Life & Work with Chanel Brown of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Brown.

Hi Chanel , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Chanel, a 25-year-old lifestyle, beauty, travel, and wellness creator based in Atlanta, and I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Health Education and Wellness Management. My journey hasn’t been a straight line, and honestly, that’s what makes it so meaningful to me.

For a long time, I thought I had my life completely planned out. I went into college with the mindset of four years of undergrad, three years of physical therapy school, and becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy. That was the goal, and I was so focused on pushing through and achieving it that I wasn’t really listening to what my body was trying to tell me.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2019, but even before that, I had been dealing with symptoms for years. At the time, there wasn’t much conversation around it, and I didn’t feel like I had the guidance or support I needed. Instead of slowing down, I kept going, prioritizing school over my health without realizing how much it was affecting me.

After graduating in 2022, I went straight into PT school, and that became a turning point in my life. The stress was overwhelming, and my body started to respond in ways I couldn’t ignore anymore. My hair was falling out, my mental health was declining, and I just didn’t feel like myself. Eventually, I had to make the difficult decision to take a medical leave in October 2022, and that was one of the lowest points I’ve ever experienced.

At the beginning of 2023, I made a decision to change my approach to my health and my life. I stepped away from restrictive habits and started focusing on building a lifestyle that actually felt sustainable and supportive. For so long, I had been conditioned to focus on weight loss above everything else, but I realized that wasn’t truly helping me. I didn’t want my weight to be the focus of my life. I needed to focus on feeling good, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

That same year, I experienced a health scare that really shifted my perspective. It made me realize how important it was to not only take care of myself, but to start speaking openly about what I had been going through, especially with PCOS. I had shared bits and pieces before, but I knew I needed to be more honest and intentional about it.

At the same time, I had been sharing my life online as a creative outlet. What started as posting everyday moments turned into something deeper, a space where I document my life in a way that’s real and relatable. I’m not someone who is always doing something extravagant, but I love showing the beauty in everyday routines, whether that’s skincare, travel, or simply navigating life in my 20s while balancing school, health, and growth.

Creativity has always been a part of who I am. My mom is very creative and loved taking pictures, which is where my love for photography started. In school, I gravitated toward projects that involved editing, videography, and presentations, which helped me develop my passion for storytelling and content creation. I’ve always loved sharing and putting people on to things I genuinely enjoy, whether that’s wellness tips or beauty products that work for me.

Because of that, I see my social media as a visual diary, a space where I can share my experiences in a way that feels honest and helpful. I don’t believe in gatekeeping, especially when it comes to things that can support someone’s health, confidence, or daily life. I love knowing that when people come across my content, they might find something that resonates with them.

I’ve had people tell me that they feel inspired by my content, especially because I’m open about what I’m going through. A lot of what I share, particularly around women’s health, can feel very personal, but I’ve realized that there’s still so much that’s both unknown and misunderstood in that space. Being able to share my perspective has allowed me to connect with others in a meaningful way.

At the same time, creating content has also become a way for me to document my own journey. There are moments where I can look back at what I’ve shared and feel inspired by how far I’ve come, even on the days when things feel hard.

Navigating my health while also managing academic life hasn’t always been easy. I’m someone who can be very hard on myself because I want to do my best and show up fully in everything that I do. Dealing with something that affects you mentally, physically, and even your appearance can feel overwhelming at times.

But through all of that, I’ve learned how to pivot. I’ve learned how to find the good in what I have in front of me and appreciate the version of life I’m living now. At the same time, I’ve also given myself space to acknowledge that there are moments of grief for what I thought life would look like, and I think both of those things can exist at once.

Today, I’m continuing to grow both academically and creatively, building a platform rooted in authenticity, balance, and self-care. My goal is to not only create content, but to make people feel seen, encouraged, and supported in their own journeys.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A lot of my challenges have been tied to my health, especially navigating PCOS while also trying to keep up with the expectations I had for myself academically and personally.

For a long time, I was used to pushing through everything, even when my body was clearly telling me to slow down. That mindset eventually caught up with me when I was in physical therapy school. I was extremely overwhelmed, my mental health was declining, and physically I wasn’t doing well either. Having to take a medical leave was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, because it felt like I was stepping away from a path I had worked toward for so long.

