Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Hawkins.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Donna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your awesome publication! My curiosity as a nine-year-old little girl in church peaked when I noticed a young woman playing bass guitar. That same woman taught me how to play. I had no clue, at the time, that it would send me on an awesome journey to full acceptance of myself as a woman who loves music and performing. Along the way, I became a wife, a mother, a divorcee, and an overweight, depressed heart attack “survivor.” I am now a grandmother, a powerful influencer of self, honoring my femininity, health and passion for musical creativity and expression as the Musical Director, co-writer and background vocalist for 3D The Boss – a Health & Fitness Pop group based in Sandy Springs, GA.
Has it been a smooth road?
I’d be very nervous if I go too long without some challenges. Challenges build character. For most of my life, including my adulthood, I grappled with needing the approval of my parents, who are in the Pentecostal ministry. I learned very young to only show what people want to see, in order to feel safe, It caused me to be inauthentic with myself and others, creating many unhealthy relationships, insecurity, hatred of myself and extreme lack emotionally, spiritually, financially and intimately. My musical career was riddled with “missed opportunities”, chauvinism, lack-luster engagements, and flaky colleagues. I knew I was a skilled musician and couldn’t figure out why success eluded me! I was unaware that I was being a victim to my own beliefs and fears until I moved back to Atlanta in 2012. I was supported by my dear friend Chanda Adeogba, who was making her own powerful choices to honor herself through fitness training at Yourday Balance Game with her now life partner, Day Adeogba , the creator of the Game. This training, which addresses the fitness, lifestyle, and consciousness of individuals, marked the beginning of my healing journey. I began to heal from the inside. I learned that choosing to honor myself fully by having real conversations with my parents about my life, career and most importantly my sexuality, paved the way for life to open up for me. My suggestion is to fully accept and honor who you truly are! Heal the pain from the past through gratitude and letting it go. Surround yourself with people who have achieved success through discipline and healthy living and learn from them. Be patient with yourself and the process, because you’re worth it!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’ve been a bassist, lyricist, and vocalist for more than 40 years. I toured with Irene Cara for 10 years, I’m a session musician and have toured with Corporate Bands like Simply Irresistible and Holland America Cruise Lines’ B.B. King’s Blues Band. I’m well known in the Atlanta area for being a solid bassist who is a professional, dependable parts player. I released my own EP, “Words, Thoughts and Feels” independently through the digital markets in 2016. I’m also a Balance Lifestyle Coach for the Yourday Balance Game (YDBG). I’ve been able to put my two passions together -Music and Health & Fitness! 3D The Boss is the flagship artist and brand agent for the Yourday Balance Game. My mission is to “Be The Bass” and to also be the voice of balance for other musical performers. We tend to lose ourselves to the music industry by putting our careers before our health. We hear stories almost every day to this regard. The YDBG is a Health & Fitness platform powered by Love and Balance and we’re all about inspiring others to increase their health and create what we call “Magical Moments” by influencing Self, Others and Life in an empowering way. We take a 3 Dimensional approach to Health and Fitness by addressing one’s Fitness, Lifestyle, and Consciousness. I feel that the mental – or Consciousness aspect – is where the “gold” is. Increasing the health habits of your physical, lifestyle and mental is the key to a successful, productive life.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I think it will always be related to women’s full acceptance and connection to ourselves and our femininity – Divine Femininity to be exact. To have a healthy balance between the feminine and the masculine. All of us are divine and have both energies. For years, I felt I couldn’t trust myself or my femininity being in a male-dominated industry. A very unhealthy disservice I learned from the church was that “women are weaker”. I warped that notion even further to mean that I was unsafe as a woman and I needed to protect myself by putting up walls and guards. I unwittingly created my own “barriers” out of fear. I lost my connection to ME. My disposition was very “hard.” I shut my femininity down! I was closed, which means life, as I desired to experience it, was closed to me. It’s so important that we ask ourselves “What part am I playing in what I’m experiencing?”. In doing so, we take responsibility – not blame. Responsibility brings us awareness and personal power. I’m rediscovering that femininity is very powerful and vital to my balance, success, peace, health and wealth. Femininity is more of an essence for me and it has many looks and faces. Everyone knows it when they feel it, though. Those who are insecure with themselves (men and women alike) will take offense and be antagonistic towards women who are connected to their personal power. That just comes with the territory. We are the only stewards of our personal peace. It’s up to us as women to connect to and allow our true, divine expression and power. We never win being victims. No one wins, actually. We just create more victimhood. It’s important that we support and empower one another and see it as it truly is, a win/win.
Pricing:
- Balance Lifestyle Coaching Sessions – $150.00
- Bass Guitar Lessons – $50.00 Half Hour
Contact Info:
- Address: The Yourday Balance Game
5299 Roswell Road, NE
Suite 120
Sandy Springs, GA 30342 - Website: www.3dtheboss.com
- Phone: 404-274-1637
- Email: 3dtheboss@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/3dtheboss
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/3DTheBoss
Image Credit:
Lorikay Stone
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