more realistic and positive thoughts. Over time, I began to learn that we do not need to focus on striving for the ever-elusive goal of perfection in order to live a life of meaning, purpose, and impact. In fact, it is counterproductive. We actually learn and grow so much more through our mishaps and mistakes than we could ever have experienced if the journey was smooth sailing all the way. If we are open, it gives us a healthy dose of humility and teaches us genuine empathy and compassion.
One poignant example that reinforced this lesson for me, professionally, was an experience that I had while working in a leadership role at a high-performing and fast-paced healthcare organization. I was tasked with leading the development and implementation of a new program to serve our customers. I attempted to get more details but was informed that I should put together my best recommendation for senior leadership to review. I quickly put together a small team and consulted with them and then wrote up the plan. It included a pilot program and then phased role out with timelines for expansion and scaling.
The company senior leader quickly came back with a response that radically shortened my expected implementation timeframe. I only had a few months before this program needed to be ready to go live to the entire organization. I was not sure how or even if I could do this and still provide an effective high-quality program. So, I decided to schedule a conference with my immediate boss and expressed my concerns. I offered a counter solution with an adjusted timeline, that in my mind, was ambitious but still achievable. My boss simply said, I understand where you are coming from but it is not up to me. The timeline set by the senior leader stands. Then, my boss said something that shifted my way of thinking and actually freed me to unleash my creative powers. She said, look RaShaye, it does not have to be perfect to be good. “Good” was not even in my head before, I only thought in terms of great or terrible. But she was right. In the timeframe given I could create a good program. A good program will improve the health and quality of life for our customers. A good program will increase customer satisfaction. A good program will meet a need that is currently going unmet. My boss was right! With the shortened timeframe we would be able to reach people sooner and thus make a difference earlier in order to prevent illness and complications. We could continue to learn, adjust, and improve along the way. That is exactly what we did. The program was implemented on time. There were certainly hiccups along the way. That was expected, we learned and revised. Most importantly, it did not take long before we began to see positive outcomes for our customers.
Now, let me just state that this principle definitely does not work in all situations. I am well aware of that. Nor has this shift in thinking caused me to stop striving to give my very best. That is a part of who I am and who I want to be. However, I must admit that this experience helped to free me up from being paralyzed by perfection. In my coaching program, my clients hear this theme repeated and reinforced in different ways. I find it helps to free them as well, from the fear of failure and in turn empowers them to go ahead and try and try again. Just as I did in the example shared, my clients learn how to use the trials and triumphs of their journey as opportunities to learn and grow as they move forward toward successful implementation of their goals and positive lifestyle changes.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I first started my business, I planned to move the business forward by forming partnerships with key organizations that had alignment with my company’s goal of improving the health and well-being of their clientele. I focused my efforts on marketing strategies to contact these key organizations and appeal to the mutual benefit of working together. Unfortunately, these efforts did not prove to be as fruitful as I had hoped they would be. However, as I begun to share more broadly with others about my business goals. Individuals began to reach out and express interest in my services. I started booking clients for my small group coaching sessions and seeing positive results. That was the first pivot. Soon, it became apparent that even though diabetes may have been the initial selling point for many clients, there were other areas of focus and priority that many of my clients preferred to work on. They began to ask me if it would be possible to branch off into other areas. One client said to me, I know that I signed up for help with learning how to live healthier in order to better manage my diabetes. However, there are other areas of my life that I need to get in order. Right now, those other goals are actually a higher priority for me. Is it ok if we work on those first? Without hesitation, my answer to this question and others like it has always been yes! This was my second significant pivot. I have no doubt that there will be more pivots to come in the future. My philosophy is that I will work on whatever positive lifestyle change or goal that the client is most dedicated to and motivated to work on. In the same way that life circumstances cause clients to pivot and move in a direction that will be better for them at the time, is the same flexibility, adaptability, and agility that I need to have in my business in order to best meet the needs of my customers and community. I do not say this because it is an easy thing to do. I say this because in my mind, it’s the right thing to do. I am determined to remain dedicated to serving, supporting, and empowering others to live their most abundant life. That is my purpose for being on this earth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://abundant-life-llc.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rashaye-freeman/
