Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Brown
Hi Sierra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Sierra Brown and I am 36 years old. I am a Christian Health & Wellness Coach and founder of Melanin Well & Co.
I reside in Dallas, TX and have nearly a decade of experience in the health & wellness industry and 13 impressive years of behavior change experience; as I got my start in social work. And my experience in social work is one of my greatest superpowers as a coach.
As a coach, I specifically help Black women of faith all over the world create dream relationships with food, movement, and God by breaking up with dieting for good, embracing nourishment wholeheartedly, and making health & wellness second nature.
Unique Facts About Me:
I am originally from Hinton, WV
I loves BTS and all things Kpop
I am an expert at streamlining healthful behaviors & creating systems to support them
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not!
I grew up in rural West Virginia. 1 of just a handful of Black people that lived in my town. The oldest of 5 children being raised by a single father. I experienced a lot of trauma as a kid; racism, abuse, neglect. And it turned me into an adult that searching… hungry for something, anything. Attention, approval, love… anything. My entire life I tried my best to fill it with basketball and I was able to get a full ride to college. But…
In 2010 (during my senior college basketball season), I was diagnosed with left renal vein thrombosis and fell into a dark depression during the healing process.
I was lost. As lost as one person could be. Without basketball, I had nothing to live for anymore. And I know that sounds dramatic but everything up to that point was about approval and basketball was 1/2 vehicles to approval for me; the other being my physical appearance.
And that tiny little blood clot robbed me of both; my shining star basketball career and my thin body.
And before I knew it, I was starting my first diet and lost my first 10 lbs then 20 lbs then in a blink of an eye 50. And what I quickly realized is that weight loss… gave me more approval and validation than basketball ever had.
Fast forward 2 years… people were asking for my help… and I started my coaching business… teaching people to be “good at dieting” just like me.
And after a successful first few years, I remember sitting in session with a long-term client. She was describing her week to me. All the things she was really proud of. The things she felt ashamed about. As she celebrated how strict she’d been that week… I began to feel really really convicted.
I’d realized that my behavior was being mirrored back to me and it was ugly and sad and captivity.
In that moment… I’d realized my body, dieting… had become an idol. And I was leading other women down a path of idolatry.
And that was when Melanin Well was born. And it’s been absolutely beautiful. Every year.
A few other important moments:
– My brother was murdered 4 years ago and it completely changed my relationship with my health and my body. Another rebirth that only strengthened my brand.
We’ve been impressed with Melanin Well + Co, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Melanin Well + Co is a transformational health and wellness education company uniquely focused on serving Black women of faith. We’re committed to disrupting the traditional diet and wellness industry by offering a holistic approach that prioritizes both physical and spiritual well-being.
What sets us apart:
Faith-Centered Approach: We integrate and center faith in all programs, recognizing its non-negotiable role in overall health and well-being.
Focus on Black Women: We understand the unique challenges and needs of Black women and tailor our content and offers to those needs. Black women are in need of new and fresh approaches designed for them and this is exactly what we offer.
Holistic Approach: We emphasize the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. All dimensions of health both depend and intersect with each other and we honor that.
Anti-Diet Culture: We challenge the norms of the diet industry and promote body liberation, food freedom, and HAES (health at every size).
Our Brand Promise: To empower Black women to cultivate a harmonious relationship with their bodies, minds, and spirits through faith-centered, sustainable wellness practices.
Most Proud Of: I get to work with beautiful Black women every day of my life. Black women who have experienced so much complex trauma. Black women that have wanted to give up so many times but didn’t. Black women who are brave enough to try something new… to show up for themselves. To renew their devotion to God. And shine so bright doing it. It’s my greatest honor. To help them but more than anything to help them grow a more intimate relationship with God and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Books: The Body Liberation Project by Chrissy King, Why Am I Like This by Kobe Campbell, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Youtube Channels: RedefinedTV by Jerry Flowers Jr, Transformation Church, Shoreline City Church, Christ Centered Tribe by Sandra McLagan
Apps: Open, Tapping Solution, Rise Sleep, Notion
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melaninwell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammelaninwell
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melaninwell
- Other: https://melaninwell.substack.com/
Image Credits
Stephanie Williams (Stephanie Kayla Photography)
Andrea Pratt
Shantel Escobar (Captured by Shantel)
