Meet Theo Boyd

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Theo Boyd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Theo below.

Theo, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I like to say that I got my resilience from some “F” words – Faith, Family, Friends, and Foundation. (More “F” Words, Chapter 11, My Grief is Not Like Yours)

As I began my grief journey, I found out very quickly that without the “F” words – it’s very difficult to move forward. My faith kept me strong, although I did lost that for some time – it just never lost me. My friends were there for me to lean on. You really find out who your true friends are in grief. Grief separates the children from the adults. Find those true friends and lean on them. They are there to hold you up. My foundation, my family – I had the most extraordinary parents that died in extraordinary ways. They are still helping others, even in their death. Without the foundation that I was raised on, I would not be as resilient to carry on and power through this dark world of grief.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I was born and raised on a farm in the small town of Whitney, Texas. My unique name is derived from my grandmothers—Thelma and Elizabeth. In middle school, my classmates nicknamed me Theo. It stuck!

I grew up writing poems with my daddy, learned faith through hardship from my momma, and finished college late in life to become a high school English and Creative Writing teacher. I was awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year my first year in the classroom while continuing to write as a guest columnist for several local newspapers.

In 2019, a sudden and traumatic loss set the scene for my debut memoir, My Grief Is Not Like Yours. It was also the catalyst for my podcast, Think Theo, where I discuss complicated grief and the many layers of loss.

When I’m not writing, I can be found with my dog Manly by my side, walking the fields on the farm, or enjoying an evening out with close friendsTheo and her team are currently on a book tour, traveling through Texas in 2023 and expanding that tour to other states in 2024.

Theo is also writing her second book, which is set to release in the fall of 2025.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1.) Patience
2.) Empathy
3.) Dedication

Take it not only one day at a time, but one hour at a time. I learned patience from my mother, having no sense of hearing in such a noisy world. I learned empathy from both of my parents. Their life was always about others. There is a fine line here. We need to take care of ourselves along the way. It’s hard to help others when we are not helping ourselves. Dedication – I learned this from my father. He pastored a small country church for 33 years and held a community together. Never stop focusing on what your mission is. This applies to all aspects of life, but for me – never stop connecting with people that have broken hearts.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents gave me a strong foundation built on trust, love, faith, and always doing the right thing. I had the best examples that a child could have for the foundation. To be able to go out and help others, even with all the heartaches I have endured – I still have this fire inside to keep helping others. My parents lived extraordinary lives and died in extraordinary ways. They are still helping others, even in their death.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Author photo ( Bryan Chatlien)

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