When I was a little girl, I was held to a higher standard because I was the pastor’s daughter, trained to be a good example for the other children. I was quiet much of the time because I wasn’t sure if what I would do or say would be an ...

“I feel your pain.” “I’m hurting for you.” “I know what you’re going through” If you’ve landed on this post, it’s probably because you’ve heard or used these phrases before. And chances are, you probably consider yourself to be an empathetic person—many people do. But being an empath is much ...

A huge thank you to Stunningly Strong for allowing us to use parts of Michelle's interview for our post below. If you would like to read the full interview, click here. Earlier this month, one of my high school classmates, Michelle McKee, passed away. Michelle was always so kind to ...

“Friendship isn’t about who you have known the longest, it’s about who walked into your life, said, ‘I’m here for you’ and proved it.” Amazing friendships are magical. According to Mayo Clinic, having a strong social support system is linked with a reduced risk of depression and high blood pressure. ...

It was 2016. I woke up one morning and felt strange. I could feel my legs and arms shaking. I brushed it aside. But as the week went on, it didn’t stop. I was scared but convinced myself it was just my imagination. And then it got worse.  One morning, ...

Ever heard of bibliotherapy? Also known as "reading therapy," bibliotherapy refers to book-reading programs that promote recovery for those suffering from mental illness. As it turns out, one study found a decrease in depression after a structured program of bibliotherapy (so cool, right?). Oh, and even better? Fiction has been ...

My new book, Be Free. Be You., recently hit the shelves (you can purchase yours here!). In it, I discuss how forgiveness is so important to keeping it real and being your most authentic self. Read on for a sneak peek... Forgiveness sometimes gets a bad rap. Many of us ...

A couple of weeks ago, the New York Times ran an opinion piece by Jessica Knoll called “Smash the Wellness Industry.” Knoll argues that “wellness” is just dieting in disguise—”...wellness also contributes to the insulting cultural subtext that women cannot be trusted to make decisions when it comes to our ...

Imagine you’re out with your friends for dinner and drinks. In the midst of your second or third cocktail, your BFF mentions how she just started a new, trendy therapy treatment. On the outside, you’re probably congratulating her, wishing her all the best. But on the inside, you might be ...

Over the last few months, so much has happened in my life that I absolutely never imagined would be possible…EVER. It led me down a path of reflection and gratitude. I mean, let’s be honest: how often do we actually reflect back on our lives and all of its goodness? ...

I was scrolling through Instagram and stumbled across this amazing quote in my feed. Brace yourself—it’s so good, you’ll gasp: ”Before you heal someone, ask him if he’s willing to give up the things that have made him sick.”—Hippocrates Whew! I know, right? Knocked the wind out of me, too. ...

Over the last few days, I’ve been going back and forth in my head about what to write about. I’m truly very introspective and fortunately live in an inspired place—however, that has its challenges, too. For instance, on any given week, there are a million topics I could cover, but ...

That’s it, I admit: I am a worry wart. You could blame it on my anxiety disorder, the way I’m wired or how I was raised—but whatever the reason, that’s what I do...worry. I started Real Girls F.A.R.T. as a blog, initially. I had no idea how it would turn ...

Last week, Achea dished out her 12 essential steps to keeping things white hot in your relationship. This week, we’ve decided to keep the fire burning with the 5 Love Languages®. Never heard of ‘em? Here’s a quick breakdown before we get started: Lasting relationships, like anything worthwhile, take intentional ...

Have you ever sat by a fire, staring into the flames? I have, plenty of times. I mean, there's nothing more relaxing and comforting than sitting on a couch, cuddled up with a blanket and a coffee mug in hand. And oh yes, a good book. Nothing quite like it. ...

Ready for something BIG? Achea’s new book "Be Free. Be You." is hitting the shelves this summer! Achea has spent the past couple of years researching and writing a book specifically about her journey to becoming authentically her—and how you can do the same, too. In her book, Achea addresses ...

A few weeks ago, Achea sat down with Columbus Dispatch staffers Lucas Sullivan and Scot Kirk, co-hosts of The Other Side podcast—a podcast dedicated to discussing important cultural and social issues related to race, gender and equality. In the episode, Achea shares her personal struggles with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and ...

