This past Monday, I sat in my surgeon’s office and finalized the logistics for a defining moment in my life: in just two weeks, I’ll undergo a double surgery involving a full hysterectomy and a bowel resection. For many, a procedure of this magnitude sounds like a “pause” or a “setback.” But as a leader, a doctoral candidate, and the CEO of Flourishing Vitality, LLC, I am approaching this as a masterclass in Proactive Resilience.
The Data Behind the Decision: The “Health Gap” is Real
As I prepare for this “new start,” I am looking at the numbers—not just my own labs, but the systemic statistics that govern women’s health. The data is a call to action:
- The Women’s Health Gap: On average, women spend nine years of their lives in poor health—25% longer than men. This isn’t just a medical issue; it’s a productivity and leadership crisis.
- The Disparity: Black women are 2.4 times more likely to undergo a hysterectomy than white women, often facing more severe symptoms and later diagnoses. I was diagnosed with Stage 4.
- The Stress-Disease Connection: Research confirms that chronic, high-level stress—the kind often carried by high-impact leaders—directly feeds the inflammatory pathways that drive chronic disease.
For years, I navigated chronic disease the way many high-achievers do: by “powering through.” But I’ve learned that “powering through” is a depreciating asset that eventually leads to burnout and physical insolvency.
Why This Time is Different: Pre-habilitation vs. Reaction
I have been on the surgical table before, but this time is fundamentally different because I am entering it with clinical agency. I am currently immersed in my Master of Health Science (MHS) in Integrative and Functional Nutrition and my National Board Certification program for integrative health and wellbeing coaching. I am no longer just a patient; I am an architect of my own recovery.
I am utilizing evidence-based frameworks—from ancestral nutrition to stress-modulation—to “pre-habilitate” my body. By aligning my lifestyle with my medical care before the first incision, I am giving my body the absolute best chance to minimize symptoms and maximize my return to the work I love for the 2nd time.
Personal Research: Redefining Impact at UIUC
In just a few short months, I will complete my Doctorate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). While I am currently deep in the rigors of Chapter 3 of my dissertation, this personal health journey has become the “living lab” for my work.
My research focuses on the intersection of institutional impact and executive longevity. Through my studies, I am uncovering how we can shift the “hustle culture” of leadership into a model of Sustainable Vitality. How does this benefit you as an executive? My research provides a roadmap for leaders to:
- Quantify the Cost of Depletion: Understanding how health-stalling directly affects decision-making and organizational culture.
- Operationalize Wellness: Moving beyond “perks” to integrated systems that support the physical and mental stamina required for high-stakes leadership.
- Ensure Legacy: Protecting the leader so the mission can continue long-term.
We cannot lead sustainable change if we are operating from a place of depletion. My dissertation isn’t just a graduation requirement; it’s a blueprint for the future of healthy leadership.
A Legacy of Balance
Beyond the boardroom and the classroom, this is for my family. As a wife and a mother to my daughter and my 21-year-old son, I want to model that rest is a high-performance activity. I am leaning heavily on my own Wellness Workbook to navigate this transition—the same workbook I use to help others with chronic illness to reclaim their control.
This surgery isn’t an ending; it is a physical and intentional reset. It is the beginning of a chapter where I am no longer just managing symptoms, but actively cultivating a life of flourishing.
Let’s Connect & Grow
If you are ready to stop “powering through” and start flourishing, I invite you to join me on this journey:
- Watch the Journey: I’m documenting my pre-op preparation and recovery strategies over on my YouTube Channel [Flourishing Vitality Coach]. Join me for deep dives into integrative health and executive wellness.
- Get the Workbook: Use the tools I’m using. Get a copy of my Wellness Workbook [Flourishing Vitality Workbook] to start your own proactive reset.
- The Research: Stay tuned for my doctoral defense this July as I share more on how we can redefine impact together.