Empowering Lives with Confidence and Purpose

Introducing Dr. Shavona Whitehead: Dr. Shavona L. Whitehead is not just a Life, Confidence, and Empowerment Coach; she is a beacon of hope and transformation for countless individuals seeking to reclaim their power and purpose. With a rich background in life coaching, Dr. Whitehead's approach is deeply rooted in empathy, wisdom, and a genuine desire to see her clients thrive.

Throughout her career, Dr. Whitehead has dedicated herself to helping people overcome personal and professional challenges. Her unique coaching style combines practical strategies with profound insights, enabling her clients to navigate life's complexities with confidence and clarity. She believes in the inherent potential within each person and works tirelessly to bring that potential to the forefront.

Dr. Shavona welcome to the Becoming Article!

We are so excited to have you join us on today! Lets get started....

CAN YOU RECALL A MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE THAT WAS DEEPLY HEARTBREAKING, A MOMENT THAT SHATTERED THE VERY CORE OF WHO YOU WERE, ERASING THE PERSON YOU ONCE KNEW YOURSELF TO BE?

I’ve overcome many traumatic moments in my life, but the hardest would be the sudden passing of my dad in 2018. The church he served for almost 60 years no longer felt like I was qualified to serve after working alongside him for the final years of his ministry. They also threw my entire family away like we never existed. It caused me to question my value and worth in both ministry and life. It shook the very core of my identity, causing me to lose myself and ignite a journey of rediscovery.

WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT THIS MOMENT HAD GROWN WITH YOU, EXERTING A SILENT YET POWERFUL CONTROL OVER YOUR LIFE, HOLDING YOU HOSTAGE WITHIN ITS GRIP?

When I no longer wanted to serve in ministry, I no longer felt that I was anointed or carried the oil I once knew God had placed on my life. I stopped going to church for almost four months and didn’t feel guilty about it. Slowly, I slipped away from my discipline in prayer and study and found myself in a place of isolation. This trauma affected my trust, identity, self-worth, and confidence.

This trauma affected my trust, identity, self worth and confidence.

HOW DID THIS TRAUMA BUILD IN YOUR LIFE, AFFECTING YOUR DECISION-MAKING, APPETITE, RELATIONSHIPS, PERSPECTIVE, AND CONFIDENCE? WHAT DID IT HINDER, AND HOW DID YOU COPE WITH ITS OVERWHELMING PRESENCE? REMEMBER, YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS.

Trust: I grew up in this church—I mean, a church baby. These individuals watched me grow, mature, accept my call, and walk in my anointing. These were individuals I called “aunty,” “uncle,” “sis,” and “bro.” Yet, these were the very ones my dad sacrificed for and served, who acted like my family never existed and that I was no longer good enough.

Identity: How was I good enough to preach your family’s eulogies, preach your special days, christen your children, pray for healing for your loved ones, and sing to strengthen you in your storms, but now I am not good enough to serve after my dad’s transition?

Self-worth: I had sacrificed so much for the ministry, and to no longer feel valued or wanted, I felt abandoned and forsaken, thus affecting my self-worth. “If they don’t want me, then maybe I wasn’t qualified.”

Confidence: I stopped accepting ministry assignments. Since “home” didn’t think I was good enough, then maybe I shouldn’t serve at all. This affected every area of my life, including my marriage. If people who I’ve known my entire life can turn on me, what made anyone else any different?

WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT FOR YOU, THE MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED TO LIVE AGAIN? WHEN DID YOU MUSTER THE COURAGE TO SAY, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH," AND TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD MOVING FORWARD? YOU ARE INCREDIBLY BRAVE.

One day in my home, I was taking a bath and crying out to God, and His response shook the very core of my being. He said, “Who called you, Me or them?” As He continued to minister to me in that moment, God reminded me of who I was. He followed this by saying, “It’s not rejection; it’s protection.” This ignited the healing journey in me to begin to seek God like never before to conquer the place that was trying to conquer me.

It’s Not Rejection, It’s Protection

WERE YOU HESITANT TO LET GO OF THE PAIN BECAUSE IT HAD BECOME FAMILIAR, ALMOST COMFORTING IN ITS FAMILIARITY? WERE YOU AFRAID OF THE FREEDOM THAT LETTING GO MIGHT BRING, AFRAID TO STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN AND BECOME SOMEONE NEW THAT YOUR COURAGE IS COMMENDABLE.

Honestly, I was afraid that I had neglected myself so long because of my wounds that I might not be able to recover. But I knew what God said to me, so I had to push for my healing. That place had the power to destroy me but not the authority; it was me and God.

HOW CHALLENGING WAS IT TO RELEASE THE HURT THAT HAD BEEN A PART OF YOU FOR SO LONG? WHAT HELPED YOU RECOGNIZE THAT IT WAS TIME TO BEGIN THE HEALING PROCESS? YOU ARE UNDENIABLY A STRONG WOMAN.

It was very challenging because I’m called to serve but suffering from wounds due to serving. I remember my dad coming to me in a dream and saying to me, “You are my living legacy. I’ve finished my assignment; now you must complete yours. Don’t get stuck; shake yourself and keep pushing.” Between that and God telling me that I had wallowed long enough, I made a decision to get help to navigate my healing journey and get back to where I needed to be.

WHERE DID FORGIVENESS BEGIN FOR YOU? DID IT START WITHIN YOURSELF, OR DID IT BEGIN WITH FORGIVING OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO YOUR PAIN? REMEMBER, FORGIVENESS IS A PROCESS, AND IT'S OKAY IF IT UNFOLDS GRADUALLY. YOUR JOURNEY IS PRICELESS.

My forgiveness states with me. I had to forgive myself for giving those people that much power over me causing my stagnation and isolation. That took some time because I knew my own thoughts I had been having about me. Then, I began to journey of healing and release for those that hurt me. It definitely was not easy but it was surely worth it. The forgiveness part of the journey taught me a level of humility and resilience that I never knew existed. I had to forgive for me, not for them.

WHEN DID YOU START FEELING THE CYCLE OF PAIN AND TRAUMA BREAKING WITHIN YOU? WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU WERE NO LONGER DEFINED BY YOUR PAST, THAT YOU HAD NOT ONLY SURVIVED BUT THRIVED DESPITE IT ALL?

About a year after I began my journey, I felt a full shift in my life and the residue released from me. I began sharing my journey but no longer feeling angry or weighed down. I felt free! My journey started to become someone’s freedom, which has now become my mantra for my coaching and teaching. God started birthing out the me I was designed and created to be that I almost missed out on because of hurt.

IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO SOMEONE WHO EXPERIENCED WHAT YOU’VE OVERCOME TODAY, ARMED WITH THE WISDOM AND STRENGTH YOU HAVE GAINED, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY? HOW WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE YOURSELF TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD, KNOWING WHAT YOU KNOW NOW? YOU ARE A TRUE CHAMPION.

The dark parts of your journey don’t define your destiny; they refine your resilience. While it’s okay to have your moment, never lose your memory of who you are. Perspective is key to your healing journey; sometimes you have to step back and see with a different lens before you allow it to consume you. Your identity is rooted and grounded in God, not people, so never give people that much power over you. Show up strong for yourself, and walk boldly in who you were ordained to be. Trust the process, even the uncomfortable and not-so-pleasant parts. The story is still being written, so don’t get stuck in one chapter.

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Dr. Shavona, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for coming to share your story with us. Your openness and courage in sharing your journey have touched us deeply, and we are truly honored to have had the opportunity to hear from you.