Another challenge has been unlearning the pressure I felt around my body and my health. For years, I was very focused on weight loss and trying different approaches that weren’t sustainable for me. It took time for me to realize that what I actually needed was a lifestyle that supported me long-term, not something restrictive or temporary.

There have also been moments where I’ve had to navigate the emotional side of it all. Dealing with something like PCOS can affect so many areas of your life, physically, mentally, and even your confidence. Learning how to give myself grace, especially as someone who can be very hard on herself, has been an ongoing process.

At the same time, being a content creator comes with its own challenges. Putting parts of your life online, especially things that feel personal, can be uncomfortable. There’s always a balance between being open and protecting your peace, and I’ve had to learn what that looks like for me.

I’m also still a growing creator, so it can be humbling at times. There can be moments of disappointment, especially when you put a lot of time and effort into content and it doesn’t get the visibility you hoped for. There are definitely highs and lows that come with it, but I always remind myself that it’s something I genuinely love to do. Even if only a few people see it, that still means it reached someone, and to me, that’s a win.

Overall, my journey has been filled with challenges, but each one has taught me something important. It’s helped me become more self-aware, more intentional, and more grounded in who I am. I’ve learned how to pivot, how to listen to my body, and how to redefine what success looks like for me.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a lifestyle, beauty, travel, and wellness creator, I focus on creating content that feels authentic, relatable, and rooted in real life. I specialize in sharing everyday routines, wellness habits, and experiences in a way that highlights balance and sustainability rather than perfection. Whether it’s skincare, travel, or simply navigating daily life, my goal is to make content that people can genuinely connect with.

A big part of my platform is centered around wellness, especially women’s health. I’m known for being open about my journey with PCOS and sharing what that looks like in real time. I try to bring awareness to topics that aren’t always talked about enough, while also showing what it looks like to take care of yourself in a way that feels realistic and attainable.

I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with brands that genuinely align with my lifestyle and the content I create. That’s something that’s really important to me, I prioritize working with brands that feel authentic to who I am and what I share, so that everything I put out still feels natural and true to my audience.

I’m most proud of the community I’ve been able to build, even as a growing creator. I’ve had people reach out to me saying they feel seen, encouraged, or inspired by what I share, and that means more to me than anything. Knowing that my content can positively impact someone, even in a small way, is what keeps me going.

What sets me apart is the way I blend my personal experiences with my academic background in health and wellness. I’m not just sharing content for aesthetics, I’m intentional about what I put out and how it can support others. At the same time, I keep things honest and approachable. I don’t try to present a perfect life, I share the real moments, the growth, and everything in between.

At the end of the day, I see my platform as more than just content. It’s a safe space where people can come to feel connected, learn something new, and be reminded that they’re not alone in whatever they’re going through.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve been really fortunate to have a strong support system around me. My family has always been very supportive, my friends who I love very much. Along with my best friend Michaela even with us being Miles apart that has never stopped her support.
Especially my boyfriend Shaun, who has truly been my number one supporter. He’s always the first to like and comment on my posts, the first to see all of my edits and re-edits, and someone who has played a major role in encouraging me to keep going, even on days when I feel unsure. I’m really grateful for him and for everyone in my life who continues to support me.

One person who really stands out is one of my college advisors, Mrs. Williams. She was always incredibly supportive of me during my time in school, and she’s someone who truly saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself. She encouraged me to share my story and reminded me that I had something meaningful to say, and I think that played a big role in me gaining the confidence to start opening up more on social media.

Overall, having people who uplift me, encourage me, and remind me of who I am has made a huge difference in my journey. I don’t take that support for granted at all.

Pricing:

• Rates vary depending on scope, platform, and deliverables
• Open to brand partnerships, sponsored content, and UGC creation
• Available for collaborations across lifestyle, beauty, wellness, and travel

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heyitschanel.merlin-site.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanelovesu?igsh=ZDhrM2lsMXhva2Jm&utm_source=qr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanel-leighbrown?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@heyitschanel_?si=Jw7FS6ZB61GFprph
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@heyitschanel_?_r=1&_t=ZP-966zdBh5W98