We were lucky to catch up with Shanequa Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shanequa , thanks for joining us today. Can you share an anecdote or story from your schooling/training that you feel illustrates what the overall experience was like?
My school experience for grad school was challenging, stretching, and exciting. In a new space where you are the minority I felt it was a stretch to speak about my intelligence in a field that was new. Most, people in my field were coming from a prestigious background versus me who took on a completely different career change. There were moments when my confidence was challenged to be myself and educated. Many saw this as a strength. I saw it as an area of myself that was still growing. There were moments I wanted to throw in the towel from countless papers. But I kept going. I would say to anyone in their school experience seek help don’t try to guess, lean on your support, and don’t stretch yourself more than you are required to while balancing life, school, and career.
Shanequa , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For those who don’t know, I’m Shanequa known as Coach Nequa T. First I’m a daughter, a young woman who loves God. I love to laugh, dance and have fun. My life mission to help women and teenage girls be free from traumatic life experiences that have caused them to feel hopeless and lifeless. I’m the CEO of Gracious Space where we integrate kingdom principles and mental health practices for women to understand how their mind works, get to the root of issues that keep them bound to live a fulfilling and free life. Gracious Space provides individual, group coaching, and workshops to profit and non-profit organizations.
We have our YouTube channel and podcast where mental health and faith is merged together to cultivate vulnerability and healing. The main focus for our clients is seeing them healthy as they navigate through life. Living a healthy lifestyle starts with what your mind process. Living a healthy lifestyle starts with what you think and keep in your conscious.
Through my life experiences I have learned that past traumatic experiences controls who you are, how you live if you don’t address the issue right away. So, to my potential clients I want you to know that you will not be judge it’s a gracious space. You will be challenged, supported, and loved as we unravel your life journey. Healing is not easy but it’s necessary.
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 lesson that I had to unlearn is, it does not have to be perfect. Learn through the journey and grow with what you have now. There is a saying that I like say is “grow through it.” As I continue this life journey and take in the statement. I’m realizing that a fixed mindset of thinking you have to get it right the first time endures you from being consistent, diligent and disciplined. You don’t grow from easy things you can do. You grow from the challenging moments that challenges your way of thinking. 100% of the step back is what you think. You have to be committed to journey, even in the hard times.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
Yes, I would. I believe it was necessary for me to take the journey. I did, nothing is in vain because the information I learned along the way will be utilized for the future endeavors.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.graciousspace.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_graciousspace?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gracecirclesupport/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/shanequa-thomas-79b8b6182
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@graciousspacecommunity
Image Credits
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