Conversations with Monica Danielle Whitehead

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Danielle Whitehead.

Hi Monica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2014, at age 27, I started having stomach problems, and I knew something wasn’t right. I was later diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. It is one of two types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (the other is the more well-known Crohn’s Disease). With IBD, the immune system attacks the colon by producing inflammation, believing that it is fighting off a threat that isn’t really there. For years, I was able to manage and get by without any medication because my diagnosis was mild. But in the summer of 2019, my condition took a turn for the worse and I had to be hospitalized. The inflammation had spread throughout my colon, and I now had a severe case of Ulcerative Colitis.

For years, I looked to the Internet for help. I looked for natural ways to heal this disease, but I also looked for support. Battling an illness can be a very lonely and depressing experience. Especially an illness like UC because unless you are hospitalized with a great deal of weight loss, you appear to not be sick at all. And because many of the symptoms are uncomfortable topics of discussion (like bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and, at times, using the bathroom 15-20 times a day), you get into the habit of pretending like everything is okay when it really isn’t. During the summer of 2020, I decided to become the hope and inspiration I was looking for. I was tired of suffering in silence and longing, in vain, for the days of perfect health. I made serious changes in my life: eating healthier, getting exercise, and removing the stress and toxicity in my life. Then, I began sharing my journey with others in the hopes that they would feel motivated to make better, healthier choices in their journey to healing. In July, I launched my lifestyle blog, Healed Girl. I write about food, faith and femininity. I also have an IGTV series called Morning Walks with Moni, where I promote walking as a healing practice and provide words of motivation and encouragement. Lastly, I’d like to think of myself as a lil’ fashionista! So I give some fashion and hair inspo on my Insta reels.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. When you share your story, you get a number of different responses. Most people mean well, but they say all kinds of insensitive things. They may share an experience they have had that does not compare at all. Other people will try to fix the problem by suggesting all sorts of remedies that don’t fit your diagnosis. And then others will see your weight loss and envy it, even though they know the weight loss is a result of a disease. SMH! The best gift you can give a person dealing with a chronic illness is to ask questions and listen. It truly goes a long way.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Currently, I am an inspirational lifestyle blogger and content creator. Blogging and creating inspirational content is a fusion of the other hats that I wear as an Associate Pastor at Grace Fellowship Christian Church and a certified secondary English teacher. I create content on my blog and social media platforms with one goal in mind: to help people win the tough battles of life. And winning does not always mean that things go the way we want them to. Winning is fulfilling your God-given purpose, no matter what obstacles arise to prevent you from doing so. Something I don’t like about social media culture is that many images we see add to our insecurities. We look at pictures of women and we get jealous or envious. I don’t want women to look at me and say, “I want to be her or I want what she has.” I want women to look at me and say, “I want to be more like myself like she is.” I want them to say, “I have something great within me like she does.” I want them to say, “I can do all things through Christ-like she can.” If I can accomplish that, then my life’s work is complete.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What is not to love about Atlanta?! There is so much to do! There are so many neat shops, restaurants, sites and scenes to get into. It’s also a very diverse city as well, which I love. If I had to say one thing I dislike, it would be the TRAFFIC!

Contact Info:

• Email: mrsmonicadanielle@gmail.com
• Website: www.healedgirl.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsmonicadanielle
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrsmonicadanielle

Image Credits
Enin Jzar