Some of you may have followed my career as a very successful celebrity blogger and media mogul. I’ve been covered in top magazines, featured in TV Shows, name-dropped in a number of songs, won numerous awards, and even flew around the world with one of my favorite singers on her highly publicized 7-day, 7-country tour. I’ve also seen massive success while in the driver’s seat of a thriving empowerment and lifestyle platform xoNecole which catered to millions of women. But despite all of the success, fame, and relevancy working in media afforded me, nothing has made me feel as purposed and as proud as the work I am doing now with my latest venture, My Happy Flo.
Similar to most women, I spent years overworking, skipping meals, and forgetting to prioritize self-care while hustling my way to success in an unhealthy way. And my periods were debilitating! I’m talking the glued to a heating pad, taking time off of work, and skipping out on vacations with friends kind of bad. At the time, I didn’t know that our menstrual cycle is considered a fifth vital sign and can be considered a monthly report card for our overall health. Similar to some of the symptoms my mom endured before being diagnosed and eventually dying from breast cancer, my period was showing me signs that I was not in good health. I was dehydrated, had gut imbalances, severe vitamin deficiencies and my hormones were out of whack. But I ignored all the signs because I grew up believing that periods were supposed to be painful.