Meet MICHAL CARLOCK

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MICHAL CARLOCK. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

MICHAL, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

At 25, I was diagnosed with a Generalized anxiety disorder. I wasn’t functioning without medication and was having to leave work at times due to panic attacks. I had no idea how to manage or even where to start educating myself on living in a state where it felt like my mind was against me and I had no peace. I was doing all the things people consider “healthy”. I was eating right, working out, and remaining social so as not to isolate, but inevitably, I hit a very low place. I experienced suicidal ideations for the first time in my life and was face to face with the state I was in. It was in this moment I prayed to God, who I hadn’t gave much time to since growing up in the church, and He turned my pain into purpose.

It has been 5 years since that moment, and in those 5 years, I have created a framework and programming for the non-profit I founded, The Her Promise Circle Foundation. We are serving women every week, ensuring they are nourished in their mind, body and spirit. It was through my story that I realized the dimensions of myself I had been neglecting were very much a part of my overall well-being and, therefore, my quality of life.

My team and I focus on removing barriers that keep women from experiencing a life without burnout before crisis reaches them. Developed from both my lived experience and over a decade working bedside in critical care, we have been able to implement programming with high success and measurable outcomes, not just in making women healthier, but expanding health equity and their ability to access the resources, community, and education they need to stay that way.

My main source of motivation is creating a system, space, and becoming the woman I needed in my life in my young adult years in order to have a healthy start to my life. Seeing the transformative work we are doing at the Her Promise Circle Foundation keeps me going in the sense that God always redeems pain and uses it to enhance the lives of not just one person, but many. When women are well, households strenghthen, and communities thrive. I am just grateful God saw fit to allow me to be a part of that.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am the Founder and Executive Director of The Her Promise Circle Foundation, a faith-based nonprofit focused on helping women become whole in their mind, body, and spirit. My work is centered around creating spaces where women can be supported, equipped, and poured into in a way that is both practical and transformative.

What makes this work special to me is that it is not surface level. We are not just talking about wellness, we are actively walking women through what it looks like to live well in a sustainable way. Everything we do is rooted in the understanding that mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health are all connected. When one area is neglected, it impacts everything.

We serve women weekly through our programming, mentorship, and community-based experiences. Our approach is built from both lived experience and my background in healthcare, which allows us to not only support women but also create measurable impact in how they function and show up in their lives.

One of the most exciting parts of what we are building right now is how we are bringing together faith, wellness, and professional growth. Through our partnership with Condesa Coffee, we host events like our Faith and Business ATL Networking Mixer and our bi-monthly Faith and Wellness Coworking Mornings. These spaces allow women to connect, build, and grow in environments that feel aligned and intentional. You can find these on our website or on eventbrite to tap into intentional spaces for connection and partnership!

We have also recently expanded our programming with HPC Fit, which focuses on physical wellness and helping women reconnect with their bodies in a healthy and sustainable way. It has been a powerful addition because it reinforces that wellness is not one dimensional. We host these in person quarterly with the next one coming up May 16th! Open to the public.

In addition to our programming, we are actively involved in the community through partnerships with the Live Healthy DeKalb Coalition as part of DeKalb Public Health’s Health Equity Team, the DeKalb Community Resource Network, and the DeKalb County Alliance for Human Services. Being part of these spaces allows us to contribute to larger efforts around health equity and access while also ensuring the women we serve are connected to the resources they need.

At its core, The Her Promise Circle Foundation is about helping women experience a life where they are not just functioning, but truly well. We are in a season of growth and expansion, and I am focused on continuing to build programs, partnerships, and spaces that make that level of wellness accessible to more women.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey have been self-awareness, discipline, and my willingness to seek both spiritual and practical wisdom.

Self-awareness was the foundation. I had to be honest about where I was mentally, emotionally, and spiritually without trying to hide it or push through it. That honesty is what allowed me to actually heal and grow. My advice to anyone early in their journey is to pay attention to yourself. Learn what you desire, not what others desire for you. Face your bad habits, and praise yourself for the good. Don’t allow your focus to be on just what you are doing, but HOW you are doing. Your patterns will tell you everything you need to know if you are willing to face them.

Discipline carried me through the seasons where I did not feel strong. Growth is not built on motivation, it is built on consistency. The same small practices I committed to in my own healing are the ones that now shape the work I lead today. You do not need to have everything figured out, but you do need to stay committed. Show up for yourself daily, even in small ways.

The third is being open to both spiritual and practical wisdom. For me, that meant deepening my relationship with God while also educating myself, asking questions, and seeking guidance. I did not separate faith from learning. I allowed them to work together. I would encourage others to do the same. God has a purpose and plan for all of us and tapping into how He sees me has truly been the wisdom I have needed in those pivotal moments in my life where I couldn’t see a way ahead.

If I could leave anything with someone early in their journey, it would be this. Give yourself time, but do not stay stagnant. Be honest, stay consistent, and remain open. If you commit to that, you will not only grow, you will become someone you can trust. And once you trust yourself, everything in your life begins to change.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

We love connecting with people and organizations who genuinely care about others and want to make a real impact. That can look like businesses, creatives, healthcare professionals, faith leaders, or anyone who aligns with what we are building.

There are a few ways people can partner with us. You can sponsor one of our events or programs, vend or showcase your business at our experiences, or collaborate with us on events and community initiatives. You can also bring our wellness programming into your organization, or partner with us to create intentional spaces for your team or community.

We are also always looking for professionals and leaders who want to come in and educate our women through workshops and experiences. At the same time, I am available to partner with organizations that want me to bring this work into their spaces through speaking, workshops, and programming.

Everything we do is centered around helping women be well in their mind, body, and spirit, so we are intentional about building with people who believe in that too.

If you are interested in working together, the best way to connect with us is through our website or social media. From there, we can start a conversation and see how we can partner in a way that truly helps people.

If you serve or know women who could benefit from free consistent access to wellness resources, refer them here, or they can join through self-referral. – https://herpromisecircle.org/eligibility-referrals

Upcoming Events, Vending, Sponsorship – https://herpromisecircle.org/events-1 Partnerships and Collaboration Opportunities – https://herpromisecircle.org/partnerships-collaborations

Contact Info:

Image Credits

_inardy shot the personal photo

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