Today, we’d like to introduce you to Adedotun Adedipe.
Hi Adedotun, 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.
My story starts in 2012. I was halfway through my freshman semester in college. I’m out with some friends, doing some stuff I probably shouldn’t have been doing, instead of studying, and I get a call that would change my life as I know it: A family member is dealing with some serious health issues.
At the time, I didn’t know it, but that would come to be known as that family member’s first mental health episode. I still vividly remember exactly where I was when I was told the news. Little did I know it, but that one phone call and the events over the years that followed would set me on a journey that is still unfolding today.
Fast forward 12 years to today, I’m doing well in my career, finally starting to branch out into entrepreneurship, and more confident and determined than ever. All of that sounds great, but I would be doing myself, my experiences, and those who’ve helped me a huge disservice if I pretended like these past several years didn’t mold me into who I am today in every aspect.
Despite rarely speaking on it, I’ve had my fair share of struggles over the past 10+ years that have transformed my life. Some were my fault, some completely out of my control. From academic struggles and post-graduation confusion following undergrad to family problems, personal and financial stress stemming from making poor choices, attending graduate school at the height of COVID, dealing with imposter syndrome, and a whole host of others.
I’ve got a story for it all. Stories that I will go more in-depth on in the near future. But with these stories, throughout the various seasons/ stages of my life, also come lessons and experiences that I’ve found to be better understood in hindsight. Through constant self-evaluation and truly finding myself over the years, three main themes have been prevalent throughout my journey: Food, Fitness, and Mental Health. I believe that these themes are what drive me.
Most, if not all of my daily routines revolve around one or more of them. Whether it pertains to my career, goals, or hobbies… Food, Fitness, and Mental Health will almost always be involved. This not only comes from me finding myself on a path that I didn’t choose but also learning to love and embrace that very same path. It’s with this mindset that I started Instant Gratification Kitchens.
My goal for Instant Gratification Kitchens is for it to be a culinary movement encompassing all aspects related to food. My passion for food and fitness came during a period of my life where I felt like my body was the only thing I had control of. I’ve always loved food, but when I truly started to dive into all the things I could do with it and what it could do for me, I went all in.
My calling in the mental health field was of no decision of my own, but now, I can’t see myself anywhere else. Instant Gratification Kitchens is my way of combining my interests, passions, and callings into one. I came up with the name “Instant Gratification Kitchens” because I want others to view the term “Instant Gratification” as it relates to food from a totally different perspective than the norm.
I want to reshape the way you see food. Shifting the narrative on a term that can sometimes carry a negative connotation involves embracing its positive aspects. Viewing food as a tool for enjoying immediate satisfaction while also recognizing the potential for quick, healthy choices that cater to both physical and mental well-being promotes a balanced and healthy relationship with what we put into our bodies.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The path I’m on has not been a smooth one, to say the least. It’s had its fair share of ups and downs. At times, it can feel like the bad outweighs the good, but when I take a step back and look at things from a different perspective, the good far outweighs the bad. While I was in the middle of a hard season, it felt as if I’d never overcome the obstacles that stood between me and where I was headed. But after maturing over the years, those obstacles became stepping stones that took me to the next level.
Many of my struggles came from within: self-doubt, second-guessing myself, procrastination, perfectionism, my stubbornness, some of these I still struggle with today. But I don’t let them hold me back as much anymore. I believe one of the biggest struggles that I faced was taking a leap of faith and getting started where I was with what I had and not worrying about what I lacked.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an associate professional counselor by trade. I currently work with the incarcerated population but have experience in several realms as it relates to mental health, such as school settings, crisis stabilization units, outpatient settings, and also psychiatric hospitals. I’m most known for my work within the mental health field and my passion for food and cooking.
I’m most proud of how far I’ve come, the adversity I’ve overcome, and the future goals I’ve set for myself. I think what sets me apart from others is that I don’t see the path I’m on as a job; I see it more as a calling. I’ve had numerous opportunities and thoughts of quitting, but I always persevere.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Apart from the amazing food and the amount of Black excellence, I’d have to say that what I like most about Atlanta is the opportunities that are here. It doesn’t matter what your dream is. With the right tools and people in your corner, it’s a possibility.
On the other hand, what I like least about Atlanta is the “Competition instead of Collaboration” mindset I’ve seen. Too many of us see each other as competitors instead of allies, and if we can change that, everyone can reach their goals and more effectively.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.IGKitchens.com
- Instagram: @InstantGratificationKitchens
Image Credits
Cullen Johnson
