Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ariel Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ariel , we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
As I went through the list of questions, I asked myself which one really defines me. I chose where does your generosity come from and I can honestly say my parents. I want to dedicate this to them. God has truly blessed me with not just amazing parents but God fearing parents. Growing up as a preacher’s kid, I learned what it meant to care and serve others. I have watched my parents in church and how they have a love for people. What I admire about them so much is how they live by serve others before you eat. You might be wondering what does that mean-that means as followers of Christ it’s our responsibility to take care, love, and support others. I remember as a little girl how my dad would hold services for people living in nursing homes and group homes. The excitement that the residents had on their faces every time he came was definitely a sight to see. My dad just didn’t hold services by his self but my mom would always be there to support him along with the church. Growing up, I have witnessed how my parents would visit those sick and make phone calls to check on people and how they never had attitudes but always willing to help. My parents and their church started a food pantry. When I tell you, they are so devoted to making sure that everyone is fed-it truly warms my heart. The same parents at church, are the same parents at home. The way they love and care for my daughter and I-I see them as our blessing. I want to share a very special story with you. I had an uncle that passed away a few years ago. He was so special to me and we had a great bond. My dad and my uncle were brothers. I would never forget those moments especially holidays when my mom would cook meals. Before my dad would eat his meal, he would take my uncle his plate. I would watch my mom fix my uncle’s plate, my dad would get in his car, and drive to meet him. This taught me in this very moment to serve others before you eat and take care of your own. Watching my parents through the years, I have learned the spirit of generosity. The way they have taught me allows me to pour into others with my purpose Pumped 4 My Journey. The reason I give so much because I was given so much and it’s my responsibility to help those children and their families living with type 1 diabetes. Thank you so much mom and dad for paving the way! I love y’all so much
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Ariel Brown and I’m the self published author/founder/inspirational speaker of Pumped 4 My Journey. Pumped 4 My Journey was created to inspire and empower school age children living with type 1 diabetes. Our motto here at Pumped 4 My Journey is let’s conquer diabetes together. You might be wondering how Pumped 4 My Journey was started-let’s take a trip down memory lane. In 2019, I asked my endocrinologist to please help me find a book about diabetes for my daughter. At the time, my daughter was very fearful about diabetes and I wanted to find a book that she could understand. We searched and searched the internet but we couldn’t find a book that my daughter could relate to. My endocrinologist suggested that I write a book and I laughed. I told him that I wanted to find the book not write the book. From that moment, we never talked about the book again. I didn’t take it seriously when he gave me the idea because I never wrote a book before and I really didn’t have the confidence in myself. Plus, I wasn’t very open to the idea of talking about my diabetes. I didn’t want to share with the world about that part of my life because I was ashamed and I wanted to stay hidden but God. In October of 2021, my very special aunt passed away and I became very depressed. My Aunt Nita would call our house every Saturday and she passed on Saturday. I began to ask God what do I do now that she’s gone. God didn’t answer me immediately-he allowed me to cry and feel the pain of losing her. What I love about God is that he always has a plan. God started to bring the book idea back to mind and I told God I can’t do it. How can I write a book; I don’t even know where to start. How can I help others if I’m still hurting. God began to reveal to me the Saturdays my aunt would call would be the days I work on the book. I continued to ignore the idea of writing a book but God. I will never forget this Sunday in January 2022, I was sitting in my living room watching church and I heard God say write the book. I grabbed a pen and paper, ran to the bathroom and locked the door-sat on the floor and started writing. As I was writing, the tears were hitting the pages. I literally had no control of my ink pen. 3 hours later the book was complete. I called my mom to let her know I just wrote a book and I don’t know what to do. She told me to pray and ask God to send me a mentor. I prayed for 1 person and God sent multiple people my direction to help me self publish my book. I was able to self publish my book in less than a year. God’s words that he spoke to me were manifesting. I was able to accomplish the following: podcast interviews, local news interview, radio station interview, magazine features, emceed my first JDRF diabetes walk, featured on Dexcom and Tandem’s social media pages, featured vendor at the local library, JDRF event, women’s conference, local health