Relationships are a necessary part of life, and without them we wouldn’t survive. Have you ever glanced through the self-help aisle of the bookstore? You might’ve noticed it’s filled to the brim with everything romance-related—how to get a man, how to dump him, and how to get over him. Yet, ...

It’s no secret I’ve been struggling with anxiety for years. But in 2016, my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD (you can read about my journey here). Ever since, I’ve been on a mission to share my story in the hopes it will ...

“Everyone refers to you as a mama's boy, as if it's somehow a negative thing. They laugh and joke, and make comments here and there about how soft I am making you. They place a negative connotation on the thought of a male outwardly expressing his feelings. But now and ...

In case you haven’t realized, the holidays are just around the corner (like, next week!). From wrapping all of your last-minute gifts to preparing food for your Christmas feast, there’s a lot to do and not enough time to spend on you. But don’t worry, we’ve put together a little ...

“Ignoring Seasonal Affective Disorder will only perpetuate the idea that you’re not allowed to experience something REAL.” Over the past couple of years, Real Girls F.A.R.T. has strived to serve as a support network, encouraging and empowering women to be fearless, authentic, a rescuer, and a trailblazer (F.A.R.T.). From blog ...

I came across this quote from my mom, and I believe I need it now more than ever. Maybe you need it, too:   “Your relationships should be a safe haven, not a battlefield.”   It has taken me five years of major unlearning and undoing of dysfunctional patterns—ones that ...

Okay, everyone—here it is! I’ve put together five of my all-time favorite things to give (or to keep!) this holiday season. Each of these gifts holds a special place in my heart, and I hope it does for your loved ones, too. While many of these presents are $25 and ...

“Have compassion for others, but not at the expense of compassion for yourself.” - Paul Gilmartin   It was the best of times, it was the worst of times—and no, I’m not talking about Charles Dickens’s thoughts on The French Revolution… I’m talking about the holidays. What do you think ...

For the month of October, Real Girls F.A.R.T. had the unique opportunity to partner with Nationwide Children’s Hospital for their On Our Sleeves campaign—an empowering movement for children’s mental health (you can read more about it here!). But now, we’re taking it a step further. On December 1st, Nationwide Children’s ...

Did you know that turkey doesn’t actually make you sleepy? While many blame their post-Thanksgiving naps on the tryptophan, your dip in energy levels actually come from the large amount of carbs eaten during your meal (think: mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie). This myth is just one of the many ...

As many of you know, I typically refrain from posting too much about me personally, but on Monday, I had the opportunity to fulfill one of my dream jobs: I had the privilege to sit down with Mikaela Hunt on her radio show, What Matters with Mindy and Mikaela! Guest ...

This month, I’ve been given the unique opportunity to partner with Nationwide Children’s Hospital for their #OnOurSleeves campaign—an empowering movement for children’s mental health. This effort emphasizes the need to end misconceptions about behavioral health, provides critical education and resources for children and families, and raises funds to advance research ...

Click here to Listen to my Podcast Episode on This Topic In this episode, Cristina Worrel and I discuss the topic of vulnerability and how it is not always accepted or deemed as something positive by those around us. We explore the notion that not everyone wants to live a ...

Click here to Listen to my Podcast Episode on This Topic Is there a wrong reason to exercise? Or is it just good that you are exercising? I think the moment you start to focus on how exercising will make you look as opposed to how you will feel, it’s ...

According to the author Gary Chapman, there are five love languages to which every human being responds to at least one of those. The languages are gift giving, quality time, acts of service, physical touch, and words of affirmation. All of the languages are gender neutral and pretty stay consistent ...

In short... To intervene or not to intervene is one of a parent’s, in particular, a mama bear’s, biggest and most frequent questions. A mom’s intervention is completely situational. It’s basically dependent on whether or not the child is capable of handling the situation correctly and efficiently. It also depends ...

Hello All! Happy Friday to all of my lovely readers. First and foremost, I hope you all had a fantastic week and had an opportunity to try some of those tips on the previous blog. If so, I’d love to know what worked and what didn’t. Today, I’d like to ...

Real Girls F.A.R.T., Owner Achea Redd, NBA wife to Michael Redd responds to the silence breakers featured in TIME Magazine "We are women and we all bleed the same. When one of us is hurting, we are all hurting, and when one of us is feeling the pain, we all ...

