Today we’d like to introduce you to Denae.
Hi Denae, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hello, my name is Denae! I am a serial enterpriser, currently enthralled in self improvement coaching and wellness life coaching, involving genuine improvement in the areas of mind, body, and soul. I have been vegan for the last 8 years and have since wrote and published a vegan recipe guide, as well as coached over a dozen others on how to make positive and healthy lifestyle changes. I like to consider myself a self preservation coach at core. Within the last few years I have ventured into acting, attending professional acting classes and pursuing background acting work and small commercial jobs to get a feel of the environment and comfortable being on camera. During that time I learned that I have a sincere passion for acting, however, it will be something I slowly, but consistently dedicate time to over a long span of time as it is a very demanding field, and I have a lot that requires my attention right now. Including being a wife and mother or 2 boys ages 18 and 10. My family is my pride and joy, not to sound cliche, but they mean everything to me. My ambition, my mindset, my determination to have a healthy mind, healthy diet, emotional intelligence, is highly influenced by my desire to give them the best life experience possible. Last but never the least, I am a music artist; writer, rapper, singer. My passion for music started around 4 years old, seeing and hearing golden voices like Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson sparked my interest and held it for nearly 3 decades. One day I finally felt brave enough to do something about my longing to sing, perform, contribute my art, to art. I recorded my first single, then eventually an ep, then went on to self direct 2 music videos starring my husband and myself. As my oldest son wraps up his first year of college and my youngest prepares to head to middle school, I’m deeply interested in pouring into myself and music career, like I’ve never been able to do before. Music and podcast are up next for me and I’m very excited to finally share so many of the things I’ve always wanted to say. One of my (several) passions has been to speak, motivationally, and have my own talk show. Years and years ago when I was in the 3rd grade I got a report card that said, “Denae is too talkative in class” then in the extra comment section he wrote: “very, very talkative.” Lol! So it’s only right that I fulfill his prophecy and speak to the people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh heavens no! Lol. I will say it’s been smooth through my optimistic lens, but the reality is things were bleak and rough majority of my childhood. I was born to a 15 year old mom and absent 17 year old father. I’m my mothers oldest child of 3, and that came with the pressure of getting things right for myself and my siblings, parenting far before I became a parent and losing out on the essence of childhood oblivion. I got my first full time job when I was 13 years old through the Atlanta work force development center. I worked full time in the summer at the boys and girls club near Lakewood stadium. Then when school started back up, I’d work part time at six flags. At 17 I had my first son, at the time I was working at six flags and living with the sperm donor of my child. Through the 9 months of pregnancy I worked between six flags and Kroger, then eventually got a desk job at a downtown corporate office for John Robert powers Atlanta modeling and acting agency. I had my son in January, graduated high school in May, and enrolled in college in August. All while battling homelessness and instability. I preserved, found a new job that paid a decent, livable wage, learned how to drive and purchased my first car, found a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment and continued school, all by the time my son was 1 year old.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in self care and self preservation. I’m known for being consistent and disciplined in my commitment to wellness. I am the life coach that advises authentically and in a way that will best improve the life of my clients. I’m known for being genuine, a great vegan cook, a woman who leads by example. I’m proud that I am 2 years alcohol free after realizing the people around me needed an example. A huge part of my brand is health and wellness so it felt natural and necessary to take the next step after going vegan, and completely eliminate alcohol. What sets me apart from others is my empathy and ability to guide others in a way that considers their feelings but still guides them in a healthy direction regardless of their feelings.
Musically, I am a creative thinker who likes to surprise people through my lyrical expression, you never know what I may say. People often look at me and assume one thing or the other, but the truth is, I rarely check off any boxes or preconceived notions, I am an individual in every sense of the word and I like to authentically express that in my songs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe that having faith has helped me overcome times of doubt and difficulty. Remembering why I started and trusting that as long as I keep going, my efforts will be rewarded.
