We recently connected with RaShaye Freeman and have shared our conversation below.
Hi RaShaye, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
I believe empathy is an action word. It goes beyond just relating to the feelings and experiences of others as if they were my own. True empathy is to feel deep compassion for the holistic well-being of others. True empathy is to feel compelled to do what I can to alleviate suffering and to promote healing.
From my earliest years, I was a sensitive and empathetic person. I remember an experience when I was about 5 years of age. I watched a TV special called Wednesday’s Child. With tears streaming down my face, I asked my parents to adopt those children in need of a forever home.
At the time, I didn’t understand that my parents already had their hands full! I only wished for those children to experience the same type love and care that permeated my home. I was blessed to have parents, siblings, friends and loved ones who respected and fostered my sensitivity toward others…That helped to develop my empathy.
Growing up and maturing with such feelings of sympathy and compassion was not always easy. Not only was I vulnerable to the calculated cruelties of others, but I was also saddened to see others suffering especially when I could not help. There was even a brief time in my youth when I wished I was less sensitive. Then, my feelings wouldn’t get hurt so deeply or easily. In that brief phase of life, I often tried to hide my real feelings and present myself as being more stoic and less compassionate. Let’s be honest, my thinly veiled attempt was not fooling anyone anyway. I soon learned to view my empathic nature as a valuable attribute and an integral part of who I am…That helped to reinvigorate my empathy.
As it turns out, my empathic nature was just what I needed to thrive in the field of healthcare. One of the most vital qualities of a nurse is empathy. Over time, I learned how to balance this characteristic in order to leverage it in an even more profound and effective manner. It also taught me how to regulate my empathy so that I could best meet the needs of my patients and their loved ones while ensuring that I do not emotionally burn out. I spent many years serving in various capacities in healthcare. Although stressful at times and quite mentally and emotionally taxing, it has been an incredibly meaningful and fulfilling career. Part of what has helped me to maintain my empathy is the reward of seeing the healing effect that empathy can have in the lives of those who are hurting…That helped to steady my empathy.
Unfortunately, serving in healthcare has also shown me what can happen when formerly well-meaning and warm-hearted clinicians emotionally succumb to the pressures and stresses of their occupation. They can become apathetic and jaded. As an enthusiastic young nurse, I recall once being approached by a well-seasoned clinician. With disdain dripping from her words, she said, “Look at how compassionate you are. Don’t worry. We’ll fix that.” (Thankfully, in my experience, the behavior she displayed was an atypical representation.) I was too stunned to even respond! Once the hairs on the back of my neck laid back down, I reflected on her comment again. I began to feel sorry for her. I thought to myself, maybe she has stayed too long, or has seen too much. Her spirit has been broken. At that moment, I resolved in my mind and heart that she and others like her will NOT “fix that” in me. No matter what, so help me God, I will not compromise or lose who I am designed to be…That helped to fortify my empathy.
Empathy is a beautiful part of me. Yes, it opens up my heart to be hurt. Exposing that vulnerability can be uncomfortable and intimidating. However, it also opens up my heart to alleviate suffering and to help people heal in a way that nothing else can. That is a risk I am willing to take!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I spent many years as a nurse practitioner in various healthcare and leadership settings. I have absolutely loved my career journey. I feel so fortunate! Yes, there have been twists and turns. Those experiences have resulted in my greatest growth and learning and I would not trade them for the world.
In 2023, I came to a crossroads like I have never experienced before in my life. I felt like I was being called to do something drastically different, although, I wasn’t sure what it was yet. I felt an unsettling feeling but I was not sure what to do about it. I prayed and searched. The thought entered my mind that I should start a business. Well, that seemed too drastic of a change for me. I wanted something safer and more secure. However, nothing, and I repeat nothing, else that I tried was working out. Around that same time, a close loved one had a challenging health ordeal. Gratefully, I was able to help her navigate through that experience and all ended up well for her. That was the tipping point for me.
I decided to go all in and give entrepreneurship a full fledge try! I used my former nurse practitioner experience, education, skills and expertise to start a health coaching business. I firmly believe that our bodies have the miraculous ability to naturally heal and restore themselves when placed in an optimal environment. That does not mean that every single person will experience a complete reversal of their illness or chronic condition from making positive lifestyle changes. However, I have seen many people prevent, reverse, or delay the onset of conditions like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, to name a few. At the very least, I believe that most people have the ability to significantly improve their state of health by making simple sustained lifestyle modifications.
That is where Abundant LIFE, LLC comes into the picture. Abundant LIFE, LLC is a lifestyle change support company. We offer small group health coaching and larger scale education programs to Educate, Empower, and Equip people to reach their health goals. Our mission is to help people implement and sustain healthy lifestyle changes in order to live their most Abundant LIFE.