Hi all! Can you believe it’s already Wednesday? As per usual, the week is flying by. Anywho, I wanted to touch base about a little something on my mind briefly. I discussed tips in the latest post about going into Monday refreshed and rejuvenated without stress and anxiety. But if you ...

It’s Sunday night and while lying in bed catching up on the latest episode of “The Good Doctor,” I start to get overwhelmed thinking about the week ahead. So much to do, so many places to go, and people to talk to. Can anyone relate? Time just flies by on the ...

So many of us think to ourselves if only I had this, or just if I had that, I would be happier. The reality is that you have the ability to have the life you want to have. Happiness is not contingent upon things, but the attitude and frame of reference ...

Hey everybody! I wanted to drop a little note of encouragement to all of my readers as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday. Often in my life, there are things that happen that I don’t like and more often than not I succumb to the temptation of dwelling too long ...

The temptation of saying yes, when we should be saying no is, unfortunately, a very common practice these days. In general, we live in a highly overstimulated, over-scheduled society and culture where how much you involve your children in determines how good of a mom you are. How many committees, ...

Over the last several months I’ve contemplated this topic. As a mom of two school-aged children, we are always bombarded with this notion of teaching our kids to turn the other cheek. When another child attacks our kids, we are told to teach them not to fight back or stand ...

We left off last week discussing the differences between helicopter and meerkat parenting styles. Helicopter parents, in addition to having a hard time letting their children make their own decisions, also have a difficult time allowing their children resolve conflict their way. Let's face it, it's much easier to handle ...

I've been a parent for a decade now and the minute that I think I have it all figured out, here comes a new phase...a new challenge if you will. My kids are 6 and 10 and they are entirely different kids. I've always been amazed at how that happens. ...

This post is dedicated to all of my little princesses out there who've ever felt left out, rejected, lonely, unaccepted, and unloved. My message is simple today: YOU ARE ENOUGH and YOU ARE LOVED! As a mom of a 7-year old African American, kinky curly-haired princess, I've had my fair ...

I recently came back from a trip to Utah with two of my dearest friends. Despite the fact that I rarely do that sort of thing, I went through with it. I've always had my “reasons” for why I wouldn't take trips without my husband and children. Those reasons would ...

Last week we dealt with one part of what authenticity in its purest form looks like. This week, I’d like to clear up the misconception a little further. For many, “being real” gives them an excuse to be a royal pain in the you know what. You have these people ...

I recently went through a personal challenge in my life that tested my authenticity. Most people, when they think of "keeping it real" or "being real", they tend to refer to how they conduct themselves or how they behave. I did too. Whenever I would talk about being authentic I ...

It's 4 a.m., I'm sound asleep...I mean the R.E.M. kind of sleep. All of the sudden I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder. As I try to resist the prompting to open my eyes, I feel the tap again followed by the gentle whisper of my name, "Mom". I ...

Good ole success. That's a word that is like music to many of our ears. For as long as I can remember, success or being successful was likened to having a desirable career, being married (whether happy or not), a couple of kids, a house (even if you went into ...

To the most patient and lovingly kind man I know. You've shown me how to live, love, and how to be loved. From the bottom of my heart "Thank you". You rescued me from making some really poor choices and you've shown me a better way to do life. Thank you ...

We left off last week discussing the importance of men familiarizing themselves with the root of a young woman's choices as opposed to the fruit or choice itself. It's very difficult to do different if you don't know you should and unfortunately, many of us, male and female go through ...

Dedicated to all of the "good guys" out there who feel like they just aren't getting a fair shot at true love and a meaningful relationship with "the one" woman of their dreams. So I have to admit that this topic didn't just come from the top of my head. I was encouraged by ...

This post is dedicated to all of the hardworking women out there who don't think they deserve to give themselves the best gift of all...TIME. May this post give you the perspective and permission you need to love yourself enough to take a "break" from your norm and discover you.❤️ As women ...

I'm sure we all remember the Disney movie "Rescuers From Down Under". I vaguely remember watching it with my younger brothers, but it's the title that stands out the most. "Rescuer"...hmmm, that's a word that could cause some mixed feelings. Historically the word rescue has a negative connotation as it ...

