Rising Stars: Meet Kenya Cooper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenya Cooper.

Kenya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a Maternal Wellness Consultant, Podcaster, Postpartum Doula, and Infant Care Specialist.

I met the love of my life in 2013 and life moved quickly after that. We got married in 2016 and had our first child in 2018. I always knew I wanted to be a mother and when I met my husband, I knew he was the person who I wanted to create a life with, however I severely battled with postpartum depression and anxiety after giving birth to our son. I struggled to bond with my beautiful baby boy and the vision I had of motherhood felt so far out of reach. I felt as though I had been sold a lie, a fairytale, and every mother before me did an excellent job of concealing the truth about parenting. At the time, I thought my emotions and experience was normal and that I just would have to adjust to my new normal, so I suffered silently. I had always been known for my strength and radiance but my light had been dimmed and I put on my armor to still handle my responsibilities as a wife, graduate student, and working mother in a new career field. To be frank, I didn’t have time for a breakdown. I did not know at the time that what I was experiencing was postpartum depression and anxiety, so I did not seek help. My relationships, self-esteem, and life outlook all suffered. Once we decided to have our second child, I was terrified of having a similar experience, but this time I was equipped with way more knowledge about maternal mental health and the different methodologies proven to help reduce a woman’s risk for developing and recovering from various perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I decided to hire a doula during my last trimester and postpartum period (often referred to as the 4th trimester). I did not experience any symptoms of PPD with my second child and I give credit to these factors: education, partner support, creating my village, and a doula.

My experience inspired me to create community within motherhood where women not only have a safe place to land during moments of vulnerability but recognize that their strength is in their ability to seek support and be honest with the truth of their experiences. We cannot heal what we do not claim as broken. My experience is a shared experience amongst so many women and families. Many women lack the language, education or resources to get the support that they need. I believe my life’s purpose is to normalize these experiences and guide women to the people doing the work to ensure women experience motherhood fully, peacefully, healthily and authentically. I want every woman to come out on the other side of motherhood whole, having gained more than the loss.

Today I offer doula services, postpartum planning, lactation support, emotional wellness support, guided meditation, meal preparation, and perinatal education courses. Within these offerings, one of my passions is giving new parent relationship support. The family unit is so important to preserve and I am a sucker for love. My husband and I could write a book offering advice to new families. I love helping couples avoid common pitfalls and strengthen their relationship through pregnancy and postpartum. It is a beautiful journey that couples can really capitalize on and grow their love and admiration for each other and I want to be a part of as many of those stories as possible.

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?
The road has certainly not been smooth. I recently had to take a leap of faith and bet on myself with no backup plan. I have been pulled to do this work for years and I got to the fork in the road this year where I felt like I had to make a choice to continue living a life that sacrificed my mental health or gamble and walk in my purpose to serve women who are in need of support. I have struggled with my own mental health and have learned that a main component to me being the healthiest version of myself is being able to exist authentically. This work allows me to do that daily. I am a true introvert, so putting myself out there requires me to confront my battles with social anxiety for the greater good of creating community. Motherhood has been the greatest gift and challenge of my life and it requires constant introspection, accountability, and self-love.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My brand is Momfulness – A Mindful Approach to Motherhood. My mission is to support women and families as they transition into parenthood by offering real support when they need it most. I offer a wide range of services including postpartum doula care, educational classes and relationship coaching to support mothers’ entire well-being through the 4th trimester. My vision is to build a community where no mother feels alone or unsupported on her journey and maintains an internal peace through this experience. I want to be the person women can lean on in times of difficulty and the person cheering them on to celebrate their victories during these transitions and beyond. Momfulness values providing expert guidance, judgment-free spaces for healing, professionalism and compassion-based care.

Creatively, I am a podcaster. On my show, I discuss the complexities of motherhood, share my personal experiences on this journey and give practical tips for a more mindful approach to motherhood. Learning how to be present in my mind, body, and experiences has greatly improved my mental health and given me the gift of constantly learning to love myself. I am so proud of how far I have come on this journey to love my authentic self and tell my truth despite the judgment of others. My podcast combines unfiltered realism by normalizing some taboo experiences of motherhood while also offering practical tips to become more mindful in your daily life.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people do not know that I have suffered from anxiety disorders my entire life nor that I experienced postpartum depression. I hid that very well like I do most things. I encourage people to check on their “strong” friends and family members. If people always seemingly have it together, chances are they are the ones who don’t have the courage or practice asking for help.

Pricing:

• Postpartum Doula Services – $35 per hour
• New Parent Relationship Coaching – $50 per session
• Perinatal Education Courses – $100
• Emotional Wellness Sessions – $35 per hour
• Consultation – FREE

Contact Info:

• Website: www.momfulness.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themomfulnessdoula/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065219610403
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEU8zjx-3PF-AGuHeEIfw9Q
• TikTok:@Momfulness 
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/momfulness-a-mindful-approach-to-motherhood/id1618595648