Today we’d like to introduce you to Veladya Chapman.
Veladya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am of Native American, Taino Indian, Spaniard, and African blood; so my spirit has been inevitably wild. I often joke that I will die a Catholic nun because I just cannot predict myself at this point. I have done it all; perform on broadway, live in a van, own a business, etc. My life has taken so many unexpected turns as I search for what happiness means to me. What I do know is that I will always lead with my heart and live a life of service.
In my childhood and teenage years, the focus was one thing and one thing only; being a star. All of my time was devoted to drama club, dance practice, dance competitions, singing competitions, one-act play competitions, fundraising, rehearsing, and developing what I knew was going to be a successful career as an actress. I went on to graduate from the #1 highest-ranking Musical Theatre & Acting conservatory in the nation, Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts for Musical Theatre & Acting. Shortly after graduation, I joined the Broadway company of The Book of Mormon and spent 2 years traveling the country in both the 1st and 2nd National Tour. While on tour, I discovered new ways of life that reflected me positively like omitting animal and processed foods and having a daily meditation practice. This led me down a rabbit hole of research into healthy, conscious living from the mental, physical and spiritual foundations. I was evolving and it was happening fast.
By the end of my first tour, I had enrolled in the Institute of Transformational Nutrition and began studying to become a Holistic Nutritionist. After my schooling, I created Earth Mama Medicine as an Instagram and 2 years later, it has blossomed into this large multifaceted platform dedicated to the uplifting and elevating of our planet and all who inhabit it. With an Instagram of almost 40k followers and a YouTube channel of over 120k subscribers; I am sharing educational and motivational content to people living all over the world. It is truly my heart’s calling. Performing was and still is one of my true joys in this lifetime, but there was something lacking. There was a hole in me while I was a performer. A hole that needed to be filled with the role of service for others. Earth Mama Medicine is that for me. I make free, accessible content about reproductive health, plant-based eating, manifestation, meditation, mindfulness, and community. My partner, Matt, and I share our lives publicly as young, people of color with a dream because the world needs to see more of that! By believing in ourselves and putting our happiness first, we have created a life for ourselves that is beyond what we used to imagine. Now I work for myself, running every aspect of Earth Mama Medicine from the online shop, to creating videos, to one on one counseling sessions. It is the most fulfilling work I have ever done.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I cannot recall any struggles that put a halt to the drive and determination I have for the success of Earth Mama Medicine. Sure there have been small hurdles to climb while learning how to run a business but nothing that I was not able to teach myself and complete. Everyone around me, including my family and friends, have been nothing but supportive and encouraging.
Earth Mama Medicine – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Earth Mama Medicine is a lot of things but most of all, it is a platform where people can visit to feel embraced, loved and accepted. When one types Earth Mama Medicine into their search engine, I aim to greet them with content that is uplifting, inspiring and enlightening. I sell homemade herbal products online; a reset tea, an anti-fungal tincture and my most popular item, the yoni steaming blend. Yoni steaming is an ancient practice that benefits those who deal with severe pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms, fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, PCOS, dryness, and even infertility. Steaming is a big part of Earth Mama Medicine because when I began talking about it, thousands of people flocked to learn more and have reported marvelous positive results back to me. Aside from physical products, I have written 3 books on manifesting using affirmations. The book series consists of 3 ebooks on Love, Money, and Health and has helped so many readers create the lives they desire.
One of the most fulfilling parts of my work is my 1:1 counseling sessions with my clients. I offer health counseling, life counseling and now business counseling (for those seeking to become online entrepreneurs and follow a path similar to mine). The people I help are so beautiful and having their trust means so much to me.
Earth Mama Medicine is for the people. It is for everyone and anyone.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My success means I have achieved the happiness that is not at the expense of others (people, animals or the planet).
I already feel so successful in the stage of life that I am in now. I could not ask for more. I will continue to seek to uplift all those around me and as long as I lead from my heart, I will always consider myself a successful human being.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.earthmamedicine.com
- Email: earthmamamedicine@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthmamamedicine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earthmamamedicine
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/earthmamamedicine
Image Credit:
All images taken by Veladya Chapman and Matthew Hill.
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