Meet Jahala Walker

We were lucky to catch up with Jahala Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jahala, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience is rooted in a combination of personal and professional experiences, as well as my unique perspectives and strengths.
First of all, raising my son as a single mother and being a DV survivor has undoubtedly contributed to my resilience and who I am today. Motherhood often requires immense strength, adaptability, and emotional depth, and thriving past trauma takes immense courage.
As a mentor for new doulas and a professional doula myself, especially to BIPOC individuals, I have developed patience and great understanding. Supporting others through their journey has taught me the importance of perseverance and resourcefulness. Since going into business full time in 2019 and surviving the pandemic with my practice in tact, has shown me that I have the ability to pivot and grow, even when faced with challenges. My commitment to creating safe and empowering spaces for BIPOC customers in health and wellness reflects my dedication and tenacity. As I navigate Anticapitalism, my work has required critical thinking and resilience, as I have had to balance ethical considerations with practical business needs. Building a community and business in Denver focusing on BIPOC wellness and carving out spaces where I and my clients can thrive is incredibly important to me.
My journey has been shaped by learning experiences, supporting others, and consistently pushing forward despite challenges. This combination of personal, professional, and spiritual growth has forged a deep well of resilience within me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I spent 12 years as a preschool teacher, working closely with children and families throughout most of my career. At 21, while still in college, I became pregnant and had to navigate the challenges of finishing my degree while raising my son. Despite this, I remained determined—earning certifications, taking classes, and continuously working toward my bachelor’s degree.

In 2016, I went to massage school, completed my program, and started my practice, Hands of Oshun Healing Massage, part-time. By October 2019, I took the leap and went full-time. In 2020, I finally graduated with my degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Management. Though I carried fears about my business thriving, I remained mobile, healthy, and able to continue serving my clients one-on-one. My practice grew, and during this time, I also became a certified full-spectrum doula, completing my certification in 2022.

Through all of these achievements, I was also in an eight-year relationship that became increasingly violent, especially during the pandemic. Balancing my business, parenting, and surviving an abusive situation was one of the most intense challenges of my life. Even after leaving, I faced ongoing harassment. Then, in April 2022, I was in a severe car accident, followed shortly after by a brutal attack from my ex-partner. The devastation and trauma were overwhelming.

However, my work—massage therapy, birthwork, doula training, and wellness education—became a source of healing. I found community, strength, and the tools to rebuild. Over the years, I have mentored many doulas and supported over 50 families through birthwork. Recently, I have expanded my knowledge in lactation education and closing the bones ceremonies to support birthing people heal from birth and/or womb trauma. I am also in the process of becoming a Medicaid doula provider to make care more accessible.

Additionally, I was recently accepted into the Urban Leadership Foundation program, an incredible opportunity to build connections, network, and develop my leadership skills. This experience will help me scale my practice and officially launch my doula mentorship program.

I have endured so much, but my story is far from over. Every day, I am writing a new chapter—making HERstory with every step forward.

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?

1. Resilience and adaptability
Develop resilience by allowing yourself grace through challenges. Build a strong support network, engage in self-care, and remember that adaptability is a skill—practice seeing obstacles as opportunities for growth.

2. Leadership and entrepreneurial skills
For those starting, take business and leadership courses, seek mentorship, and lean into community networking. Stay open to learning—scaling a business requires ongoing education and strategic risk-taking.

3. Healing and holistic knowledge
Beginners should start by immersing themselves in hands-on experiences—volunteer, shadow experienced professionals, and continuously seek certifications. Staying committed to personal healing will also enhance your ability to hold space for others.

Be patient with yourself and always open to evolution ✨️

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area for growth has been rest and I have improved my sense of wonder and play. As we all have been navigating an interesting and always changing world, amidst the chaos I have started to recognized the overwhelming sense of exhaustion that has overcome most of humanity. Last year, I went on a retreat by myself to Bali, with people I didn’t know, to ultimately reconnect with myself with no expectations. The rest I gained from that I continue to nurture. I have recently read Rest is Resistance, by Tricia Hersey and it has completely shifted my perspective on what productivity is. I am no longer relying on being a gear on a machine that was built for a system that was NEVER made to help me thrive. I am worthy of just existing. Play has also been key in overcoming my burnout and not losing sight of who I want to be. Coloring, dancing, playing games or just hula hooping with good people have all helped heal parts of my inner chil, and move forward on my goals and keep my personal light.

Stay encouraged. Stay rested. Stay playful!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Adam Hebert

Lynn Townsend

Jordan Hutchison

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