We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Danielle Cadenhead recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Danielle, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Navigating the healthcare field as a Black woman has been nothing short of transformative for me. From starting as a registered nurse, transitioning to a family nurse practitioner, and then earning my doctorate, I faced challenges on every level—professionally, personally, and even emotionally. The healthcare field, especially at higher academic and clinical levels, is still predominantly white, and I often found myself having to fight for recognition in spaces where I was both the minority in terms of race and age.
One of the hardest things I had to overcome was imposter syndrome. I constantly had to remind myself that I earned my place at the table, no matter how many people tried to make me feel like I didn’t. I encountered microaggressions, especially during my time in graduate academia, where colleagues and even students twice my age would challenge my expertise, despite the fact that I was the one teaching them. But what really helped me push through was learning to assert myself—not through aggression, but through quiet confidence. I realized I didn’t need their validation. I had already proven myself. If they didn’t respect my seat at the table, I could always build my own damn table, where I could flourish on my own terms.
And once I fully embraced that mindset, everything changed. I stopped chasing opportunities and started attracting them. Building my psychiatric nurse practitioner practice was just the start. Since then, I’ve expanded into multiple businesses, developed a strong network, and started bringing in revenue without actively seeking it out. The energy you put into the world is what you get back, and when I started truly believing in my worth, the universe responded.
And I also stopped code-switching. For so long, I felt like I had to change who I was—how I spoke, how I dressed, even how I carried myself—to fit into these spaces. But at some point, I just got tired of it. I realized I didn’t have to shrink myself or make others feel comfortable with my presence. Now, what you see is what you get. I show up as my full, unapologetic self—unapologetically Black, unapologetically woman, and unapologetically successful. The right people gravitate toward me, not because I’ve hidden parts of who I am, but because they respect the whole of who I am.
Once I embraced my authenticity and stopped seeking permission to exist as I am, everything else fell into place. The right opportunities and the right people found me. Now, I don’t have to fight for a place at the table. I’ve built my own, and people can join or stay on the sidelines. Either way, I’m still glowing up.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Dr. Momprenuer LLC is the embodiment of everything I’ve learned through my journey—balancing my roles as a mother, healthcare professional, entrepreneur, and advocate for mental health. As a woman who wears many hats, I’ve faced the struggle of finding harmony between my professional aspirations and personal life. That struggle is what ultimately inspired my brand. Dr. Momprenuer is built around the principle that true success and fulfillment come when we can find balance—especially when it comes to mental health. I know firsthand how easy it is to lose yourself in the demands of life, especially as a woman juggling multiple roles. But I also know that when we prioritize our own well-being, we can show up better for everyone else.
Through Dr. Momprenuer LLC, I’ve also birthed my psychiatric mental health practice, *On Call Health and Wellness*, located in Coral Springs, Florida. This practice is tailored to serve a diverse range of individuals, from high-functioning professionals to vulnerable populations like the elderly with multiple comorbidities, disabled veterans, children with dual diagnoses and intellectual disabilities, and even human trafficking survivors. With my unique background, I am able to connect deeply with each and every person who walks through our doors, understanding that mental health doesn’t look the same for everyone, and care must be customized to meet each individual’s needs.
The holistic approach is central to my practice. I work alongside a network of licensed mental health professionals and collaborate with multiple facilities to ensure that patients receive comprehensive, integrative care. Mental health isn’t just about treating the mind—it’s about treating the whole person, and that’s exactly what we do at On Call Health and Wellness.
In addition to my clinical work, I’ve also published a book called *Unapologetically Balance*, a mindfulness workbook designed specifically for women. As women, we’re often so consumed by our careers, our roles as mothers, wives, or caregivers that we forget to choose ourselves. *Unapologetically Balance* is about reclaiming your time and mental space so that you can show up fully for yourself and, by extension, everyone else. It’s about understanding that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
The brand, *Dr. Momprenuer*, came about because I realized that I am more than just a healthcare professional or a mother. I’m a woman with dreams, ambitions, and the desire to build something meaningful, without sacrificing my own well-being in the process. I’m a mom of two toddlers, a serial entrepreneur, and a woman who has learned, sometimes the hard way, how to find balance without losing myself in the process. And that’s the message I hope to share with others: it’s possible to thrive in every area of your life without burning out, as long as you’re willing to put yourself first and prioritize your mental health.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, I would say the three most impactful qualities that helped shape my path were resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to build meaningful connections.
Resilience: Life throws curveballs, especially as a Black woman in a field dominated by others who may not always understand or appreciate your unique experiences. I’ve had to develop an unshakable resilience to push through the setbacks, the doubters, and even moments of self-doubt. Resilience means not allowing failures to define you, but using them as stepping stones.
GET A MENTOR : For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: when you hit those walls—and you will—don’t let them stop you. View them as opportunities to grow, adapt, and evolve. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, but also get comfortable being your own source of motivation. You have to believe in your ability to bounce back, no matter what.
SELF AWARENESS – I had to understand who I was, what I wanted, and what I was willing to accept in my personal and professional life. Knowing myself allowed me to navigate the difficult moments with clarity, and it helped me avoid falling into the trap of overextending myself or compromising my values. It was the foundation for building a brand that was truly *me*, not something I thought others wanted from me.
CLOCK THIS !
You are your most powerful asset. Trust in your ability, stay grounded in who you are, and be relentless in your pursuit of your goals—without losing yourself in the process. And when things get tough, remember: resilience, self-awareness, and the power of meaningful connections will guide you through.. Trust in your ability, stay grounded in who you are, and be relentless in your pursuit of your goals—without losing yourself in the process. And when things get tough, remember: resilience, self-awareness, and the power of meaningful connections will guide you through.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I remind myself is that I don’t have to do it all. One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was to *delegate*. I used to think that if I wasn’t the one doing everything, nothing would get done right, but that mentality led me straight to burnout. I remember my therapist telling me, “Where you spend your time is where you place your value.” That hit me hard. I was spending hours in my office from sunrise to sundown, then rushing to pick up my kids, only to have nothing left to give them because I’d poured all my energy into my work. Those are moments you can’t get back, and that realization made me pause and reevaluate my priorities.
So, my advice is: **Get a therapist and start learning how to delegate**. It’s okay to ask for help, whether it’s in your personal life or your business. I had to build a team that could manage tasks I didn’t need to be directly involved in, so I didn’t have to be “hands-on” all the time. This not only kept my business running smoothly, but it also gave me back my mental space and time for the things that matter most—like my family and my own well-being.
Even when things aren’t falling apart, I still make therapy a non-negotiable part of my routine. Therapy isn’t just for crisis moments; it’s for maintaining mental health and resilience. Consistency in therapy helps me stay grounded, and when I’m in a good headspace, I can show up better for my business, my family, and myself.
So, my strategy for managing overwhelm is to acknowledge it, take a step back, and lean into my support system—whether that’s through therapy, delegating tasks, or simply re-prioritizing my time. It’s a game changer for maintaining balance and mental health.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.oncallhealthandwellnessclinic.com
- Instagram: @drmomprenuer
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
