Dr. Alisha Reed
host of The FLY Widow Podcast
info@theflywidowpodcast.com
"When you stand and share your story in an empowering way, your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else." - Iyanla Vanzant
"You are going to help so many people heal. This topic is not talked about much. This gives us all the opportunity to learn and be better support to widows in our lives." -Angela D.
"Though I'm not a widow, this podcast is very inspirational and real." -Chaunda K
Widow. Mom. Self-Care Strategist.
This is HOW you "Grieve On Your Own Terms."
On Monday morning of December 23, 2019, my entire life changed. My husband, my son’s father, and my best friend passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 43. My heart was broken into a million pieces. At 40, I was now an overnight widow. What do I do? How do I go on? What do I tell my 4-year old son?
In 2014, I founded Nola Bougie, a lifestyle brand and blog with a mission to inspire women to live their best lives by becoming the best versions of themselves. That day, I just wanted to shut down. How could I live my best life without my soul mate?
Then the messages started coming in. Hundreds of them from people all over the world. They were telling me how much I inspired them. They were showing me love and compassion. They sent flowers and cards to my son. They sent food and gift cards. They sent encouragement and motivation. I couldn't believe it. I had no idea people were really paying attention to what I was trying to do. I had no idea I was inspiring others. That was my purpose all along, but I didn't realize I was actually living in my purpose. It was the love and support of all of you that made me realize I couldn't give up on my purpose. It just would look a little different now.
I'm still bougie but, my life is so much more than that. It's time to tell my story. My real story. With no judgement, no hesitation, and no fear.
I realized that I've spent a lot of my time doubting myself, judging myself, criticizing myself, sabotaging myself, shaming myself and, holding myself back. I've done everything but LOVE myself the way I should. It's time for me to change that. Before you do anything else, you must FLY - First Love Yourself.
I plan to fly in everything I do by putting my needs, my goals, my desires, and my purpose first. I know that is what my husband would want for me. And I know when I fly, I will be able to help others fly too.
A butterfly goes through a lot of changes to become the beautiful creatures they are and take flight. I've had my own kind of metamorphosis. Of course it has been painful. But when my husband got his wings, I knew it was time for me to spread my own. It's time for me to fly. I hope you'll join me.
Contact Me
Our stories bring us together. If you are a FLY Widow and would like to connect, we would love to talk to you. If you have a topic that you would like to hear more about, let us know.