Conversations with Tamara Cox

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Cox.

Hi Tamara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Tamara, pronounced like “Tia & Tamera” for all my Sister, Sister fans!

I’m a 32 year old Jersey girl turned GA peach, and I’m the creator of Heard and Healed.

I believe we live in a time and culture where a lot of what we see, especially on social media, is a false narrative of who people really are. Because of this, authenticity and vulnerability have become two characteristics that I take pride in displaying to others both on and offline. It’s been important to me to be transparent with people around me regarding both the good and not-so-good times in my life.

Like many people, a battle with depression was no stranger to my life and the Summer of 2019 was when I struggled the most. Suicide ideation opened my eyes to the realization that it was time to speak up, and because of that choice, I embarked on my journey to healing by attending therapy.

Around the Fall of 2019, I remember standing in my bathroom and hearing God say that I would create a brand, followed by the words “So Worth Living,” so naturally, I thought this is what the brand would be called. I sat with the idea for a while but knew it wasn’t something I could execute right away because I was a full-time employee and was also preparing for grad school. Fast forward to March of 2020. When Covid arrived, my job took a big hit and my two-month furlough status resulted in a permanent layoff. As devastated as I was, I knew God was providing me with an opportunity to create my brand and seven months later – Heard & Healed launched!

What I eventually realized is that “So Worth Living” wasn’t the name of my brand – it was God’s reminder to me that my life was so worth living, and that reminder was the fuel I needed to move forward with creating this space. Sharing my battles, both in therapy and with others, is what allowed me to experience the truth that my story matters. My voice was being Heard and my heart was being Healed, and it became my mission to make sure others had a safe space to experience that same freedom by sharing their stories.

Each month, H&H’s blog shares the stories of people who have overcome different battles in remarkable ways and through these stories, blog contributors are accepting the truth that their voices matter, their stories matter, and they matter. And blog readers are finding survival guides for what they are currently battling with and finding hope in places where it was once lost.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! But what journey doesn’t come with its challenges?! I’d have to say that my biggest struggle leading up to the launch and even months after was FEAR. I’ve struggled with the fear of others not caring about what I have to say, whether it be about my own experiences or the advice I have as a result of those experiences. While one of the pillars of H&H is reminding others that their voice matters, there have been times when I didn’t believe that truth for myself. Thankfully, I’ve come to understand that courage is not the absence of fear but instead is the choice to persevere in spite of that fear. So while there are still moments when I struggle with the thoughts of “girl, no one cares about what you have to say or the mission of this brand,” I still choose to show up every day and walk out what I believe God has called me to do.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a creative and specifically as a mental health advocate, my heart is to see others experience the freedom that comes when we choose our healing. In addition to the blog portion of Heard & Healed, the online shop includes merch that spreads the message of mental health awareness, and as the brand grows, I look forward to taking the proceeds from all purchases and helping those who are in need of therapy but cannot afford it.

It’s important that others understand that while a lot of the trauma we’ve faced in life is not our fault, healing from those events IS our responsibility. Whether individuals choose Heard & Healed or another outlet, my prayer is that they accept vulnerability as a strength instead of a weakness, and they trust that telling their story will serve as a form of hope for those who need it most.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
That vision, dream or desire that’s been stirring in your heart isn’t an accident and didn’t come out of “nowhere.” God strategically placed it on the inside of YOU, which means it’s for you to execute and put out into the world. I know it’s easy to think that plans have to be perfectly in place for you to take action, but I can assure you that waiting for things to be “perfect” is an excuse that will you keep you in your comfort zone, and dreams can only be executed once we step out of that zone. If you were looking for a sign to move on to that idea, this is it! Someone somewhere needs what you have to offer and we owe it to ourselves to make sure we leave this world completely empty – empty because every passion, talent or vision that we had was put out into the world to create change.

Pricing:

• T Shirts: $22.50-24.95
• Hats: $24.50
• Jewelry: $29.50

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.heardandhealed.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heardnhealed/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heardandhealed

Image Credits:
Photographer for headshot: Tangie Renee Photographer for group shots: Dillon Coke