We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dr. Nikeya Young. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Nikeya, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Journaling! I can get lost for a couple of hours writing down my thoughts. It’s how I process, and at the end of the process, I come away with a better understanding of myself (spiritually, emotionally, etc).
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure! My name is Dr. Nikeya Young. I am an Adjunct Professor, Best-Selling Author, Award-Winning Speaker, Board-Certified Mental Health Coach, Certified Master Life Coach/TEDx Speaker/Workshop Facilitator/Ordained Minister/Podcast Host, and Entertainer. As the CEO/Founder of Victorious Living Solutions, a transformative coaching. company. and podcast, I empower. high-potential leaders and teams to crush their goals, despite life’s challenges, and live VICTORIOUSLY! Some of the products and services I offer are: Group Coaching, Executive Coaching, Online Courses, Workshops, and Keynote Speaking. I also have a weekly podcast, Victorious Living Solutions, that airs on my YouTube channel and on Spotify podcasts. Please stop by my website at victoriouslivingsolutions.com to learn more!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Oh, my DAD for sure! He is currently retired (something I NEVER thought he’d actually do), but I have NEVER met anyone who works harder than he did! From my father, I have learned that no matter where you are STARTING from, hard work is the greatest equalizer.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Wow! GREAT question! I would say ONE common wound: rejection. It’s something that everyone goes through at some point in their lives (especially if you’re called to do anything great). However, there were a few pivotal stages in my life where things could have turned out differently if I weren’t intentional about recognizing those wounds and healing my way forward:
1) Childhood Bullying – I was raised by a single mother and lived in government housing projects growing up. Despite that, we did the best we could with what we had. But some kids are just mean! I was constantly teased for everything from living in the projects, to not dressing in the latest name-brand clothes/shoes, to trying to “sound white” (basically speaking properly was equated to “whiteness” in my neighborhood)! It was a losing game, so I decided to just focus my energy towards my schoolwork…and then I got teased for THAT too! I can remember telling my teachers to stop picking me for awards because I would have girls wanting to fight me after the awards assemblies. I stopped raising my hand in class (even though no one else was talking & I knew the answers). It wasn’t until around 8th grade that I became fed up! I decided that I was no longer going to shrink back to try and make others feel comfortable. I also decided that win or lose, I was going to FIGHT BACK! Let’s just say, hunting season on me was over after that!
2) Family Abuse/Rejection – When I was 14 years old, my. mother passed away after years of battling Lupus. After that, I bounced around living with relatives during my high school years. I lived with one of my mother’s sisters for the 1st two years of high school, and another one for my last two years of high school before ultimately graduating and moving away to the Chicagoland area (where I currently reside). Here are just a few lessons that I learned from that time period:
-Hurt people, hurt people.
-Boundaries are your FRIEND!
-Some people LOVE a good “scapegoat” to try and blame for all of their problems. DO NOT volunteer as tribute! Your absence will eventually make it crystal clear who the problem truly was (because all of the problems that they were so quick to try and blame you for will continue LONG after you’re gone). There’s no need to try and defend yourself against an onslaught of verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse. Simply love yourself enough to get up and leave the table when love and respect are no longer being served.
Once you’ve left the situation, the REAL work (healing, growing, thriving, etc) can begin! What happened to you was not your fault, but your healing is your responsibility!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
ABSOLUTELY! What you see is what you get! I am almost 45 years old. I have never been one to try and impress others by putting on airs, and I am definitely not about to start now. Besides, authenticity is one of the BEST traits a businessperson can have (especially in the coaching/speaking industry!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
As one of those people who constantly got their name written on the board for talking too much when I was little, I can definitely say that I am doing what I was BORN to do! Everything that I’m currently doing (teaching, both as a homeschool mom and an Adjunct Professor, coaching, speaking to various audiences, and helping to pull the best out of everyone that I am blessed to work with) is a direct result of me unleashing the power of my God-given voice.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://victoriouslivingsolutions.com
- Instagram: @DrNikeya ; @victoriouslivingsolutions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikeyayoung/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@victoriouslivingsolutions
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Michelle Dokes
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