We previously discussed the beauty, importance, and process of transfigurative freedom two weeks ago. ("Don't Be Scurred") In this particular post, I want to address the practical side of things. As I've said many times over, much of what we do should be approached in a holistic manner. Very few people ...

This post is dedicated to my wonderful grandmother who went to heaven just three weeks ago at the age of 73. I was her only granddaughter and eldest grandchild, so you could imagine the bond we had. It was simply irreplaceable; just as she is irreplaceable. I loved that women with ...

I think I could just post this blog with the title alone and all of you ladies could fill in your own stories. I decided to write on this because I have talked to countless women, all who say that their "time of the month" is absolutely terrible. I'm included in ...

I find that this post is interesting in the fact that this particular phrase was coined several years ago as comical.  We all remember, "Don't be scured".  By the way, that wasn't a typo. I spelled it that way because that's how it was pronounced when someone would say it. Although ...

If you have kids or want them in the future keep reading...if you know someone else who could benefit from this post by all means pay it forward. This post is dedicated to my sweet, independent, fiery, and incredibly creative 6-year-old baby girl. I always thought, contrary to what others ...

This post is dedicated to all of the moms out there who have their kids say "I'm bored" at least a thousand times. I am among those moms and I tell you every time I hear those two words it still frustrates me to no end.  I no longer want ...

This post is dedicated to the late Pastor Jake Butler of whom I had the pleasure to know for a brief time about 8 years ago. We didn't spend a whole lot of time together, but when we did, it was very meaningful. He taught me a very important principle...the ...

As I contemplated what to write about, I thought really intently about some of the things that really plague women. Then it hit me...jealousy and envy are huge in the lives of so many of us. I'll be the first to admit that I've had my own struggles with those ...

This particular post is dedicated to those of you who like to take the easy way out and escape free and clear of any trouble. Well, I've got news for you...that's impossible. Problems, trouble, trials and tribulations are apart of life whether we like it or not. We all have ...

We live in the times where " peace" is hard to come by. I mean most people can't even remember the last time they had peace and quiet. Nowhere to go and no one to call. These days, our lives are so fast paced that we can barely think straight. ...

Not to long ago, my little boy got really ill with some sort of 24 hour stomach bug. I mean he was sick with non stop vomiting for 8 to 12 hours. As with any kid who's that sick, the feeling you get when throwing up is less than desirable. ...

This is an impromptu post. I woke up today thinking about compassion. Many of us think we know what it is, but truthfully a lot of us have no clue. I'm included in that bunch by the way. I started reflecting on 1 Samuel 16:7..."Man looks at the outer appearance, ...

"She wears high heels. I wear sneakers. She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers."--Taylor Swift How many of us in some form or another has felt like Taylor Swift did when she penned the phrase above for one of her songs? How many of you have ever looked another ...

As I sit and stare out of my window looking at the snow, I reflect on a passage found in Matthew 4:1-11. This passage happens to be my devotion for the week so I am thinking of how I can apply it to my everyday life and how it relates to ...

In part 1, we left off with me experiencing uncontrollable shaking that only I could feel. The more I googled the more crazy I drove myself and the more convinced I became that something serious was wrong with me. The shaking continued for weeks on end and my muscles began ...

On July 18,2016 my life changed forever. It was almost exactly a month after my 36th birthday and I found myself in my doctor's office complaining of a lump on the right side of my breast. I'm nervous, but that's to be expected right? So my doctor asks me lie ...

Have you ever sat by a fire staring into the flames? I have plenty of times. I mean, there's nothing more relaxing and comforting than sitting on a couch, cuddled up with a blanket and a coffee mug in hand. And oh yes, a good book. Nothing quite like it. ...

This post is dedicated to all of my recovering control freak ladies out there who need everything to be just right. The bad news is that it will never be just right...the good news is you can learn to live with it. I'm learning every day to roll with the ...

[et_pb_section bb_built="1" admin_label="section"][et_pb_row admin_label="row"][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text"] As I said in my earlier post, I'm a recovering perfectionist. So, as a part of my recovery I have tried to read a daily inspiration to help keep my mind focused and out of the realm of self-judgement. This morning it came out ...

Hi there! So I snapped this picture of some fresh veggies I prepared for my kiddos the other day. For those of you who have kids you know that when they come home from school they are insanely hungry. My kids like to fill up on "junk" mostly, which destroys ...