We offer 3 small group coaching session packages. Most clients opt for virtual participation in the small group coaching sessions. Our clients self-select their cohort (of 2-6 individuals, 4 is ideal) to participate in the sessions with them. The small group brings added benefits of engagement, shared learning, accountability, support, and comradery. We provide clients with handouts and supplemental materials to facilitate learning, application and reflection. Learn more about Abundant LIFE, LLC’s small group coaching services at this website: https://abundant-life-llc.com/services/
In addition to the small group coaching sessions, we also offer lectures presentations, workshops and seminars on diabetes prevention, healthy living with diabetes, and strategies for successful implementation and sustaining of healthy lifestyle changes. Learn more about Abundant LIFE, LLC’s additional services at this website: https://abundant-life-llc.com/abundant-life-llc-services-extended/
I am passionate about this business because I have seen it work. My strategies and tools have been cultivated and developed from over a decade of experience working with patients in primary care, Endocrinology, and other specialty clinic settings. I have seen what works and does not work for hundreds of people living with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other chronic illnesses influenced heavily by lifestyle. These approaches continue to be honed and refined and applied in new ways in order to best meet clients’ needs. I have seen clients experience success in multiple areas of life, not just in physical health. The effectiveness of these strategies being applied across an increasing scope is incredibly exciting. I am not referring to just temporary changes either, instead our clients are experiencing sustained lifestyle improvements that continue to enhance their overall health and well-being.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In reflecting back over my journey, not only in the area of entrepreneurship but also life in general, there have been several qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that have been crucial to bringing me thus far. I tried to narrow it down to my top three. I selected these 3 key qualities because they can be widely applied to life and to a successful business venture.
1. Dream big. If you do not have a dream or a vision of where you could potentially see yourself one day, then how will you even know what to strive for? How will you find direction? How will you know when you get there? One of the first steps is getting your mind ready so your actions can follow and make it happen. Never stop dreaming.
2. Always do your best. Whatever you choose to do, do it with all of your might. (Let me take a quick commercial break and put in a plug for balance…Working with all of your might does not mean working yourself to the ground. Self-care, including rest, recreation and balance is part of what enables you to do your best. Now, back to the program…) That motto is a personal principle that I still live by and it is serves me well. I have a strong work ethic. I try to work hard and do a good job, whether anyone is looking or not. Part of doing your best is being prepared. Sometimes you do not even know what you are preparing for. You may not know until the situation presents itself where you need to use your newfound knowledge or skill. If you do your best and stay ready, then you will be able to walk into your opportunity when it comes. Believe me. It WILL come.
3. Take a risk. Life is about taking risks. They may be measured and calculated risks, but risks still the same. That is the only way you are going to achieve your goals. The path to where you want to be will rarely be laid out completely before you. You are going to face circumstances where you will need to put your feet in the water before you can see the stepping stones just under the surface. You might be wondering which risks to take. There is not a perfect formula. Here is how I approach it. I rarely feel totally confident in my decision before I make it. I weigh the costs. I pray. I carefully and selectively seek trusted counsel (the operative words here are carefully and selectively), then I leap. Some risks may not work out the way that you want them to, at least not at first. That does not mean you made a wrong choice and it certainly does not mean that you failed. There are lessons to be learned, knowledge to be gained, and resilience to be built. Do not get lost in discouragement. Try again. Never give up hope. Try, try again.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
I recall many years ago, working in a busy medical practice as a diabetes nurse practitioner along with several physicians. A long-standing patient (Mr. Smith*) had complicated needs and was transferred to my patient panel. At first, I wondered what I could do that hadn’t already been tried, to help this patient who was experiencing significant challenges with self-management. Then, I thought to myself, I know what I am going to do. Mr. Smith may not be new to our office, but he is new to me. So, as far as I am concerned, he has a clean slate. If he is willing to show up for himself, then I am willing to show up for him, too. I am going to do everything I can do to help this patient just as I would any other patient. It took time. It took building trust. It took us taking baby steps. It took me listening with an open-mind, patience, and understanding. Over time, Mr. Smith made tremendous progress. Mr. Smith shocked everyone! In fact, he even shocked himself. At one visit, Mr. Smith emotionally thanked me for saving his life and restoring his health. I had to quickly correct him and state that he was actually the one who did the hard work to turn his condition around for the better. He was the star player and I was just the coach. After that time, I had the privilege of helping many more patients with similar struggles in that practice to improve their health and well-being. It was one of the most rewarding places that I have ever worked. I say that about several of my past jobs. I mean it, too!
I tell this story because, it helps to paint the picture of what my ideal client looks like. My ideal client is anyone who wants to make a positive lifestyle change to live a healthier more abundant life. It is the client who may have tried other programs before but they did not work. The client who may have been told that they were non-compliant, unmotivated, or even a failure. The client who is still willing to show up for themselves even if they are on the verge of losing hope. Here is what you will find at Abundant LIFE, LLC. You will find a fresh clean slate. You will find a positive non-judgmental and supportive environment. We do not claim to offer a one-size-fits all program. There is no such thing. However, this particular approach works for many, if not most. One of the main reasons is because clients are taught how to leverage effective tools and strategies in a way that best meets their individual needs. I have seen this work even among clients who have tried other means before but without success. If you are willing to commit to trying your best and giving what you have to give, then I am willing to work with whatever you’ve got to get you headed in the direction of successful and sustained goal achievement. For questions or to schedule services you can contact Abundant LIFE, LLC at 615-212-8490 or go to this website: https://abundant-life-llc.com/contact-2/
*Not the person’s real name
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abundant-life-llc.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rashaye-freeman/
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