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Meet Atlanta Author and Wellness Coach Trish Ahjel Roberts

July 26, 2020By Team TBPBusiness, Community, Lifestyle, Wellness

Meet Trish Ahjel Roberts from Atlanta, GA who is an author and wellness coach.

About Your Hustle

Business / Project Name

My self-help memoir, “Thinking Outside the Chrysalis: A Black Woman’s Guide to Spreading Her Wings”

How did you get started, and how did you get to where you are today?

I’m originally from Brooklyn, NY and have been living in Atlanta for the past 13 years. After working as a financial advisor for 12 years I quit my job in 2019 to launch my business, HoneyButterflyz LLC. It’s a portal to books, coaching and plant-based yoga retreats to help black women soar into greatness!

I’ve always been a writer with an interest in wellness. I wrote my first novel, “Chocolate Souffle” in 1995, started practicing yoga in 2000 and purchased a fitness center franchise in Brooklyn in 2004. I began studying Buddhism in 2010 and started organizing Black Vegan Life (TM) on Meetup in 2014. I published “Chocolate Souffle” in 2015 with the help of a meetup group member.

After launching my business in 2019, I released the “Black Vegan Life (TM) Guide to Self-Care” free e-book in March 2020 and my self-help memoir, “Thinking Outside the Chrysalis: A Black Woman’s Guide to Spreading Her Wings” in July 2020. I am a blogger, self-actualization coach, yoga and meditation instructor, and reiki practitioner. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with women, particularly black women.

Challenges and Obstacles

Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of your struggles along the way?

I definitely haven’t been on a smooth road. I’m a single mom with a 19-year old daughter. I filed for divorce from her father when she was only a few months old. I’ve experienced more corporate racism than I like to discuss. My first business, the fitness franchise, had to shut its doors after only a few years. Living in the south has often been a challenge. I think when you take the road less traveled it’s never easy. I wrote a blog a few months back called “Beauty in the Detours.” It’s about finding the lessons when things don’t go your way. I can see how every negative experience I’ve had has shaped my understanding and my compassion. I’m deeply grateful for my journey.

About Your Product / Service

What do you do? What are you most proud of? What sets you apart?

HoneyButterflyz Wellness & Transformation offers books, coaching and plant-based yoga retreats. I am most proud of the 12-drop approach to self-actualization offered in my self-help memoir, “Thinking Outside the Chrysalis: A Black Woman’s Guide to Spreading Her Wings.” It was a labor of love – my love letter to black women.

Of course, I wrote it in nine months! I am also exceptionally proud of my weekly Wellness & Transformation Blog, “Thoughts on Everything.” My heart is full with the testimonials and feedback I’ve received from my retreat participants, coaching clients, and readers. I know I’m impacting lives in a powerful way. I think one of the things that set me apart as a company is my commitment to being one person and helping others do the same.

When I worked corporate jobs I often had to leave a piece of myself at the door. I wrote my first novel in 1995 under a pen name, Trish Ahjel (which is really just my first and the phonetic version of my middle name). I added my family name to be fully present in the world with my full name, Trish Ahjel Roberts. I don’t have a separate writer’s page or Instagram account. I am committed to standing in my truth and my purpose as my unapologetic authentic self. I suppose I also stand out a bit because I’m the only Black, vegan Buddhist yogi that I know.

Pricing Information

“Thinking Outside the Chrysalis: A Black Woman’s Guide to Spreading Her Wings” is available on Amazon in paperback for $14.95. Kindle is scheduled for 8/1/2020 and audible is scheduled for 10/1/2020. Inquire for coaching packages and upcoming retreats.