Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheya Thousand.
Cheya, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I will try my best to be brief but that’s not my personal strength. Lol!
Fitness and wellness have always been a part of who I am but over the last eight years I have been more intentional about it because of the stress that life brings.
At the end of 2011, I found myself in a really bad space. I was in a “situationship” I now know was very toxic and I couldn’t figure out how to change the trajectory of my life. Women know how to put on the appearance of “Put together”. I looked healthy, I looked fit but on the inside I was so broken. My self-worth has depleted and there was no own I could blame but me. Listen, I know I am a hard learner and God was trying to talk to me. Through prayer and fasting, moving to a new place would help bring the clarity I so desperately needed. So I moved to Miami. This was the beginning of a new chapter for me.
The physical move helped tremendously. I was able to focus on fitness again, trained for a competition and a charity 25-mile bide ride, and even began studying to become a personal trainer. Spiritually, cutting all the noise, I was able connect with God in a deeper way. But as life has it, work began to consume my time. I reached such high levels of burn out I constantly felt overwhelmed. Changing jobs was not the answer, trust me, I did that and it didn’t work.
I had to take a step away and tap into what exactly was lacking. Exploring spiritual, physical and creative outlets, I realized I was deficient in all three areas. That was my epiphany, to achieve my ultimate balance, I needed a blend of all three areas to be fulfilled.
Oh and therapy helped me reach a new level of self awareness which allowed me to fill the void I had and put things into perspective. I am a big advocate for therapy.
So CT Wellness Co. is my labor of love. The gift that helped me achieve balance, love myself and value those that I love, is now my life’s purpose to help others do the same.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every person who has pursued their passion know it is never easy. The road I am on has been everything but smooth. One of my biggest challenges was trusting God and my gut. With all the mountains and valleys in life, those moments are strategically placed to make us into the right person, with the right character to pursue our purpose.
Moving to a new city with no social support was one of the biggest challenges I faced in this journey. Loneliness can not fully describe how I felt. But as time passed I found my footing and began building solid relationships. My very own tribe was forming before my eyes.
So, yes, this journey was never designed to be easy, it was designed to build the character I needed to truly pursue your purpose.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the founder of Hello Mama Box, and CT Wellness Co. The underlying core value of both businesses is wellness.
Hello Mama Box is a quarterly subscription gifting service for busy mamas who struggle with self-care. The moms in my family and friend circle seemed to struggle with making time for themselves and this curated box was the answer to that problem. Women love receiving gifts, and why not a curated box filled with everything that promotes self care arriving at your front door monthly. Even women who aren’t moms want to indulge in this monthly gift.
As I began to support more women, I began sharing my journey to support them through theirs. One common theme was the ability to cope with stress. Women always carry burdens, naturally caring for others and struggle with saying “No.” Burnout seemed normal to so many but I knew that myth needed to be dispelled. Becoming certified in Stress Management birthed an extension to my vision, CT Wellness Co.
CT Wellness Co. is a faith-based training and resource company catering to students and leaders. We help todays & tomorrow’s leaders de-stress, avoid burnout & hold space for self by creating healthy habits in all areas of their life. Wellness is personal. Our programs provide the resources that enable the development of a personal wellness plan and the support needed to get started.
I am truly excited to continue this journey of balance and wellness and I plan on taking as many women as I can along for the ride.
What were you like growing up?
Outgoing. Engaging. Super curious!
I always had a passion for information and understanding how things worked. I like to think of myself as both left and right brained. From a young age, I had a creative and analytical mind. I regularly participated in poetry readings, drawing classes, and DIY crafts. I felt a sense of empowerment every time I learned something. But I never kept that information to myself, I made it my duty to share with others whenever the opportunity came!
I was an activist, the “Children’s Advocate”, as well. I believed children should be heard and appreciated for their lightheartedness. I sincerely debated daily for a child’s rights and their voice. For a long time, my family thought I would be an attorney! Lol!
Helping people is in my DNA! I have always been an advocate for those who have no voice or haven’t found their voice yet! And my business are catered to helping women find their voice again through balance and wellness.
Pricing:
- Hello Mama Box- Curated By a Mama Box- $49.99
- CT Wellness Co.- Initial General Consultation- $97
- Stress No More: 4 Week Course on Creating Healthy Habits in 30 days- $997 (regularly $1297)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cheyathousand.com
- Phone: 4045009937
- Email: cheya@cheyathousand.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/cheyathou
- Facebook: Facebook.com/cheyathousand
Image Credit:
Toni Burns Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
