Today we’d like to introduce you to Vernon P. Davis Jr.
Hi Vernon P., can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As an ambitious teenager, I was enamored with the concept of working for myself. I used to sell candy out of my locker in high school, between classes and during lunch, until the vice-principal shut me down. As I got older and experienced life, I came to realize that working for myself is amazing as long as you have customers that purchase your product or service and that product or service is unique. For years I struggled with the challenge of having something to offer that would benefit those that bought it. For many years I battled low self-esteem and found my identity and comfort in food and sugary drinks. After receiving a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, I began my journey of healing naturally through lifestyle modifications. During the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic AND a new baby, I lost 50 pounds and reversed this chronic illness with no medication.
Subsequently, I also improved in my self-awareness and stress management skills. Once I began seeing progress in my health after making lifestyle changes in route to reversing type 2 diabetes, I accepted the opportunity afforded to me by God. I created my publishing company with the intention of writing and releasing a book on how I healed my body naturally of type 2 diabetes with no medication, as well as contract myself out as a speaker. I graduated from Grambling State University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from South University. I now possess transformational leadership qualities, which coupled with my experience, led to the writing of two books entitled “Uncomfortable Peace: Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone To Naturally Beat Type 2 Diabetes” and “Morsel Medicine: I Just Need A Small Portion Of Food To Heal” which are both available on Amazon.
Now, as an Impact Speaker, I am dedicated to not only sharing my journey with others but also teaching the principles I applied to improve my life physically, emotionally, professionally and socially. I travel the country speaking on the topics of “Emotional Intelligence,” “Achieving Success,” “Overcoming Obstacles,” “Being Healthy on a Budget” and “Surviving Setbacks”. I am inspired to share my story to help others push past all limits in route to their desired outcomes.
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 has not been a smooth road. I have dealt with emotional breakdowns as I battled insecurity at the beginning of my healing journey. I would cry and revert to the comfort zone I was fighting to distance myself from. I have encountered physical injury that required I take a few weeks off from working out, doing so what a mental battle as I had grown accustomed to the regime I was on and the frequency of my workouts. Being injured forced me to fight cravings I had and occupy my time and mind with other beneficial activities so that I did not relapse and consume the unhealthy foods I desired.
Also, the birth of our son was a challenge for me as well. I was dedicated to tending to him and my wife while working 50-70 hours at my full-time job. It was tough as I unknowingly reverted into survival mode: I was not getting the sleep I needed, I neglected my workout regimen and we did not grocery shop much but ate fast food. During that 3-month time period, I gained weight back and my A1C level went up slightly. I discuss it all in 12 Month Check chapter of “Uncomfortable Peace”.
As you know, we’re big fans of Davis Family Management LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Under our LLC we have two DBAs. Our 1st DBA is Davis Family Publishing, which features myself as an author and impact speaker. My wife Toquise and our son Prince are also authors under our imprint as well. My Mother, Carol, is our in-house editor and an author under contract also. Our products are all non-fiction, rooted in life experiences coupled with education. With the majority of our publications, we aim to feature an applicable service to accompany it. For example; along with “Uncomfortable Peace: Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone to Naturally Beat Type 2 Diabetes” we offer the “Diabetes Accountability Partner Program (D.A.P.P)”, a 3-month program designed to help someone with type 2 diabetes learn more of their situation but also give them practical advice on how to improve their health in addition to recommendations from their healthcare service provider. This service gives a person solid recommendations that are highlighted in our book but also allows them to have someone to go to that has been where they are and made it through the storm, so to speak. For our 2nd publication “Morsel Medicine: I Just Need A Small Portion Of Food To Heal,” we offer the “Age Appropriate Meals and Snacks Recommendation consultation.”
While this service is for anyone, it is geared towards parents looking for guidance with nutrition for their minors as they develop and grow from toddlers to high school-aged children. The goal is to educate parents on beneficial foods for their kids that they can make and consume with them in route to achieving and/or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We desire to see a significant decrease in childhood obesity and the chronic illnesses that stem from it in our youth. With our publications being based on improving health throughout one’s life, offering a service that emphasizes not having to work through those challenges alone really shifts the status quo of being secretive about our health. Our company is also designed to teach the children in our family that “together we can do more.” That is why we strive to form partnerships and collaborate with other professionals and entities to push a unified message to our audiences while also exposing our respective audiences to one another.
Recently, Davis Family Publishing partnered with Swoll Fit, LLC. Led by IFBB Professional athlete and bodybuilder, Darcell “Swoll” Francois, Swoll Fit offers Nutrition Coaching, Personal Training and classes to aid in increasing strength, endurance, agility and promoting weight loss. This mirrors the messages we are pushing through our publications and services so it was a no-brainer. We were fortunate to have received a heartfelt foreword from Swoll for our 2nd publication, “Morsel Medicine”. We’ve also partnered with Licensed and Registered Dietitian Kemia Carter. Ms. Carter provided a heartfelt foreword to “Uncomfortable Peace.” Our 2nd DBA is a baby brand called Prince And Duchess Collection. With our baby brand, P.A.D Collection, we feature 3 designs that have significant meaning. “Playful All Day,” “Pooping All Day” and “Precious All Day”. Each meaning has an undertone of mental health awareness. “Playful All Day,” children learn, interact and release energy through play.
Without playing, there is a level of discomfort, which can have negative effects on their mental health. “Pooping All Day” emphasizes that changing stinky diapers is a positive thing. That means the child is not constipated. Constipation, due to eating a high amount of processed foods, means that the child is not eating enough nutrient-dense foods. This would indicate that the child is not getting the nutrients needed for proper brain development which has been known to cause developmental delays holistically thus negatively impacting their mental health. Lastly, “Precious All Day” a reminder that the child is worthy, loved and important. When children don’t feel these things, they can also struggle with their mental health. With these designs, we were successful in pitching a short-term partnership with a mental health advocacy organization: the Lee Thompson Young Foundation, based in Atlanta GA.
Another partnership we take great pride in is with J.B. Digital Photography. Mr. Justin is an amazing, skilled, patient and professional photographer. We have plans for some great projects down the road. He can be found on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.b.digital
We are currently in negotiations with a national bottled water company for an endorsement deal.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I foresee a trend of consistent collaboration from all within my industry. I think the Covid-19 pandemic was very eye-opening for everyone personally and professionally. We all need one another and must be considerate. In consideration for others many have/will realize that together we can achieve more and make a greater impact within our communities and for our clients.
Pricing:
- $14.99 for Morsel Medicine
- $19.99 for Uncomfortable Peace
- $1500.00, minimum, Per Speaking Engagement
- $250.00 for the Diabetes Accountability Partner Program
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dfpublishing.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vernonpdavisjr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vernonpdavisjr/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vernonpdavisjr
- Other: https://linktr.ee/vernonpdavisjr
Image Credits
Justin Mitchell