department, Gold’s Gym, local bakery and ice hockey rink, speaker at the local library, local church, Girl Scout’s thinking day, Zoom talk for women’s empowerment, Teacher’s sorority meeting, school career day, a featured panelist at a women’s conference, cohost of a Women’s Empowerment, Pumped 4 My Journey is available in Prince George County School System, the Library of Congress, a resource in Chesterfield County Schools, a resource at the Virginia Department of Education, a resource at one of the local pediatrician’s office and a resource at Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital in Florida and I was also a featured author in Virginia as well as Washington DC. I was able to accomplish all of this in less than a year of releasing my book. I was blessed last year to start mentoring and coaching children living with type 1 diabetes. I think back to my 12 year old self and I how I felt alone. I didn’t see anyone that looked like me telling me I could survive diabetes and I want to be that person. Since God has given me Pumped 4 My Journey I now walk in this confidence knowing God created me for this purpose. Pumped 4 My Journey is more than a book but it’s my calling. Pumped 4 My Journey is available on my website at www.pumped4myjourney.com, Amazon, and Ingram Sparks. I recently launched my t shirt line in October of last year which is also available on my website as well, and I’m also a mentor/coach to children living with type 1 diabetes. Back in 2022, I started my Pumped 4 My Journey instagram page along with YouTube, and Tiktok to inspire and empower those in life not to give up. I’m super excited about what’s happening next for Pumped 4 My Journey. We will be launching Pumped 4 My Journey’s podcast this year-please stay connected with us on all social media pages. I would like to leave this with you. I was the person who hid her diabetes and didn’t want to talk about it but I thank God I’m not that person anymore. God has allowed Pumped 4 My Journey to change my life and help others realize we’re more than diabetes and we’re not defined by our diagnosis. I would love to acknowledge my daughter-she’s truly my miracle and blessing from God. She played a major role in helping me discover my purpose and I love you so much Liya
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I can honestly say the 3 areas of knowledge that helped me with Pumped 4 My Journey was God, having faith, and believing in myself. I realized on my journey to discovering my purpose was really to seek God and just ask him what is my purpose. I’m a strong believer that I’m nothing without God and I ask him daily to lead, guide, and direct my footsteps. I truly believe faith is the foundation to get you to fully tap into your purpose. If God created me then I have to have faith that God knew I could handle my purpose. If God has faith in me then I have to have faith in my purpose as well Pumped 4 My Journey. Confidence is key to believing in yourself. I have discovered on my journey that I’m much stronger than I think and I absolutely love the person I have become. For years, I had very low self esteem and no self confidence but I’m no longer that same person. I’m that woman who is confident in herself because God showed her she’s a masterpiece. My advice to that person trying to discover their purpose or even already knows their purpose-I would encourage them to never give up and don’t quit. I don’t care how many people tell you it can’t work or speak negative-I’m here to tell you yes you can. I want you to look in the mirror each day and tell yourself I’m proud of you, I love myself, and I believe in myself. When a negative thought comes to mind, attack it with something positive about yourself. I believe in you and I’m cheering you on.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Pumped 4 My Journey was originally suppose to be just for my daughter but God had other plans. God began to speak and let me know my daughter knows my story and now it’s time for the world to hear it. I began to have a strong desire to get my book everywhere. Pumped 4 My Journey is available in one school district-Prince George County, Virginia(located in the clinic, guidance counselor office, and library-middle and high school). My goal is to have Pumped 4 My Journey in every school district across the world. I don’t want to stop at the schools but I want to get my book in children’s hospitals, pediatrician offices, primary care provider offices, endocrinologist offices, libraries, health departments, and foster homes just to name a few. I would love to partner with insulin pump companies, continuous glucose monitoring companies, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts troops, and foster homes just to name a few. I would love to collaborate with sports teams, radio stations, tv stations, and other media to bring awareness to diabetes. I have a strong passion for speaking and I would love to travel the world sharing my story as well as growing more support groups for children and their families. We have so many children living with diabetes and they feel alone. I want children and their families to know I’m here and I’m supporting them. My contact information: arielbrown@pumped4myjourney.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pumped4myjourney.com
- Instagram: Pumped 4 My Journey
- Other: Tiktok- Pumped 4 My Journey Email- arielbrown@pumped4myjourney.com
Image Credits
Sharda
