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

Alright, Vonnii thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risk I have ever taken is going my whole pregnancy without the doctors. No ultrasounds, no check ups, nothing. I relied solely on the presence of God to do the work! Additionally, I chose an at home birth for the time when my baby arrived. She came at 1:11 AM on August 24, 2022. It was the most heartfelt and most beautiful experience ever. It was very intimate as there was only me, my partner, and the doula. I wanted to truly show the world that you don’t have to rely on modern medical practices. I trusted the Most High and allowed the rest to be done.

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?

Hey my loves,

I got started with V’s Hidden Gems because there was a sudden push for more in my life. I had the feeling that I was capable of doing more than just a 9 to 5 and going to school. During my childhood, I always had the ability to create anything I put my mind to. I often stayed to myself with not much to keep my mind engaged but my creativity. Throughout my adulthood however, I lost connection with that and began to struggle. I experienced heavy heart palpitations and anxiety. Due to heavy stressors in my work life (military) and going to grad school…I then had my first miscarriage in April 2021. Additionally, I was VERY overweight, and I HATED my life – pushing me into a pit of darkness.

It was during my first miscarriage that I truly felt LOST. I did not know what was going on with my body! I went to multiple doctors with NO help…It was a very scary situation. So, I decided to empower myself with knowledge of the body. Thus, came V’s Hidden Gems. It was my way of finding the light in such a dark time. I began to study my Ancestors’ achievements and their many fights against oppression during their generations specifically within the scope of Healthcare for the community. During a time where Black people were not even allowed to go to the doctors, my Ancestors knew the power of herbs and how to cultivate the land to make their own natural medicine! Being self-taught in Herbalism, has been a very rewarding process as I was then able to kickstart my Mend Collection dedicated to healing the African Body. Herbs saved my life, when today’s doctors couldn’t…and it is my hope to inspire you all to start your Holistic Wellness Journey. So far, I have lost roughly 45 pounds and I now live a happier life internally and externally. As within so without.

My main passion has always been healing the mind, hence why I went to school to study Psychology and Mental Health Counseling. However, my Ancestors took me right out of graduate school and led me to the many ways to heal through natural elements found on Earth. I am very fond of the use of crystals, plants, herbs, and other earth elements to heal the mind, body, spirit, and soul – just as my great Ancestors did.

As the owner of V’s Hidden Gems I now seek to spread the healing properties of Earth’s elements to the overall collective, and accompany many on their spiritual journey!

If there are any questions, please feel free to DM me on IG or email me!

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

If I could go back I wouldn’t even go to college. Throughout my journey, I have truly learned the power of SELF-TAUGHT. Although, my business is doing fairly well. I still would have had a leg up without all of the extra loans.

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

I have had to unlearn pretty much everything I have been taught. Unlearning the history I’ve been taught, as well as the system that I have been led to believe is the “end all be all”. There is a whole different world out here and that’s the Spiritual Realm. I truly have learned that the Spirit is what brings you everything you desire. Not the physical world.

Contact Info:

• Website: vshiddengems.com
• Instagram: vshiddengems
• Twitter: vshiddengems
• Youtube: That Girl Vonnii

Image Credits
Vonnii F.